Hello ALL
In a previous [thread]http://www.linuxquestions.org/questions/linux-newbie-8/too-small-of-free-space-on-disc-c-to-partition-47-06-gb-or-2145-mb-in-shrink-window-4175589674-new/[/URL] I explored problem of too small of a hard drive due to prior partitioned flaw on Dell Studio 1737 laptop.

I wish to upgrade my hard drive and I am confused about compatibility. I purchased a anti-static wrist band and successfully changed out a keyboard, upgrading to back-lit. I have never replaced a hard drive before so I am going by suggestion of parts seller.
I would love SSD and found through my dell service tag a refurbished hard drive with these specs for a very, very good price. Too good, I scares me.
Samsung:2.5" 16GB SATA (SATA 3.0Gbps) Internal Solid State Drive (SSD)
Capacity: 16GB (Gigabytes)
Interface: SATA 3.0 Gbps
Type: Internal - 2.5"
TRANSFER RATE: 3GB/S
SPEED: READS: UP TO 250MB/SEC WRITES: UP TO 220MB/SEC

Questions:
Should I trust a refurbished hard drive? Seller is Dell parts Dealer with long time experience and offers 1 year limited warranty and 30 day return policy with small fee for restocking.

Are there limits on what Hard Drives specs I can use to upgrade this laptop?
Like is 16GB ridiculous too big?

On another parts seller website they say about my Dell studio 1737:
Maximum Memory:8GB Slots:2 (2 banks of 1)
*Not to exceed manufacturer supported memory.
Should I purchase extra RAM since I am changing the hard drive?

I am concerned that I am fitting too high powered of hard drive into a laptop that does not support it. If so what could I read to figure out a max upgrade?

Thanks in advance for advice even to tell me I am way in over my head or that this general upgrade question is unsuitable for linux mint forum. I have successfully flipped and Win XP latitude laptop and will turn this dell studio 1737 vista into a linux mint mate or cinnamon

As already mentioned in your previous topic, an ssd solution would be your most noticeable upgrade.

While I use insane huge amounts of ram on my own desktop, thats all for a very specific user-case, 8gig should be fine for most users(... and utterly useless if you don't have a specific user case for it).

The original HDD in the 1737 is 500GB, so 16GB might be a bit small. You can get a 250GB SSD for about 40.00USD. Any SATA hard drive or solid state drive should work. Drives do not consume much more power as their capacity increases. A 100GB drive consumes the same power as a 1,000GB drive. And SSD drives are low power devices, so you'd save a lot of battery power.

4 gigs of memory is adequate for almost every application and for multitasking. 8 gigs and you can be ridiculously negligent.

it's a piece of cake to change out. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Zs4rJ063LE

2.5" hdd make sure it is. if you go reg hdd try getting a 1TB 2.5"

http://downloads.dell.com/manuals/al...nual_en-us.pdf

if you go ssd get the biggest one you can afford, so you do not have to worry about running out of space. But ultimately it is your choice.