Faster HD in older MacBook Pro?

tmcdanel · tmcdanel #1 (**permalink**)

06-19-2011, 10:35 AM

My 15" MacBook Pro dual core intell about 4 years old, needs a new hard drive, so i am going to put a 1TB in it. Seagate makes on that has a 64 MB cache and reads at 6gig/sec but it is about $200.

Will i really see a speed difference in my older Mac?

Seagate Constellation.2 ST91000640NS

bobtomay · bobtomay #2 (**permalink**)

06-19-2011, 10:47 AM

That drive will not fit in your MBP. The drive is 15mm tall. You need to look for a standard 9.5mm tall drive.

You're not going to find a drive of the proper size in anything over a 640GB (maybe a 750GB) drive size.

You also do not have 6Gb/sec controller, so looking at those is also a waste of time and money unless you want to look at a SSD.

tmcdanel · tmcdanel #3 (**permalink**)

06-19-2011, 11:46 AM

Really invaluable information. Saved me much time and expense. You are good Mr. Admin. Thanks so much.

One more question, "unless you want to look at a SSD." What is SSD?

tmcdanel · tmcdanel #4 (**permalink**)

06-19-2011, 11:53 AM

Ok this looks like it meets your requirements.

SAMSUNG Spinpoint M8 HN-M750MBB 750GB 5400 RPM 8MB Cache 2.5" SATA 3.0Gb/s Internal Notebook Hard Drive

bobtomay · bobtomay #5 (**permalink**)

06-19-2011, 11:55 AM

Those high dollar solid state drives - the ones that are still too expensive for us common folk.

newegg

Personally, I've upgraded to the WD 500GB 7200rpm drive in my 4 yr old MBP.
I'd also currently recommend Hitachi drives as replacements.

The Samsung will work - just not a fan of that brand.

(And just to note, the 6Gb/sec drives are backwards compatible, so that's not really an issue except where you're paying a premium over the comparable 3Gb/sec drive.)

TattooedMac · TattooedMac #6 (**permalink**)

06-19-2011, 04:31 PM

Go to OWC ~ MacSales.com and follow the prompts to fill in your mac Specs and then that your looking for a HD and they will bring up a list of all compatible HD's for your machine. Then with that information go shopping either there or the newegg link that bobtomay supplied.

OWC is highly recommended around here as is newegg

Cheers

Young Spade · Young Spade #7 (**permalink**)

06-19-2011, 10:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tmcdanel

Really invaluable information. Saved me much time and expense. You are good Mr. Admin. Thanks so much.

One more question, "unless you want to look at a SSD." What is SSD?

It's a type of drive. Solid state drive. Basically flash memory in place of a spinning HD. The MBA's use it. It has the benefits of using less power, being more sturdy (drops or movement), lighter, and less heat. Oh and insane speeds. The problem is that it has a finite number of read and writes (although it's a huge number) and it's very expensive for the storage you get.

It's great if you need the fastest but IMO for the "average" user (someone not doing intensive stuff and needing the FASTEST they can get from a laptop) you can upgrade to a higher RPM harddrive (5200 at the minimum IMO) and have more space at a lower price.

It's great but the price to storage ratio is what keeps a lot of people away. I personally don't need one.

tmcdanel #1 (permalink)
Member Since: Feb 03, 2008 Posts: 5	06-19-2011, 10:35 AM My 15" MacBook Pro dual core intell about 4 years old, needs a new hard drive, so i am going to put a 1TB in it. Seagate makes on that has a 64 MB cache and reads at 6gig/sec but it is about $200. Will i really see a speed difference in my older Mac? Seagate Constellation.2 ST91000640NS Last edited by tmcdanel; 06-19-2011 at 11:40 AM.
	QUOTE Thanks

bobtomay #2 (permalink)
Member Since: Dec 22, 2006 Location: Texas, where else? Posts: 21,786 Mac Specs: 15" MBP 2.33 C2D 256 4GB, MBA 13" i7 1.8, MB 2.0 2GB, Nano 4th, 3GS, iPad 1	06-19-2011, 10:47 AM That drive will not fit in your MBP. The drive is 15mm tall. You need to look for a standard 9.5mm tall drive. You're not going to find a drive of the proper size in anything over a 640GB (maybe a 750GB) drive size. You also do not have 6Gb/sec controller, so looking at those is also a waste of time and money unless you want to look at a SSD. I cannot be held responsible for the things that come out of my mouth. In the Windows world, most everything folks don't understand is called a virus. Place your vote for our Member of the Month
	QUOTE Thanks

bobtomay #5 (permalink)
Member Since: Dec 22, 2006 Location: Texas, where else? Posts: 21,786 Mac Specs: 15" MBP 2.33 C2D 256 4GB, MBA 13" i7 1.8, MB 2.0 2GB, Nano 4th, 3GS, iPad 1	06-19-2011, 11:55 AM Those high dollar solid state drives - the ones that are still too expensive for us common folk. newegg Personally, I've upgraded to the WD 500GB 7200rpm drive in my 4 yr old MBP. I'd also currently recommend Hitachi drives as replacements. The Samsung will work - just not a fan of that brand. (And just to note, the 6Gb/sec drives are backwards compatible, so that's not really an issue except where you're paying a premium over the comparable 3Gb/sec drive.) I cannot be held responsible for the things that come out of my mouth. In the Windows world, most everything folks don't understand is called a virus. Place your vote for our Member of the Month
	QUOTE Thanks

TattooedMac #6 (permalink)
Member Since: May 19, 2009 Location: Western Astraya Posts: 6,445 Mac Specs: 13"MBP 2.9Ghz Intel Core i7 10.8.3 ~ iPhone5 6.1.3 ~ iPad Mini 6.1.3 ~ ATV2 5.2.1	06-19-2011, 04:31 PM Go to OWC ~ MacSales.com and follow the prompts to fill in your mac Specs and then that your looking for a HD and they will bring up a list of all compatible HD's for your machine. Then with that information go shopping either there or the newegg link that bobtomay supplied. OWC is highly recommended around here as is newegg Cheers Dont forget to use the Reputation System if someone has helped you out !!! “I have absolutely no pleasure in the stimulants in which I sometimes so madly indulge. It has not been in the pursuit of pleasure that I have periled life and reputation and reason. It has been the desperate attempt to escape from torturing memories, from a sense of insupportable loneliness and a dread of some strange impending doom ….”― Edgar Allan Poe
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tmcdanel #4 (permalink)
Member Since: Feb 03, 2008 Posts: 5	06-19-2011, 11:53 AM Ok this looks like it meets your requirements. SAMSUNG Spinpoint M8 HN-M750MBB 750GB 5400 RPM 8MB Cache 2.5" SATA 3.0Gb/s Internal Notebook Hard Drive
	QUOTE Thanks

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