OP wrote above:
[[ Can anyone link me to a tutorial on how to install os x on the new SSD and what to do before taking out the old HDD. ]]
I have an m500 240gb running as my "external booter" for the Mac Mini on which I'm typing this post. Runs fast, no problems.
The m500 is a good value, I'm guessing that the prices for the m500 series are discounted right now to clear out old stock, as I believe the m500 is superseded by the new m100 series (could be wrong, others pls correct me).
But you shouldn't have any qualms about buying a just-discontinued model of drive. Again, runs fine.
Re your question about installation:
Here's what I would suggest:
1. When you get the new drive, you should also order something like this:
http://www.amazon.com/Optimized-Ina...=1405348304&sr=8-1&keywords=inateck+usb3+uasp
or this:
http://www.amazon.com/Optimized-Ina...=1405348304&sr=8-2&keywords=inateck+usb3+uasp
Either an enclosure or dock will do the job. I tend to like docks, because they make it possible to swap around extra drives like bread in a toaster.
2. Put the SSD into the drive/dock FIRST.
3. Connect it to the Mac. Drive may "show up" with the alert that you have just inserted a drive that is unreadable, do you want to initialize it?
4. Yes, you do. Open Disk Utility and initialize the drive for HFS+ with journaling enabled.
5. You'll now have an initialized, but as-yet empty, SSD
6. Now download CarbonCopyCloner from the URL below. CCC is FREE to download, and is FREE to use for 30 days:
http://www.bombich.com/download.html
7. In CCC's window, use your internal drive as the "source" (left side), and the SSD as the "target" (right).
8. CCC can also clone the recovery partition, be sure this option is set up.
9. Let CCC do its thing, will take a few minutes.
10. When done, next move is VERY important -- TEST the new SSD BEFORE you do the installation.
11. To do this, reboot and hold down the option key until the startup manager appears. If you have done a good clone, you should see the new drive in the SM window. Click on it with the point and hit return, and the Mac should boot from the external SSD in the enclosure (or dock).
12. If you get a good boot, take a good look around and satisfy yourself that you in fact have a good clone of your internal (should look EXACTLY THE SAME as if booted from the internal, check "about this Mac" to be sure which drive is the boot drive!)
13. Once all this is done, NOW it's time to "do the drive swap".
14. Go to ifixit.com and find the correct installation guide for the hard drive. For the unibody MacBook Pro, it's VERY easy.
15. BE SURE that you have the RIGHT TOOLS for the job. You'll need a Phillips #00 screwdriver and a TORX T-6 driver.
If you've read this far, it may seem like a lot of work, but it's not.
Just prep the drive externally before you swap it out.
The actual swap is easy.
