Building a laptop

[Computer_Commando]

Did you get a USB 3.0 HDD yet?  CrystalDiskMark measured virtually the same transfer speeds as the internal 7200rpm drive.  I've got a 32GB USB3.0 flash drive on the way.

[kpac]

No, what kind of price range are they?

EDIT: I see they're actually no more expensive than regular external HDDs...

[Computer_Commando]

I got a WD My Passport Essential SE 1TB for $72
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136839

Flash drive was $30 after rebate, I thought that was a good deal, so am giving it a try.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820220612

[Computer_Commando]

...two USB3.0 ports on it,...

Are you sure it has 2 ports?  There is only 1 way to tell for sure, look inside the port for 5 extra contacts (pins 5-9).  They are on top of the protruding plastic piece.  Difficult to see without a flashlight & magnifier.  It's probably the port next to the HDMI receptacle.  You can feel the difference when plugging in a 3.0 device, requires noticeably more force.

No, what kind of price range are they?

EDIT: I see they're actually no more expensive than regular external HDDs...

Prices seem to be dropping fast.


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[kpac]

I can't really see at the minute, but the specs where I bought the laptop (PCWorld) say that there are 2 USB3.0 ports on it.

[Computer_Commando]

The specs were wrong on mine.  Some say 4 & 0, others say 2 & 2, still others say 3 & 1.  1 or 2 help site had it right, the HP data sheet is incorrect, it says 2-2.0 on right, 2-2.0 on left.  I knew it had to have at least 1, because Device Manager displayed the driver.  Yours is a few months newer than mine & your ports are arranged differently, I suspect you do have 2-3.0 ports.  What I like about mine is that the bottom comes off in 1 piece, for easy access to the RAM & HD.

You went over your budget?

There are so many different models even within a series (i.e. 4430s, 4530s, 4730s), differences being mostly screen size & hard drive size & speed.  They did not use the SuperSpeed logo on the outside.

This looks like it could be yours: HP Pavilion dv6-6156ea
Data Sheet:  http://h20195.www2.hp.com/v2/GetPDF.aspx/c02855700.pdf

Here's mine & the specs are wrong for the USB, only, HDD is 7200rpm:  http://h10010.www1.hp.com/wwpc/us/en/sm/WF06b/321957-321957-64295-3929941-3955552-5060880-5060884-5081511.html

[kpac]

You went over your budget?

Yes, big time.
My parents helped me out a lot - I wasn't expecting them to but they did, so that's why I made sure to get one that'll last me the 4 years in college. I got a 5 year extended warranty with it as well, just to be sure.

This looks like it could be yours: HP Pavilion dv6-6156ea
Data Sheet:  http://h20195.www2.hp.com/v2/GetPDF.aspx/c02855700.pdf

Yep, that's mine alright.

[Computer_Commando]

Here's a pic of a USB 3.0 Type A receptacle, from an extension cable I just received.
You only have to look into the laptop connectors to see the gold plated contacts.  The 3-USB 2.0 connectors have the cutouts for the contacts, but no metal there.

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