Question 1

Is the SATA III cable included?

Accepted Answer

SATA cables were not included. Package included the SSD drive itself and some mounting screws.

Question 2

Does the SSD come with it's own screws for mounting to a hot swap bay?

Accepted Answer

Not it does not.  But they do accept standard size screws.  I was replacing this in a laptop so I swapped it into a sled with the screws from the old drive.

Question 3

What does everyone use to clone their standard Hd's onto these SSD's? For instance I have a Dell XPS 8700 and am looking to upgrade the HD to the Samsung Evo 860. The Dell XPS has a hidden partition for restore software and I want to make sure I get everything. Your help is greatly appreciated.

Accepted Answer

I know it's not the best available and there are more pricey products but I used the Samsung Magician Software available for download from their website.  Unless you have an older Samsung SSD that came with the software - if you install the software and update it it should work fine.

Question 4

Does this include an adaptor to fit older laptops?

Accepted Answer

no adaptor assembly, just the SSD drive.  You need to purchase separately, for example: ORICO 2.5 to 3.5 inch Hard Drive Adapter Converter Portable Mounting Frame Tray for 7mm 9.5mm 12.5mm 2.5inch HDD & SSD Hard Drive Caddy SATA III.. available on Newegg for 8 bucks.
Well worth the expense to protect the SSD.

Question 5

Would like to install on Dell Optiplex Desktop 7010.  Will this work?

Accepted Answer

Can't speak to that model specifically, as I used this in a 2009 MacBook Pro.    This is a 2.5in SATA connector SSD Hard Drive.   So if you computer has an internal SATA connector and SATA power supply connector, this will work.   Most Desktops have 3.5in hard drives, (even if they are SATA connector).   That means you may either have to get a a 2.5in to 3.5in converter frame (to be able to mount the 2.5in drive in the same place as the original 3.5in drive or any extra 3.5in drive space available in your computer case), or get creative with how you mount this.  In my case, I mounted an SSD in my HP HPE14c Desktop by mounting to only one side of the bracket for the original 3.5in HD.   That works for me, but you may just want to pick up a converter bracket.   You will also probably want to keep the original drive in place, and then clone it to the SSD once you get it installed...THEN remove the old HD or keep it, but switch it to be your secondary drive.     Also, Samsung clone software is buggy...so just make sure you don't delete anything off the original drive until you are sure the new drive is working properly.

Question 6

will this work with windows 10?

Accepted Answer

I formatted mine for Mac, no reason it wouldn’t work w windows 10 I don’t think

Question 7

size of ssd in mm, 7mm or 9.5mm?

Accepted Answer

7mm, read the specifications to the bottom.

Question 8

Can this be used in the m.2 slot?

Accepted Answer

no, it won't fit into the m.2 slot.  this is an ssd drive.  you need to find a m.2 memory card and newegg has plenty of them.  do a search for m.2 cards.  be careful there are different types of m.2 cards.  PCIe and SATA I believe.  look at the spec on your motherboard for the type of card that is compatible. hope this helps you.

Question 9

So do I have to use a cloning cable?  Can I just install the drive normally/internally on a desktop boot up and the use the Magician and Data Migration software?  First SSD upgrade noob territory for me.

Accepted Answer

1.) Shut down Computer
2.) Install new drive on 2nd SATA Connection/cable.
3.) Format new drive using utility of choice..
4.) Clone existing Start-up drive to new drive w/cloning utility of choice.
5.) Shut down computer
6.) Swap/Put new drive on SATA connection/cable 1. (Pull old drive or put on SATA 2)
7.) Reboot computer to new drive.

Once you are sure the new drive is up and running correctly with all your files intact, you can decide what to do with the old drive.   I usually set the old drive aside for a week or three to make sure the new drive cloned correctly and is working as expected.

Question 10

Does this Samsung 860 EVO 2.5 SSD come with a cloning cable and cloning software?

Accepted Answer

The software is free for download on the samsung website. You can use the Samsung Data Migration Software for cloning. 
I do not believe that the SSD will come with an additional SATA cable for connection to Mobo you should check and see if you have un-used cables in your tower.

Questions & Answers