Can i install a Samsung 850 EVO 500GB SSD in my MBP 2011 13"?

Question

Level 1

14 points

Can i install a Samsung 850 EVO 500GB SSD in my MBP 2011 13"?

Hi.

I want to upgrade my MacBook Pro with an SSD but i am wondering if it would be compatible with my computer.

I've done a lot of research on the internet, to try and find out if i would be able to replace my current standard HDD with a Samsung EVO 850 SSD.

I have no need to keep the data i currently have on my computer, since it is backed up in the cloud.

I have come to the conclusion that i will need a boot for the harddrive, when it has been installed, and i will do so via a USB stick. I am pretty sure what to do in this part.

Next i would install the SSD into the computer, and here i don't know if it would actually physically fit in, but i am pretty sure it will.

Then i would plug in the USB stick, with the boot on it, and then power on. I would then go into disk utility, clear the SSD, and then press install OS X and follow the onscreen instructions.

Would there be any issue with my plan? (would it work) Please tell me if theres is anything that could screw up what i wanted to do. I have based my plan on this tutorial: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F82ThP-6jeA

Thank you.

MacBook Pro (13-inch Late 2011), OS X El Capitan (10.11.1)

Posted on Feb 15, 2016 7:03 AM

Reply

Answer 1

Csound1

Level 9

60,063 points

Feb 15, 2016 7:08 AM in response to TobioDK

How is it backed up in the cloud as iCloud is NOT a backup system?

Did you use somebody else's cloud to do it?

Reply

Answer 2

keg55

Level 6

11,755 points

Feb 15, 2016 7:09 AM in response to TobioDK

The SSD will fit. It's the same size as your HDD.

When you boot from your USB thumb drive, I'm assuming this is an OS X installer for whatever OS you're currently running. When you get to Disk Utility, make sure you format it as Mac OS Extended-Journaled with the GUID Partition Map.

You shouldn't have any issues if your hardware is good and your SATA cable is good in your Mac.

Reply

Answer 3

Feb 15, 2016 7:14 AM in response to TobioDK

Hi TobioDK:

The easiest way to upgrade is to buy an external drive case http://eshop.macsales.com/Search/Search.cfm?Ntk=Primary&Ns=P_Price%7c0&Ne=5000&N =6430&Ntt=On-The-Go+Kit and install your SSD in the case.

Then use either Carbon Copy Cloner https://bombich.com/ or Super Duper to make a bootable clone of you existing HD.

You can then boot from the external drive for testing. Once you are happy that it works ok, you can swap it with your hard drive.

I currently have a 500 GB Samsung 850 EVO SSD in my Early 2011 MacBook Pro and it is running great.

Also don't forget to enable trim once installed.

Kim

Reply

Answer 4

TobioDK Author

Level 1

14 points

Feb 15, 2016 7:17 AM in response to Csound1

Everything i need (text documents, pictures) is on iCloud, and i don't need anything else that i don't already have there.

Reply

Answer 5

Csound1

Level 9

60,063 points

Feb 15, 2016 7:20 AM in response to TobioDK

That is not a backup, but the data is yours to lose. Good luck.

Reply

Answer 6

TobioDK Author

Level 1

14 points

Feb 15, 2016 7:26 AM in response to KimUserName

Thanks for response, but i would rather have a clear HD, instead of copying my current HD. Besides i find it a lot simpler to just use a USB boot.

By the way, what is "Trim"?

Reply

Answer 7

TobioDK Author

Level 1

14 points

Feb 15, 2016 7:25 AM in response to Csound1

I'm aware it is not a backup, but it's all i want to hold on to. I also know that it is in iCloud, because i can acces the data from any device.

Reply

Answer 8

TobioDK Author

Level 1

14 points

Feb 15, 2016 7:29 AM in response to keg55

Thank you very much. I assume that you mean i should format the SSD as Mac OS extended (journaled) upon installing it into the computer?

Reply

Answer 9

keg55

Level 6

11,755 points

Feb 15, 2016 9:06 AM in response to TobioDK

TobioDK wrote:

Thank you very much. I assume that you mean i should format the SSD as Mac OS extended (journaled) upon installing it into the computer?

Right and make sure the Partition Map Scheme is GUID.

Your SSD may not be initialized and without a partition to install OS X so you have to do that after installing the SSD.

And TRIM is something Apple uses for its SSDs. You can Google TRIM to find out what it does compared or in addition to the Garbage Collection your Samsung comes with. If you do decide to enable it, beginning with 10.10.4 you can open Terminal and issue the sudo trimforce enable command without using any 3rd party trim enabler apps.

Reply