7,200 rpm drive for 13" MBP?

[Scylax]

I'm going to buy a new 13" MBP, and am tempted by the SSD, but the price is so high! Is it possible to get a 7,200 rpm HDD which fits in the 13" MBP?

If so:

Which one/s?

Where to buy?

Where could I find someone to fit it for me (Hastings, South-East UK)?

Most importantly, would it void my warranty or anything like that?

Please be patient and help me-I am quite new to using computers. I would not feel comfortable opening a computer myself, and I don't know anyone I could ask.

 

[tofagerl]

Sure, there are plenty of 250gb or even 320gb 2,5" disks which will run fine, though a tad hotter and noisier.
Any decent webshop in the UK will have them. Just make sure you get a 2.5" drive, and use a guide from iFixIt.com or something when you change it.

Does not void your warranty.

 

[fehhkk]

Go for the Western Digital Scorpio Black 320GB, or if you want more capacity, the Seagate Momentus 7200.4 500GB. Both work just fine with the MBPs.

 

[The Tuck]

Yeah, 7200 rpm drives are the way to go. I have a 13" black MacBook 2.16 GHZ and I got a new 500GB Seagate 7200 rpm hard drive when I upgraded to Snow Leopard. It definitely drains my battery a tad faster, but it's worth it for faster load times on almost everything.

If you're looking for a drive for your MacBook Pro, you'll want a 2.5" drive like the one I got: http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=4434267&CatId=2682

-The Tuck

 

[oculus42]

There are a number of 7200 RPM 2.5" SATA drives available out there (14 of them listed on Newegg, from 80 to 500GB).

Replacing the hard drive in the latest MacBook Pro 13" involves opening the battery cover and removing three screws (one philips, two Torx T-6). You can probably handle it. Not sure about the warranty, though.

 

[CrackedButter]

Dabs.com sell 500GB 7200rpm drives for 90 pound. Fitting them is easy so do it yourself.

 

[electroshock]

I'm curious -- does the 13" MBP have any drive size limitations such as 9.5mm instead of 12mm?

 

[fletch33]

i upgraded to the 320GB Western Digital Black and runs great.

you mention the SSD's and the high pricing. in order to get the amazing OS speed boost you get with the SSD but still wanting to keep all the storage space i am in the process of removing my optical drive which i have used once on this 13" Macbook Pro and replacing it with an 80GB SSD. i will install SL and apps on it and keep my music etc on the 320GB drive. cant wait to see it in action.

i have other macs in the house with burners if i need to burn anything or i may pick up a $50 external to throw in the backpack

 

[oculus42]

I'm curious -- does the 13" MBP have any drive size limitations such as 9.5mm instead of 12mm?

Apparently, the 13" and 15" only support 9.5mm drives, though I have heard contrariwise I wouldn't risk it. You can get a 9.5mm 500GB 2.5" at 7200 rpm from Seagate, though failure rate seems high (based on reviews).