macbook pro 13' (2012 model) ram + ssd upgrade.

holl109 · Jul 20, 2012

Hi,
im purchasing my first mbp, and im looking to upgrade the ram and hdd to SSD.
i have a budget of $300 for the ram and ssd incl shipping if purchased from the US shipped to AUS.
i want to get 8gb ram and not sure on ssd size ill keep my music on a portable harddrive.

thanks hope you can help

wolfpuppies3 · Jul 20, 2012

macsales.com (OWC) will give you your answers for all the variables available. The SSDs range in price from $49.95 to about $1150, dependent upon size you need. The memory will be about $60 to update to 8 GB.

So, for $300 you could have 8 GB memory (16 GB is possible) and a 240 GB SSD.

holl109 · Jul 21, 2012

wolfpuppies3 said:
macsales.com (OWC) will give you your answers for all the variables available. The SSDs range in price from $49.95 to about $1150, dependent upon size you need. The memory will be about $60 to update to 8 GB.

So, for $300 you could have 8 GB memory (16 GB is possible) and a 240 GB SSD.

thanks for the reply,
i checked out owc website.
to get it shipped to australia with 8gb ram, 240gb owc 3g ssd with enclosure kit,tools incl
would cost around $335 . is that worth the price or is there a cheaper combo of ram and ssd i could get for under 300

ycl1688 · Jul 21, 2012

Look for 6g ssd though, I do not know if the newegg ship to AUS,
for ssd, you could get from newegg.com, here is the latest from them a limited period though
Newegg.com - Crucial M4 CT256M4SSD2 2.5" 256GB SATA III MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD)

holl109 · Jul 21, 2012

ycl1688 said:
Look for 6g ssd though, I do not know if the newegg ship to AUS,
for ssd, you could get from newegg.com, here is the latest from them a limited period though
Newegg.com - Crucial M4 CT256M4SSD2 2.5" 256GB SATA III MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD)

thanks, newegg doesnt shipp to aus although i can use sites like priceusa etc.
im also considering buying instead of 2012 model a 2.8ghz i7 mbp late 2011. which is only $1199 at ****smiths. where as new 2012 2.5ghz i5 is 1349.
is there much difference between 2011-2012 models?

maz94protege · Jul 21, 2012

Throw the regular HDD into an external enclosure (bus powered) cost around $10

Buy a 90-128GB SSD for around $90 (After MIR) and 8GB DDR3 1333 ram is ~$50

The OWC SSD's are SAWEET but overpriced. I got an OCZ Vertex 3 SATA3 (6GB/S) 90GB for $114 (6months ago) blazing fast in my desktop and 10x better in my MBP.

OWC is quality, and a bit pricey. SATA2/SATA3 SSD...either one will work good.

SSD is always going to be faster then any HDD.

holl109 · Jul 23, 2012

maz94protege said:
Throw the regular HDD into an external enclosure (bus powered) cost around $10

Buy a 90-128GB SSD for around $90 (After MIR) and 8GB DDR3 1333 ram is ~$50

The OWC SSD's are SAWEET but overpriced. I got an OCZ Vertex 3 SATA3 (6GB/S) 90GB for $114 (6months ago) blazing fast in my desktop and 10x better in my MBP.

OWC is quality, and a bit pricey. SATA2/SATA3 SSD...either one will work good.

SSD is always going to be faster then any HDD.

thanks, how is the reliabity of the vertex 3? alot of people say there full of problems.
never the less. in australia i can get 120gb vertex 3 ssd for under $120 which is perfect price wise.

holl109 · Jul 23, 2012

or i can get the vertex 4 for $140 in aus.

ycl1688 · Jul 23, 2012

samsung 830 series have you try ?

holl109 · Jul 23, 2012

ycl1688 said:
samsung 830 series have you try ?

thanks just checked that out, decided im going to the samsung 830 128gb + g.skill mac memory 2x4gb 1333 kit. which brings the price for both to $190 with shipping.

what tools do i need to install these? for late 2011 mbp 13inch

ycl1688 · Jul 24, 2012

I believe the samsung ssd comes with an adapter, use the adapter to transfer your current hd to external ssd
via Carbon copy clone, download from internet.
1. once it is cloned to your ssd, reboot the mbp when the chime sounds hold option key should boot up from external ssd.
2. Sweep the drives, install osx to your ssd, reboot again using the same method as 1.
3. download blackmagic speed test from mac app store is free, test your speed test.
Should be smooth enough for installing ssd.

holl109 · Jul 24, 2012

ycl1688 said:
I believe the samsung ssd comes with an adapter, use the adapter to transfer your current hd to external ssd
via Carbon copy clone, download from internet.
1. once it is cloned to your ssd, reboot the mbp when the chime sounds hold option key should boot up from external ssd.
2. Sweep the drives, install osx to your ssd, reboot again using the same method as 1.
3. download blackmagic speed test from mac app store is free, test your speed test.
Should be smooth enough for installing ssd.

thanks mate,
are there any specific screwdrivers i need to open the mbp case?

anynamewilldo · Jul 24, 2012

holl109 said:
thanks mate,
are there any specific screwdrivers i need to open the mbp case?

You need really small phillips drivers and probably a torx 5 for some of the inside work.

Your best bet is to buy a set of such tools from an electronics place. Make sure it has a variety of really small phillips & flat screw drivers, and T4,T5,T6,T7 and ideally, T8 drivers. If possible, get a plastic "spudge" device too (basically a plastic, flat screwdriver looking thing.

ycl1688 · Jul 24, 2012

+0 screw driver for lower case.

holl109 · Jul 24, 2012

anynamewilldo said:
You need really small phillips drivers and probably a torx 5 for some of the inside work.

Your best bet is to buy a set of such tools from an electronics place. Make sure it has a variety of really small phillips & flat screw drivers, and T4,T5,T6,T7 and ideally, T8 drivers. If possible, get a plastic "spudge" device too (basically a plastic, flat screwdriver looking thing.

i found this on a store thats in my town,
its for a iphone but would the tools work for macbook pro
it comes with Contents
• 2 x Plastic opening levers
• 1 x Guitar Pick Opening Tool
• 1 x Pentalobe Screwdriver TS1
• 1 x Phillips Screwdriver PH00
• 1 x Suction Cap
• 1 x Sim card ejector pin tool
• 1 x Phone mounting bracket / Screw hold marker