Changing hard drive in Macbook pro?

LAC_STS · LAC_STS #1 (**permalink**)

08-13-2010, 01:29 PM

Hi all, First time poster.

I just bought a used Macbook Pro. I have a SATA notebook hard drive that came out of my windows laptop and I would like to use it in my Macbook Pro because it is a 320 GB vs the 200GB thats in the Macbook Pro now.

My question is can I just put this hard drive in and then install OS X on it? Or do I have to buy an Apple specific drive?

Whats the best way to go about this?

Thanks so much

quin · quin #2 (**permalink**)

08-13-2010, 01:42 PM

Format the 320 in Extended Journal with a external drive enclosure about $10 bucks. Then clone the internal drive with Super Duper to the external drive(320). Then take the 320 GB drive put it into the notebook. Make sure to designate the new drive as boot drive.

Slydude · Slydude #3 (**permalink**)

08-13-2010, 08:23 PM

I am going from memory on the numbers but check the dimensions on the PC drive. I believe that the MacBook Pro is expecting a drive height of either 9 or 9.5 mm. Some PVC drives are as high as 12 mm. Other than that everything should work.

chscag · chscag #4 (**permalink**)

08-13-2010, 10:16 PM

You're correct. MacBook and MacBook Pro models use a 2.5" x 9.5 mm drive.

Some PC notebooks use or can use a slightly larger (thicker) drive. Some as thick as 12.5 mm.

Regards.

JUKE179r · JUKE179r #5 (**permalink**)

08-13-2010, 11:45 PM

Make sure you have a Torx screwdriver also to remove and replace the HD. I want to say its' a Torx #6... don't quote me on that.

LAC_STS · LAC_STS #6 (**permalink**)

08-14-2010, 01:11 PM

On the bottom of the Macbook.

There are screws along the edge of the macbook then there are a couple screws in the batter compartment.

After all of those screws are removed should the bottom of the macbook just pop off?

Thanks everyone so much!!!

audiofader · audiofader #7 (**permalink**)

08-14-2010, 01:41 PM

Yeah it is a Torx #6. Honestly I would be weary of using an old Windows hard drive. Mainly because it's an older hard drive already so it may not last as long. I would buy an enclosure for the old drive and buy a brand new hard drive from Best Buy or somewhere like that and make sure on the box that it says it will work with a MacBook Pro. I just replaced mine and once you get inside it's very simple just take your time getting it apart so you don't damage anything.

LAC_STS · LAC_STS #8 (**permalink**)

08-14-2010, 01:46 PM

Thanks for the advice.

the hard drive I have was one that came with a Windows laptop I bought brand new. As soon as I got it I took it out and put a SSD in.

So it has never/barely been used.

I will be installing it sometime today. Ill let you guys know how it goes.

Thanks again

chscag · chscag #9 (**permalink**)

08-14-2010, 01:56 PM

Be sure to take note of what Slydude advised about the drive thickness. Remember your MBP needs a drive that is 9.5 mm thick and some Windows machines use drives that are 12.5 mm.

Regards.

LAC_STS · LAC_STS #10 (**permalink**)

08-18-2010, 11:33 PM

Did the upgrade and all is well now.

Thank you guys so much

IvanLasston · IvanLasston #11 (**permalink**)

08-19-2010, 08:56 AM

Guys for some models a 12.5mm drive will fit. The 1.0TB WD is 12.5mm

From OWC
1.0TB WD Scorpio Blue 5200RPM Serial ATA **12... (WD10TPVT) at OWC
1.0TB WD Scorpio Blue 5200RPM SATA *12.5mm* HD with Advanced Format Technology - Fits all Apple MacBook/MacBook Pro 'Unibody' Models (13/15/17"), MacBook Pro 'pre-unibody' 17", and PC Laptops which support 12.5mm SATA Drives. New with 3yr WD Warranty. (WDGWD10TPVT)

6string · 6string #12 (**permalink**)

08-19-2010, 09:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IvanLasston

Guys for some models a 12.5mm drive will fit. The 1.0TB WD is 12.5mm

From OWC
1.0TB WD Scorpio Blue 5200RPM Serial ATA **12... (WD10TPVT) at OWC
1.0TB WD Scorpio Blue 5200RPM SATA *12.5mm* HD with Advanced Format Technology - Fits all Apple MacBook/MacBook Pro 'Unibody' Models (13/15/17"), MacBook Pro 'pre-unibody' 17", and PC Laptops which support 12.5mm SATA Drives. New with 3yr WD Warranty. (WDGWD10TPVT)

Leaves no clearance, or very little, for heat dissipation!
I would not recommend it!

chscag #4 (permalink)
Member Since: Jan 23, 2008 Location: Fort Worth, Texas Posts: 31,955 Mac Specs: 21.5" iMac 2.5 GHz i5, iPad 3rd Gen., 3 iPods	08-13-2010, 10:16 PM You're correct. MacBook and MacBook Pro models use a 2.5" x 9.5 mm drive. Some PC notebooks use or can use a slightly larger (thicker) drive. Some as thick as 12.5 mm. Regards. Community Guidelines
	QUOTE Thanks

JUKE179r #5 (permalink)
Member Since: Nov 01, 2009 Location: DohaLondonVegas Posts: 862 Mac Specs: '07 MBP 256GB SSD/6GB RAM/SL <--DAW!!!	08-13-2010, 11:45 PM Make sure you have a Torx screwdriver also to remove and replace the HD. I want to say its' a Torx #6... don't quote me on that. '07 MBP 3,1 w/ Vertex 4 SSD \| Logic Pro 9 \| Ableton Live 8 \| Traktor Pro 2 \| AKAI MPC2000XL \| Roland MV-8000, TR-808 & TR-909 \| Ensoniq ASR-10 \| x0xb0x #911 \| Denon DN-MC6000 \| (3) Technics SL-1200MK1 \| 3000+ vinyl records
	QUOTE Thanks

audiofader #7 (permalink)
Member Since: Feb 28, 2010 Location: Hilliard, OH Posts: 42 Mac Specs: MacBook 17-in. 2.33 GHz Core 2 Duo 4GB RAM 640HDD	08-14-2010, 01:41 PM Yeah it is a Torx #6. Honestly I would be weary of using an old Windows hard drive. Mainly because it's an older hard drive already so it may not last as long. I would buy an enclosure for the old drive and buy a brand new hard drive from Best Buy or somewhere like that and make sure on the box that it says it will work with a MacBook Pro. I just replaced mine and once you get inside it's very simple just take your time getting it apart so you don't damage anything. Move the crowd, Audiofader
	QUOTE Thanks

chscag #9 (permalink)
Member Since: Jan 23, 2008 Location: Fort Worth, Texas Posts: 31,955 Mac Specs: 21.5" iMac 2.5 GHz i5, iPad 3rd Gen., 3 iPods	08-14-2010, 01:56 PM Be sure to take note of what Slydude advised about the drive thickness. Remember your MBP needs a drive that is 9.5 mm thick and some Windows machines use drives that are 12.5 mm. Regards. Community Guidelines
	QUOTE Thanks

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Changing hard drive in Macbook pro?

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LAC_STS #1 (permalink)
Member Since: Aug 13, 2010 Posts: 8	08-13-2010, 01:29 PM Hi all, First time poster. I just bought a used Macbook Pro. I have a SATA notebook hard drive that came out of my windows laptop and I would like to use it in my Macbook Pro because it is a 320 GB vs the 200GB thats in the Macbook Pro now. My question is can I just put this hard drive in and then install OS X on it? Or do I have to buy an Apple specific drive? Whats the best way to go about this? Thanks so much
	QUOTE Thanks

quin #2 (permalink)
Member Since: Dec 19, 2009 Posts: 426 Mac Specs: MBP 13, 2.4, 8GB, 120GB SSD OCZ	08-13-2010, 01:42 PM Format the 320 in Extended Journal with a external drive enclosure about $10 bucks. Then clone the internal drive with Super Duper to the external drive(320). Then take the 320 GB drive put it into the notebook. Make sure to designate the new drive as boot drive.
	QUOTE Thanks

LAC_STS #6 (permalink)
Member Since: Aug 13, 2010 Posts: 8	08-14-2010, 01:11 PM On the bottom of the Macbook. There are screws along the edge of the macbook then there are a couple screws in the batter compartment. After all of those screws are removed should the bottom of the macbook just pop off? Thanks everyone so much!!!
	QUOTE Thanks

LAC_STS #8 (permalink)
Member Since: Aug 13, 2010 Posts: 8	08-14-2010, 01:46 PM Thanks for the advice. the hard drive I have was one that came with a Windows laptop I bought brand new. As soon as I got it I took it out and put a SSD in. So it has never/barely been used. I will be installing it sometime today. Ill let you guys know how it goes. Thanks again
	QUOTE Thanks

LAC_STS #10 (permalink)
Member Since: Aug 13, 2010 Posts: 8	08-18-2010, 11:33 PM Did the upgrade and all is well now. Thank you guys so much
	QUOTE Thanks

IvanLasston #11 (permalink)
Member Since: Feb 26, 2010 Location: Rocky Mountain High, Colorado Posts: 2,116 Mac Specs: 1.8 GHz i7 MBA 11" OSX 10.8.2	08-19-2010, 08:56 AM Guys for some models a 12.5mm drive will fit. The 1.0TB WD is 12.5mm From OWC 1.0TB WD Scorpio Blue 5200RPM Serial ATA *12... (WD10TPVT) at OWC 1.0TB WD Scorpio Blue 5200RPM SATA 12.5mm* HD with Advanced Format Technology - Fits all Apple MacBook/MacBook Pro 'Unibody' Models (13/15/17"), MacBook Pro 'pre-unibody' 17", and PC Laptops which support 12.5mm SATA Drives. New with 3yr WD Warranty. (WDGWD10TPVT)
	QUOTE Thanks

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