How to upgrade the SSD in your Lenovo ThinkPad P72

To match the powerful processor (CPU) and graphics (GPU) hardware options, Lenovo'south ThinkPad P72 provides space for dual 1000.2 PCIe solid-state drives (SSD) alongside a 2.5-inch hard-deejay bulldoze (HDD), which tin can also be upgraded. If your P72 didn't come with an M.2 SSD or you just want to add something faster, we've laid out all the steps required for the upgrade right here.

Hardware and software to get the job washed

M.ii PCIe NVMe SSD: Samsung 970 EVO Plus (From $88 at Amazon)
SSD enclosure for cloning: ElecGear M.2 PCIe enclosure ($50 at Amazon)
Cloning tool: Macrium Reflect 7 (Free at Macrium)
Preclude harm: Rosewill anti-static wristband ($half dozen at Amazon)
All required tools: ORIA PC toolkit ($33 at Amazon)
17-inch powerhouse laptop: Lenovo ThinkPad P72 (From $i,529 at Lenovo)

How to upgrade the SSD in your Lenovo ThinkPad P72

Note: Before beginning any upgrades on a PC, it's a practiced idea to back up your information in the unlikely event something should go wrong. Yous'll besides want to ensure you're not working in a static-filled environment, as it can cause impairment to a PC's internal hardware. Consider investing in an anti-static wristband to avoid unnecessary damage.

Besides HDD and RAM upgrades, calculation faster or larger M.2 PCIe SSDs to the ThinkPad P72 can boost functioning and can give you more room to work with. Basic P72 models come with but an HDD, but yous might have a model that already has i or fifty-fifty two 1000.2 SSDs. In whatever case, they can be easily upgraded thanks to a quick-access panel on the bottom of the laptop.

When working with a laptop with only one SSD slot, it'southward more often than not recommended to purchase an external enclosure and clone whatsoever data, including Windows 10, over to the new SSD before installation. Yet, if your ThinkPad P72 has an empty M.2 slot, you can add an SSD and optionally clone your data over from the other M.2 SSD or the 2.v-inch HDD. Only want to add together a drive without cloning? Install the SSD and brand sure it's recognized by the arrangement.

If your P72 came with two Thou.2 SSDs from the mill and you don't want to swap out piece by piece and internally clone equally you go, you can catch an external enclosure and clone one or both drives to the new hardware before adding it to the laptop. We've had success using Macrium Reflect and have written a guide to assist yous through the process.

Alternatively, if you're upgrading to Samsung'due south 970 EVO Plus, yous volition have access to Samsung'southward cloning tool. Finally, if you desire a clean start, you tin can exercise a fresh install of Windows 10 on the new hardware y'all install.

After making whatever necessary data backups and accept completed whatever cloning, clear out a well-lit workspace and power down your ThinkPad P72 earlier standing with the steps beneath. In this case, we'll demonstrate how to remove the original Yard.2 SSD and replace it with a new i. If you're adding an M.two SSD to an empty slot, skip step 5.

Unscrew the 7 fasteners on the quick-access panel using a Philips-head screwdriver. The screws can't exist completely removed and will stay in the access console despite being loosened.
Lift up the admission console with a pollex or pry tool. Detect at that place's a notch along the edge that helps to pry it upwards.
Fold back the shielding over the M.2 PCIe SSD slot. Do not remove it completely.
Unscrew the single fastener at the end of the SSD. The erstwhile SSD should pop upwardly and remain at an angle.
Slide the old Thou.two SSD out of its slot.
Insert the new M.2 SSD into the slot at a slight angle. Information technology is keyed and volition only fit one mode.
Screw in the unmarried fastener at the stop of the M.2 SSD. Practise not overtighten.
Replace the shielding over the new M.2 SSD.
Replace the access console by applying pressure. Information technology should partially clip into place.
Screw in the seven fasteners on the quick-access panel.

You're now free to boot upwardly your ThinkPad P72 to cheque if the storage upgrade went according to program. If your organisation doesn't automatically recognize the new SSD, bank check out our guide on how to format a new drive to become information technology working properly. If you desire to clone existing data from either the HDD or a secondary M.ii SSD without an external enclosure, you should now exist free to do so.

Our top hardware and software picks

Our choice for an upgrade M.two PCIe NVMe SSD is Samsung's 970 EVO Plus. It'southward incredibly fast, it'southward long-lasting, and it'south relatively inexpensive for the performance you're getting.

Blazing SSD speeds

Samsung 970 EVO Plus

Unreal functioning upward to 1TB in size

Samsung's 970 EVO Plus brings blistering read and write speeds, a competitive toll, and a 5-year warranty, which altogether is an impressive package. Sizes start at 250GB and become upwards to 1TB.

This enormous Lenovo workstation brings ridiculous power, a stunning 4K display, and space inside for plenty of hardware upgrades to go along it relevant long into the future.

17-inch workstation

Lenovo ThinkPad P72

Huge laptop, huge performance

With up to an Intel Xeon Due east-2186M vPro CPU, NVIDIA Quadro P5200 GPU with 16GB of VRAM, and plenty of space for speedy storage and ECC RAM, the ThinkPad P72 is a laptop built for a life of high-performance design and development piece of work.

Boosted Equipment

To make the upgrade process easier and less risky, consider investing in some of these affordable PC tools, and don't forget about Macrium Reverberate and an external enclosure for those who want to clone drives.

ElecGear M.2 PCIe enclosure ($50 at Amazon)

If you're cloning the original SSD to the new SSD, an external enclosure is needed. This choice from ElecGear fits Grand.2 PCIe NVMe SSDs and can connect dorsum to your ThinkPad P72 with USB-C or USB-A.

Macrium Reflect 7 (Free at Macrium)

We've had success cloning drives with Macrium Reverberate vii, and take fifty-fifty written a consummate guide on how to utilize information technology properly. A gratuitous edition is available, but you can purchase a total edition with a bunch more features for those who truly accept backups seriously.

ORIA PC toolkit ($33 at Amazon)

Having the proper gear to work on your PC volition always make the job much easier. Hither you become a plethora of tools contained in a portable case.

Rosewill anti-static wristband ($6 at Amazon)

Static electricity can harm sensitive PC parts, so remove the risk with an anti-static wristband. Fasten information technology around your wrist and clip it onto your PC for peace of listen.

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