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dportis47 Author

Level 1

6 points

Adding a new SSD replacing the Optical Drive

I am looking to remove my Optical Drive and replacing it with a SSD. My question is, once I replace it will I need to remove Lion from my HHD and install it on my SSD? And if so, how do I go about doing this? Also I would like high performance from CS6 so should I install it on the SSD as well? All the other non apple apps should be okay on the stock HHD or should I just buy a 250GB SSD and move everything over at once with a clone? Thank everybuddy 🙂

MacBook Pro, iOS 4.3.3

Posted on Jun 9, 2012 6:12 PM

Top-ranking reply

StarLabs

Level 1

30 points

Posted on Jun 10, 2012 4:17 AM

ok , what you have in mind is great but slightly misplanned ..

what is recommended is to install the SSD in the slot where your HDD is and them the HDD in the optical drive bay ..

And then install the OS on the SSD (you can make a lion dvd just google that) and then move all the stuff that you don't acess all the time on the HDD ..

This way your OS will benefit from the speed of the SSD (like app launches and what not) while you can use the HDD space for storage etc ..

PS: I'm not sure if the optical drive and the HDD slot have the same bus speeds .. if so it won't matter where you install the SSD but this is not what I think is the case . . What really matters tho is that you install the OS on th SSD

good luck

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18 replies

Nov 24, 2015 1:42 AM in response to las_vegas

Thanks for the info. Interesting to read that you upgraded the logic boards. Was this an easy upgrade in terms of a direct swop out? Was this much more cost effective than a new computer? May consider it with a 17-inch MBP 2009/ 2.93 GHz Core 2 Duo/ 8 GB with a factory fit Matte screen, as I can't stand the glossy screens and therefore won't be buying a new Apple laptop anytime soon.

Cheers

Nov 24, 2015 12:54 PM in response to mariotheplumber

It wasn't too difficult. If upgrading a 2010 Macbook pro (the Wifi cable connects south of the Superdrive connector) the battery and memory need to be replaced as well. This requires a special tri-tip screwdriver to remove the battery. The 2011 boards are a direct exchange. You can find the step-by-step guide at iFixit.com. The cost was about $500 per logicboard. I found a company on eBay that also offered a $50 exchange refund for the old boards. $450 isn't bad for a major upgrade!

Unfortunately, the Macbook Pro 5,2 (early 2009) you described in your previous post would not qualify for this upgrade. I don't believe the logicboard would fit the case.

Nov 25, 2015 2:07 AM in response to las_vegas

Many thanks. Quick check confirms your comment that early 2009 is a no go.

Thanks again.

Adding a new SSD replacing the Optical Drive