Put a new SSD in your Acer TravelMate P6 with this complete guide

Upgrading the SSD in Acer’s TravelMate P6 is a fairly easy process that can add storage space or boost transfer speeds. The TravelMate P6 I’m using for this guide is model TMP614-52-73EJ, though the same steps should apply to any of the configurations Acer offers in the TMP614-52 line. I’ve laid out all the steps required to upgrade the SSD, as well as some hardware to get the job done. Here’s what you need to know.

How to upgrade the SSD in Acer’s TravelMate P6

Note: Before beginning any upgrades on a PC, it’s a good idea to back up your data in the unlikely event something should go wrong. You’ll also want to ensure you’re not working in a static-filled environment since it can cause damage to a PC’s internal hardware.

Acer’s 2021 TravelMate P6 (TMP614-52) has a single M.2 2280 slot for a PCIe NVMe solid-state drive (SSD). In my TravelMate P6 review, I found the factory drive to be quite speedy, coming in at 3,558MB/s read and 2,942MB/s write speeds. This performance is subject to what drive you get, and depending on availability you might get something faster or slower. You can get storage up to 1TB from the factory, but there’s also a 512GB option if you’d like to save some money on the initial purchase.

Acer only offers PCIe 3.0 SSDs in their configurations. Despite the 11th Gen Intel platform, the PC does not support PCIe 4.0 drives. You’ll lose out on speed and efficiency with PCIe 3.0, but PCIe 4.0 SSDs are considerably more expensive than their PCIe 3.0 counterparts. Our collection of the best SSDs makes this apparent.

I recommend checking out something like the Samsung 970 EVO Plus or the SK hynix Gold P31 PCIe 3.0 SSDs. The former is available in four capacities from 250GB to 2TB, while the latter is available in three capacities from 500GB to 2TB. You could go with a PCIe 4.0 drive since they’re backwards compatible, but that’s really only if you want to set yourself up for future upgrades in laptops with PCIe 4.0 compatibility. I use the Crucial P5 Plus in the photos below, but I still recommend a PCIe 3.0 drive.

The TravelMate P6 has just the one M.2 SSD slot inside, so you’ll have to decide before the upgrade process whether or not you want to keep your existing data. Our guide on cloning your SSD can help you move everything including apps and OS over to the new SSD, but you will need an external SSD enclosure for the operation.

If the PC is new or you’ve backed up any files externally and don’t mind starting over with a clean version of Windows, you can swap the drives and go from there. There are a couple of steps to take beforehand, which are laid out in our guide to a clean install of Windows 10.

Once you’re ready for the actual physical SSD swap, power down your TravelMate P6 and clear out a well-lit workspace. Proceed with the following steps to upgrade your SSD.

1. Unscrew the 11 fasteners on the bottom of the laptop using a Torx T6 screwdriver.

   

   Source: Windows Central

2. Pry up the bottom panel using a pry tool or something thin like a guitar pick. Start along the back edge between the hinges and work your way around.

   

   Source: Windows Central

3. Unscrew the single fastener at the end of the M.2 SSD using a Phillips screwdriver.

   

   Source: Windows Central

4. Pull the old SSD away from the M.2 slot. Do not lift straight up, to prevent damaging the slot or drive.

   

   Source: Windows Central

5. Insert the new SSD into the slot at about a 20-degree angle. Notice that the slot and drive are keyed and will only fit one way.

   

   Source: Windows Central

6. Screw in the fastener at the end of the M.2 SSD. Be careful not to overtighten, but be sure the drive is tight.

   

   Source: Windows Central

7. Replace the bottom panel of the laptop by applying pressure around the edges until it clicks into place.
8. Screw in the 11 fasteners on the bottom of the laptop.

If you chose to go with a clean Windows install, now is the time to do so. If you cloned the drive, the laptop should boot up successfully.

Our top hardware and software picks

Either the Samsung 970 EVO Plus or the SK hynix Gold P31 are recommended as upgrades if you’re going with a PCIe 3.0 drive.

Additional equipment

These extra tools aren’t absolutely necessary (though you will need an external enclosure for cloning), but they can help get you through the upgrade process.