Old computer with SSD?

1. There is NO KNOWN PROCEDURE to "extract the Windows 7 OS with programs to put on an SSD."

2. There are continuing glitches in the controllers of SSD and PCs that may or may not require the Intel RST (or whatever they call that today.) How would you avoid these glitches?

3. These are limited life span drives.

However I do think the HYBRID 750GB DRIVE would be a fine choice. Clone your drive to it using the software they supply (may be a download from their site) and you would get the boost without the pain.

Example at http://www.anandtech.com/show/5160/seagate-2nd-generation-momentus-xt-750gb-hybrid-hdd-review

"Look at the bones" (Monty Python Holy Grail reference.)

The speed this turns in is top notch without all the SSD discussion.

Shop around. Here's the thing at amazon.com http://www.amazon.com/Seagate-Momentus-7200RPM-Hybrid-ST750LX003/dp/B00691WMJG/

Bob

Just to echo Bob, those hybrid drives are getting a lot of press lately, and the reviews are great.

First, you're better off just getting a new laptop as yours is already 6yrs. old. You get all the "new generation" stuff and have a s/w bundle to decide to keep or not. Have the warranty and just be new in general and since you used Win7, not be a great leap into OS features.

SSD, maybe a great speed enhancer, but it seems to have longevity issues and what is good for one co. isn't carried across to others and/or just lags overall. When they fail, they fail and there isn't too much the end-user can do, but replace. While "hybrid HDs" are seemly the answer, as they're a cross between a std. HD and SSD, so you get there in one way or another. If you buy a laptop, you should see what you're getting or option for a HD you want besides the std. option and in many cases that's possible. SSD, do add more cost though, so be aware of that. If you go SSD, it needn't be a large one for OS purposes but you need to pay attentions to any future s/w installs, so 128Gb maybe the best SSD to get. Brands, sorry they all seem to act alike, but Intel or Crucial based do well, but get the premium models.

As for partitions, I would go for 2, but you seem to want dual OSes here as well and all I can offer is go with what makes you comfortable. Since, you've experienced this already, redo it all again. I do suggest don't over-complicate it all, if a problem arises, the more difficult it becomes to resolve.

tada -----Willy