Installing a SSD in my 2012 MBP

[BallparkDreamer]

I'm sure this has been asked a thousand times, but I wanted to create my own thread in case I have additional questions

I'd like to put this SSD in my macbook, and remove my HDD because I can tell that it's likely dying. A few questions though...

1) What tools would I need?
2) How would I transfer OS X onto the SSD?

If you have any tips please feel free to share!

 

[CoastalOR]

I'm sure this has been asked a thousand times, but I wanted to create my own thread in case I have additional questions
I'd like to put this SSD in my macbook, and remove my HDD because I can tell that it's likely dying. A few questions though...
1) What tools would I need?
2) How would I transfer OS X onto the SSD?
If you have any tips please feel free to share!

Excellent SSD choice.
Here are some useful links that have good information (I guessed you had a 15" screen for the fixit link) for what you are trying to accomplish:
https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/MacBook+Pro+15-Inch+Unibody+Mid+2012+Hard+Drive+Replacement/10761
http://eshop.macsales.com/articles/how-to-transfer-your-data-from-your-old-drive-to-a-new-drive
http://eshop.macsales.com/tech_center/index.cfm?page=/manuals/mac/clon_data.html

 

[T5BRICK]

Using Internet recovery is probably the easiest, but it's also going to be one of the slowest methods.

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201314

 

[simonsi]

I posted this in another thread yesterday so you may have seen it:

Get hold of an external USB drive connecvtor or caddy and an 8GB USB drive), download a copy of Carbon Copy Cloner, then I would:

1. Download the El-Capitan installer (download the update, quit when it starts, copy the installer file from Applications to the Desktop).
2. Make a bootable El-Capitan USB drive (8GB), using DiskmakerX and the El-Capitan installer file.
3. Open up your MBP and install the SSD and RAM, close it back up.
4. Put the HDD in the caddy or connect it to a USB port
5. Option-key-boot from the external HDD
6. Partition your SSD as required
7. Use Carbon Copy Cloner to clone your HDD to the SSD
8. Reboot from the SSD
9. Check everything is as you want it.
10. Upgrade to El-Capitan as required, at all times you have a fallback to the original OS on the HDD.
11. Bootable USB is "just in case", keep it in case you ever want a blank install of El-Capitan.
12. Marvel at the new performance of your MBP

I've used this on a number of occasions, it doesn't involve any existing backup TM drive(s) you have so leaves you with max fallback/restore options should any of the new hardware or cloning go pear-shaped.

Tools would be jewellers screwdrivers for the base and drive mount screws.