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HOW TO: Replace rMBP SSD w/ Video

Orlandoech

Orlandoech

macrumors 68040
Original poster
Jun 2, 2011
3,341
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I have a rMBP, 2.3/16/256 and I was able to get a Samsung 512GB SSD from a display model rMBP so I decided to make a quick video showing the painless procedure of swapping out the the SSD in a rMBP with another Samsung or OWC SSD.


You will need;

I highly recommend the Samsung over the OWC since it is faster and the Samsung doesn't use the Sandforce controller, where as the OWC SSD does.

*To get all my data from the old SSD I used CCC to make a bootable clone of my current SSD to a USB3 External Hard Drive. Once the clone was done, I physically swapped out the SSDs. I then booted from the External HDD, once in OS X, I then used CCC again to make a bootable copy of my External HDD to my SSD installed. You can also just do an Internet Recovery of OS X if you want to do a clean install or if you do not have an external HDD to clone to.

VIDEO: http://youtu.be/_Crd__bTThk?hd=1

For those wondering, I have an iCarbons White Carbon Fiber vinyl.
http://www.icarbons.com/collections/macbook-pro-15-with-retina-display
 
Last edited by a moderator:
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UPDATE: 2 weeks and still no issues. SSD is fast and TRIM enables automatically. Very nice upgrade.
 
Not to pry but how much did the 512 set you back? I see they're up for around 600 on eBay but; when you can just buy the upgraded model for about that same outlay plus a faster processor and save the labor/chance of voiding warranty then I just don't understand the why of it presently.
 
Mdwall said:
Not to pry but how much did the 512 set you back? I see they're up for around 600 on eBay but; when you can just buy the upgraded model for about that same outlay plus a faster processor and save the labor/chance of voiding warranty then I just don't understand the why of it presently.
Click to expand...

Oh you're fine. I got it for free actually, but yes it will set you back $500-$600 on ebay. But if you got 256GB and as time goes on the prices will drop making it a worth while upgrade in the future for some rMBP users.


The labor is so minimal, its not really labor.
 
Orlandoech said:
But if you got 256GB and as time goes on the prices will drop making it a worth while upgrade in the future for some rMBP users.
Click to expand...

that is if apple doesn't decide to switch interface socket between the ssd and main board. otherwise even of price of ssd falls, you still wouldn't get the capacity you want at the price you want.
apple ssd interface is very proprietary, they'll change it if they see potential performance increase.
 
Orlandoech said:
Oh you're fine. I got it for free actually, but yes it will set you back $500-$600 on ebay. But if you got 256GB and as time goes on the prices will drop making it a worth while upgrade in the future for some rMBP users.


The labor is so minimal, its not really labor.
Click to expand...
Cool deal man I wish I was that well connected but it is nice to know it is as easy as I suspected it might be.

xxcysxx said:
that is if apple doesn't decide to switch interface socket between the ssd and main board. otherwise even of price of ssd falls, you still wouldn't get the capacity you want at the price you want.
apple ssd interface is very proprietary, they'll change it if they see potential performance increase.
Click to expand...

I kind of doubt they change the interface any time soon though to be honest. The OWC upgrade is grossly overpriced for what it offers IMO and the only way to go about upgrading is to try and find a source as the OP mentioned. I see that iFixit has the 512 and the 768 priced on their site (none in stock obviously yet) for what I would consider reasonable.

I'm sure enough engineering cost went into the current drive to prevent any drastic changes anytime soon.

The storage is one of if not the biggest hang up I've had on this purchase. If I could reasonably upgrade the storage on the base model I'd already be posting this from it. Of course wanting to get the AC extension kind of precludes modifying the system unless sticking a bigger stock drive in wouldn't be detectible.
 
Aftermarket upgrade?

So I been eying the new samsung 840 evo msata 1tb ssd but I've been wondering if it I'll work in the 2012 rMBP 15"
 
Badrottie said:
That is nice. 512GB price is very expensive. Right now I have less than 110GB free space that means I can't add anymore apps. :apple:
Click to expand...

Yea same here. I'm beginning to run low. I'm waiting for the price to drop a bit more before I go for it. I just want to make sure it will work before I go out and get it
 
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