Clicking hard drive noise - 2011 15" i7 MacBook Pro

[pgp78]

Not sure if this is normal but anytime I pick up my 2011 15" i7 MacBook Pro from the desk a bit abruptly, the hard drive makes a clicking sound. I've found a few posts about this online as well as a Youtube video with the exact same sound:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1PU25ziOY8c

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/1117836/

It appears to be the sudden motion sensor on the hard drive going into action and protecting the hard drive. My 2010 13" MacBook Pro didn't do this.

Have any others noticed this? Since my laptop is only a week old, I'd like to exchange it now if this is not normal.

Thanks

 

[eagle63]

Not sure if this is normal but anytime I pick up my 2011 15" i7 MacBook Pro from the desk a bit abruptly, the hard drive makes a clicking sound. I've found a few posts about this online as well as a Youtube video with the exact same sound:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1PU25ziOY8c

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/1117836/

It appears to be the sudden motion sensor on the hard drive going into action and protecting the hard drive. My 2010 13" MacBook Pro didn't do this.

Have any others noticed this? Since my laptop is only a week old, I'd like to exchange it now if this is not normal.

Thanks

I just got a refurb'd 2010 MBP and have noticed the same thing. Seems to happen when I move it suddenly or tip it upside down. I didn't even consider the possibility of a motion sensor, but that makes sense given how/when I notice the noise. Hopefully it's normal...

 

[Blue Sun]

I just got a refurb'd 2010 MBP and have noticed the same thing. Seems to happen when I move it suddenly or tip it upside down. I didn't even consider the possibility of a motion sensor, but that makes sense given how/when I notice the noise. Hopefully it's normal...

Yep, its the SMS guys, don't sweat it - all is normal.

 

[20GTO06]

I am on my 3rd 13" MBP with the same issue (first one i had, had dust behind screen!!!). i did a little research and found out it is the SMS. BUT, i just bought my GF the same computer from a different apple store and hers does NOT make the same sound, hers is like a subtle "chirp" when the SMS engages. So i did a little searching and i noticed i had the Hitachi HDD in all 3 of mine and she has the seagate, so i think the hitachis are just louder than the seagates? someone correct me if im wrong.

 

[mzeb]

Yep, Hitachi and Toshiba...

Both Hitachi and Toshiba have a very loud park mechanism in their drives, not sure why. With every MacBook I've bought to date I've bought the cheapest stock drive I could get from apple and replaced it with either a Seagate or western digital (generally works out cheaper than buying a better drive from Apple AND you get a free spare drive). Since the HDD is upgradable in the latest MacBooks and Pros you can grab one off Newegg and replace it yourself. The how to is in the manual for your MacBook (it's pretty straight forward). And here, take a look at the drive price for a pretty good drive:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148599