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Looking to upgrade my HDD, need avices

O

Otaillon

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Jul 12, 2009
479
16
Québec
Hi,

I've decided to switch my current HDD with a bigger one. I currently got 160gb wich is a little bit tight. I also have a WD Passport 160gb but I use it as a TM Backup. I don't really know if I need 7400 RPM... I use frequently Adobe PS CS3 and MSN, iTunes, Firefox... I also plan on getting some games like COD4 and things like that.

So far here are the drives I've been looking:

5400RPM 320GB WesternDigital @ OWC for approx. 75.99$CA:

http://eshop.macsales.com/item/Western%20Digital/WD3200BEVT/

7200RPM 320GB WesternDigital @ NewEgg.ca for 84.99$CA:

http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136280

5400RPM 500GB WesternDigital @ OWC for approx. 112.62$CA:

http://eshop.macsales.com/item/Western%20Digital/WD5000BEVT/


Right now, my 160gb contains 148gb of stuff and I've got some movies on my brother's external HDD. I don't know if 320gb would be enough or if I'm gonna be tempt in 6 months-1 year on getting more space?!

That's a lot of question. Thanks for your help! I'm new to Mac since 3 weeks and I love this site!

Also, sorry for any errors as my main language is french...
 
Wow. That was a very interesting reading! Thanks for the link. I'll scratch the Scorpio Black from the list. Then between the 320gb and the 500gb... Hard to plan what I will be needing in regard of space in that laptop.
 
Based off the recommendation from this forum I choose WD 500GB Scorpio Blue 5400. I recall a link that showed some HDs one even 7200RP but the WD 500GB was the best performance overall.

That is my suggestion.
 
I put the Western Digital 320gb internal hard drive (WD3200BEVT) in my Fall-2007-purchased 15" 2.2ghz MacBook Pro back in June, but applecare took it out during its most recent visit saying it wouldn't mount. I tested the drive with my Bytecc BT-300 and it wouldn't mount so I assume it really is dead.

Apple was nice and replaced with a 150gb hard drive but i need to go back to a bigger one. I was thinking of just going to get a WD3200BEVT again because I wasn't sure if bigger will fit and work good.. but this thread makes it seem that its ok to get a 500gb 5400 hard drive?

I'm thinking about the Western Digital Scorpio Blue 500 GB Bulk/OEM Hard Drive 2.5 Inch, 8 MB Cache, 5400 RPM SATA II WD5000BEVT from Amazon which is $76.99 after mail in rebate
 
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I was just wondering if the MBP EFI problem needs to be taken into account when selecting hard drives? I have a MBP 13" coming Thursday and I would like to upgrade it's hard drive - but the long thread detailing issues with EFI Firmware 1.7 has me a little nervous. Is this a prevalent issue and something to be concerned about when selecting a hard drive for the current MBP 13" and 15"? According to the thread (I read the whole long thing) it appears a solution was never offered by Apple.

The thread I am referring to is here: https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/729883/
 
Nuge said:
Get a 256gb ssd, haha if you could afford it.... but if not, then the 500 gb 5400 is pretty good.
Click to expand...

maybe something to consider for my next laptop, but I won't even have this laptop for another year (I sell my apple laptops within 3 years before the applecare is up).

I think I've decided on the 320gb because of that also. For the extra $30ish I would spend on this HD, probably not worth it since I probably wouldn't use it in the near future. Plus if I've had the 320gb hard drive die on me relatively soon, what if the new drive dies fast too? (the 320gb WD3200BEVT is from the WD3200XMS-00 external hard drive I purchased back in March, 2008 from Best Buy for $135. The mini-usb port thing died on this and since it was out of warranty I figured I would try to do something with it)
 
Rizvi1 said:
maybe something to consider for my next laptop, but I won't even have this laptop for another year (I sell my apple laptops within 3 years before the applecare is up).

I think I've decided on the 320gb because of that also. For the extra $30ish I would spend on this HD, probably not worth it since I probably wouldn't use it in the near future. Plus if I've had the 320gb hard drive die on me relatively soon, what if the new drive dies fast too? (the 320gb WD3200BEVT is from the WD3200XMS-00 external hard drive I purchased back in March, 2008 from Best Buy for $135. The mini-usb port thing died on this and since it was out of warranty I figured I would try to do something with it)
Click to expand...

I have the same drive (WD320BEVT-11ZCTO) from the same external USB enclosure (also purchased at Best Buy) sitting here next to me on my desk. My MBP 13" is due to arrive on Thursday, I am planning on swapping the 160GB drive out with this one and I have my fingers crossed that it works without issues. My only concern is all the problems that I saw on the above mentioned MBP EFI 1.7 thread.

I wish us both the best of luck (even though luck shouldn't have to come into play when upgrading a 'premium' laptop).

EDIT: I missed the fact that your laptop is around 2 years old - so you shouldn't have any of the problems that I might end up facing!
 
hitachi drives use much less power and I am in love with their 320gb 7200rpm, and wife has their 500gb 5400 drive, both excellent drive. Just jealous she outlasts me by a good 2 hours on battery life... of course I dont have the 7hr battery like she does
 
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