Question : VelociRaptor 300GB 2.5-inch, does it work?

[Velociraptor X]

Hello, this is my first post so I hope to be of a valuable resource to this great site.

My question is that I am wishing to upgrade my hard drive on my Mid-2008 unibody 15-inch (2.4GHz model).

I have talked to Apple and they said they can either fit a 320GB 7200-rpm or 128GB Solid State. Depending on what the answer to this question is. I will either go for a 300GB VelociRaptor 10000-RPM or 320GB 7200-rpm.

BUT, does the VelociRaptor work with MacBook Pro, as far as I can see, it should. Its the right size and is a SATA. Anyone tried it or can advise me further?

Thanks

 

[rme]

Pretty sure it won't fit

 

[Velociraptor X]

It's not the right size.

Is it not? Too big, too small, too thick?


Another side question : Apple said that my Mid-2008 Unibody would only take up to 320GB hard drives. If I bought a 500GB from a third party (or ripped it out my Vaio) would it work?

 

[raptor87]

2.5in velociraptor is not meant to be run without the 3.5" heat sink it fits in. The version sold without the heat sink is meant to be used in custom applications such as a rack mount server.

 

[ryan00davis]

the 10k drive is 15 mm tall, most laptop drives are 9.5 mm tall. I am not sure how much space there is on the MBP, but im guessing it wont fit. also keep in mind that this will be significantly louder, hotter and more power hungry than a typical 7200.


http://www.wdc.com/en/products/products.asp?DriveID=494

 

[rme]

Is it not? Too big, too small, too thick?


Another side question : Apple said that my Mid-2008 Unibody would only take up to 320GB hard drives. If I bought a 500GB from a third party (or ripped it out my Vaio) would it work?

Definately too high. (15 mm)
A regular 500 gig 2.5" notebook drive should work fine.

 

[Velociraptor X]

Ah I see what it says here :

Small form factor - This ultra fast 2.5-inch hard drive is engineered to fit into blade servers and other enterprise storage configurations. (Not designed for use in laptop or notebook computers)

Would my mac accept 500GB hard drives (7200 / 5400)?

 

[rme]

Ah I see what it says here :



Would my mac accept 500GB hard drives (7200 / 5400)?

Yes.
I'd recommend getting a 7200 rpm drive.

 

[Velociraptor X]

Yes.
I'd recommend getting a 7200 rpm drive.

Are these ones good and compatible?

http://www.ebuyer.com/product/153105 -- 500GB 7200rpm
http://www.ebuyer.com/product/175930 -- 640GB 5400rpm

Which is better / recommended and are they compatible?

 

[rme]

Are these ones good and compatible?

http://www.ebuyer.com/product/153105 -- 500GB 7200rpm
http://www.ebuyer.com/product/175930 -- 640GB 5400rpm

Which is better / recommended and are they compatible?

That Seagate drive is really nice.
I do recall there were problems with it in the MBP.
Anyone know if these were solved?

 

[Velociraptor X]

That Seagate drive is really nice.
I do recall there were problems with it in the MBP.
Anyone know if these were solved?

Would the 640GB work? I am one who loves to have masses of stuff. Especially with boot camp. I am trying to get a huge drive so I can put like 120GB of Bootcamp so I can get 400-500 for Mac.

400+120 = 520 GB (So that means the 500GB would work) and so would the 640GB.

Is there any NOTICEABLE difference between 5400 and 7200?

EDIT : Am I correct in believeing that the 12.5 - 13 mm hard drives do not fit in the MBP?

 

[rme]

Would the 640GB work? I am one who loves to have masses of stuff. Especially with boot camp. I am trying to get a huge drive so I can put like 120GB of Bootcamp so I can get 400-500 for Mac.

400+120 = 520 GB (So that means the 500GB would work) and so would the 640GB.

Is there any NOTICEABLE difference between 5400 and 7200?

EDIT : Am I correct in believeing that the 12.5 - 13 mm hard drives do not fit in the MBP?

The 640 gig will work, and 12.5mm drives should fit.
7200 rpm is ~ 30% quicker.
Whether you notice it or not depends on what you do with your computer.

 

[Velociraptor X]

The 640 gig will work, and 12.5mm drives should fit.
7200 rpm is ~ 30% quicker.
Whether you notice it or not depends on what you do with your computer.

I use it for games and after effects.

If 12.5mm drives fit then I could go all the way to 1TB (WD Caviar Blue) -- but I don't think I need THAT much.

I'm kinda deciding around these three options. I would like plz to say which you personally would recommend.

1) 500GB 7,200RPM
2) 640GB 5,400RPM
3) 128GB Solid-State (granted I already have 200GB of stuff on my laptop -- most can be put on my Rugged Drive though)

EDIT: According to OWC, 12.5mm hard drives will not fit in ANY MacBook Pro/MacBook/Mac Mini

 

[Velociraptor X]

Ok, I have finished my decision.

I have decided to get me the Seagate Momentus 500GB 7200.4

According to this http://jasontomczak.com/2009/06/07/macbook-pro-and-the-seagate-momentus-500gb-7200rpm-drive/

It looks like its alot better, and its at the right size and stuff.

Any views?

 

[Bill Gates]

Ok, I have finished my decision.

I have decided to get me the Seagate Momentus 500GB 7200.4

According to this http://jasontomczak.com/2009/06/07/macbook-pro-and-the-seagate-momentus-500gb-7200rpm-drive/

It looks like its alot better, and its at the right size and stuff.

Any views?

The Hitachi 7K500 is a better drive IMO. Search these forums and you will find many satisfied users, myself included. It was my primary drive until I sold my MacBook Pro this past weekend.

 

[m85476585]

The speed depends on the drive model and data density more than RPM. A 500gb 5400 RPM drive might be just as fast as a 320gb 7200RPM drive, for example (assuming that the 500gb has a higher density)