HDD replacement for a MBP 15"

[danakm]

I need to replace the Hard Drive on my MacBook Pro 15" because I've been having some issues that usually indicate the HD might be failing, but I need advice to make the best choice when I get the new one.

My mac's specs are: 2.8 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo, 4 GB RAM and it is the 5,3 model from mid 2009. It originally comes with a TOSHIBA MK5055GSXF of 500GB in capacity, so I need at least that much space and SSD is out of the question because of price.

I've been looking at the following options:
750GB WD Scorpio Black 7200RPM 2.5" SATA HD 16MB Cache
640GB Samsung Spinpoint 7200RPM 2.5" SATA HD 8MB Cache
500GB Seagate Momentus XT 2.5" SATA 7200RPM/SSD Hybrid Drive
1.0TB Samsung Spinpoint 5400RPM 2.5" SATA HD 12.5mm with 8MB Cache

Which one would you get? Any other brands/models I should look into?

 

[obsidian1200]

I've always had good luck with Western Digital drives. I've been using them for years without any problems. However, I'm sure there are plenty of others that can say the same for Seagate and Samsung drives.

If you want speed, I'd recommend looking at a 7200rpm drive. If you want more space, however, you might be fine with that 1TB 5400rpm drive. I think I recall seeing the 1TB laptop drives can fit in the MBP, despite being a tad thicker than standard sized laptop drives.

I'd personally think about going with either the 750gb WD drive or the Seagate hybrid drive, depending on my storage needs. I haven't had a chance to try the hybrid drive myself, but I'd imagine it would be faster (by how much, I couldn't tell you) because of the SSD component.

 

[2hvy4grvty]

I'd shoot for the 750 WD Black.

If you're keen on hybrid drives, I'd wait until the second generation of 'em, once they get their firmware down.

 

[alust2013]

I'd go with the 750GB WD. Lots of space, and plenty fast.

 

[Philflow]

Either WD Black 750GB or Momentus XT.

I prefer the last one because it's fastest with booting and application launching.

PS. if you really want a 1TB drive take the Samsung Spinpoint M8. It's the only two platter 1TB drive and it's faster than the 12.5mm models.

 

[GermanyChris]

My TB 5400 is 12.5mm and fits just fine!