Looks like no one’s replied in a while. To start the conversation again, simply ask a new question.

SSD upgrade on new macbook pro?

I'm going to get the "classic" 2.9ghz 13" macbook pro soon, and the only thing i'm disappointed in is that apple still went with hard drives. That being said, i think i want to upgrade the hard drive to an ssd. I would just order the upgrade from apple but the 256gb is a little pricey for me, so i have a few questions:


- will installing an ssd myself void my warranty?

- i've never done any internal work on a computer, but i have no doubt i could do this myself. Even so, could an apple genius do it for me that way if something goes wrong its his fault? 🙂

- whats the best affordable ssd to get. I was looking at crucial because it was affordable but they look kind of cheap compared to the designs of samsung's and vertex 4.

- Lastly, if im doing this upgrade right when i get my macbook i would just need to install the os onto the drive instead of using a cloning program correct? Since Lion is "download only" with no disk what would i need to do that?


- on a side note, i was considering putting the ssd in the optical drives compartment but i decided against it because i have no problem with using external storage if i need to. I feel like putting the ssd in the main slot is a safer bet

MacBook Pro, Mac OS X (10.7.4)

Posted on Jun 15, 2012 2:41 PM

Reply
28 replies

Jun 15, 2012 2:49 PM in response to TrapsAndTricks

Anytime you perform work on your computer you could void the warranty at least with respect to any damage you may cause as a result of the work you did. So if you replace the HDD with an after-market SSD, and if you damage the computer as a result of the replacement, then that damage will not be covered under your warranty.


Even if all goes well but at some point in the future your computer requires a repair, when the service person discovers that the original HDD has been replaced by you, then they may (key word is, may) refuse to cover the repair claiming that you caused the problem when you replaced the HDD.


If you wish to know the repercussions then read your warranty where this is all spelled out for you.


Now, all of that said get your SSD from OWC because they will be faster and more compatible than other third-party products.

Jun 15, 2012 3:26 PM in response to Kappy

Kappy, greetings: I mean installing the operating system (OS), not the physical installation. The OP said:


"- Lastly, if im doing this upgrade right when i get my macbook i would just need to install the os onto the drive instead of using a cloning program correct? Since Lion is "download only" with no disk what would i need to do that?"


You have that ready to go in a very clear, organized and prepared download.


Ciao.

Jun 15, 2012 4:37 PM in response to TrapsAndTricks

Do you want to put the entire contents of the HDD onto the SSD? If so here's how:


How to replace or upgrade a drive in a laptop


Step One: Repair the Hard Drive and Permissions


Boot from your OS X Installer disc. After the installer loads select your language and click on the Continue button. When the menu bar appears select Disk Utility from the Installer menu (Utilities menu for Tiger, Leopard or Snow Leopard.) After DU loads select your hard drive entry (mfgr.'s ID and drive size) from the the left side list. In the DU status area you will see an entry for the S.M.A.R.T. status of the hard drive. If it does not say "Verified" then the hard drive is failing or failed. (SMART status is not reported on external Firewire or USB drives.) If the drive is "Verified" then select your OS X volume from the list on the left (sub-entry below the drive entry,) click on the First Aid tab, then click on the Repair Disk button. If DU reports any errors that have been fixed, then re-run Repair Disk until no errors are reported. If no errors are reported click on the Repair Permissions button. Wait until the operation completes, then quit DU and return to the installer.


If DU reports errors it cannot fix, then you will need Disk Warrior and/or Tech Tool Pro to repair the drive. If you don't have either of them or if neither of them can fix the drive, then you will need to reformat the drive and reinstall OS X.


Step Two: Remove the old drive and install the new drive. Place the old drive in an external USB enclosure. You can buy one at OWC who is also a good vendor for drives.


Step Three: Boot from the external drive. Restart the computer and after the chime press and hold down the OPTION key until the boot manager appears. Select the icon for the external drive then click on the downward pointing arrow button.


Step Four: New Hard Drive Preparation


1. Open Disk Utility in your Utilities folder.


2. After DU loads select your new hard drive (this is the entry with the mfgr.'s ID and size) from the left side list. Note the SMART status of the drive in DU's status area. If it does not say "Verified" then the drive is failing or has failed and will need replacing. Otherwise, click on the Partition tab in the DU main window.


3. Under the Volume Scheme heading set the number of partitions from the drop down menu to one. Set the format type to Mac OS Extended (Journaled.) Click on the Options button, set the partition scheme to GUID then click on the OK button. Click on the Partition button and wait until the process has completed.


4. Select the volume you just created (this is the sub-entry under the drive entry) from the left side list. Click on the Erase tab in the DU main window.


5. Set the format type to Mac OS Extended (Journaled.) Click on the Options button, check the button for Zero Data and click on OK to return to the Erase window.


6. Click on the Erase button. The format process can take up to several hours depending upon the drive size.


Step Five: Clone the old drive to the new drive


1. Open Disk Utility from the Utilities folder.

2. Select the destination volume from the left side list.

3. Click on the Restore tab in the DU main window.

4. Check the box labeled Erase destination.

5. Select the destination volume from the left side list and drag it to the Destination entry field.

6. Select the source volume from the left side list and drag it to the Source entry field.

7. Double-check you got it right, then click on the Restore button.


Destination means the new internal drive. Source means the old external drive.


Step Six: Open the Startup Disk preferences and select the new internal volume. Click on the Restart button. You should boot from the new drive. Eject the external drive and disconnect it from the computer.

Jun 15, 2012 10:21 PM in response to TrapsAndTricks

When I installed my SSD (Crucial m4 512GB which I highly recommend) I used Lion DiskMaker to create a bootable USB flash drive. You just need to make sure that you download "Install Mac OS X Lion.app" from the App Store (which should be free with a new MBP). Just follow the simple instructions. Then boot from the Lion Install USB drive, reformat your SSD and install your Time Machine back-up (others differ on back-up methods - I just started using Time Machine when I upgraded to SL, but I love it).


And Bob's your uncle!


Clinto

Jun 19, 2012 9:51 PM in response to TrapsAndTricks

I am buying 13 inch 2.5Ghz new macbook pro. Hard drive upgarde offers either HDD or SSD not both...

Can both of these reside together in the system (like some ultrabooks) as controller required for both are different and as apple is offering both, macbook pro should have both controllers inside...


can we install SSD once we get the laptop...(OS can then be installed on SSD and other files and data on HDD)

Aug 11, 2012 9:53 PM in response to TrapsAndTricks

This is the best upgrade I've ever done. If you have doubts.....trust me it's worth it! I pulled the trigger on the Crucial M4: http://www.amazon.com/Crucial-2-5-Inch-Solid-State-CT512M4SSD2/dp/B004W2JL3Y


My MBP is crazy fast now! I put the SSD in my drive bay and then reinstalled the OS through a jump drive. I restored my previous backup after that. This upgrade is a must do!

SSD upgrade on new macbook pro?

Welcome to Apple Support Community
A forum where Apple customers help each other with their products. Get started with your Apple ID.