[Closed] Macbook Pro - harddrive upgrade - easy enough?

http://www.ifixit.com/Browse/MacBook_Pro

or you tube will have vids, very easy change just keep a pot nearby and do it on a clean table.

If your budget will stretch get a ssd drive.

Dead easy.

The way I've done mine in the past is as follows:

Buy a portable external HD (based on a 2.5" hard drive).
Use Superduper! to clone the internal drive onto the external.
Power down mac, swap drive from external into the mac, internal drive goes in enclosure.

Boot mac, it's just as it was before, but more space.

Or buy a drive and an enclosure separately, not expensive and will be easier to swap the drives about.

Something like:
http://www.ebuyer.com/product/196784
and
http://www.ebuyer.com/product/158386

Page 37 here: http://manuals.info.apple.com/en_US/MacBook_Pro_13inch_Mid2009.pdf

(or if it's not a mid 09 model, see here http://support.apple.com/manuals/#macbookpro for the correct one)

IA - now that sounds like a great way of doing it. Any suggestions for which drive to use?

I just upgraded my drive (old macbook so really easy) but I got a "Hybrid drive". It's part platter, part SSD - so far seems pretty impressive and speedy - but then it is a clean install. I didn't want to stretch to the cost of a full SSD so thought I'd give it a go. http://www.ebuyer.com/search?q=hybrid+drive&x=13&y=21

See my updated post.

Though personally I've just used externals in the past that I've got on deals. You're in Edinburgh now right? PC world often has decent deals on, hang on I'll have a look-see...

If you want to get one in PC World I'd go with one of these:

http://www.pcworld.co.uk/gbuk/wd-elements-portable-hard-drive-500gb-black-02950021-pdt.html
(order online for store pickup and you get the web price)

I know that'll work fine, as I've one on my desk right now that I've used for the very purpose you want it. A bit fiddly to open, but easy if you know how. If you reckon you'll get one of these, let me know and I'll post up some pics showing how to open it up.

Actually, there is one potential issue with that drive. It only has the one USB connection for power, so some drives swapped into it won't run right unless it's connected to a powered USB hub that will supply enough current. The enclosure I linked above from ebuyer says it comes with a dual USB plug to get around this issue for extra power.

That looks like a winner. I'll go get one today.

Some pictures would be great.

Cheers.

Ok here we go:

Turn the drive upside down, with something thin (small screwdriver might work, thin knife etc.) work yourway round the gap popping the clips. This is the hardest bit. You can see the clips in this pic
[img] [/img]

If you start at the USB end, there's only one clip on that side, midway between the usb plug and the right side (looking at it bottom of the drive facing you). 3 clips on each long edge.

Next, using tweezers/pliers/the force, pull out the two rubber bumpers from the far end to the USB plug. Like so:
[img] [/img]

Then carefully lever the drive out from this end, you now have this:

[img] [/img]

Pull the rubber bumpers off, slide the drive out the metal shield:
[img] [/img]

Slide the drive off the controller board. Careful not to bend it! And you're done!
[img] [/img]

(it took me longer to type this post than it took me to strip it and take the pics just now. Also note the apple on the drive in those pics... that's cos the drive used to be in a MBP)

Oh and I think I missed a step in my initial How-to:

Format the new drive as HFS Journaled first (in disk utility). Check your system disk first, if it's case sensitive, make the new one case sensitive too (it's probably not).

Thanks for that.