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Replacement HD for MBP

B

BrnngNvrlnd

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Aug 1, 2011
1
0
I have a Mid-2009 13" MBP that I need to replace the HD in, since mine just died. What hard drive would everyone out there recommend? What I want in a new HD is:

1. Quality and longevity - I want a HD that is going to last me unitl I get another whole comp in a few years

2. Performance - I want a fast HD that will allow me to put a heavy load on my machine and not cook it. I know most of this relies on the processor and the RAM and such, but I want a HD that will give my optimum performance.

3. Price - I don't really know what kind of price I'm looking at, but if I can keep it around $100, that'd be awesome as I'm a poor college student.

I don't need the biggest HD, mine now is 160GB, but if I can get a little bigger without spending most of my tuition money I'd like to because my photography takes up a lot of room.

Also, how will the 5400 and 7200 RPM HD's perform differently? Is the higher RPM HD worth the extra money for the things I will be using it for (basic storage, school projects, photo processing and photoshop, and some other basic video and audio processing)?

Thanks for imparting your Mac-wisdom unto me, it is much appreciated!
:apple:
 
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for under $100 I'm pretty sure you can get any hard drive on the market... when I was going to upgrade, I was looking at the Segate Momentus XT and the Western Digital Scorpio Black. I think the 7200 is worth the extra money considering you have to buy a new hard drive (but wouldn't be as an upgrade to existing hardware).
 
All hard drives have the same longevity provided that they are used under the same conditions: 5-6 years.

You WILL notice a difference between 5,400RPM (what you use now), 7,200RPM (Seagate Momentus XT), and 10,000RPM (VelociRaptor).

Go to Newegg.com and you will find good hard drives for around $100.

What I recommend is the Seagate Momentus XT. However, if you really want a ton of storage then I recommend Western Digital's new extra slim 9.5mm Scorpio Blue 1TB.
 
RPM is just one part of the equation. Data density (e.g. higher capacities) make up for a slower spinning drive. e.g. the 750 GB 5400 RPM is probably as fast as a 320 GB 7200 RPM for all intents and purposes.

I recommend the 750 GB 7200 RPM Scorpio Black.

Or you can go the hybrid drive route.

Or you can just... save up for an SSD. Might be worth it. Kingston ones are pretty cheap and often have deals. About a month ago Newegg sold the 128GB Kingston SSDNow V100 for $138 after rebate. There was a 96 GB V+100 for $109.

You can currently buy the 64 GB model for $65 after MIR at costco. If you can stretch your budget a bit, you can buy that AND an HDD.
 
higher RPM will definitely speed things up.

stick with the 7200 RPM.

only thing is temperature might go up very tiny bit, but you won't really notice.
 
Anybody have any suggestions on a good 1TB drive? I'll be upgrading from a 640, so a 750 would be ok, but a 1TB would be nicer :)
 
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