Best way to swap MBP Hard Drive?

I plan to replace my new 2.4 GHz MBP's default 160GB 5400rpm HDD with Hitachi's 7K200 (yes, I know it'll void the warranty). I know the install process for the hardware, but as a Windows user up until now, I'm not sure of the best way to transfer the files from the old HDD to the new in OSX. Which of these methods is the most advisable?

1) Use SuperDuper to clone the data before installing the new drive (in this case, I would probably have to format the 7K200 in OSX with a USB to SATA box, which I have. Is this easy to do? Will SuperDuper clone all of the files so that when I switch drives I can boot from the new 7K200 like nothing ever happened?)

2) Back up the data to another drive with SuperDuper, install the 7K200 unformatted and then install OSX onto it via the recovery disc, formatting it in the process, then restore the other data (if any) from the back up.

3) Something I didn't think of?

Thanks for helping a clueless Windows user with his first Mac

 

It kind of depends on if you want to take this chance to clear out all of the crap you may have accumulated or if you are happy with how your system is running now. If you are happy, then use SuperDuper!. It will image your drive bit for bit and it will be identical to your current drive. If you do want to start fresh with the programs you have installed, then I would just put the drive in and use your Tiger DVD to install OS X, add programs that you want, and then just copy your data from the old drive using your enclosure. HTH!

 

Let us know if your overall performance increases with that hard drive? I thought about upgrading mine, but I think I'll wait for my one year warranty to void first. By than, the 4GB Memory will be less expensive and so will the hard drive.

 

I'll also be putting 4GB in. I got mine (2x2 GB DDR2-5400 SODIMM) for $189 Beats that $700 upgrade on apple's site doesn't it

The MBP is brand new and I havn't done much more with it than turn it on. Is formatting in OSX pretty much the same as in Windows? I know Mac uses a different format and has EFI. Does this affect anything?

 

if you haven't done much with it then I would just completely reinstall everything with the OS X disk to the new drive, Applications really don't take that long to install and by the sound of it you shouldn't have a lot to copy over from a backup.

 

Just in my opinion and many others - changing hardrive will NOT void your warranty (unless by doing that you damage other components).
For example I bought a 2005 car that was in an accident - and I was so suprised that warranty is still valid after it (they even did free inspection and free oil change). It is the same thing - if you replace computer parts with other parts that are suited - then warranty can not be affected (consumer protection act).
I am qualified computer technician and I would definitely not trust Apple changing my hardrive

 

You could also use Carbon Copy Cloner and clone the current drive via a USB external enclosure with your new hard drive in it. Then swap them out. This assumes the setup you currently have is acceptable and works fine.

 

Sounds good. I had never heard of this app! What are its advantages over SuperDuper and will it truely make a perfect copy of all of the system files so I can switch HDDs and boot from the new one?