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    Replacing a MBP15's HDD with an intel 160gb SSD questions :D

    Discussion in 'Apple and Mac OS X' started by M.to.walker, Jul 18, 2010.

  1. M.to.walker

    M.to.walker Notebook Consultant

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    Help is appreciated,

    I'm getting the Intel 160 gb ssd the good one for free and want to put it to use.

    I'm considering a MBP, but I have a couple questions before I sell my house to afford this purchase.

    How hard would it be to swap out the Hard Drive?

    Is it a simple opening and switch or do I have to go under a mobo and remove pieces to get at it?

    Would installing OSX be difficult, or would it come on a simple cd i could just use with the SSD?

    Thanks a ton!
     
    M.to.walker, Jul 18, 2010
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  2. blakek89

    blakek89 Notebook Enthusiast

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    No it is quite simple to replace a HDD with a SSD.

    Just open it up and exchange the cables from old to new.

    OS X would not be hard to install. If you have a External HDD you can just back up your current OS to the External and then once the SSD is installed just turn it on put in Snow Leopard and go to Disc Utility and Restore the OS from back up.

    Or you could just do a clean install usually the easiest IMO.

    Watch This http://www.everymac.com/systems/app...7-mid-2009-how-to-upgrade-hard-drive-ssd.html
     
    blakek89, Jul 18, 2010
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  3. E30kid

    E30kid Notebook Deity

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    A clean install would be quick and easy to do. Backing up the HDD and restoring it to the SSD takes way too long when the laptop is brand new. When you buy the MBP, it's going to have come from the factory after a clean install, so you won't lose anything by just starting over.
     
    E30kid, Jul 18, 2010
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  4. aznguyen316

    aznguyen316 Rock Chalk Jayhawk

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    ^ I just did this on my MBP and put in an 80gb SSD (along with removing superdrive + 250GB hdd) but anyway like others have said it's straight forward. You'll need a mini screwdriver. Remove the back panel and you'll see the HDD right there. One cable to remove and two screws to remove the drive holder.

    One thing though people aren't mentioning which was the most difficult for me was there are four screws that go into the drive that act as sitting pegs for the drive so it stays put and keeps from vibrating as much. These are torx screws. I didn't have any torx drivers though so I just used a needle nose plier to slowly grip the sides and take off the screws and transfer to the ssd. That took the longest time.
     
    aznguyen316, Jul 19, 2010
    #4