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    Hard Drive Swap 5400-7200?

    Discussion in 'Apple and Mac OS X' started by thecommish16, Jan 28, 2009.

  1. thecommish16

    thecommish16 Notebook Evangelist

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    How hard is a HD swap on a Macbook PRO? Part of my whole conversion of the MBPRO to a "desktop" includes a display, keyboard, mouse...and I'd like a 7200 RPM drive....anyone done this? What's involved? What did you do with the old drive? I'm not interested in transferring data...I don't have barely anything saved on it which makes it easy.
     
    thecommish16, Jan 28, 2009
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  2. diggy

    diggy Notebook Deity

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    Its very detailed, and also is not user upgradeable - will void your warranty. Check out www.ifixit.com and check out the guide for your specific machine
     
    diggy, Jan 28, 2009
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  3. thecommish16

    thecommish16 Notebook Evangelist

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    so who does it? apple store?
     
    thecommish16, Jan 28, 2009
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  4. sulkorp

    sulkorp Notebook Deity

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    Im pretty sure they will do it for you at the apple store, though youd have to pay them. If not, then any certified apple place should be able to do it, or you can do it yourself. I just upgraded mine the other day and it was too bad.
     
    sulkorp, Jan 28, 2009
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  5. thecommish16

    thecommish16 Notebook Evangelist

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    Yeah but I'd rather not void the warranty....How long does it take if I go to Apple store with it? I'd like to have it done while selecting a new display and keyboard/mice etc...get it all done in one day.

    I may do a 30 Cinema...call me crazy but...
     
    thecommish16, Jan 28, 2009
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  6. fastrandstrongr

    fastrandstrongr Notebook Evangelist

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    wont call you crazy, but i will call you rich and lucky.
     
    fastrandstrongr, Jan 28, 2009
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  7. thecommish16

    thecommish16 Notebook Evangelist

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    Wouldn't say a 30 cin makes me rich...but lucky, maybe!

    Would everyone here take the 30" if they could get it? Everyone talks about it like its the most elite display you can buy...I guess for the price it is. The student discount price is 1599 which isn't too bad.
     
    thecommish16, Jan 28, 2009
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  8. thecommish16

    thecommish16 Notebook Evangelist

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    Then again...maybe I should sell the MBPRO I have, get the NEW one with the LED display...
     
    thecommish16, Jan 28, 2009
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  9. Colton

    Colton Also Proudly American

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    The Penryn MBP has an LED display I think.... Or does it have the LCD display. I always get confused between those two on the MBP. :p
     
    Colton, Jan 28, 2009
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  10. jdstoddard

    jdstoddard Notebook Enthusiast

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    Apple Store replaced my hard drive overnight and had it back to me the next day. There are a lot of howto's online, but I advise to keep your warranty in tact :)
     
    jdstoddard, Jan 28, 2009
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  11. thecommish16

    thecommish16 Notebook Evangelist

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    Yeah I'm gonna let apple do it if I go that way....

    I'm either going to 1 of 3 options here:

    1) Buy the 20" Cinema for 500 bucks
    2) Buy the 30" Cinema for 1599 (student discount)
    3) Sell the MBPRO I own, buy the LED 24 and a NEW Macbook (or pro).

    Then I'll deal with the 7200 RPM deal and accessories.
     
    thecommish16, Jan 28, 2009
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  12. Colton

    Colton Also Proudly American

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    Sounds great! I would personally go with #3, because that would be a great new addition for years to come.
     
    Colton, Jan 28, 2009
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  13. thecommish16

    thecommish16 Notebook Evangelist

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    Yeah but then I do take a hit on the macbook pro I own...tough call here.
     
    thecommish16, Jan 28, 2009
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  14. lixuelai

    lixuelai Notebook Virtuoso NBR Reviewer

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    There is really no way for them to know whether you opened up the MBP or not unless you really screw up. It is a pretty easy install actually. Just a decent number of screws. Just be organized when doing it.
     
    lixuelai, Jan 28, 2009
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  15. sulkorp

    sulkorp Notebook Deity

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    yea all the macbook pros (15") have had led backlit displays for a while now.
     
    sulkorp, Jan 29, 2009
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  16. thecommish16

    thecommish16 Notebook Evangelist

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    I have to go check out the cinemas again at the apple store this weekend...I tried to buy an external monitor year ago when I got the MBPRO but all the choices and lack of a "NEW" cinema limited me.
     
    thecommish16, Jan 29, 2009
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  17. cdnalsi

    cdnalsi Food for the funky people

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    Option #3 sounds great, that's an awesome combination! :D
     
    cdnalsi, Jan 29, 2009
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  18. thecommish16

    thecommish16 Notebook Evangelist

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    yeah if it wasnt for having to sell the old one...I end up taking a hit of 800 bucks to upgrade either way....the 27 inch DELL looks pretty good to me...or the 800 towards a cinema. 30.
     
    thecommish16, Jan 29, 2009
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  19. orthorim

    orthorim Notebook Evangelist

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    "Easy" is relative. I did mine twice but it's not for the faint of heart. There are a couple of hair-thin wires inside that you must be careful not to damage. There are tiny deviations from the iFixit model. Taking off the top case for the first time feels like it's going to break in two.

    It will take you over an hour the first time for sure, so I'd recommend letting the Apple store do it.
     
    orthorim, Jan 29, 2009
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