Installing a SSD in a Macbook and doing a clean install

I've seen posts about installing a SSD drive in a Mac but I have a couple of questions.

Is a clean install really nessasary? I know Windows computers come with lots of bloatware but do Macs?

Do I have to install drivers?

Do SSD's and Mac's play nice together?

For someone with average computer abilties is replacing the hard drive doable?



Thanks. Happy Easter

 

Mac's dont really need a clean install

No drivers are needed
SSDs and macs play together better than Windows and SSDs I believe.

Yes, replacing the hard drive is extremely simple.

 

One other thing I found out while browsing a bit more around the web is that apple computers come with an OS disc? (is this correct?)

Do the 13.3 inch aluminum macbooks come with an OS install disc?

Is it really this simple?
1. Replace HDD with SSD
2. Insert OS disc
3. Woo

 

yes, the come with a mac os x install dvd + an applications dvd.

Yes, that's the installation procedure. you got it right.

 

Your woo made me lol

 

No clean install is necessary. Mac's don't come with any trial software already installed on the machine. You have to download it yourself, therefore making it a choice wether to have it on your machine unlike a PC that comes with it installed without your choice to have it or not.

No need to install drivers at all!

As far as I know, SSD's behave just fine with Mac's, as I haven't heard anything about them not working good together.

It's super easy to replace the HDD, just check out my guide http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=360845

I would also recommend checking out Sam's "Mac Switchers Guide," as that has very useful information on up and coming Mac users.

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=161784

 

Wow, thanks folks. After asking the same question in the Vaio forum, the 3 easy steps turn into 5. And that doesn't include installing drivers which doesn't sound fun.

(and those 5 steps don't even include a Woo )

It’s funny, I've been researching laptops for months now and I put Apple on the backburner. I don't know why, but I'm glad I finally took a look at a Mac. The 13 inch MacBook fits all my criteria
-thin and light
-fast boot time
-stylish
-good keyboard
-easy ssd installation

I'm sold, Thanks.

 

Yup, many people don't think about Mac's when they are going to purchase a computer. It's a very common occurance. The Macbook is a great choice, as I've had many good things to say about it from experience. It really does fit all of your criteria you posted. Congrats!

 

My mac has been extremely reliable to me. Better than my old dell vostro though.

 

Check out the OCZ forum. I installed my Vertex in my Macbook Pro and have had no problems so far. Been happy through now with my Vertex 120GB SSD. If I have any problems I will report and complain but knock on wood everything has been great so far

 

Thats the one I'm looking at right now. I figure I might as well go for the speediest OCZ drive. I definately do not want to pay the Intel premium especially when I hear less than perfect peformance. I'm probably not going to get my laptop until the summer (I'm hoping they release new models then and snow leopard). I just like to look around for a while before I buy. I spent about 4 months looking for my latest HDTV purchase and I expect my laptop decision to be similar.

 

I check out the Vertex 120G on amazon http://www.amazon.com/OCZ-OCZSSD2-1...1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1239750977&sr=8-1

There is a review pointing out something really important is that, this SSD doesn't make too much noticeable difference comparing to the 5400rpm HD that came with unibody macbook. I wouldn't find more infomation about this Vertex SSD as SLC or MLC SSD on amazon website, but these two types do have pretty big speed different, so you may consider all these before buying one SSD.

 

I have heard that SSD are bad for small file size transfers, but I think the boot times are increased enough to warrant it for me. I've heard that SSD's have boot times ranging from 20-30 seconds and I think boot times for normal HDD macbooks are about 40-50 seconds. I'm an impatient person and it might be worth it.

The reviewer is using the old firmware which is slower than the new firmware. Their new ssd's come preloaded with the better firmware.

I know for Vista you have to tweak the settings to get the most out of your SSD, this might also be the case for Leopard.

I'm new to Mac's (even though I just got a job selling them) so I could be way off with my rationalizations. At the end of the day, it’s up to the individual to decide if the minor or major performance boost is worth the premium. For me it is. By the way, thanks for pointing that review out.