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New SSD Disk.. Clone old disk or fresh install?

I did a fresh install but only because the new SSD gave me an excuse to clean house. Depending on size this'll let you get rid of all traces of apps you won't use.
 
I used Carbon Copy Cloner to clone my old disk and it worked perfectly. If you are not having any trouble with your current install on the HDD, there is not reason to have to reinstall everything.
 
Related question;
If you don't want to put any operting system on the SSD, but just want to add the new SSD (in the optibay) as additional storage space; how does one do that? If you just put the SSD in the optibay will MacBook Pro automatically recognize the disk correctly and will you be able to save files there etc? Or do you have to do some 'formatting'? (and if so; how/what?)

Any experiences? Insights here are really appreciated!
 
Tamasi said:
Related question;
If you don't want to put any operting system on the SSD, but just want to add the new SSD (in the optibay) as additional storage space; how does one do that? If you just put the SSD in the optibay will MacBook Pro automatically recognize the disk correctly and will you be able to save files there etc? Or do you have to do some 'formatting'? (and if so; how/what?)

Any experiences? Insights here are really appreciated!
Click to expand...

You will need to partition and format the new disk to Mac OS Extended format using the Disk Utility app.

Here is a step by step.
 
I hear for solid state drives, you're supposed to keep Journaling off to reduce the frequency of writes, so a fresh install might be preferable to cloning the old file system. Then again I also hear that SSDs should last longer than conventional HDDs any which way you slice the cake, so that might merely be paranoia for lack of a better term.

I think Journaling is supposed to help with drive recovery or something of the sort. I'm not really sure. Does it have any impact on the performance aside from reducing the write cycles?
 
Tonepoet said:
I hear for solid state drives, you're supposed to keep Journaling off to reduce the frequency of writes, so a fresh install might be preferable to cloning the old file system. Then again I also hear that SSDs should last longer than conventional HDDs any which way you slice the cake, so that might merely be paranoia for lack of a better term.

I think Journaling is supposed to help with drive recovery or something of the sort. I'm not really sure. Does it have any impact on the performance aside from reducing the write cycles?
Click to expand...

Journaling is to prevent data loss if their is a power outage and it does add a small amount of write activity to the disk, but not enough to impact the life of the SSD.
 
Tamasi said:
Related question;
If you don't want to put any operting system on the SSD, but just want to add the new SSD (in the optibay) as additional storage space; how does one do that? If you just put the SSD in the optibay will MacBook Pro automatically recognize the disk correctly and will you be able to save files there etc? Or do you have to do some 'formatting'? (and if so; how/what?)

Any experiences? Insights here are really appreciated!
Click to expand...

If you don't mind me asking, why in the world did you get a ssd for data storage?
 
Go for the fresh install.

ddehr026 said:
If you don't mind me asking, why in the world did you get a ssd for data storage?
Click to expand...

Video guys, as an example, can use the speed as both storage and a scratch disk for high res/multi track compositions.

Still, even if one is using it for lo bandwidth applications such as an iTunes library or pictures of the cat, you can still benefit from enhanced reliability .


b_scott said:
why?
Click to expand...


As mentioned earlier; a good opportunity to clean house and make sure you get to experience the best from the newess of the SSD. would also allow one to weed out rouge apps that may unknowingly hinder the current experience.
 
yeah, but I did that before I even ordered the drive. Cleaned house. :) Works blazingly just with Carbon Copy Cloner, and not reinstalling 50 apps.
 
Eddyisgreat said:
As mentioned earlier; a good opportunity to clean house and make sure you get to experience the best from the newess of the SSD. would also allow one to weed out rouge apps that may unknowingly hinder the current experience.
Click to expand...

This is really unnecessary with OS X.
 
I've done ten now over the last few years. The one significant reason to take the time to do a clean install is the fact that SSD's are extremely hard to erase. I'd give you some links but I'm on my iP4 at the moment. Use Google, the articles are eye openers.

I'm not sure that many are aware of this characteristic of SSD architecture.
 
ozred said:
I've done ten now over the last few years. The one significant reason to take the time to do a clean install is the fact that SSD's are extremely hard to erase. I'd give you some links but I'm on my iP4 at the moment. Use Google, the articles are eye openers.

I'm not sure that many are aware of this characteristic of SSD architecture.
Click to expand...

what do you mean? I formatted my SSD a couple times in seconds. I don't need to do a zero/one wipe.
 
Eddyisgreat said:
never unnecessary.

Widgets get installed and are forgotten.

Old files in the /library from app devs who don't follow play nicely when uninstalling.

etc.
Click to expand...

If it makes you feel better to reinstall, then have at it. But those files you refer to that get left behind after app deletion are small and just sit there having no impact on system performance.
 
Weaselboy said:
I used Carbon Copy Cloner to clone my old disk and it worked perfectly. If you are not having any trouble with your current install on the HDD, there is not reason to have to reinstall everything.
Click to expand...

Exactly this. Just partition the SSD, clone and off ya go.
 
Weaselboy said:
If it makes you feel better to reinstall, then have at it. But those files you refer to that get left behind after app deletion are small and just sit there having no impact on system performance.
Click to expand...

Except when going from a low $/gb to a very high (in many cases) $/gb then depending on your definition of "small" it can make a difference.

Anyway, I'm not in teh mood to argue. Recreating a new OS install every release is what some people do. others would roll up from 10.0 if they could.

It's all good .
 
Tamasi said:
Related question;
If you don't want to put any operting system on the SSD, but just want to add the new SSD (in the optibay) as additional storage space; how does one do that? If you just put the SSD in the optibay will MacBook Pro automatically recognize the disk correctly and will you be able to save files there etc? Or do you have to do some 'formatting'? (and if so; how/what?)

Any experiences? Insights here are really appreciated!
Click to expand...

Benefit comes from using SSD for boot and apps.

Not for storage unless you do HD videos.
 
Hello - slight variation on the question.

I have a new MBP with the 320GB 5400 drive.

If I bought an SSD, how would I copy the contents from the current drive to the new drive?

Would I use some app to create a mirror on some 3rd external drive via USB, install the SSD and fresh install Mac OS 10.6.6 and then restore the mirror back up?

I have been working hard, installing apps, using MS Office, etc., and since it is a relatively new MBP, I think a fresh install is not necessary.

Thanks for any advice you folks can offer.

Best Regards,
R
 
Rhyalus said:
Hello - slight variation on the question.

I have a new MBP with the 320GB 5400 drive.

If I bought an SSD, how would I copy the contents from the current drive to the new drive?

Would I use some app to create a mirror on some 3rd external drive via USB, install the SSD and fresh install Mac OS 10.6.6 and then restore the mirror back up?

I have been working hard, installing apps, using MS Office, etc., and since it is a relatively new MBP, I think a fresh install is not necessary.

Thanks for any advice you folks can offer.

Best Regards,
R
Click to expand...

You will need to put the old drive in an external USB enclosure then use Carbon Copy Cloner to move the OS and your data over. No need to reinstall.
 
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