Swapping out your old hard drive for a modern SSD is surprisingly affordable and results in 5X better performance: a reputable 500GB MacBook SSD can be had for around $150, while 1TB options are available for around $300 — both considerably cheaper than a new MacBook. It's also surprisingly easy, even if you don't know your way around the insides of a Mac.
Do I really need to upgrade my Mac hard drive?
But the truth is, not all drives are physically spinning HDDs anymore, and the Solid State Drive (or SSD) is becoming an increasingly common upgrade for MacBook Pros of all ages. Because SSDs have a number of advantages compared to HDDs, they are more speedy, reliable and quieter — yes, you won't hear the click sound from a spinning hard drive. Seagate Backup Plus 5TB Portable Hard Drive with Rescue Data Recovery Services Drag and Drop File Saving Right out of the Box; Fast Data Transfer with USB 3.0 Connectivity; Compatible with Windows and Mac Computers; Includes 2 Years of Data Recovery Service.
Fitting a solid state drive in your MacBook Pro is a quick and simple way to boost performance but an upgrade might not always be needed.
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If you only really use your Mac to browse the web and do some word processing, your current hard drive is probably fine. If your system feels a bit sluggish, try running CleanMyMac X first to clean away any resource-hogging junk. That might be the only fix you need (this way junk that is clogging up your system, such as old files, images, apps, duplicates and iPhone backups will be cleared away).
If, however, you're noticing any of the following issues, an SSD upgrade will most certainly help:
- Slow startup
- Sluggish performance in resource-intensive apps such as Adobe Photoshop
- System crashes
- Permission denied errors to files that were previously fine
What to consider when choosing a MacBook Pro SSD
To reap the benefits of an SSD, you need a drive that's up to the task. Here's what to consider:
Read/write speed — SSDs are rated on their reading and writing speed. The higher the speed, the better the performance. Something in the range of 500MB/s and above is good, although actual speed will be about a third less than what's advertised.
Memory — MLC (multi-level cell) and SLC (single-level cell) are the two options available. The former is cheaper and capable of holding more information but the latter is more reliable.
Capacity — Get as much space as you can afford. The greater the capacity of an SSD, the more it will benefit Mac performance.
Reliability — Read the reviews. See what the experts and other users say about SSD performance and reliability. You'll typically find that brand name SSDs rank the highest. Samsung, SanDisk, Crucial, KingSpec, and Transcend are standout brands.
How to fit a new MacBook Pro SSD
Okay, let's get down to business. SSD aside, here's what you'll need to fit your new hard drive:
SATA-to-USB cable
Small Phillips screwdriver
Torx T6 screwdriver
Step 1: Format the SSD
To perform a MacBook Pro SSD upgrade you're first going to need to clone your existing hard drive so that the new one runs like clockwork when it's installed.
Before you do this, you should use CleanMyMac X to perform a Smart Cleanup. This will clear your system of any junk files so that they're not transferred over unnecessarily. You can download CleanMyMac X for free, here.
Cloning the hard drive can be done with a tool such as SuperDuper! or Carbon Copy Cleaner, or with Apple's own Disk Utility program. Here's how to do it with the latter:
- Connect the SSD to your Mac using the SATA-to-USB cable.
- Go to Applications > Utilities and open the Disk Utility.
- Click on the SSD icon, followed by the Partition tab and select 'Partition 1' from the Partition Layout.
- Click on Options and select GUID Partition Table in the next window.
- Click on the First Aid tab, followed by Verify Disk Permissions.
- Click Verify Disk, followed by Repair Disk.
- Shutdown your MacBook and restart it, holding the Option key as you do. Choose the option to boot to Recovery Disk.
- Click on Reinstall Mac OS X and choose the SSD as the destination.
- Copy your files over from the installed hard drive to the SSD. When asked to restore files from another disk, choose the currently installed hard drive.
Step 2: Remove the hard drive
Now it's time to get hands-on.
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- Make sure your MacBook is shut down.
- Locate and remove the 10 screws using the Phillips screwdriver. Put the screws in a small bowl so that you don't lose any.
- Remove the cover and touch a metal part to release the static electricity.
- Locate the hard drive and remove the plastic bracket securing it. This is held in place with two screws.
- Gently remove the hard drive and disconnect the SATA ribbon. Do this by wiggling the connector. Don't yank on the ribbon.
- Remove the four Torx screws attached to the hard drive and screw the posts into the SSD.
Step 3: Fit the SSD
- Carefully attach the SATA ribbon to the SSD and lower it in place.
- Fix the holding bracket back in place.
- Replace the MacBook cover and screw in the ten tiny screws.
- Switch on your MacBook Pro, go to System Preferences > Startup Disk and make sure the SSD is selected.
- Restart your computer.
See, we told you it was easy!
Enjoy a faster, smoother MacBook Pro
Seagate 500gb Hard Drive
A new SSD drive for your Mac will make an instant impact. Apps will launch faster, files will save quicker, and multitasking will be a much smoother experience. Use CleanMyMac X to regularly remove junk files from your system and you'll enjoy slick performance for many a year to come.
CleanMyMac X finds and removes junk files from your MacBook Pro to free up space and keep your system running to its full potential. Make it the first app you install on your new SSD!
These might also interest you:
When most of us think of where our Macs store data, we are used to saying 'the hard drive'. But the truth is, not all drives are physically spinning HDDs anymore, and the Solid State Drive (or SSD) is becoming an increasingly common upgrade for MacBook Pros of all ages. To browser download.
Because SSDs have a number of advantages compared to HDDs, they are more speedy, reliable and quieter — yes, you won't hear the click sound from a spinning hard drive. However, SSDs are also a little bit expensive than HDDs though the price difference is diminishing.
In this guide, we'll walk you through picking the best SSD drive to upgrade your MacBook Pro's old hard drive or existing SSD and point out how we chose the favorite products along the way. Download picsart for macbook air.
Quick Summary
Need a brief summary of our top picks? Here's the best SSD replacement for your MacBook Pro depending on your specific needs.
- For general users who want a quality, affordable SSD, you won't go wrong with Crucial MX500 — which has exemplary read and write speeds, with awesome energy-saving features that will keep your MacBook from overheating or using up excessive amounts of battery.
- For those of you who want to shop an SSD from a reputable brand, get SanDisk Ultra 3D — which will be able to keep up with your work all day, every day with all-around improvements to your booting, loading, and processing times.
- For power users who want a drive that's durable and built to last, pick up Samsung 860 PRO — which allows you to make the most of every gigabyte, and meet your need with a great warranty and optimized processing technology.
Who Should Get This?
It's a digital world, and we all like to have the shiniest gadgets on the market. But do you really need to install a new internal flash storage and dump the old hard disk drive? Well, it all depends and here are our suggestions.
You should consider upgrading your MacBook Pro with an SSD if: Car mechanic simulator 2018 jelly.
- You work with large files regularly.
- Your MacBook starts up very slow or performs sluggishly in general. This is common for old MacBook Pros such as 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012 models.
- The internal hard disk drive is showing its age and might die out any day. Here's a guide that shows how to determine if it's failing.
- You often use resource-intensive apps such as Adobe Photoshop for photo editing, or Premiere Pro for video editing, etc.
- You need the greater reliability of file storage or want to minimize negative experiences with overheating and potential damage.
- You want to upgrade your MacBook without purchasing an entirely new machine.
You may NOT need an SSD replacement if…
- You mainly use the Internet and document editing functions on your Mac and do not make use of heavier applications.
- You use your Mac fairly carefully or do not keep important or sensitive files on the drive.
- You are using a new MacBook (with Retina display), because 'removing the SSD is possible, although it's not an easy job. For starters, the bottom aluminum side is harder to remove. Then, the SSD is kept in place under the speaker module and has a very strong tape covering the interface port.' as pointed out in BGR.
Internal SSD Upgrade for MacBook Pro: What to Consider?
Capacity
When making a purchase, you may find yourself willing to compromise on storage capacity because of the cost compared to an HDD. Don't do this! Because storage capacity is a key factor that determines how much use you get out of your new drive, and as computers progress, you're going to want to have the space to keep up. Additionally, using external drives can slow down your Mac, so it's best to splurge for extra space now rather than regret it later.
Reading and Writing Speed
Every disk drive is rated with a certain set of speed that describes how fast it can read and write files. The range of a good product usually stays between 500MB/s and 550MB/s. The higher these numbers are, the better. Please note that the advertised numbers are not representative of real-world conditions though, in which you'll probably experience speed about two-thirds of those rated.
- Carefully attach the SATA ribbon to the SSD and lower it in place.
- Fix the holding bracket back in place.
- Replace the MacBook cover and screw in the ten tiny screws.
- Switch on your MacBook Pro, go to System Preferences > Startup Disk and make sure the SSD is selected.
- Restart your computer.
See, we told you it was easy!
Enjoy a faster, smoother MacBook Pro
Seagate 500gb Hard Drive
A new SSD drive for your Mac will make an instant impact. Apps will launch faster, files will save quicker, and multitasking will be a much smoother experience. Use CleanMyMac X to regularly remove junk files from your system and you'll enjoy slick performance for many a year to come.
CleanMyMac X finds and removes junk files from your MacBook Pro to free up space and keep your system running to its full potential. Make it the first app you install on your new SSD!
These might also interest you:
When most of us think of where our Macs store data, we are used to saying 'the hard drive'. But the truth is, not all drives are physically spinning HDDs anymore, and the Solid State Drive (or SSD) is becoming an increasingly common upgrade for MacBook Pros of all ages. To browser download.
Because SSDs have a number of advantages compared to HDDs, they are more speedy, reliable and quieter — yes, you won't hear the click sound from a spinning hard drive. However, SSDs are also a little bit expensive than HDDs though the price difference is diminishing.
In this guide, we'll walk you through picking the best SSD drive to upgrade your MacBook Pro's old hard drive or existing SSD and point out how we chose the favorite products along the way. Download picsart for macbook air.
Quick Summary
Need a brief summary of our top picks? Here's the best SSD replacement for your MacBook Pro depending on your specific needs.
- For general users who want a quality, affordable SSD, you won't go wrong with Crucial MX500 — which has exemplary read and write speeds, with awesome energy-saving features that will keep your MacBook from overheating or using up excessive amounts of battery.
- For those of you who want to shop an SSD from a reputable brand, get SanDisk Ultra 3D — which will be able to keep up with your work all day, every day with all-around improvements to your booting, loading, and processing times.
- For power users who want a drive that's durable and built to last, pick up Samsung 860 PRO — which allows you to make the most of every gigabyte, and meet your need with a great warranty and optimized processing technology.
Who Should Get This?
It's a digital world, and we all like to have the shiniest gadgets on the market. But do you really need to install a new internal flash storage and dump the old hard disk drive? Well, it all depends and here are our suggestions.
You should consider upgrading your MacBook Pro with an SSD if: Car mechanic simulator 2018 jelly.
- You work with large files regularly.
- Your MacBook starts up very slow or performs sluggishly in general. This is common for old MacBook Pros such as 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012 models.
- The internal hard disk drive is showing its age and might die out any day. Here's a guide that shows how to determine if it's failing.
- You often use resource-intensive apps such as Adobe Photoshop for photo editing, or Premiere Pro for video editing, etc.
- You need the greater reliability of file storage or want to minimize negative experiences with overheating and potential damage.
- You want to upgrade your MacBook without purchasing an entirely new machine.
You may NOT need an SSD replacement if…
- You mainly use the Internet and document editing functions on your Mac and do not make use of heavier applications.
- You use your Mac fairly carefully or do not keep important or sensitive files on the drive.
- You are using a new MacBook (with Retina display), because 'removing the SSD is possible, although it's not an easy job. For starters, the bottom aluminum side is harder to remove. Then, the SSD is kept in place under the speaker module and has a very strong tape covering the interface port.' as pointed out in BGR.
Internal SSD Upgrade for MacBook Pro: What to Consider?
Capacity
When making a purchase, you may find yourself willing to compromise on storage capacity because of the cost compared to an HDD. Don't do this! Because storage capacity is a key factor that determines how much use you get out of your new drive, and as computers progress, you're going to want to have the space to keep up. Additionally, using external drives can slow down your Mac, so it's best to splurge for extra space now rather than regret it later.
Reading and Writing Speed
Every disk drive is rated with a certain set of speed that describes how fast it can read and write files. The range of a good product usually stays between 500MB/s and 550MB/s. The higher these numbers are, the better. Please note that the advertised numbers are not representative of real-world conditions though, in which you'll probably experience speed about two-thirds of those rated.
Memory Type – MLC and SLC
SSDs have two types of memory: multi-level cell and single-level cell. The first is cheaper to make and stores more information, but the later has a lower rate of error. However, some SSDs come with error-correcting features to minimize this difference, so it's up to you to decide which best fits your needs.
Reliability
While judging a book by its cover is generally frowned upon, when it comes to flash storage, it's perfectly acceptable to judge performance and reliability from the brand name alone. Well-known companies usually have good reputations for reliability and quality control of their products, and you'll want that name-brand security when it comes to something as critical to daily functions.
Best SSD for MacBook Pro (Internal Upgrade): Our Picks
Note that the SSD drives we recommend below are rated based on our own opinions and preferences. They are by no means made in this order.
1. Crucial MX500 250GB 3D NAND SATA 2.5 Inch Internal SSD
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If you are on a budget and need dependability and security for your data, this drive from Crucial fits the bill. Its energy efficient features will protect your MacBook from overheating or draining of the battery. This is an SSD that should meet most users' needs. In our opinion, 250 GB is the best choice, but you may also choose a larger one such as 2TB.
- Pros: It has four different capacities available for you to choose from. The drive is speedy as it's rated for read and write speed of 560MB/sec and 510 MB/sec respectively. Also, the drive includes energy adaptive features to prevent overheating and excessive battery use — this is especially helpful if you're still using an old MacBook with a battery under fairly poor conditions.
- Cons: It's not the fastest drive on the market and some users may need a spacer to make this fit correctly inside their MacBook.
2. SanDisk Ultra 3D NAND 500GB Internal SSD
SanDisk is a world-famous storage solution provider that offers many types of products especially memory cards, flash drives, etc. If you're a photographer, chances are you're using or have used an SD card manufactured by SanDisk. What you may not know is that the company also offers solid state drives. If you need a drive that will perform well under pressure, then Ultra 3D NAND SATA III from SanDisk can definitely fill that need. With lightning-fast read and write speeds, improved startups, and shorter loading times all around, this drive will keep up with you throughout a busy working day.
- Pros: It's very fast as rated at 560 MB/sec in reading and 530 MB/sec in writing. The drive also comes with specialized caching methods to enhance performance while maintaining a cool and quiet operation. Plus, there are a variety of available storage capacities to choose.
- Cons: It doesn't come with a cloning software which means you need to take some time to transfer the data from the old drive to the new one.
3. Samsung 860 PRO V-NAND 1TB SSD
Boasting a 5-year warranty, cloning software, and a respected name, it's hard to know where to start with this Samsung drive's best attributes. You'll benefit from increased speeds for loading applications and saving files, as well as a variety of options for storage capacity to meet your specific needs.
- Pros: It's extremely dependable and known for use among heavy users, will work efficiently with your MacBook (reads 560 MB/sec, writes 530 MB/sec), and includes an outstanding warranty. Also, it uses 3D V-NAND to increase speed and rated for 150 terabytes written — more than enough to outlast your MacBook Pro itself.
- Cons: Some users reported that they had problems with the built-in data migration software.
Useful Tips and Resources
Whenever you consider making any significant changes to your MacBook Pro, it's always a good practice to make sure you have a recent backup of all the important files. See this Apple guide for different ways to back up a Mac machine. Therefore, when it comes to replacing your Mac's internal hard drive with a new SSD, you'll want to make sure that everything is backed up properly in case any potential risk.
The SSD installation process is fairly simple to computer geeks, but general users may find it challenging. https://downkload630.weebly.com/shadowman-pc-patch-15.html. That's why this guide from CNET is worth checking out, it features a step by step tutorial on how to upgrade the internal drive and walks you through the precautions and help you stay on your feet.
Using a MacBook Pro with Retina display (most models after the year 2013)? These Macs don't officially support being taken apart so you should consider carefully whether or not you want to go through with it. However, if you do decide to take a look under the hood, LaptopMag has a great tutorial on how to do so without jeopardizing your Retina MacBook in the process.
Also, if you decide to replace the old drive and install a new SSD all by yourself (aka, DIY), make sure you get the right screwdrivers ready as you need them to open the bottom case of your MacBook Pro. The RION Pentalobe 6 Pentalobe 5 Phillips Tri-wing Screwdrivers is a great choice.
Final Words
It may seem like SSDs have been slow to take off, but they really are the drives for many laptop computers in the future. They're generally faster, more durable, and more efficient than any similar-sized HDD, and you can count on them to store your files and applications safely.
If you've decided to make the internal SSD upgrade for your Mac, tell us what your experience was like. We'd love to hear which drive you chose and how your MacBook Pro functioned afterward.
