Changing SSD - Need some help

[grapii]

Hi All,

I'm relatively new to the Mac world, and last year purchased the 17" MBP. I upgraded the internal HDD with an Intel X-25 160GB.

unfortunately space is running out on this little drive, so was looking to replace it with the Intel 320 300GB drive.

I regularly backup the machine using Time Machine.

Question, how do I setup this new drive?
For example, on windows I would always format and re-install, just because windows is more flaky. Even if I'm upgrading OS's, I started clean. Is OS X better than this?

1. install OS X from scratch and then install all the apps/files manually? where does time machine come into this scenario?
2. is there a smarter way in OS X that I don't know of, is there cloning options or something.

I would be grateful if someone could provide me with step by step instructions on the best way to swap the SSD's with minimal effort, but with a robust and clean HD, don't like unnecessary clutter on my HD..


Thanks

 

[darkcurse]

You could use either Super Duper! or Carbon Copy Cloner to make a 1:1 clone of your current disc and then just swap them. You could go with the whole rebuilding your system route but then unless you really want to/have all the time in the world to I'd suggest just cloning your drive. The only caveat is that these tools won't copy over any bootcamp partitions. I can't remember which app allowed you to do that though.

 

[grapii]

You could use either Super Duper! or Carbon Copy Cloner to make a 1:1 clone of your current disc and then just swap them. You could go with the whole rebuilding your system route but then unless you really want to/have all the time in the world to I'd suggest just cloning your drive. The only caveat is that these tools won't copy over any bootcamp partitions. I can't remember which app allowed you to do that though.

Great thanks, are there any drawbacks from using these tools vs clean install??

 

[random47]

If your computer is running great now, then go with the cloning option.
If not make a fresh install.

 

[darkcurse]

If your computer is running great now, then go with the cloning option.
If not make a fresh install.

What he said 🙂 If you have no problems with your current setup then I'd just clone them.

 

[grapii]

What he said 🙂 If you have no problems with your current setup then I'd just clone them.

Thanks guys. Machine is running sweet, so will go for the clone option.

Thanks again.