How much does a new hard drive cost?

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Level 1

13 points

How much does a new hard drive cost?

I have a macbook with a failed hard drive thats not under warranty anymore. I was thinking about replacing the hard drive rather than buying a new computer all together because I figured that would be cheaper... but am I right about that? How do I find out how much a new drive will cost?

Thanks for your help!

MacBook 13" White, 2.0GHz, Intel Core 2 Duo, 120GB, Mac OS X (10.4.9), New to Mac's

Posted on Jul 22, 2009 8:37 PM

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Answer 1

hollyebarkan Author

Level 1

13 points

Jul 23, 2009 7:30 AM in response to dwb

Does anyone know how much Apple will charge for this though? I really don't want to do it myself and don't really have an appropriate place to do it anyway. I live in a cramped studio space with two cats who will undoubtedly get in my way and screw things up if I try to do this on my own. I don't really mind investing a little bit of money, I'm just trying to figure out how much.

Thanks for all the responses and suggestions though.

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Answer 2

dwb

Level 7

33,326 points

Jul 23, 2009 7:16 AM in response to hollyebarkan

Check here for a video showing how to install a hard drive in your MacBook. It requires two tools, a Phillips #0 Screwdriver and a Torx T8 Screwdriver, both I found at my local Radio Shack. Check out the same site I sent you to for the video for your drive options - they run $65 to $125 roughly. OWC and NewEgg are my two favorite vendors for upgrade components-good prices and good customer support.

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Answer 3

Fortuny

Level 7

21,461 points

Jul 22, 2009 8:53 PM in response to hollyebarkan

Hi,
Newegg has quite an assortment of harddisk for your MacBook http://www.newegg.com/Store/SubCategory.aspx?SubCategory=380&name=Laptop-Hard-Dr ives

And here are Apples instrcutions on how-to do this http://manuals.info.apple.com/enUS/MacBook_13inch_HardDriveDIY.pdf

Hope it helps

Stefan

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Answer 4

hollyebarkan Author

Level 1

13 points

Jul 22, 2009 9:08 PM in response to Fortuny

Thanks for those links. Do you know if I can get a new hard drive from Apple and have them install it?

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Answer 5

Fortuny

Level 7

21,461 points

Jul 23, 2009 4:47 AM in response to hollyebarkan

hollyebarkan wrote:
Thanks for those links. Do you know if I can get a new hard drive from Apple and have them install it?

The Apple Stores usually do this, but as Lyssa already posted, you end up paying a lot more than if you do this by yourself or ask a friend if you feel uncomfortable about it.

Stefan

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Answer 6

GfulDedFan

Level 4

3,315 points

Jul 23, 2009 7:51 AM in response to hollyebarkan

You should call and ask them. They do not have 2.5" SATA drives for sale at Apple.com so I'm not sure how you need to proceed. I suppose it would be replacement service out-of-warranty. Perhaps you can get a quote on replacement by them and also inquire about a price for installation only if you provide the new drive. -GDF

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Answer 7

Muhajir

Level 1

6 points

Jul 23, 2009 2:18 PM in response to hollyebarkan

You're much better off doing it yourself.
1- you'll have to wait a few days, maybe 2-4 depending on how busy your local store is, for apple to fix it. you can fix it in an hour or two on your own.
2- It will probably be cheaper, I don't know if your laptop is out of warranty. i was looking around, and you can get a 500GB hard drive for 80$-130$.

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Answer 8

Lyssa

Level 8

41,405 points

Jul 22, 2009 9:17 PM in response to hollyebarkan

You're much better off doing it yourself--it's less expensive and very, very easy.

How old is your MacBook? I'll see if I can find the instructions for it.

~Lyssa

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