Most Lenovo Flex 3’s ship with a spinning disk which operates at an embarrassing 5400RPM. Two words: scrap it! Go spend $75 and buy an SSD. The process to swap out the hard drive is simple:
- Unplug the unit from the AC power and all other devices (i.e. USB mouse…)
- Turn the unit over and remove all 10 screws
- From the corner under the screen near the network and Kensington lock port, use your fingers to pry the back off
- I have done this 4 times now, without any damage to my unit
- CAREFULLY peal back the small LENOVO sticker covering one of the screws holding in the hard drive
- If you tear it, you likely have voided your warranty.
- If I tore mine I would pull it off cleanly, leaving no trace behind because I have seen laptops with and without this sticker. Who is to say yours ever had it?
- CAREFULLY peal back the thermal foil stuck to the drive
- Lift the drive bracket out and disconnect it from the SATA3 motherboard connector
- Remove the common screws on the side holding the drive to the bracket
- Screw in the new SSD to the bracket
- Push the drive into the SATA3 motherboard connector
- Reinstall the three screws holding the drive bracket in place
- CAREFULLY push the thermal foil back into place
- CAREFULLY push the Lenovo sticker over the screw
- Put the back on and screw it in
Power up and have a nice day with your new SSD drive!
2 Comments
DC · October 2, 2016 at 5:54 pm
Is this possible with the models equipped with flash drives?
Ian Matthews · October 9, 2016 at 11:33 pm
I do not know for sure but I would assume it is the same process.