Hello,
1) Yes.
2) Yes. (However, it is not the hard disk/SSD that must support hot-plug/hot-swap, but the hard disk controller (usually integrated on the mainboard), as well as the software used).

To both questions,
I'm afraid I can't give you an 'enlightening' answer.
Runs on a Lenovo ThinkPad I3,
with OS ubuntu-gnome 16.04 LTS
fine.