Laptop hard drives

I need to replace my Laptop hard drive as it's too small 250gb.

I'm looking at a 1TB drive as it's the best value. It's interesting buying just the 2.5" hard drive is the same price or more expensive than buying a 2.5" portable USB3 HDD with enclosure.

Should any new 1gb 2.5" HDDs fit, or is there something I should look out for.

I'm looking at the Hitachi 5400rpm 1TB.

Also, what is the best way to image the data from the old drive to new drive? Using a PC and using the SATA ports?

Actually, maybe I'll buy a 2.5" portable USB3 HDD with enclosure and connect it to the USB port, image the internal hard drive into the external drive. And then swap the drives. The only downside is you'll void the warranty when removing the HDD from the enclosure.

Have just done this with my brother in laws laptop.

Bought a 2.5" 1tb hard drive, they will all fit.

Get yourself a physical copy of Acronis Truimage. Boot from cd, create image of hdd onto external hdd.

Put in new drive, boot from cd and restore image onto new drive.

So you bought a 2.5" 1tb hard drive in a bag or in an external case?

I have a copy of Acronis Truimage boot disc.

In a bag, so to speak. Not in an external casing.

Have to be careful with some of those external ones, the usb connections are actually soldered to the drive. Pulled a couple apart when I was at HN

Thanks

There is also clonezilla. It's free to download and not difficult to use.