Fix Your Stuff Community Store

Early 2011 Model: A1278 / 2.3 GHz i5 or 2.7 GHz i7 processor

782 Questions View all

Options

question about upgrading to ssd

Hello. First of all, please forgive my ignorance as I've never done anything like this before, but I'm confident I can do it once I understand the process.

I bought a Crucial MX300 525 GB SSD and 16 mb ram from OWC to upgrade my computer because it's gotten really slow. I've watched several videos on how to swap out the HD for the SSD, but I'm still confused. I'm not sure exactly what tools I need beside a torx and small phillips head screwdrivers (do I need any plastic opening tools or spudgers? I do plan on getting a small ESD mat and wrist strap as well). Aside from that, what else do I need? Do I need a SATA cable, and if so, what kind? Do I need a usb to transfer data? I've seen videos recommending these and others that don't, and I'm not exactly sure why.

I've also seen a couple of videos that say I can use my optical bay to store my HD as additional memory. If I wanted to do that, how do I transfer what I need to the SSD and keep what I want on the HD? I know the SSD is better for starting the computer, but which drive is best for what kind of storage/applications? One person suggested using the HD as an external storage bay by putting it into a hard drive enclosure. I have a lot of photos, so I thought it might be a good idea to use the old HD for that instead of transferring them all onto the new SSD.

Any input will be greatly appreciated. I'm not sure if I need to keep the old HD or not. Suggestions please?

One last thing. I don't understand what TRIM is and if I need to worry about it. Right now I'm using OSX 10.9.5. I was thinking of updating my operating system to Yosemite before I do the transfer. Would it be better to update my operating system before I transfer or after?

I also need to replace my battery soon. From what I've read it can be a disaster if using a cheap battery. Apple won't sell the battery unless they also install it, which is way more expensive. Are the OWC batteries the best ones?

Thanks bunches. Sorry for the long post, but I need guidance.

Answer this question I have this problem too

Is this a good question?

Yes No
Score 0
Add a comment

1 Answer

Filter by:
Most Helpful Newest Oldest
Most Helpful Answer

Options

Lets first deal with your optical drive swap out. Here's the IFIXIT guide on how its done: Installing MacBook Pro 13" Unibody Early 2011 Dual Hard Drive as you can see you'll need a special carrier Unibody Laptop Dual Drive. But you also need to make sure your system is able to support your SSD drive. Review the OWC doc here: OWC Data Doubler as you'll need to make sure your system is able to support the drive you have. I would just mount the SSD in the optical carrier Vs moving the drive over as the HD bay has crash guard services were as the optical bay doesn't.

Update (12/29/2017)

Well... Yes & No ;-}

The SATA port of the optical bay in some systems have a problem within the systems logic board. While the system will report the SATA ports as SATA III (6.0 Gb/s) the port may in fact not have the ability to run at this speed. Instead you'll need a fixed SATA II (3.0 Gb/s) SSD. Auto sensing drives (ones that support both specs) get confused! So they won't work reliably either.

So lets say you swap the drives around thinking the HD will run in the optical drive. Depending on your HD drive it won't work reliably work there either! In this case you have a double whammy. The drive is likely a SATA III drive and the optical bay don't offer crash guard so the drive can get damaged if you move the system while the drive is running.

Unibody Laptop Dual Drive Image

Product

Unibody Laptop Dual Drive

$24.99

Was this answer helpful?

Yes No
Score 2

4 Comments:

Well, the SSD I bought is supposedly compatible with my macbook, according to the Crucial website.

by

OK, so what if I just transfer all the data to the SSD and put it where the HD is located, and forget about the optical bay. Would that work? (Thanks for the help, btw!)

by

Sure that works! Thats the direction we went with, first going with SSHD's and then with SSD's. Side stepping the issue.

by

Thanks Dan! :D

by

Add a comment

Add your answer

jazzy cat will be eternally grateful.
View Statistics:

Past 24 Hours: 0

Past 7 Days: 0

Past 30 Days: 0

All Time: 498