is it really THAT easy to upgrade to SSD ?

[timmy_toad]

Hi All, I only just this morning upgraded my RAM from 4gb to 16gb (from Crucial.com) and I was rather pleased with the result

I now fancy upgrading to a SSD drive for even more WIZZ !!!!!

I have a Mid 2012 MacBookPro 15", on the Crucial and YouTube web sites there are a lot of Videos showing me how to do this upgrade, but they all seem to do it differently, some even put the old drive in the space where the DVD drive usually lives, very confusing !.

upgrading to SSD . . .. is it really THIS easy, Make a bootable Back Up, I use Super Duper, take the old drive out, put the new SSD drive in, Boot Up with my Back Up, Format the SSD drive and Restore from the Backup ???? it is that easy eh ? sounds good. VERY GOOD !


secondly, there are obviously a lot of different makes and suppliers of SSD drives, I shall probably get mine from Crucial.com they supply "M500" is there much to choose from all the other makes and types ?

Hopefully the members can advise me accordingly ?

Tim

 

[pigoo3]

...some even put the old drive in the space where the DVD drive usually lives, very confusing !.

This is purely a choice made by users if they desire to have two/dual storage devices inside their computer. Basically replacing an optical drive that may not be seeing much use. No confusion.

- Nick

 

[timmy_toad]

This is purely a choice made by users if they desire to have two/dual storage devices inside their computer. Basically replacing an optical drive that may not be seeing much use. No confusion.

- Nick

Thanks "pigoo3" , ok, fair enough, I shall stick with my DVD drive thanks.

Tim

 

[RavingMac]

I have mid 2012 15in MBP and I upgraded from 4 to 16GB and swapped out the HD (keeping my DVD) for a 480GB Crucial M500. Entire process took 15 minutes start to finish (not including cloning the original drive to the SSD prior to installation).

EDIT: I use CCC and unless recent updates have changed things SD won't create recovery partition, so you'll have to install the OS with recovery partition and then clone if you use SD.

 

[Keukasmallie]

I have an early 2011 MBP that I recently upgraded w/ a M500 240GB SSD from Crucial. I also went from 4GB RAM to 16 GB RAM using Crucial memory. Both installs were simple. I studied the step-by-step videos from Crucial (plus their print instructions, too). I bought the SSD install kit (from Crucial) and used it to clone my 750GB HHD (original equipment in my MBP) to the new SSD before I swapped the old HHD out. I used Disk Utility rather than one of the available apps for cloning.

I then bought an external enclosure for the old HHD and I now use it as my back up drive with Time Machine via usb cable. It is much more portable than my WD My Book Essentials drive.

All in all, a great upgrade, easy to accomplish, albeit a bit pricey!

Good luck making your decision!

 

[timmy_toad]

I use CCC and unless recent updates have changed things SD won't create recovery partition, so you'll have to install the OS with recovery partition and then clone if you use SD.

Hi RavingMac thanks for the Heads Up on this "job" I will need to to do. You are telling me very helpful stuff I wouldn't have found out any other way

So Super Duper won't be 100% suitable for what I had in mind. thanks I am much indebted to you friend.
Carbon Copy Cloner is the way to go then. I would have to Install a new Copy of Mavericks onto the newly fitted SSD drive first, to get the recovery partition BEFORE I run CCC, with CCC I then Clone my original drive (which I can fit in an external usb3 case) to the SSD drive
have I got that right ?

Tim

 

[timmy_toad]

I bought the SSD install kit (from Crucial) and used it to clone my 750GB HHD (original equipment in my MBP) to the new SSD before I swapped the old HHD out.

Hey buddy, CRUCIAL didnt give me an option or a recommendation for purchasing an INSTALL KIT from them !

Tim

 

[Keukasmallie]

Hey buddy, CRUCIAL didnt give me an option or a recommendation for purchasing an INSTALL KIT from them !

Tim

Google Crucial SSD install kit...? That should get it done for you.

 

[Keukasmallie]

This is a screen shot of the install kit from Crucial.

 

[RavingMac]

Hi RavingMac thanks for the Heads Up on this "job" I will need to to do. You are telling me very helpful stuff I wouldn't have found out any other way

So Super Duper won't be 100% suitable for what I had in mind. thanks I am much indebted to you friend.
Carbon Copy Cloner is the way to go then. I would have to Install a new Copy of Mavericks onto the newly fitted SSD drive first, to get the recovery partition BEFORE I run CCC, with CCC I then Clone my original drive (which I can fit in an external usb3 case) to the SSD drive
have I got that right ?

Tim

CCC notices when you first start to clone to your blank formatted drive that there isn't a recovery partition present and offers to install one, so no need (though no problem either) to do it first.

 

[timmy_toad]

Thank YOU so much Lads, I am spoilt for choice now KOOL

Thanks YOU both for taking the time to help.

Tim

 

[robthomas]

hi Tim/all
I've just bought a Samsung ssd drive that came with no cables, to upgrade my mb 15".

I'm a little bit lost- do i need some kind of kit, or cable, or can i just back up my hard drive with my My Passport external HD, stick in the new SSD and click a few options.

If so, how do i do this? The Youtube vid's are confusing...

Thanks
Rob

 

[chscag]

Check out post #4 and #10. Then purchase Carbon Copy Cloner from here. Use it with your WD Passport.

 

[robthomas]

Thanks for your replies.
Tim, could you post/PM exactly what kit i need to accompany my ssd card (i.e. what external drive case and what connecting lead)?

I'm amazed this straightforward info has been so hard to come by.

I'm a basic/intermediate tech type, but on this subject, I feel like an OAP in a branch of Top Man (i.e. dazed n confused!)
cheers

rob

 

[robthomas]

hi again
just bought this, in my impatience to get speedy on this sluggish Mac o' mine:

[Optimized For SSD, Support UASP SATA III] Inateck 2.5 Inch USB 3.0 Hard Drive Disk HDD External Enclosure Case with usb 3.0 Cable for 9.5mm 7mm 2.5" SATA HDD and SSD, Tool-free HDD Installation, Compatible With Windows 2000/ XP /Vista/ 7/ 8, Mac OS

Am I on the right track?
thanks
Rob

 

[timmy_toad]

hi again
just bought this, in my impatience to get speedy on this sluggish Mac o' mine:

[Optimized For SSD, Support UASP SATA III] Inateck 2.5 Inch USB 3.0 Hard Drive Disk HDD External Enclosure Case with usb 3.0 Cable for 9.5mm 7mm 2.5" SATA HDD and SSD, Tool-free HDD Installation, Compatible With Windows 2000/ XP /Vista/ 7/ 8, Mac OS

Am I on the right track?
thanks
Rob

That looks good enough for what you need, simply put your SSD in that, format it correctly using Disk Utility, then backup your existing drive to IT, using Super Duper (or carbon copy cloner), change the drives over and Bobs your Uncle !!!, I do believe you should also rename the SSD to be exactly the same name as the original, first time you boot up with it, it will take a little longer than normal, it did with mine anyway, as it was trying to find the original drive, which isn't there anymore.
Tim