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Level 1

4 points

Upgrading SSD for Mid-2009 Macbook Pro

What are my options for upgrading to an SSD for my Mid-2009 Macbook Pro?

I've ran into a lot of information that involves the link speeds of 3 gb/s being negotiated to 1.5 gb/s (mine is currently the original HDD and the link speed is being negotiated to 1.5 gb/s)... so I was looking for an SSD that would be 3 GB/s (with an updated firmware driver to make sure it is so).

What are my options, and what would be compatible with my macbook pro? I wanted to also stick the original HDD into the optical drive and use it for backup and media data.

So far I have checked out a few, and I am not sure if all of these listed will be compatible with my mac:

Mac SM0412G PCIe 500 GB speed rank 10th/734

Evo Pro?

+++++Samsung 850 Evo Pro

+++++Samsung 840 Evo Pro 120 GB = $75, 250 GB $100-105@slickdeals, 500 GB = $200-210 -- speed rank 220th/770

+++++Crucial MX-200 250 GB $100, 500 GB = $180 -- speed rank 217th/770, 1TB = $350

PNY CL4111 240 GB = $65

+OWC Mercury Extreme Pro -- link speed 3 gb/s ?

++++++OCZ Vector 150 120 GB = $55, 240 GB = $125-140, 480 GB = $220 -- speed rank 46th/770 -- link speed 3 gb/s

---works on my mac?----

Crucial BX-200 240 GB = $65, 480 GB = $130, 960 GB - $300, 1 TB - $350 -- speed rank 391st/770

-Seagate XT500 hybrid -- link speed 3 gb/s

--Seagate Momentus XT 500 SataII 32 Mb Cache, 7200 rpm Hybrid SSD with jumper cable

Western Digital?

Samsung?

Intel?

Any ideas?

MacBook Pro, Mac OS X (10.6.8), null

Posted on Feb 6, 2016 3:26 PM

37 replies

theMuzzl3 Author

Level 1

4 points

Feb 18, 2016 8:04 AM in response to theMuzzl3

considering this one, even though its 5400 RPM:

http://www.amazon.com/Seagate-Solid-Hybrid-2-5-Inch-ST1000LM014/dp/B00B99JUBQ/re f=br_lf_m_1000893621_1_2_ttl?tag=slicinc-20&ascsubtag=8b7e742ad65811e5a5d66ea7f0 3f5b840INT&ie=UTF8&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&s=pc&pf_rd_p=1564178822&pf_rd_s=center-3&pf_r d_t=1401&pf_rd_i=1000893621&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=1W53YNCE422HNX7QR298

Feb 18, 2016 8:11 AM in response to theMuzzl3

I think if you were to do a fresh install, that you would probably need to reinstall all your applications.

I don't think you can just copy over the applications, libraries/application support, etc.

Making a copy with Carbon Copy Cloner of your 500 GB drive would probably take a few hours depending on how much data you have on it.

But you could also do it overnight.

See this tech note on reinstalling OS. How to reinstall OS X on your Mac - Apple Support

Also if your computer has some issues from old software you have installed, you can also download and install EtreCheck http://etrecheck.com/which may give you a idea of what is going on.

Feb 18, 2016 8:10 AM in response to theMuzzl3

Note sure if you have seen this video comparing speeds. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6iBhf8rpobo

MLadd

Level 3

709 points

Feb 18, 2016 8:32 AM in response to theMuzzl3

I did this to my 15" MBP, same year/model. I purchased the Data Doubler from OWC and a 1.5TB HD drive to go in the optical bay as my backup and a 1TB Samsung 840 SSD from Amazon as my primary replacement. If I were doing this today, I would get the 850, without question.

Since 2.5" drives are falling in price and going up in capacity I would probably look at this 2TB HD as my secondary drive. http://amzn.com/B00MPWYLHO

I cloned my original drive to an external drive that I had already, in case I ever had to revert back, and for initial startup and OS install.

I installed the SSD, then the DataDoubler, and sealed everything back up.

I was able to boot off the external USB drive, and get the latest Yosemite installer and do a clean install on the SSD. From there, I was able to re-install apps, or copy them over from the old drive. Things like iTunes and Photos I was able to keep on the secondary 1.5tb HD if it got too big. Faster than an external USB drive. Definitely upgrade the RAM while you are in there, especially if you have less than 8gigs.

FYI, I just installed a 500gig SSD and 16 gigs of RAM in my father's 2012 Mac Book, and it cost me about $220 for both items shipped. I would definitely look at a 1Tb SSD, even if you have to save up a little more money. And include the Data Doubler to either hold your old drive, which can always be upgraded later.

edit: Make sure the original HD slot is where you put the SSD, not in the optical bay slot, if you decide to replace that. Use the Data Doubler as secondary.

theMuzzl3 Author

Level 1

4 points

Feb 18, 2016 5:03 PM in response to KimUserName

Thanks again -- I'll check all of that info as soon as I can.

I read that "The SATA 2 which is 3 Gbps -> 3072 Mbps -> ~375 MBps, is basically the buffer to computer rate" -- which theoretically means that the higher end drives with around 480-540 MB/s Read/Write speeds will not reach their full speed with SATA II -- which theoretically means that I'd be better off getting a cheap SSD since most of them are higher than 380 MB/s read/write speeds... Is this correct?

Feb 19, 2016 3:30 AM in response to theMuzzl3

Yes SATA 2 is a little slower than SATA 3. Here is an article which may help. http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/sata-6gbps-performance-sata-3gbps,3110.html

I would be more concerned with compatibility and what you can aford.

I bought mine here http://www.canadacomputers.com/search_result.php?checkVal0=1&checkVal1=1&checkVa l2=0&subcat21=2&checkVal3=0&subcat33=4&c…

Also OWC specializes in Macs, so they would also be a very good place to check. http://eshop.macsales.com/shop/SSD/OWC/Mercury_6G/

Also if you ever sell your mac, you could always put the original HD back in and put your SSD in an external case.

MacBoa

Level 1

4 points

Apr 12, 2016 11:24 AM in response to KimUserName

Hi,

I´m in the same situation... i want to upgrade my Mid 2009 Macbook Pro 13inch with SSD, but i want to remove the original HD. Will Crucial MX200 6Gb/s do the job? As far i understand i won´t get the best performance because this Mac have SATA II connection and 3Gb/s speed thats it?

To install the SSD inside the mac do i need any mounting thing or is a easy installation?

About the sata cable do i need to replace for a different one? someone on this post talked

Upgrading SSD for Mid-2009 Macbook Pro