shibumidog
Level 1 (4 points)
Notebooks

Q: Converting HDD to SSD on 2010 MBP, need program

I have a 17" mid 2010 MBP and in the process of converting HDD to SSD.  I am using the latest version of OS X.  Which program is recommended to mirror image the HDD to the SSD before installing? Or do I just need to reinstall all the programs instead then add the data?  A problem I think I have on the latter approach is that I have many books in iBooks that did not come through iTunes and I don't see way to export that data.  Are there any time or frustration saving strategies I should use in this endeavor, both the iBooks issue and the entire process?

Posted on Apr 9, 2016 4:31 AM

by KimUserName,Solvedanswer
KimUserName KimUserName
Level 4 (1,400 points)
Notebooks
A:

Hi Shibumidog:

 

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, I suggest that you install it in an enclosure OWC external case or using a USB to SATA adapter USB to SATA adapter and connect it to your MBP via USB.

 

Open Disk Utility>Erase and format the SSD to Mac OS Extended (Journaled) and a GUID partition.

 

Then use a third party application such as Carbon Copy Cloner Carbon Copy Cloner (Not free, but worth the price) or Super Duper to copy all data from the internal HDD as well as the recovery partition.

 

The clone will be a exact copy of your hard drive and it will be bootable.

 

Boot the MBP with the OPTION key (Startup Manager) and select the new SSD. How to choose a startup disk on your Mac

 

If it boots the MBP, perform the physical swap of drives.

 

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

OWC OWC memory or crucial Crusial Mac memory are good places to get memory.

 

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

OWC install videos

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

 

Check this link to identify your MacBook Pro model.

• How to identify MacBook Pro models - Apple Support

 

Data Doubler from OWC is also a good option to put the original HDD in the optical bay slot. OWC Data Doubler

 

Kim

Posted on Apr 10, 2016 3:02 AM

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shibumidog

Q: Converting HDD to SSD on 2010 MBP, need program

  • All replies
  • Helpful answers

  • by OGELTHORPE,Helpful

    OGELTHORPE OGELTHORPE Apr 10, 2016 3:04 AM in response to shibumidog
    Level 9 (52,094 points)
    Mac OS X
    Apr 10, 2016 3:04 AM in response to shibumidog

    To install a SSD in a MBP is fundamentally no different than a conventional HDD.  Format the SSD in Disk Utility>Erase to Mac OS Extended (Journaled) and then copy the HDD to the SSD.  I recommend using Carbon Copy Cloner for the data transfer.  It will copy everything,. including the OSX and the recovery partition.

     

    Ciao.

  • by KimUserName,Solvedanswer

    KimUserName KimUserName Apr 10, 2016 3:02 AM in response to shibumidog
    Level 4 (1,400 points)
    Notebooks
    Apr 10, 2016 3:02 AM in response to shibumidog

    Hi Shibumidog:

     

    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, I suggest that you install it in an enclosure OWC external case or using a USB to SATA adapter USB to SATA adapter and connect it to your MBP via USB.

     

    Open Disk Utility>Erase and format the SSD to Mac OS Extended (Journaled) and a GUID partition.

     

    Then use a third party application such as Carbon Copy Cloner Carbon Copy Cloner (Not free, but worth the price) or Super Duper to copy all data from the internal HDD as well as the recovery partition.

     

    The clone will be a exact copy of your hard drive and it will be bootable.

     

    Boot the MBP with the OPTION key (Startup Manager) and select the new SSD. How to choose a startup disk on your Mac

     

    If it boots the MBP, perform the physical swap of drives.

     

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

    OWC OWC memory or crucial Crusial Mac memory are good places to get memory.

     

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

    OWC install videos

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

     

    Check this link to identify your MacBook Pro model.

    • How to identify MacBook Pro models - Apple Support

     

    Data Doubler from OWC is also a good option to put the original HDD in the optical bay slot. OWC Data Doubler

     

    Kim

  • by shibumidog,

    shibumidog shibumidog Apr 10, 2016 3:05 AM in response to OGELTHORPE
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Notebooks
    Apr 10, 2016 3:05 AM in response to OGELTHORPE

    Carbon Copy it is.  Thank you.

  • by shibumidog,

    shibumidog shibumidog Apr 10, 2016 3:09 AM in response to KimUserName
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Notebooks
    Apr 10, 2016 3:09 AM in response to KimUserName

    Carbon Copy is what the answer to the question, however I truly appreciate all the other information you provided, it was extremely helpful.  Thank you.

  • by shibumidog,

    shibumidog shibumidog Apr 10, 2016 3:37 AM in response to shibumidog
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Notebooks
    Apr 10, 2016 3:37 AM in response to shibumidog

    BTW if anyone is interested, Best Buy had/has(?) SanDisk Ultra II 1TB SSD for $299.  Obviously this is not the fastest nor the greatest out there, but it is the one that works on my 2010 MBP, as the newer computers use a different connection that is faster.