Questions about Defiance II: drivers and HDD replacement

O

orost

Member
I'm considering buying a Defiance II 15". Two questions:

* I have a spare copy of Windows, so I'd like to buy it with no OS and install my own. How is the situation with drivers? Will I get them on a disc or can I download them somewhere as a package specifically for this laptop? I would hate to hunt around for drivers for individual components on shady sites as I sometimes had to with some laptops.

* I also have a spare SSD so I'd like to leave one drive bay empty and install it myself. Is it difficult to do in this laptop and does it void the warranty? (I read in the FAQ that opening the case does not void the warranty but I'm pretty sure it was about desktop PCs, not laptops)
 
A

ahad

Silver Level Poster
1) no you don't have to hunt for them. They will be available from your account on pcs to download and i believe you also get a cd too but as i said, no hunting required :p

2) Installing the SSD will not be a problem at all. While it is time consuming opening the case because the original defiance chassis had around 14 screws at the bottom that you had to unscrew before it came off but after that you have direct access to most components including the drive bays. Just slot the SSD in :)

keep one thing in mind though. if you order it with a 970m it will only allow either 2 7mm drives to be installed or one 9mm drive. if you get the 980m version you can install 2 9mm drives as well. so if you get the 970m version make sure the HDD you order is a 7mm version or that your ssd is in m2 from which i get the feeling it isn't :p

Also let me know if you want to ask anything else. I just ordered this baby 3 days ago and now just waiting...which is the hardest part :p
 
A

ahad

Silver Level Poster
Oh and also about the warranty. You do not void it by opening it as long as you don't damage anything. And this applies to laptops too :)
 
O

orost

Member
Thank you for the answers. Especially the tip about the HDD, I would have never known. Do you know if the 500GB 7200RPM HDD available as an option is 7mm? I can't seem to find any details on it. I'm getting the 970M. (I would assume it is, since I can choose it together with an SSD, but just to be sure...)
 
A

ahad

Silver Level Poster
i'm actually not sure about that myself truth be told :p

best option would be to call them up or email them and just ask so as to make sure :)
 
Stephen M

Stephen M

Author Level
If you put a spec together and then click on "proceed" you get a pop up that will either say it is OK or highlight anything that is not compatible.
 
F

Flo

Silver Level Poster
I ordered a Defiance II also but the 17.3" version as the extra screen comes in handy. Initially, I specked it with the 500GB Sata HDD(7200rpm)+240 Kingston HyperX SSD but after some consideration, I ditched the HDD, changed the Kingston with a Samsung951 on m2 port and will be sourcing a 750GB WD Black. This came out about£50 extra. Hopefully the difference will be noticed as everyone has only good things to say about the WD Black.
What is your estimated build date guys? Mine was 19th but it is now the 22nd.
 
Stephen M

Stephen M

Author Level
Flo said:
I ordered a Defiance II also but the 17.3" version as the extra screen comes in handy. Initially, I specked it with the 500GB Sata HDD(7200rpm)+240 Kingston HyperX SSD but after some consideration, I ditched the HDD, changed the Kingston with a Samsung951 on m2 port and will be sourcing a 750GB WD Black. This came out about£50 extra. Hopefully the difference will be noticed as everyone has only good things to say about the WD Black.
What is your estimated build date guys? Mine was 19th but it is now the 22nd.
Click to expand...

I would check the WD Black is compatible with the Defiance, it may be left off the configurator because it is not. I would call or email PCS to check.
 
F

Flo

Silver Level Poster
Thanks for the heads up Stephen. It must be compatible as there are other clevo resellers that offer it. I will check with PCS too of course. The dimensions are as follows:
KFeatures & details
Product Information 750GB , Black
Brand Western Digital
Product Dimensions 10 x 7 x 0.9 cm
Item model number WD7500BPKX
I believe that the inconvenience is I can only install this HDD as it's 9mm but 750GB is plenty of space for me.
 
Stephen M

Stephen M

Author Level
I hope it works out, the WG Black is a great drive, I have one in my Octane, along with a 240GB Hyper X, it is a good partnership.
 
F

Flo

Silver Level Poster
Stephen M said:
I hope it works out, the WG Black is a great drive, I have one in my Octane, along with a 240GB Hyper X, it is a good partnership.
Click to expand...

I had the kingston initially but as the WD is 9mm, I had to put the ssd as m2 and samsung ended up being a bit cheaper. Now the waiting part :)
 
P

Parramatta

Silver Level Poster
ahad said:
1) no you don't have to hunt for them. They will be available from your account on pcs to download and i believe you also get a cd too but as i said, no hunting required :p

2) Installing the SSD will not be a problem at all. While it is time consuming opening the case because the original defiance chassis had around 14 screws at the bottom that you had to unscrew before it came off but after that you have direct access to most components including the drive bays. Just slot the SSD in :)

keep one thing in mind though. if you order it with a 970m it will only allow either 2 7mm drives to be installed or one 9mm drive. if you get the 980m version you can install 2 9mm drives as well. so if you get the 970m version make sure the HDD you order is a 7mm version or that your ssd is in m2 from which i get the feeling it isn't :p

Also let me know if you want to ask anything else. I just ordered this baby 3 days ago and now just waiting...which is the hardest part :p
Click to expand...

I wonder why having the 980 GPU gives you more room for larger hard drives? One would think it'd be the opposite i.e. the 970M would take up less room thereby allowing larger hard drives. Very counter-intuitive.
 
F

Flo

Silver Level Poster
GeorgeHillier said:
I believe it's a 7mm drive bay and the WD black is 9.5mm, so won't fit
Click to expand...

I will check with PCS just to be sure but I found some clevo resellers that have this option for the same model as the Defiance. Worst case scenario I will have to return the drive and ask for a refund.
 
P

Parramatta

Silver Level Poster
ihavenoideawhatiamdoing said:
I read somewhere that it can either have two 7" drives or one 9" drive.
Click to expand...

Well that's a third different-again piece of information. Which is it? 2 x 7mm as in the official specs? 2 x 9.5mm if ordering a 980M GPU? Or just one of each size? Strange that a laptop would give you 2 x 7mm OR 1 x 9.5mm bay? How does that work physically?

I find it weird that there are two chassis for the Defiance II i.e. if you order a different GPU you get a larger chassis for the same model laptop. Can anyone confirm?
 
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