rehab slow 2012 mbp 15" with cd drive

[lasloduncan]

I can't find anyone to do it for me....so after watching the "how to vids"...I am sure I can do this without to much problem -old hands old eyes considered, and no hurry, my mbp is currently slow to the point I am no longer going to tolerate it-

folks on this site have suggested a new SATA cable. to speed it up-but as long as I am going to do that I will want a new SATA cable a new battery to replace the old one, replace current hd with an SSD and finally an SSD in place of the cd drive. and maybe a USB housing for the cd drive USB

-I probably could buy a good used mbp for what I am going to spend-

but if mine upgrades as I intend, I will be happy, it is a backup to my iMac but is currently so slow it is impossible to work with.-

The advice I seek from knowledgeable forum members is:

Parts? what and where--certain manufactures apple? etc..not wild about ebay electronics ..so reputable retail sources please. be nice if I could assure myself of all appropriate part numbers not sure how I can do that-

is there a way to marry my mbp serial # to all the correct parts ..if apple? sure, but I am guessing a lot of you will refer me to non apple aftermarket parts...SSD for sure will be Toshiba what about the SATA cable? and battery and cd replacement housing etc a wrong part will sabotage my entire effort.

I know several folks have done this same upgrade just a question when someone will logon and feel like sharing. so thankfully no hurry but days and not months is my time frame--

problem with youtube etc 99 versions but which is the correct ones.... figure that out - so macrumors for mbp upgrades. thank you all.

 

[macsound1]

Great teardown guides on iFixit

MacBook Pro 15" Unibody Mid 2012 Repair Help: Learn How to Fix It Yourself.

Released June 2012 / Core i7 processor with Turbo Boost / Up to 1 GB GDDR5 Video RAM

www.ifixit.com

They even sell the cable you're looking for.

MacBook Pro 15" Unibody Mid 2012 Hard Drive/IR Sensor Cable Replacement

Use this guide to replace the hard drive cable, which also contains the IR sensor and sleep indicator.

www.ifixit.com

For the SSD I'm not super picky on the brand, as long as Amazon has great reviews, it has a warranty, and is a good price. I never thought I'd buy anything but Samsung, Intel or WD but after a Samsung died on me after 45 minutes I figured I shouldn't be so label-centric. Last 2 upgrades I did were with an ADATA and they've been smooth for over a year.

 

[Fishrrman]

I would replace the battery, cable, and "standard" HDD.

But... I would LEAVE ALONE the DVD/CD drive. Just "let it be".

Replacing it might introduce other problems...

 

[firelighter487]

I would replace the battery, cable, and "standard" HDD.

But... I would LEAVE ALONE the DVD/CD drive. Just "let it be".

Replacing it might introduce other problems...

no need for the battery depending on the condition. I have a 15" Late 2011, so about a year older than OP's Mac, and it's battery is the original one and still has 89% capacity which is not bad at all.

 

[lasloduncan]

I would replace the battery, cable, and "standard" HDD.

But... I would LEAVE ALONE the DVD/CD drive. Just "let it be".

Replacing it might introduce other problems...

Thank you, common sense also says the cd drive replacement would provide not much in the way of performace not sure why.....just seems out of the permformance loop to me..the more I consider it I think I will do the sata cable only first.....then see what if anything that has done for me--

sllllloooooowwwwww browser to browser page to page load speed.....I have a 1tb ssd that I boot from so it boots up ok....but I think it still uses the 750 gb spinner hd for other stuff......so that is likely part of the slow problem.???!! truth is I dunno--

guerss! trial and error is my appoach - and ask you guys