• Installing an SSD and RAM in a MacBook Pro Unibody

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    fulltimecasual
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    Published on 14th February 2012
    8 Comments Comments


    Hi Guys, this is my first video tutorial for Mactalk, so i thought I'd cover the upgrade that everyone with a Spinny HDD is thinking about, upgrading to an SSD.

    The video is a tad wonky, it's the first video I've made with FCPX, and the interface is still confusing me a little, but I've learnt a lot already, and promise the next video will be a lot nicer!

    The main idea i wanted to get across though is that if i can do this upgrade, then you probably can too! It's a little scary ripping the back panel of a new Unibody Macbook Pro, but once you get past that, everything else is pretty straight forward. If you do want a more detailed guide, check out this video from Rod at RamCity. And thanks to Rod for supplying the SSD and RAM for this upgrade!

    If you have any questions, criticisms or comments, please, throw them in the comments section below!

    Pete.
    Comments 8 Comments
    1. RodB's Avatar
      RodB - 14th February 2012, 10:49 AM
      Great work Pete! Since everyone keeps asking, here's the links to the products Pete used in this video:

      Apricorn External Hard Drive enclosure, cable and cloning software: (currently $67.99)

      EZNB2 - Apricorn EZ Upgrade Universal Notebook Hard Drive Upgrade Kit with USB 2.0 connection

      He also mentioned the Optibay kit on the podcast: (currently $128.99)

      OBSXGB-UNB - MCE Optibay 2.5 inch Drive Kit

      8GB (2x4GB) RAM Upgrade kit for the MBP: (Currently $81.99)

      2xCRH - RamCity 8GB PC3-10600 204-pin SO-DIMM Kit memory upgrade for Apple MacBook Pro 2011 Model 13-inch i5/i7

      and the 16GB (2x8GB) kit he mentioned: (currently $268.99)

      2xBZT - RamCity 16GB PC3-10600 204-pin SO-DIMM Kit memory upgrade for Apple MacBook Pro 2011 Model 13-inch i5/i7

      SSD: (this is the high performance Propero X2 model used in the video (currently $411.99)

      RC240GSSD25AS3 - RamCity Propero X2 240GB 2.5 inch Solid State Drive
    1. recd's Avatar
      recd - 14th February 2012, 11:20 PM
      Thanks Pete.

      Any reason for cloning the HD. Previous posts have recommended a time machine backup, a clean install of the OS then using migration assistant.

      I was taught to aviod touching the gold contacts on the RAM modules.
    1. Yousurf's Avatar
      Yousurf - 15th February 2012, 03:21 PM
      how much would it cost on average?
    1. fulltimecasual's Avatar
      fulltimecasual - 15th February 2012, 04:27 PM
      Quote Originally Posted by recd View Post
      Thanks Pete.

      Any reason for cloning the HD. Previous posts have recommended a time machine backup, a clean install of the OS then using migration assistant.

      I was taught to aviod touching the gold contacts on the RAM modules.
      Yeah, I'm going to erase the ssd and do a clean install when I get a chance, I cloned for speed, and to show the performance differences on the exact same install if that makes sense. Had I erased and copied accross, it would've been an unfair advantage on the ssd.

      Probably shouldn't touch the gold things, probably shouldn't drink beer while upgrading either.
    1. RodB's Avatar
      RodB - 15th February 2012, 04:31 PM
      Quote Originally Posted by Yousurf View Post
      how much would it cost on average?
      I've added current pricing above.
    1. gehenna's Avatar
      gehenna - 27th February 2012, 01:29 PM
      Did this exact upgrade when I bought my 2011 13" MBP and never looked back, the improvements are amazing.

      I ended up using an OptiBay to take out the DVD and install a 1TB drive into it's slot. So I have the SSD for apps and images, and I use the 1TB for storage and backup. I partitioned 250GB off and use that as an internal time machine so that I have quick access to deleted content. Also backup to an external time machine once every few days.
    1. fulltimecasual's Avatar
      fulltimecasual - 27th February 2012, 01:32 PM
      @gehenna - thats a killer set up.. My DodgyBay™ (cheap optibay from ebay) is sitting on my desk, waiting to be installed.
    1. gehenna's Avatar
      gehenna - 27th February 2012, 01:37 PM
      Quote Originally Posted by fulltimecasual View Post
      @gehenna - thats a killer set up.. My DodgyBay™ (cheap optibay from ebay) is sitting on my desk, waiting to be installed.
      Ah yeah, when I say OptiBay I really mean the Engrish version.

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