Any weight difference after switch to SSD on MBP?

[MmmPancakes]

Hi guys,

I have an early-2011 13" MacBook Pro. I'm considering replacing the HDD with an SSD. In addition to the speed, can anyone attest whether this switch will make a noticeable difference in the machine's weight? It would be nice if it were a bit lighter than it is.

Thanks in advance.

 

[snaky69]

Hi guys,

I have an early-2011 13" MacBook Pro. I'm considering replacing the HDD with an SSD. In addition to the speed, can anyone attest whether this switch will make a noticeable difference in the machine's weight? It would be nice if it were a bit lighter than it is.

Thanks in advance.

No personal experience, but I strongly doubt it. Not any noticable amount, that is.

Why do you ask? It's one of the lightest 13 inchers out there, not trying to be a jerk or anything like that, but maybe you need to hit the gym? Perhaps switching it out for a MBA?

 

[MmmPancakes]

I have a back injury, so every ounce in my messenger back makes a noticeable difference in my recovery. Ultimately, the MBA would be easier for me.

I love the weight of the MBA, but I like the storage space of my Pro.

 

[snaky69]

I have a back injury, so every ounce in my messenger back makes a noticeable difference in my recovery. Ultimately, the MBA would be easier for me.

I love the weight of the MBA, but I like the storage space of my Pro.

One would have to weight the options(no pun intended).

Perhaps a MBA + external HD is lighter than the MBP? Surely you don't need all your stuff all the time?

 

[Weaselboy]

Hi guys,

I have an early-2011 13" MacBook Pro. I'm considering replacing the HDD with an SSD. In addition to the speed, can anyone attest whether this switch will make a noticeable difference in the machine's weight? It would be nice if it were a bit lighter than it is.

Thanks in advance.

I replaced the stock 320GB HDD in my 2011 13" MBP with a 120GB Samsung 4700 SSD and during the install held them both in my hand and I honestly could not tell the difference in weight. I don't think you are going to see a difference that you will notice.

 

[Dhelsdon]

you'd die if you had to lug around my 2006 17' MBP .. that things a beast!

 

[MrJolly]

Hi guys,

I have an early-2011 13" MacBook Pro. I'm considering replacing the HDD with an SSD. In addition to the speed, can anyone attest whether this switch will make a noticeable difference in the machine's weight? It would be nice if it were a bit lighter than it is.

Thanks in advance.

Intel SSD - 77g or 2 3/4oz
WD 500GB - 97g or 3 3/8oz
Apple 320GB - 95g or 3 3/8oz

 

[MmmPancakes]

One would have to weight the options(no pun intended).

Perhaps a MBA + external HD is lighter than the MBP? Surely you don't need all your stuff all the time?

This is what I'm thinking. I really don't need thousands of songs and videos everywhere I go. Plus, most of my music is on my iPhone.

I just need a machine that connects online and runs all the usual software. Maybe I should sell the MBP and go for the Air and a mobile external drive.

 

[ttate90303]

This is what I'm thinking. I really don't need thousands of songs and videos everywhere I go. Plus, most of my music is on my iPhone.

I just need a machine that connects online and runs all the usual software. Maybe I should sell the MBP and go for the Air and a mobile external drive.

I highly recommend it. Much easier to lug around. And you could really just use a Flash drive if you wanted to save more weight. But the HDD is good for backup purposes.

 

[2hvy4grvty]

We're talking grams here though, not really even ounces. You can probably save more weight by removing the keys on a keyboard that you don't frequently use: right side cmd/alt, caps lock, maybe tilda, etc.

Obviously don't do that.

 

[jav6454]

There is a marginal weight decrease with an SSD. You won't feel it, but using a weighing balance reveals the change.

 

[Adamantoise]

I have a back injury, so every ounce in my messenger back makes a noticeable difference in my recovery. Ultimately, the MBA would be easier for me.

I love the weight of the MBA, but I like the storage space of my Pro.

There are simple ways for compensating for the lack of storage space on a MBA.

While USB 2.0 isn't the fastest of standards it should get the job done in transferring data to and from an external hard drive.

 

[DWBurke811]

Maybe a MacBook Air(The 13" would be ideal because it has the SD reader); then get a 32GB+ SD card, or if you want/need more storage, a Seagate GoFlex Slim(it's 320GB, and I'm pretty sure it's the lightest external HD, not to mention it's a 7200RPM). If you're getting the GoFlex, then it's up to you if you want the 11" or 13".

 

[Captain Dynamo]

I have a back injury, so every ounce in my messenger back makes a noticeable difference in my recovery. Ultimately, the MBA would be easier for me.

I love the weight of the MBA, but I like the storage space of my Pro.

I wonder if a backpack instead of a messenger bag might be easier on your injured back...I have a backpack made for laptop toting and it's very nice.

 

[awer25]

If you're worried about the differences between a HDD and an SSD, then definitely go for the Air. It's a much bigger difference.

 

[dusk007]

I wonder if a backpack instead of a messenger bag might be easier on your injured back...I have a backpack made for laptop toting and it's very nice.

Definitely. Any back can probably handle 3 times the weight in a backpack that it can handle in a messenger bag. There is a reason you don't take a messenger bag for hiking up a mountain side.

 

[Fugue]

It depends on the SSD. Some weigh more, some less. I will tell you this much however. The SSD I use (Kingston V+100) is almost double the weight of the HDD, and I can't tell the difference in my 13".

 

[MrJolly]

Fugue, what do Kingston make their drive cases out of, DU?