Do I need additional cover/cabby for a naked 7mm HDD?

[seerakmw]

Hello,
I need to replace my internal HDD on my late 2011 MBP, 13 inch. The drive I would like to purchase does not appear to have a normal enclosure like the one that came with my macbook. Is this going to be a problem to install "as-is" in my macbook? I know that normally internal drives come with top casing that hides the internal components.

I don't understand if this is simply to conform to the 7mm height standard or if I will need to purchase an additional enclosure to be able to install this drive in my macbook.


Seagate Momentus Thin 320 GB (7mm)
The HDD I can acquire and want to install

Seagate Momentus 320 GB (9.5mm)
The similar but slightly taller HDD model with the "normal" casing.

 

[maflynn]

Are you asking that you'll be getting a drive that has the drive platters exposed?

That's not the case, all hard drives are sealed, like what you show in the bottom picture.

 

[seerakmw]

Indeed, I assumed that all hard drives come sealed like in the second picture, however the advertised picture on several sites where this model is available for purchase (Seagate Momentus Thin 320 GB ST320LT012) are all like the first picture, even on Newegg.

Should I just assume it will come sealed?

online shops I'm looking at for this model:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822178255

http://www.flipkart.com/seagate-mom...2Z94&ref=069bfd9a-2d97-40e9-94a3-48684eae1f5c

http://www.mostbg.com/most/Item.aspx?itemid=49915

 

[maflynn]

It has to come sealed. The read/write head sits millimeters above the platters and floats above the platters on a cushion of air. If any dust or material gets between the two, you'll damage the platters. All hard drives are sealed and you do not see any platters.

 

[seerakmw]

Thanks for this important info, for a moment I was very worried.

Also, greetings from Europe to you in Boston, it's a fantastic city I've had the pleasure to call my home for years some time ago

 

[nudoru]

It's a trend in hard drive advertising. Looks "cooler"! But yeah, they don't operate without a cover - read the top when you get it - there are all kinds of warnings on it.