SSD compatibility

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goose.one Author

Level 1

1 points

SSD compatibility

Hello, I have a late 2008 aluminum MacBook (model: MacBook 5,1) with a 250 GB HDD.

I've upgraded to 4gb of RAM and am running OSX Mavericks (10.9.5).

This laptop is 7 years young and still runs well, although it is a bit slow launching apps and booting up.

I would like to add more hard drive space and I thought upgrading to a 500 GB SSD would kill two birds with one stone.

I could double my space and benefit from the increased speed of an SSD.

The SSD I'm looking at is,..........

Samsung 850 EVO 500GB 2.5-Inch SATA III Internal SSD (MZ-75E500B/AM)

Can anyone tell me if this modern SSD will fit into my 7 year old MacBook?

I've gotten mixed answers elsewhere.

Thanks so much,

John DelPozzo

Posted on Feb 15, 2015 9:53 AM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

Kappy

Level 10

361,849 points

Feb 15, 2015 10:05 AM in response to goose.one

Yes, it will fit, but it is overkill on your model because your computer does not support SATA III 6.0 Gb/s SSDs. You only need one that runs on SATA II 3.0 Gb/s which is what the controller supports. I suggest you look at the Mercury 3G SSDs at OWC. These are better suited to your computer.

Now on the other hand, if you plan to transplant the SSD into a new computer that supports faster SSD models, then look at the Mercury 6G SSDs at OWC. As for the Samsung 850 it is a very new model. It may or may not work in your model, so if you decide to get it be prepared for that possibility.

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Answer 2

goose.one Author

Level 1

1 points

Feb 15, 2015 1:05 PM in response to Kappy

Kappy, Thanks for the response. The OWC unit is almost $50 more than the Samsung unit, however, utilizing the online chat on the OWC website, the rep stated that using a 6G unit will default to 3G, but could drop down to 1.5G. Any insight on this? The rep didn't specify that the issue is common for the Samsung unit only, but rather for any 6G unit I try and install.

John DelPozzo

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Answer 3

Kappy

Level 10

361,849 points

Feb 15, 2015 1:19 PM in response to goose.one

I can tell you that what you were told about the Mercury model is valid. I don't know about the 850. I probably does support 3.0, but you would need to ask Samsung to confirm that or look at their online spec sheet for that model.

The reason the Samsung is cheap now is that Samsung is trying to market the new model by selling them at below normal market prices. It's a competition ploy. Unfortunately, you will need to do some Google searching to see what results other Mac owners have reported for the 850 model. Remember, that model is new.

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