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I have a 13" MacBook Pro 2.9 GHz i7 (Build 13F1911) that I want to install a SSD drive to make it faster.
Is it worth the upgrade and if so, is there a installation tutorial for it?
I do have the 15" though... is it the same procedure?
Is this a good question?
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Yes a SSD will make your system smoke! Here is the IFIXIT guide to replace your current HD for a Different drive in this case a SSD: MacBook Pro 13" Unibody Mid 2012 Hard Drive Replacement
I do recommend you also replace the HD drive cable at the same time as they tend to wear. Here is the IFIXIT guide for that: MacBook Pro 13" Unibody Mid 2012 Hard Drive Cable Replacement and here is the part you'll need: MacBook Pro 13" Unibody (Mid 2012) Hard Drive Cable.
Product
$34.99
Guide
Difficulty:
Moderate
—
30 - 45 minutes
Guide
Difficulty:
Easy
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10 - 25 minutes
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As to which drive I would recommend getting a Samsung or SanDisk drive. You'll likely want one that is large enough to hold your work you currently have on your HDD but you'll want one that is still larger for new stuff and still enough extra for the OS to use 1/4 more.
Thanks Dan, let me also ask... after i place the SSD how do i install the OSX of my choice? I already do have the OSX installation files provided from the AppStore!
There are a few different ways you can do it. The easiest is to get a SATA to USB adapter to plug your old drive into then you boot up using it. Using the OS installer install the OS and all of the OS updates. Afterwards launch the Migration Assistant app. I prefer doing it this way then launching it at the end when the installer asks if you want to copy over your stuff.
If you want to you can also leverage the internet recovery service, or your f you have already setup a USB thumb drive as the OS installer. As this is a fresh drive you won't have access to the hidden recovery partition yet. Once the The drive is prepped properly you'll have it next time.
I only have a USB thumb drive available and the 6GB El Capitan installer file. Can i do something with those two?
Is it setup to be a bootable installer? If it was that will work. In that case you'll want to use a new user account (different name) that what your current drive has so later you can migrate it over. do make sure you have 8 GB's or more of RAM in the system.
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8 Comments
The build number is the MacOS version the system is using.
by Dan
This is it. MacBook Pro 13" 2.9 GHz i7 (Mid-2012)
by genik
Big difference :-}
by Dan
Of course it is. You might want to change your question so that we can put in the correct machine.
by mayer
Let's do this can you take a screen shot of the About Ths Mac window which shows the systems specs.
I don't remember Apple ever offering a 2.9 GHz 15" non retina system. The best we have are 2.6 GHz. I vaguely remember they had talked about it but I don't think it was ever sold. Here's the specsheet from Apple: 15" MacBook Pro 2012
As to the procedure it's basically the same but a different cable if you have the non retina model. The retina models don't offer HDD's they only have blade type of SSD (custom Apple part)
by Dan
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