Smartest HDD Upgrade Option Mid 2009 MBP 13"

[deeve]

Hi, I am working on upgrading my Mid 2009 MCB 13" to make it more friendly for video/photo editing. I currently use it for mild photo work and just started with editing GoPro Hero 3 video's in HD. The specs are 160GB HDD and 4GB of Ram with a 2.26 Core 2 processor. I already have more ram on the way to a max of 8GB.

I would like to be able to view the video better and make editing easier. Currently, it is very slow process and choppy to view. Hopefully the RAM will help. Rendering is maxing the CPU out, but there is not too much I can do about that, really. It is my understanding that rendering is pretty dependent on CPU stats.

My question is...it was suggested that I upgrade the HDD to maybe a SDD one. My question is, what is the best option here, while keeping in mind that I want to wisely spend my money. Should I upgrade to a smaller SDD 128GB or so and use an attached USB 2.0 (or firewire 800 if I can find it) HDD. Upgrade to a larger 7200RPM HDD 500-750GB? or look at the hybrid Seagate units?

Thanks. FWIW, I am trying out using Adobe Premiere Elements for the video editing, otherwise I am using iMovie '09

DAVE

[bushido]

i have an mid 2009 as well and it started to get very slow over the years (i still blame the hdd)

i eventually replaced the system hdd with an 128 GB SSD and let me just tell u it improved A LOT. its more responsive, faster boot up/down, apps open faster and the overall experience seems better. its not getting as hot anymore either

i also replaced the optical drive with another 750 GB HDD as a storage unit and use the superdrive with an external usb case now

my setting:

MacBook Pro (13 inch) Mid2009
2.53 GHz C2D
8 GB Ram
128 GB SSD (System & Apps)
750 GB HDD (Storage & Backup Unit)

if u dont want to replace the superdrive u could just use an external drive of course, i did that for quite some time as well.

short answer: get an SSD to give your mbp new life. replacing an old hdd with a new hdd wont give u much of a boost imo

edit: the SSD is an "Crucial M4" btw

[spartacvs]

Originally Posted by deeve

Hi, I am working on upgrading my Mid 2009 MCB 13" to make it more friendly for video/photo editing. I currently use it for mild photo work and just started with editing GoPro Hero 3 video's in HD. The specs are 160GB HDD and 4GB of Ram with a 2.26 Core 2 processor. I already have more ram on the way to a max of 8GB.

I would like to be able to view the video better and make editing easier. Currently, it is very slow process and choppy to view. Hopefully the RAM will help. Rendering is maxing the CPU out, but there is not too much I can do about that, really. It is my understanding that rendering is pretty dependent on CPU stats.

My question is...it was suggested that I upgrade the HDD to maybe a SDD one. My question is, what is the best option here, while keeping in mind that I want to wisely spend my money. Should I upgrade to a smaller SDD 128GB or so and use an attached USB 2.0 (or firewire 800 if I can find it) HDD. Upgrade to a larger 7200RPM HDD 500-750GB? or look at the hybrid Seagate units?

Thanks. FWIW, I am trying out using Adobe Premiere Elements for the video editing, otherwise I am using iMovie '09

DAVE

Upgrade to an SSD you can afford, preferably a 128GB or more and use the stock HDD as an external HD by using an enclosure. Then put your data like photos, music, videos, etc to the external and just use the SSD for apps and the OS.

[EricT43]

I used a Crucial M4 256GB in my 2011 13" MBP and it was awesome.

[deeve]

Thanks everyone. I think SSD and big drive in the Super Drive bay probably makes the most sense. I tried to think how many times in the past I have used the drive and counted zero. Any benefit to going 7200rpm over there or no?

[calpolygraduate]

Originally Posted by EricT43

I used a Crucial M4 256GB in my 2011 13" MBP and it was awesome.

I concur, I have the Crucial M4 512GB and it's the best upgrade you can do!