Noob SSD replacement

Hey guys.
I'd like to upgrade my SSD on my 15" DS laptop. Sounds easy enough....
But I'd like to know exactly the steps to take, plus which SSD to buy. I currently have 128gb. I want a 250+ ssd.
Does it matter where I get it? B/c I have a customized laptop, do I knew to special order a SSD? Does it have to be a certain size that most manufacturers don't make?
Once I get it, what are the steps to replace it? Or, would it be easier to pay a professional to do it for me?

Any thoughts/suggestions would be appreciated!
Thanks!

I just upgraded the 128GB SSD on desktop to a 250GB Samsung 840-EVO. Speed differences between drives while measurable on benchmarks are basically not observable for most of us in practice. I choose Samsung, as suggested by fstcvc,  because their drives have excellent reputations for reliability and the EVO over the Pro because of price. While the NAND in EVO is not as durable as that in the Pro the EVO is still going to outlive the useful lifetime of the laptop.

If you choose the Samsung the easiest way to go is to buy the kit which includes cloning software, some hardware which you won't need, and the USB to SATA cable which will make life easier. The extra cost of the kit is no more than the cost of the cable if bought separately at Newegg. The migration software is trivial to use, takes about 30 sec to setup and less than 30 min to transfer the data. If you don't buy the kit the Samsung data migration software can be downloaded here. If you go with another brand they'll probably have their own migration software or you can use pretty much any other cloning package.

Meller,

You're certainly correct, that question wasn't asked. However, the OP want's to replace a 128 Gb SSD with a larger one, so it's reasonable to assume his laptop has SATA III, and as most SSDs are SATA III there is little choice. Compared to when I got my first SSD  prices have come way down and 250 Gb Samsung 840 EVO can be found for ~ $150 on sale and a little more in kit form, only a fraction of the cost of replacing the laptop.

 Marty


Edited by Martys - 09 Dec 2013 at 12:46pm

Totally agree about trying to provide the best advice we can. Out of curiosity I went back to Newegg to look at SATA II SSDs with capacities around 250Gb. There were only 11 with the lowest price drive being $165. The others were all over $200. So, seems to me, regardless of whether the OP's laptop supports SATA III or not, he's better off buying a SATA III drive as they're as cheap or cheaper and more 'future proof' (if there really is such a thing with computers).

Personally, I prefer Intel SSDs. They are rumored to have a better track record for the balance between performance and reliability. I use the 520 and have had no complaints. Anyway, that's my two cents.