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fryc86

macrumors member
Original poster
Mar 1, 2011
46
0
My girlfriend's old macbook (model: MC516LL/A) has a failing hard drive (This drive has a hardware problem that can't be repaired. Back up as much of the data as possible and replace the disk... S.M.A.R.T. Status: Failing)

I was looking around to see if I could get a replacement. But I want to check here and see if that would even be worth trying or not. Definitely can't afford to replace her computer for the moment. Want to make sure I get one that is compatible with her machine as well. Hers is 750GB size I believe, but there are all different types of brands and models, I wasn't sure if anything with these specs would fit. Or if there were any options to upgrade (I looked and don't think SSD is an option for that machine, but may be mistaken). Any ideas on what would be a good choice? Thanks!
 
Nov 28, 2010
22,670
30
located
Even while an older model, it accepts S-ATA 3.0 Gbps (S-ATA II) HDDs and SSD, and as S-ATA is backwards/forwards compatible, you can even get any S-ATA 6.0 Gbps (S-ATA III) SSD. 250 GB can be had for 120 €, 500 GB can be had for around 200 €.

MacBook, MacBook Pro: Replacing the Hard Disk Drive, transferring data to the new HDD or SSD

the guide includes:
  • 0. Identify your MacBook or MacBook Pro
  • 1. Getting a new HDD
  • 2. Guides to replace the internal HDD with a newer one
  • 3. Transferring data from the old HDD to the new HDD
  • 4. Using the optical disk drive (ODD) slot for placing an SSD or HDD inside the MB/P (OPTIBAY)
 

fryc86

macrumors member
Original poster
Mar 1, 2011
46
0
Thanks, we discussed it and she isn't overly concerned about speed. Storage space is more important in this one, so she'd rather go for a bigger hard drive over the SSD. I'm just concerned about getting something that we can install without any problems:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822149377

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIA2W014M8026

I'm still shopping around for a deal obviously, but would either of those specs work (so I know what to look for)?
 

Altemose

macrumors G3
Mar 26, 2013
9,189
487
Elkton, Maryland
Thanks, we discussed it and she isn't overly concerned about speed. Storage space is more important in this one, so she'd rather go for a bigger hard drive over the SSD. I'm just concerned about getting something that we can install without any problems:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822149377

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIA2W014M8026

I'm still shopping around for a deal obviously, but would either of those specs work (so I know what to look for)?

They both will work fine. However, I have had terrible luck with Toshiba drives but great luck with Western Digital and HGST drives.
 
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