Disk drives in laptops have long become an anachronism: the latest models Dell XPS, MacBook Pro or Lenovo ThinkPad have been produced without them for more than 10 years. But what if your laptop is also equipped with a DVD drive, which takes up precious space and collects dust? Turning this slot into useful space is a great upgrade idea. In this article we will analyze all possible replacement options, from the classic second drive to unexpected decisions like additional battery or external video card.

The main advantage of such modernization is increase productivity or autonomy without buying a new laptop. For example, setting SSD instead of a disk drive can speed up system boot by 2–3 times, and adding second HDD will solve the problem of lack of space for games or media library. But not all solutions are universal: some require specific adapters, while others are compatible only with certain models. We have analyzed 10 options, compared them by price, installation complexity and practicality - so that you can choose the best one.

1. Second SSD or HDD: classic storage upgrade

The most popular way to use a free slot is to install an additional drive. This is true for laptops with only one SATA port, where the main disk has already been occupied by the system. For example, in HP Pavilion 15 or Acer Aspire 5 often worth it SSD 256–512 GB, which is only enough for the OS and basic programs. Addition second SSD (or HDD for storing files) solves the problem once and for all.

For this you will need adapter-sled (price from 500 ₽), which replaces the drive and connects to the existing one SATA connector. Important note: check the thickness of your drive - they happen 9.5 mm (standard) and 12.7 mm (less often). A mismatch will result in the adapter simply not fitting into place. Also note that some laptops (eg. Sony Vaio older series) have proprietary connectors - they require special adapters.

  • 🔧 Pros: cheap solution, increase in speed (if you install an SSD) or volume (HDD).
  • ⚠️ Cons: Requires disassembly of the laptop, compatibility issues may occur.
  • 💡 Advice: better choice for games SSD (For example, Samsung 870 EVO), for the media library - HDD (For example, Seagate Barracuda 2TB).
⚠️ Attention: If your laptop is equipped M.2 slot, installing a second SATA drive can disable it (this is how it works in some models Lenovo IdeaPad And Asus Vivobook). Check the connection diagram in the documentation!
📊 What type of drive do you prefer for an upgrade?
  • SSD (speed is more important than capacity)
  • HDD (large capacity required)
  • I don't know what to choose
  • I already have both

2. M.2 SSD via adapter: maximum speed

If your laptop supports NVMe drives, but free M.2 slot is missing or occupied by the Wi-Fi module, you can take a workaround. There are adapters that allow you to connect M.2 SSD (For example, WD Black SN850X or Crucial P5 Plus) through the drive slot. This gives 5–6 times faster speedthan SATA-SSD: up to 3500 MB/s against 550 MB/s.

However, there are pitfalls here:

  1. Not all adapters support PCIe 4.0 - many are limited PCIe 3.0 (speed up to 2500 MB/s).
  2. Some laptops (eg. Dell Latitude E7440) the drive slot is connected via USB 2.0, which negates the benefits of NVMe.
  3. Adapters supported PCIe are more expensive (from 2000 ₽) and require additional power.
Adapter model Connection type Max. speed Price, ₽
ORICO M2P-C3 PCIe 3.0 x2 2000 MB/s 1 800
Sabrent EC-SNVE PCIe 3.0 x4 3200 MB/s 3 500
StarTech S2510BPU33 USB 3.1 Gen 2 1000 MB/s 2 200

💡

Before purchasing an adapter, check whether your laptop supports boot from NVMe through the drive slot. Some BIOSes have this disabled by default.

To avoid problems, update your BIOS to the latest version in advance.

3. Extra battery: more autonomy

For owners of old laptops (for example, MacBook Pro 2012 or ThinkPad T430) the problem of a weak battery is more acute than lack of space. In this case, the drive slot can be used to install second battery. Such solutions are offered by companies like NewerTech (models NuPower) or BaseQi. They connect to the standard power connector and increase operating time by 30–100%.

However, there are nuances:

  • 🔋 Compatibility is limited to specific laptop models (most often MacBook And ThinkPad).
  • ⚡ Batteries lose capacity over time - after 2-3 years they will have to be replaced.
  • 💰 Issue price: from 5,000 to 15,000 ₽ (depending on capacity).
⚠️ Attention: Low-quality batteries from unknown brands may damage the power controller laptop. Buy only certified models with overheat protection.

How to check battery compatibility?

Check the specifications for your model on the manufacturer's website. For example, for MacBook Pro Mid 2012 will do NewerTech NuPower 6300 mAh, and for ThinkPad T420 — BaseQi 9-cell>.

Also pay attention to the voltage: it should match the original battery (usually 10.8 V or 11.1 V).

4. External video card (eGPU): gaming boost

For gamers or 3D modelers, the drive slot can be a connection point for external video card. There are adapters (for example, EXP GDC or ADT-Link R43SG), which allow you to connect full size GPU (like NVIDIA RTX 4060 or AMD RX 6700 XT) through mPCIe or M.2, and take power from the unit in the drive slot. This gives a performance boost of 2–4 times compared to integrated graphics.

However, there are serious limitations:

  • 🎮 Performance is lower than desktop PCs due to the narrow interface (PCIe x1 or x2).
  • 🔌 Required external power supply (from 400 W) and a housing for a video card.
  • 💻 Compatibility depends on BIOS: on some laptops (e.g. HP Omen) eGPU works out of the box, but on others (Acer Swift) requires manual settings.

💡

An external video card through a drive slot is a compromise solution. It will not replace a full-fledged gaming PC, but it will allow you to play Middle-Earth: Shadow of War or Cyberpunk 2077 on medium settings.

For professional tasks (rendering in Blender or work in Adobe Premiere) it is better to consider ready-made eGPU boxes (for example, Razer Core X).

5. USB hub or card reader: expanding ports

If you don't have enough USB ports or a slot for SD cards, the drive slot can be converted into multifunctional hub. There are adapters with:

  • 🔌 4–6 USB 3.0/3.1 ports (For example, ORICO 2139U3).
  • 📷 Card reader for SD/MicroSD (useful for photographers).
  • 🔊 Audio connectors (3.5 mm for headphones/microphone).
  • 🔄 Port Replicator (to connect the monitor via HDMI/DisplayPort).

The advantage of this solution is no need to disassemble the laptop: The adapter is simply inserted in place of the drive and connected via USB 3.0 (sometimes an additional power cable is required). However, the data transfer speed will be limited by the bandwidth of the USB port. For example, when connecting an external SSD through such a hub the maximum speed will be 400–500 MB/s (against 550 MB/s with direct SATA connection).

⚠️ Attention: Cheap USB hubs (< 1000 ₽) often overheat and can damage the USB controller laptop. Choose models with active cooling (For example, Anker 7-in-1 USB-C Hub).

6. Mini PC or Raspberry Pi: Embedded Server

For enthusiasts and IT professionals, the drive slot can become a home for miniature computer. For example, Raspberry Pi 4 or Intel NUC can be integrated into the laptop case by connecting to its power supply and network. This will allow:

  • 🌐 Expand local web server (for example, for testing sites).
  • 📡 Make VPN gateway or Tor node.
  • 🎵 Organize media server (For example, Plex or Kodi).
  • 🤖 Launch home assistant (For example, Home Assistant).

For this you will need:

  1. Connection adapter Micro-USB or Type-C (for power Raspberry Pi).
  2. Network adapter (for example, USB-to-Ethernet, if the laptop does not have a free port).
  3. Passively cooled case (to avoid overheating).

Check compatibility of power connectors|Buy an adapter to connect to SATA/USB|Provide cooling (heatsinks or fan)|Set up remote access (SSH/VNC)

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7. New generation optical drive: Blu-ray or M-DISC

If you still need a disk drive (for example, to work with archived data or view Blu-ray), can be installed modern drive instead of the old DVD-ROM. Options:

  • 💿 Blu-ray drive (For example, Pioneer BDR-XD07U) - for reading/writing disks BD-R/RE (capacity up to 128 GB).
  • 🗃️ M-DISC drive (For example, LG BE16NU50) - for recording on eternal disks (1000 year guarantee).
  • 🔍 Ultra-thin drive (thickness 9.5 mm) - if the standard one does not fit.

This upgrade is relevant for:

  • 🎬 Movie fans who collect a collection of films on physical media.
  • 📀 Musicians working with audio-CD (FLAC or WAV).
  • 📁 Archivists who need reliable backup copies.
⚠️ Attention: Modern drives do not support recording to DVD-RAM (used in older cameras) and may also not read protected disks (for example, with games for PlayStation 2).

8. Cooling system: additional cooler

If your laptop is overheating (eg. MSI GF63 or ASUS TUF Gaming), the drive slot can be used to install additional fan. There are ready-made solutions like Cooler Master NotePal X-Slim or homemade designs with 120mm cooler and power adapter.

Benefits:

  • 🌡️ Reduce CPU temperature by 5–15°C under load.
  • 🔇 Silent operation (if used Noctua NF-A12x15).
  • 💨 Possibility of directed airflow (for example, to a video card).

Disadvantages:

  • ⚙️ Requires modification of the case (drill holes for mounting).
  • 🔌 Must be connected to the motherboard or USB port (which takes up one slot).

💡

An additional cooler is only effective when paired with high quality thermal paste (For example, Thermal Grizzly Kryonaut) and cleaning the cooling system from dust.

Without this, the effect will be minimal.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions

❓ Is it possible to install two SSDs instead of a disk drive?

Yes, but this will require special adapter with two slots (For example, Syba SY-ACC65036). However, please note that both drives will operate through one SATA port, so the read/write speed will be split between them. For maximum performance it is better to use one NVMe-SSD via M.2 adapter.

❓ How do I know which adapter is suitable for my laptop?

Need to check:

  1. Drive thickness (9.5 mm or 12.7 mm).
  2. Connection type (SATA, USB 2.0/3.0 or PCIe).
  3. Availability of free M.2 slots (if you are planning NVMe).

Use utilities like HWiNFO or AIDA64 for hardware analysis. You can also disassemble the laptop and look at the markings on the drive cable.

❓ Will an external video card work on any laptop?

No. To operate an eGPU through a disk drive slot, you must:

  • Availability of a free port mPCIe or M.2 (with support PCIe).
  • Compatible BIOS (some laptops block external GPUs).
  • A fairly powerful power supply (from 400 W).

Before purchasing, check other users' experiences with your model on forums (for example, eGPU.io or NotebookReview).

❓ Is it possible to return the drive back after replacement?

Yes, as long as you keep the original drive and adapter. However, please note:

  • Frequent replacement may damage SATA connector or train.
  • Some adapters (for example, for M.2 SSD) require body modifications, which will make reinstalling the drive impossible.
❓ Which option is the most profitable in terms of price/quality ratio?

If the goal is maximum return at minimum cost, then:

  • 💰 Budget up to 2000 ₽: adapter for SATA-SSD (For example, Kingston A400 480 GB).
  • 💰 Budget up to 5000 ₽: M.2 SSD via adapter (For example, Crucial P3 1TB).
  • 💰 Budget from 10,000 ₽: external video card (For example, RTX 3050 + adapter EXP GDC).