Introduction
Use this guide to install a new hard drive in your MacBook Pro 17" Unibody for more storage space.
Warning! If you have an older 3.0 Gb/s (SATA II) based system you need to make sure the drive you use is able to run at this slower speed. Review your drives spec sheet, make sure it clearly lists compatibility with 3.0 Gb/s (SATA II) systems. Most drives sold today are fixed speed 6.0 Gb/s (SATA III) which won’t work in 3.0 Gb/s (SATA II) systems properly.
What you need
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Remove the following ten screws securing the lower case to the upper case:
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Three 13.5 mm Phillips screws.
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Seven 3 mm Phillips screws.
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Wedge your fingers between the lower case and the vent, and lift upward to release the two clips holding the lower case to the upper case.
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Remove the lower case.
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If present, grab the plastic tab attached to the battery connector and pull it toward the front edge of the device. For Late-2011 models the battery connector will not have a tab and is simply a plug that inserts straight down into the motherboard--to remove pry the plug straight up.
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Pull the hard drive connector away from the body of the hard drive.
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Remove the hard drive from your MacBook Pro.
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