Q: can i change my HD to a solid state

You could look at a video guide to see how much is involved.

http://eshop.macsales.com/installvideos/ Note the model identifier

of the computer you have as most applications are shown in page.

MacBook Pro (13-inch Early 2011)

(February, 2011)

Model ID: MacBookPro8,1

2.3GHz, 2.7GHz

Detailed specs

Install Videos

Also there are some good images and instructions in iFixit site:

https://www.ifixit.com/Device/MacBook_Pro_13%22_Unibody

Early 2011 MacBook 13-inch, iFixit guide:

https://www.ifixit.com/Device/MacBook_Pro_13%22_Unibody_Early_2011

These are fairly good; note the macsales OWC product pages

usually have link to associated tools or supplies you may need.

• How to identify MacBook Pro models - Apple Support

That said, you should make a suitable backup and a secondary

major duplicate of your OS X on an external drive that can be

used to clone or copy or otherwise restore your MacBook from.

A new drive requires reformatting before installation.

Entire process takes some effort, to get a new install on new SSD.

Good luck & happy computing!

Hi Anna:

Yes, you can change your HD to an SSD.

I have a Early 2011 13 inch Macbook Pro and I have done the same.

As suggested above OWC is a good place to go for upgrading your Macbook Pro.

OWC SSD's: http://eshop.macsales.com/shop/SSD/OWC/Mercury_6G/

I upgraded my Early 2011 13 inch Macbook Pro using a Samsung 850 EVO 500 GB SSD and I have seen a dramatic speed increase.

Once you decide on an SSD, the easiest way to get it ready is to either put it in an external case from OWC http://eshop.macsales.com/Search/Search.cfm?Ntk=Primary&Ns=P_Price%7c0&Ne=5000&N =6430&Ntt=On-The-Go+Kit or using a USB to SATA adapter http://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B006J2L0ZM?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detai lpage_o08_s00 and then clone your HDD to the SSD using either Carbon Copy Cloner https://bombich.com/ or Super Duper.

This will allow you to clone your HDD to the SSD. The clone will be a exact copy of your hard drive and it will be bootable. Once you have tested the clone externally and  it is working ok, you can install it in your computer.

Also now that you have your computer open you may want to upgrade the memory. It is very easy.

OWC http://eshop.macsales.com/shop/memory/Apple_MacBook_MacBook_Pro/Upgrade/DDR3_133 3MHz_SDRAM or  crucial http://www.crucial.com/usa/en/apple-memory are good places to get memory.

Kim