Best SSD For Late-2011 MBP?

Pick the model that the cable is for, a MacBook Pro will need year and screensize to identify it. Or just scroll through their list.

If you were looking for this cable for a 2012 MBP 15" the result would look like this: On ifixit.com

Hi, I have a late 2011 macbook pro for recording/music production. I had an employee at a local Micro Center store try installing SSD into my computer and it was unsuccesful. Something about it not working with my OS X Yosemite, or failed to boot. I don't know exactly what it was that caused to not work. My engineer is dumbfounded by hearing about this and claims he can install it successfully. Wondering if you did figure out how to install a solid state successfully. Please advise, I'm really hoping to accomplish this so i can get back to making music with a stronger more reliable system set up!!

Often a new SSD installation requires that the internal SATA cable be replaced. Test this by connecting the SSD externally via USB. If it boots the MBP, the cable invariably is the culprit.

In my opinion, OWC and Crucial SSDs are the best bets for a Mac.

Ciao.

Thanks for responding. I actually don't currently have the SSD as I returned it after the employee failed to install it based off of various reasons that I don't remember and didn't quite understand. I am purchasing a Crucial drive today and plan on trying to install with m engineer who knows a bit more about this process, so Im just doing what i can to prepare with options for troubleshoots, workarounds, in case a standard install fails again based off the same reasons for failure that the Micro center employee provided me...

Ok great. Im looking at pulling trigger on this drive here: http://www.crucial.com/usa/en/macbook-pro-%2813-inch%2C-late-2011%29/CT8593012

Any other ideas if the SATA cable replacement doesn't do it?

Also, just so I'm prepared, where can i buy the specific replacement cable(SATA) your referring too?

Thanks very much. Curious if you have an opinion on the difference between these two external drives for recording audio too externally. https://www.amazon.com/Samsung-T3-Portable-SSD-MU-PT500B/dp/B01AVF6UQQ/ref=lp_30 15429011_1_1?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1483385422… or http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/StuPro1TB?gclid=CMqBjvLi79ACFRC5wAodPksBv Q

If your not very knowledgable of external drives concerning audio recording/production than disregard. Just determining what my best bet is for recording externally to a drive.

JayOwen17 wrote:

If your not very knowledgable of external drives concerning audio recording/production than disregard. Just determining what my best bet is for recording externally to a drive.

That is outside my knowledge zone. I suggest that you start your own discussion on this issue and you may be able to find knowledgeable assistance.

Ciao.

I use Crucial in my early 2011 MBP. OWC (macsales.com) sells compatible units.

Samsungs are actually posting several issues in these forums ... firmware upgrades are needed to make them fully mac-compatible it seems. Or it could just be that Samsungs sell so many that even small-ccurrence-of-problems appear more often. But I would still go to OWC first if my current Crucial failed today (far too soon, based on all lifetime-estimates). If I just wanted a new one for-grins I would probably either Crucial or OWC.

You can make the transition easier ... download CarbonCopyClone ($40, bombich.com) and an external enclosure or connect kit to copy your current internal to the new SSD. Then do the surgery after the SSD does boot to your satisfaction.

Buy an OWC or a Crucial, don't buy Samsung, there are far too many problems reported.

If it doesn't work (just like the last one didn't) replace the SATA cable (which could be what was wrong before with the previous SSD)

iFixit.com, I would expect this to fix the 'no-boot' problem.

JayOwen17 wrote:

Also, just so I'm prepared, where can i buy the specific replacement cable(SATA) your referring too?

Powerbookmedic.com is another option for Mac replacement parts.

Ciao.

Is there a specific type of SATA cable i would need? Or simply just buying a new one is the fix? Kinda confused about that

You're going to buy the one that fits your computer, so be specific when you order it. In my experience the sales staff are on the ball enough to ask the questions they need of you.

typed in my serial number. Not seeing SATA cable availability here: http://www.powerbookmedic.com/identify-mac-serial.php