Intel X-25 SSD or should I stick to the HDD?

[Puddle Jumper]

To be honest the SSD tweak guide isn't necessary for the X25-M in my option. Some of the tweaks to preserve drive lifespan can't hurt but the current Intel drives will last an extremely long time even without them.

The only setup I did for the Intel 320 Series (very similar to the x25-M) in my laptop was a clean install of Windows 7.

 

[Trotter]

No, a Dell disk won't work if it has the drivers and such with it. NewEgg sells OEM versions but they will run you $90 or so, but a disk like that (non-branded) would work.

Using the system restore disks would work, but you would have to go back and uninstall the crapware that came on the computer to start with. As long as the disks do not rely on using a recovery partition then you are good.

Even transferring your current installation would work as long as it would fit. You would want to move everything you could back to the original disk so as to reduce wear, but it would still work.