01-27-2011, 12:39 PM

Soon I'll be purchasing a 2010 Macbook Pro 13". I'm just a little torn if I should have Apple install a 128gb SSD or just roll with a Hard Drive.


I've seen Youtube vids and have read about the Solid State Drive technology on this website. Seems like it makes your computer faster, and quieter. However, I've also heard the performance over time doesn't sustain.


Can anybody shed some light on this? I'm confused

01-27-2011, 12:53 PM

You can always install an SSD hard drive later on if you wish. It's best to purchase your MBP with a standard hard drive offered by Apple and the standard amount of memory. Both of these are easy upgrades to do later on if you should desire. Neither will void your warranty and it will be less expensive as a do it yourself project. Apple charges premium prices for SSD drives and memory.

01-27-2011, 01:40 PM

Originally Posted by chscag

You can always install an SSD hard drive later on if you wish. It's best to purchase your MBP with a standard hard drive offered by Apple and the standard amount of memory. Both of these are easy upgrades to do later on if you should desire. Neither will void your warranty and it will be less expensive as a do it yourself project. Apple charges premium prices for SSD drives and memory.

Thanks for responding.


But I've read different answers to this question so I'll ask again....

If I installed a 3rd party SSD into my Macbook, will that void the Applecare warranty?

01-27-2011, 01:48 PM

But I've read different answers to this question so I'll ask again....

If I installed a 3rd party SSD into my Macbook, will that void the Applecare warranty?

Installing a hard drive (SSD or standard) in your MBP - in other words removing the original and replacing it with one you purchased - does not void your warranty.

Now of course this doesn't mean you can install a drive that is not compatible with or may cause damage to your MBP. Common sense prevails here. And, if you damage anything when changing out the hard drive, the cost of repair is on you. Again, common sense.

Same goes for replacing or adding memory to your MBP.

01-27-2011, 01:55 PM

Originally Posted by chscag

Installing a hard drive (SSD or standard) in your MBP - in other words removing the original and replacing it with one you purchased - does not void your warranty.

Now of course this doesn't mean you can install a drive that is not compatible with or may cause damage to your MBP. Common sense prevails here. And, if you damage anything when changing out the hard drive, the cost of repair is on you. Again, common sense.

Same goes for replacing or adding memory to your MBP.

Ok so....if I install this SSD

Amazon.com: ADATA 128 GB S599 Sandforce 2.5-Inch SATA II 3.0Gb/s Internal Solid State Drive (SSD) AS599S-128GM-C (Black): Electronics

Would I be able to un-install it in a year or two? Or are SSD's permanent once installed?

01-27-2011, 02:08 PM

Yes you would, there's nothing permanent about installing a SSD, you can always replace it later with some other HDD.

01-27-2011, 02:09 PM

What Amazon sells is sometimes great and sometimes not. I don't know anything at all about that particular SSD. I recommend you go to the Other World Computing site (they're Mac specialists) and take a look at what they have to offer for SSD drives. LINK I do all my on line purchases from them and have never been disappointed with their items or their service.

And, of course an SSD can be removed and replaced just like any other hard drive. Many of us have updated our hard drives several times over the years. No hard drive is permanent.

01-27-2011, 02:12 PM

Originally Posted by techo91

Yes you would, there's nothing permanent about installing a SSD, you can always replace it later with some other HDD.

Originally Posted by chscag

What Amazon sells is sometimes great and sometimes not. I don't know anything at all about that particular SSD. I recommend you go to the Other World Computing site (they're Mac specialists) and take a look at what they have to offer for SSD drives. LINK I do all my on line purchases from them and have never been disappointed with their items or their service.

And, of course an SSD can be removed and replaced just like any other hard drive. Many of us have updated our hard drives several times over the years. No hard drive is permanent.

Thank you both for your responses (and the link). Much appreciated.

I'm still wondering if that hoopla about SSD's not being as fast over time is true.

That's the only thing holding me back from the technology.

01-27-2011, 02:54 PM

Oh yea, another question.


If I buy my MBP brand new then install my SSD before my first boot-up, do I still have to do a data transfer?

01-27-2011, 03:14 PM

When you buy your new MBP, it'll come with installation CD. You can swap the HDD with an SSD and afterwards install Snow Leopard from that CD, but if you don't swap it, Snow Leopard will be preinstalled on your Mac (with the original HDD). It's totally up to you.

01-27-2011, 03:39 PM

Originally Posted by techo91

When you buy your new MBP, it'll come with installation CD. You can swap the HDD with an SSD and afterwards install Snow Leopard from that CD, but if you don't swap it, Snow Leopard will be preinstalled on your Mac (with the original HDD). It's totally up to you.

And the Snow Leapord disc has all the software on it? Garageband, iPhoto, iMovie, etc etc??

01-27-2011, 03:46 PM

Nevermind, I looked and saw that the Snow Leapord disc has everything on it.


Thanks for all the responses!