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Going from 500GB to 1TB in my Unibody MacBook!

Chase R

Chase R

macrumors 65816
Original poster
May 8, 2008
1,279
81
PDX
I posted this in the "Macbook/iBook" section, since technically I don't have a "Pro"... But since it's still an aluminum unibody, I figured I would post it over here too. This should also clear up any discrepancies about the taller 12.5mm HDDs (they fit in all Aluminum Unibody Macbooks/Pros).

I should also add that this drive is SILENT; doesn't make a peep! It also doesn't make any vibration whatsoever. I used to be able to feel a slight vibration on my left palm (w/ the 500GB drive), now I can't feel a thing.

HDD Specs: Western Digital WD10TPVT, 1TB, 5200 RPM, 8MB cache, 12.5mm height

The 1TB drive in all it's glory
IMG_0448r.jpg


9.5mm vs. 12.5mm
IMG_0447r.jpg


For those that said it couldn't be done...
IMG_0450r.jpg


Restoring from a Time Machine backup is amazing, I literally can't even tell I have a new HDD (other than the capacity increase). Everything is exactly the way it was on the old HDD.
IMG_0454r-1.jpg


Screenshot2010-03-17at100033PM.png


Xbench test:
Screenshot2010-03-18at50919PM-1.png


EDIT: The following 8 posts are about this HDD, which I found out will not work. (Mods merged two threads and it go a little confusing).
 
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you cant use that drive in a laptop, do some googling and you will see it has a custom internal interface and firmware. No way to hook it up to your laptop other than USB.
 
^^ That's what I've been hearing. The OEM drive is pretty scarce now too (did they stop production?).

If you're desperate for more space, you could spring for an OptiBay and have two drives.
 
Chase R said:
My UMB originally came with a 250GB HDD which I filled up pretty quick. I then threw in a 500GB 5400RPM Western Digital HDD, so far it's been great. However, I'm down to about 35GBs left of free space... So what now? I know that Western Digital has a 640GB (9.5mm) HDD out there that will fit, but that's just not big enough.

After reading this article, I've decided to throw in a 1TB drive out of a Western Digital My Passport Essentials SE external drive. It's nice to know that the 13" Unibody MacBooks can fit the larger 12.5mm HDDs.

This is the drive that I'm ordering from Newegg to do the swap. (1TB - 5200RPM - 8MB cache - 12.5mm height)

Once I get the drive I will post up some pictures and let you all know how it goes. 180 bucks isn't bad for a 1TB notebook!
Click to expand...

Yeah, sorry to burst your bubble, it won't work. If it would've worked, I would've gotten it already. You'll need to buy a barebone 1TB drive, which for some reason I can't find anywhere these days.
 
So even reformatting the drive to HFS+ won't get rid of WD's stupid built-in software? Nuts... guess I'll just have to wait till I can find a 1TB bare HDD.
 
Chase R said:
So even reformatting the drive to HFS+ won't get rid of WD's stupid built-in software? Nuts... guess I'll just have to wait till I can find a 1TB bare HDD.
Click to expand...

its not just the software. The plug you would need to physically plug it in to your mac does not exist. They replaced it to save money and keep the portal enclosure smaller.
 
There are threads on this but there's also some kid who wrote some open letter to WD about this matter and albeit stupid, it speaks to this issue. You may be able to format it but I think you'll find even adding some plug wouldn't work.
 
Phew! I saw the external was quite cheaper than the internal and thought it would be a great deal!
 
Tweak3D said:
its not just the software. The plug you would need to physically plug it in to your mac does not exist. They replaced it to save money and keep the portal enclosure smaller.
Click to expand...

Oh ok, gotcha... Good thing Amazon has the OEM drive in stock so I just ordered that one, it was $20 more than the external drive though (weird). I also picked up one of WD's new 1TB "Green" drives for my Time Machine drive ($80).
 
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Probably a silly question, but will a 1TB drive fit in a 13" MBP? And if so where is the cheapest place to buy a compatable drive online (I live in the UK)?

Is it as simple as switching the drives and installing OSX from the install discs?

Sorry for the basic-ness of my questions, I am moderatly new convert to the world of macs.
 
Widdy said:
Probably a silly question, but will a 1TB drive fit in a 13" MBP? And if so where is the cheapest place to buy a compatable drive online (I live in the UK)?

Is it as simple as switching the drives and installing OSX from the install discs?

Sorry for the basic-ness of my questions, I am moderatly new convert to the world of macs.
Click to expand...

Yes it will fit in your 13" MBP

I bought my drive off of Amazon because they had the lowest price, so I'm sure you can get it in the UK.

And yes, just insert the DVD, shut down your Mac, swap the HDDs, and boot from the DVD (hold down C while booting). Pretty straight-forward from there.
 
Chase R said:
Yes it will fit in your 13" MBP

I bought my drive off of Amazon because they had the lowest price, so I'm sure you can get it in the UK.

And yes, just insert the DVD, shut down your Mac, swap the HDDs, and boot from the DVD (hold down C while booting). Pretty straight-forward from there.
Click to expand...

How much was it?
 
Outstanding pictures. I have heard great things about WD in terms of HDDs in the same way I have heard great things about Intel for SSDs.
 
HLdan said:
Hmm, the price is quite fair. Could you let us know after you tested how the performance is, I would like one for my Macbook Pro but I'm concerned about the 5200 rpm rotational speed.
Click to expand...

whats wrong with 5200??

you do realize that rpm stands for revolutions per minute, and that you pretty much stated the same thing twice..
 
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