SSD Buying Guide

[ecschwarz]

Thank you so much for helping me out! I'm going to order the drive off of Amazon hopefully tomorrow, so fingers crossed everything goes well.

Also, if you are in the US, Best Buy will price match Amazon (as long as it's listed as "Ships from and sold by Amazon.com"). I did this when I got mine mostly because I didn't want to deal with figuring out when it was going to arrive and work a drive duplication and setup into my schedule.

 

[iDuel]

Also, if you are in the US, Best Buy will price match Amazon (as long as it's listed as "Ships from and sold by Amazon.com"). I did this when I got mine mostly because I didn't want to deal with figuring out when it was going to arrive and work a drive duplication and setup into my schedule.

Good idea, thanks again! I'm going to install the drive tomorrow hopefully, so I'll let you know how it goes.

 

[slynger]

Well, I ordered the 1TB Samsung EVO. After following this thread for some time and gathering what bit of knowledge I could, here's what I plan to do:

1 - Back up to external HDD via Time Machine
2 - Install SSD into laptop
3 - Boot to external HDD and run DU and Restore

This will be done a mid-2012 cMBP, please let me know if I should do something different.

 

[ron1004]

Well, I ordered the 1TB Samsung EVO. After following this thread for some time and gathering what bit of knowledge I could, here's what I plan to do:

1 - Back up to external HDD via Time Machine
2 - Install SSD into laptop
3 - Boot to external HDD and run DU and Restore

This will be done a mid-2012 cMBP, please let me know if I should do something different.

The simplest method is to get a USB to SATA connector and then using Disk Utility do a restore from your current HD to the SSD.
https://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?p=18127037#post18127037
Instructions for backing up to an external hard disk via Disk Utility
http://eshop.macsales.com/tech_center/index.cfm?page=/manuals/mac/clon_data.html



I found the instructions in this thread quite easy to follow:
https://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?p=18890099#post18890099

That's how I did it.

 

[ecschwarz]

Well, I ordered the 1TB Samsung EVO. After following this thread for some time and gathering what bit of knowledge I could, here's what I plan to do:

1 - Back up to external HDD via Time Machine
2 - Install SSD into laptop
3 - Boot to external HDD and run DU and Restore

This will be done a mid-2012 cMBP, please let me know if I should do something different.

I did both this route and the USB<->SATA adapter route on two different machines. Neither is necessarily better or worse (the Time Machine restore isn't quite a 1:1 copy, but is a little simpler and doesn't require any additional equipment). A USB<->SATA adapter is pretty cheap and has come in handy numerous times for me.

 

[MCAsan]

Transcend JetDrive 720 960GB on order

You can now order the 720 960GB Jetdrive at Amazon. It is $599.

But for folks who have mid 2012 to late 2012 rMBPs with the SATA based SSDs, this give you the option of a large internal SSD without having to move to a new rMBP. Also any current SSD can become an external SSD with the provided enclosure.

I will use the upgrade to provide plenty of storage for multiple week photo trips. When I move the current 768GB SDD into the enclosure it should be enough to do a full rMBP backup. If not, I will at least be able to backup my photos...the purpose of the trip. When I am ready to purchase a new rMBP (with an internal SSD of at least 1TB) I will put the 768GB SSD back into my 2012 rMBP and sell it. Then the 960GB SSD would become the backup for the new rMBP.

 

[bigpoppamac31]

So my Samsung EVO 840 SSD arrived about two weeks after ordering it. But I decided to not even receive it and instead send it back due to Canada Post asking me to pay $67 in customs. A customs fee was never mentioned before, during or after I ordered it. Once I get my money back I'll buy somewhere here in Canada save the money and hassle.

 

[Hellhammer]

So my Samsung EVO 840 SSD arrived about two weeks after ordering it. But I decided to not even receive it and instead send it back due to Canada Post asking me to pay $67 in customs. A customs fee was never mentioned before, during or after I ordered it. Once I get my money back I'll buy somewhere here in Canada save the money and hassle.

Why did you order it outside of Canada in the first place?

 

[bigpoppamac31]

Why did you order it outside of Canada in the first place?

Cause it was cheaper overall to do so. But when I was ordering it on Amazon there was no mention of a customs fee. You can always review your order before placing it and it will tell you how much it will cost including taxes, shipping, import fee, etc. A customs fee was never mentioned there. I've ordered many things from the US and not once have I had to pay customs.

 

[ron1004]

Cause it was cheaper overall to do so. But when I was ordering it on Amazon there was no mention of a customs fee. You can always review your order before placing it and it will tell you how much it will cost including taxes, shipping, import fee, etc. A customs fee was never mentioned there. I've ordered many things from the US and not once have I had to pay customs.

So you got lucky a few times not paying customs duty - what makes you think that you'll get away with it forever.

It's not the sellers responsibility to make you aware of the laws of your country.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html?nodeId=596184

https://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html?nodeId=201119100

About Customs, Duties & Taxes

When ordering from Amazon.com, you're responsible for assuring the product can be lawfully imported to the destination country.
The recipient is the importer of record and must comply with all laws and regulations of the destination country. Orders shipped outside of the United States may be subject to import taxes, customs duties and fees levied by the destination country. The recipient of an international shipment may be subject to such import taxes, customs duties and fees, which are levied once a shipment reaches the recipient's country. Additional charges for customs clearance must be borne by the recipient; we have no control over these charges and can't predict what they may be. Customs policies vary widely from country to country; you should contact your local customs office for more information. When customs clearance procedures are required, it can cause delays beyond our original delivery estimates.

 

[bigpoppamac31]

So you got lucky a few times not paying customs duty - what makes you think that you'll get away with it forever.

It's not the sellers responsibility to make you aware of the laws of your country.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html?nodeId=596184

https://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html?nodeId=201119100

"Orders shipped outside of the United States MAY be subject to import taxes, customs duties and fees levied by the destination country."

I was told at the post office that customs were required due to how expensive the product was. I've never had orders over $200 (Canadian) before so customs were never applied. Even so all customs are is yet another tax by the government take way too much of peoples money. We pay taxes off our paycheque, then go buy stuff which requires more tax, then pay customs or duties and such which is another tax, plus Ontario requires a "recycling fee" when you buy electronics and also yearly income tax. It's so insane how much taxes people pay. But sadly that's what happens when you have a ridiculously socialist liberal government system. Even if we in Canada have a "conservative" Prime Minister.

 

[Hellhammer]

"Orders shipped outside of the United States MAY be subject to import taxes, customs duties and fees levied by the destination country."

I was told at the post office that customs were required due to how expensive the product was. I've never had orders over $200 (Canadian) before so customs were never applied. Even so all customs are is yet another tax by the government take way too much of peoples money. We pay taxes off our paycheque, then go buy stuff which requires more tax, then pay customs or duties and such which is another tax, plus Ontario requires a "recycling fee" when you buy electronics and also yearly income tax. It's so insane how much taxes people pay. But sadly that's what happens when you have a ridiculously socialist liberal government system. Even if we in Canada have a "conservative" Prime Minister.

Customs fees are not just another way to rip people off, they are in place to save the local industries. Otherwise everyone would buy all their stuff from the US or other low-tax country, which would kill the local retail industry and people would lose their jobs.

 

[bigpoppamac31]

Customs fees are not just another way to rip people off, they are in place to save the local industries. Otherwise everyone would buy all their stuff from the US or other low-tax country, which would kill the local retail industry and people would lose their jobs.

Well in any event I would have been nice to know in advance. I didn't expect it cause I've never had to pay it in the past.

 

[ron1004]

Well in any event I would have been nice to know in advance. I didn't expect it cause I've never had to pay it in the past.

I think that you did "know in advance", but just hoped that your luck would hold and not be hit for customs on your imports.

Nothing wrong with that, but I don't think you can blame anyone for not informing you.

 

[bigpoppamac31]

I think that you did "know in advance", but just hoped that your luck would hold and not be hit for customs on your imports.

Nothing wrong with that, but I don't think you can blame anyone for not informing you.

Actually I didn't. But you're free to assume that I did.

 

[ron1004]

Actually I didn't. But you're free to assume that I did.

If, as you claim, you didn't know your own countries import policies, you can't blame others for that.

I take it that you have a disregard for the shipping cost the seller needs to eat.
Ever wondered why so many US based online shops have notices up that they don't ship to Canada?

By no means am I having a go at all Canadians - I firmly believe that most know the import rules.

 

[bigpoppamac31]

If, as you claim, you didn't know your own countries import policies, you can't blame others for that.

I take it that you have a disregard for the shipping cost the seller needs to eat.
Ever wondered why so many US based online shops have notices up that they don't ship to Canada?

By no means am I having a go at all Canadians - I firmly believe that most know the import rules.

Shipping cost is fine. I've got no issues paying for that. That was paid for in the total cost of the product. If the customs cost was something like $10-15 it wouldn't be such an issue. But $67 is a bit much. And I can only imagine it goes up depending on the cost of what is being imported. Plus the customs fee is not something the seller invokes. That's the governments deal. And they're a bunch a greedy scumbags.

 

[emailsfh]

price spikes on EVO?

A few weeks ago, I was seeing EVO's for $460 at BHphotovideo, Amazon and others. Looks like price jumped back up to $490+ range now. Anyone know of promos?

 

[petey2133]

A few weeks ago, I was seeing EVO's for $460 at BHphotovideo, Amazon and others. Looks like price jumped back up to $490+ range now. Anyone know of promos?

No but the reason I went with the 1tb over the 750 GB was because it was only $11 difference at the time lol. Just keep an eye on them... Amazon's pricing is based on inventory levels most of the time. When it says only a couple left they are "often" not always cheaper.

 

[schizbomb]

Does anyone have any power consumption numbers on the Toshiba HDTS225XZSTA? Specifically compared to the 5400RPM HDD that came in my MacBook?

I can't seem to find any. My battery drain has been awful of late, and the only difference is the SSD. I am losing about 20% battery life sleeping overnight, when I would only lose 5-7% with the HDD.

Any tips?

 

[Marche]

buying guide ought point out the half dozen producers of chipsets, then highlight which brand-models employ that chipset and which else inject their own blackmagick

 

[roboGc]

you guys talk of space and all that on a ssd andthe macbook pro specs im getting are

13.3" (diagonal) LED-backlit glossy widescreen display with support for millions of colours

2.5GHz dual-core Intel Core i5 Turbo Boost up to 3.1GHz

4GB RAM

500GB HDD

Intel HD Graphics 4000

Built-in battery (7 hours)

Wi-Fi and BT

OS X Lion

720p FaceTime HD camera

Thunderbolt digital video output

FireWire

2 x USB 3 ports

the 120gb ssd is $157 !!!!!!
i need more space for movies and music and tv shows

and 16gb ram is $200 !!!!

when did ssd and ddr3 ram get sooo expensive !!!!!

 

[mojolicious]

the 120gb ssd is $157 !!!!!!

and 16gb ram is $200 !!!!

This is the current – if you can call a two year old computer 'current' – MBP, right?

Apple would charge you AUD 240 for a 128GB SSD (whilst stealing 500GB HDD you've already paid for) and AUD 120 for 8GB RAM rather than 4GB RAM.

But if the MBP is *not* being sold as new – I'm a bit confused by the reference to Lion – then do the upgrade yourself.

A ~120GB SSD is approximately AUD 90 incl GST; a ~250GB SSD is around AUD 170.

The RAM price doesn't look bad, should you actually need 16GB RAM. Personally I'd be much more inclined to go for a 8GB/250GB configuration rather than 16GB/120GB.

 

[roboGc]

i rent to own all my pc's i find it easyer to do and they were the specs and the model number they have , or i can go for the newest macbook air but im not a big fan , its a brand new item

 

[slynger]

so my 1TB EVO is plugged into an enclosure and plugged into the mac via USB, however disk utility is not letting me format to journaled. What gives?