I got hold of a cheap Panasonic CF-D1, but when it arrived it lacked a hard drive. Anyone know if I can just use a normal SSD drive in this? I work at a school where they probably have used ones that nobody need around.
A normal SSD should be fine. I once swapped the spinner drive from a brand new CF-D1 mark III to a 2.5" SATA SSD.
I have three CF D1s on three different tractors and I have changed the disk for all three of them with an SSD. Speed is gained. They are 2.5 inches and can be perfectly adapted to the support that comes with the original disk. However, you will need the support for the disk