Cloning HDD to SSD

I use external enclosures because of their flexibility. I have this one http://eshop.macsales.com/item/OWC/MSTG800U3K/, and there is a slightly cheaper one that only has USB 3.0 http://eshop.macsales.com/item/OWC/MOTGS3U3/. Swap any number of 2.5 in bare-drives through the enclosures.

Put the SSD into the enclosure, download CCC, clone the internal to the external.

Download ElCapitan. But ForceQuit the executing of the EC install. Now the twist I like but others may disagree with ... copy EC install to a safe place to use again if you need (install pulls the internal parts into the install place). Then run EC install to upgrade your clone. Ensure the clone/upgrade is running well. THEN swap the drives.

I use my enclosure for multiple clone drives, data/video drives, test drives for new OSXes, etc.

I would connect the SSD to a drive adapter and connect it via USB to your MacBook Pro. Clone the internal drive to the SSD. Then replace the internal drive with the SSD.

Eliminates the need for another drive.

I would do as Duane has suggested, but I would upgrade to El Capitan first.

Once you have cloned you hard drive, you can install it in your computer and then why not replace you optical drive with your existing hard drive.

I used the AGPtek SATA 2.5" / 9.5mm 2nd Hard Disk Caddy Adapter from Amazon.ca ($14.99),

http://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B0057V95M6?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detai lpage_o06_s00

Kim

Some replace the Hard drive with the SSD and some replace the Optical drive with SSD.

I would recommend putting the SSD where your original HDD is.

I found a link which may be interesting.Upgrading Your MacBook Pro with a Solid State Drive

I checked my computer information under "About this Mac" and it shows the Link Speed and Negotiated Link speed of 6 Gigabit for my SSD in the place of the original Hard Drive.

The Hard Drive which I have put into he Optical bay shows the Link Speed and Negotiated Link speed of 3 Gigabit. But I have not noticed it running slow. I use it for storing movies, music, etc.

If you are planing to upgrade to El Capitan you can upgrade before or after upgrade.

By using Carbon Copy Cloner (CCC) you can clone your existing Hard drive using an external USB case or the cable I used.

Anker Uspeed USB 3.0 to SATA 3 feet Converter Adapter Cable for 2.5 inch/3.5 inch Hard Drive HDD SSD with 12V 2A External AC Power Adapter

http://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B006J2L0ZM?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detai lpage_o07_s00

If you using CCC you can actually boot to the SSD while in the external case and test it, once you have cloned it. Once you are satisfied that it is working ok, you can replace the Hard drive with the Cloned SSD. Keep the Hd on you desk for a while and if everything is working ok, you can either put the old Hard Drive in an external case or you can put it in place of the optical drive. (Most find the Optical Drive of little use these days.). If some unexpected emergency happens, you will still have your original hard drive to put back in.

Check the OWC site for information and videos on how to do it. http://eshop.macsales.com/installvideos/macbookpro_13_unibody_early11/

Kim

For cost and portability a USB powered enclosure is the way to go. When you swap out your SSD the old HD can go into the enclosure as an external backup disk/ boot clone.

http://eshop.macsales.com/item/OWC/ES2.5**3S/