Replacement SSD/MBP2012

[Beachguy]

I know- 6 million of these questions have been asked, but I have (I think) a slightly different approach on mine.

I'm about to order a new SSD on Amazon. Besides the Samsung 850, what other models are good to go with my MBP? I've been running temporarily on a 480 GB spinner since my machine was damaged, so ALL of them will be fast in comparison. (My 7year old Core 2 Quad Q9000 HP lappy has an old SSD in it and I am amazed at how snappy it feels- it's become useful again.) I'm trying to balance capacity, speed, and cost. Which ones can be a simple plug-in replacement for the spinner I have now? Also, if there is anything to note about the different capacities of the mode (such as "the RotBot SSD is great in 512GB but for some reason, the 256 GB drive has an abnormally high failure rate, so avoid that size") I'd appreciate that also. To be clear on my specs- 16GB RAM, 15 inch hi-rez screen (not retina), 2.6 ghz i7.

 

[keysofanxiety]

Crucial are a great brand too and frequently cheaper than the Samsungs.

But honestly any old SSD from a reputable brand would be fine. SanDisk, Crucial, Samsung... I wouldn't personally look beyond those three, though you shouldn't expect much beef with other manufacturers.

 

[Beachguy]

Oh- also, am I correct that like HDDs, SSDs are standard connectors? I know not the M2 versions, but the normal SATA III drives should pretty much all be plug-in compatible?

 

[keysofanxiety]

Oh- also, am I correct that like HDDs, SSDs are standard connectors? I know not the M2 versions, but the normal SATA III drives should pretty much all be plug-in compatible?

Yep, that's right!

 

[Beachguy]

I went with a Crucial MX300 drive- it's a more "wife friendly" price and 25 GB larger. I've always had great fortune with Crucial (and Micron) products so I feel good about it.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01IAGSD6...1_B00OBRE5UE#HLCXComparisonWidget_feature_div

If I want to keep the spinning disk for additional storage, what would I need to buy in order to move it over to replace the CD? I MAY just use it as an external, but it would be very good to know.

 

[Kcetech1]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/SATA-2nd-HD...cBook-Pro-2011-2012-Optical-Bay-/151808201879

https://www.amazon.ca/Drive-Unibody-MacBook-SuperDrive-Replacement/dp/B0058AH2US

lots of optical drive caddies for slotload drives out there for you.

 

[Beachguy]

Thanks! I grabbed the Amazon one since I can include it with the others, and it's only $8.50!

 

[hallux]

Keep the platter in the original location. I believe that is the only location protected by the motion sensor that stops the drive if the computer is bumped.

 

[Beachguy]

Yes, but it is also much slower than the CD drive slot.

 

[hallux]

Yes, but it is also much slower than the CD drive slot.

What is? The 2012 had SATA-III ports in both locations, that actually functioned as SATA-III ports.

 

[Beachguy]

I was alwaus told and read here the CD Drive port runs much slower.

 

[osnola ibax]

I bought a crucial mx100 for my 13inch almost 3 years ago and it has presented no problems whatsoever. Boot times are good and UI / OS is quick and smooth

 

[DeltaMac]

I was alwaus told and read here the CD Drive port runs much slower.

You are partially correct. The optical drive has slower response than other types of storage.
And, in the "olde" days, with an EIDE bus used for optical drives, that would definitely stomp on performance on that bus.
But, SATA uses the same protocol for both uses, and doesn't need a slower bus just for use with the optical drive.
Some earlier MBPros had a slower bus for the optical drive, but not since early 2011 models.
Both hard drive slot, and optical drive slot use SATA-3 on your MBPro.