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SSD Buying Guide

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Information Overload!

I need some help. My early 2011 MBP 13" hard drive is apparently about to fail so I need a replacement quickly. I have read through this thread and still cannot decide. Does anyone have any suggestions? I'm looking for a 240-256G drive. I think I have narrowed it down to the Samsung 830 or the Crucial m4. These seem to be the leaders right now.

Can anyone provide a quick pro/con of each?

Also, since my laptop was not backup recently, what is the best way to get the new drive going? The Apple store transferred my iPhoto library and Documents folder for me and they said they will install the drive once I get it as well. Is it better to do a clean install or could they also restore everything for me?

Thanks!
 
Samsung uses their own designed controller and nand. The M4 uses a Marvell
controller and IMFT nand. They are both very close in performance and still among the best drives available, the new Samsung 840 Pro being the fastest. The 830 because of the custom controller is better in random reads and writes that the M4. This said I never owned a M4 but had several 830 and from my experience so far I'm very satisfied with it. Boot time in my Macbook Pro is under 9 seconds and programs like PS CS6 in 4 sec. Firefox, Word, Excel they take under 1 sec to launch.
Prices are coming down so you could buy a 830 or a M4 for a very good price now.

Always a clean install. Fresh Drive fresh OS it's my rule. If you get a 830 with a laptop kit it comes with a usb/sata adapter that allows you to connect the new drive to the MBP like an external drive, instal Mac OS and all the software you need so you can "transplant" it in your MBP and use your laptop right away.
 
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MaxPower72 said:
Samsung uses their own designed controller and nand. The M4 uses a Marvell
controller and IMFT nand. They are both very close in performance and still among the best drives available, the new Samsung 840 Pro being the fastest. The 830 because of the custom controller is better in random reads and writes that the M4. This said I never owned a M4 but had several 830 and from my experience so far I'm very satisfied with it. Boot time in my Macbook Pro is under 9 seconds and programs like PS CS6 in 4 sec. Firefox, Word, Excel they take under 1 sec to launch.
Prices are coming down so you could buy a 830 or a M4 for a very good price now.

Always a clean install. Fresh Drive fresh OS it's my rule. If you get a 830 with a laptop kit it comes with a usb/sata adapter that allows you to connect the new drive to the MBP like an external drive, instal Mac OS and all the software you need so you can "transplant" it in your MBP and use your laptop right away.
Click to expand...

Thank you so much!

Does the 7mm thickness mean that it may rattle around inside?

I'm hoping the apple store will be doing the install which will save me time!
They made it seem like they would install the drive and do everything for me. I think I would rather do with this option since the current drive is about to fail and barely functions. I get the beachball with every mouse click.
 
mid-2009 MacBook Pro

I'm wanting to replace my stock hard drive with an SSD and I know there are issues with some SSDs and the EFI firmware version 1.7 for the mid-2009 MacBook Pro that cause the SSD to lock up. Does anyone have a drive recommendation, or at least a brand, that doesn't won't have this issue? I'm planning on doing a clean install of Mountain Lion and storing iphoto/itunes data on an external drive. Basically using the computer for web browsing and other programs that don't store or write a bunch of files. Thanks for any input.
 
heisman6183 said:
I'm wanting to replace my stock hard drive with an SSD and I know there are issues with some SSDs and the EFI firmware version 1.7 for the mid-2009 MacBook Pro that cause the SSD to lock up. Does anyone have a drive recommendation, or at least a brand, that doesn't won't have this issue? I'm planning on doing a clean install of Mountain Lion and storing iphoto/itunes data on an external drive. Basically using the computer for web browsing and other programs that don't store or write a bunch of files. Thanks for any input.
Click to expand...

I am aware of the compatibility issues between Mid-2009 MBP and most SSDs and, I've researched for a month before I finally purchased Samsung 830. I got 512GB version for 15-inch MBP (Mid-2009, 2.66Ghz with NVIDIA GeForce 9400M/9600M GT) and no issues for a month now.

No issue with negotiated link speed: It runs fully at 3 Gigabit
No system lock ups (very common with popular brands such as Crucial, Sandisk, Intel, etc.)
TRIM Enabler: Enabled without any problems so far.

I highly recommend the Samsung 830 Series SSD for Mid-2009 MBP despite the premium.
 
iarti said:
I am aware of the compatibility issues between Mid-2009 MBP and most SSDs and, I've researched for a month before I finally purchased Samsung 830. I got 512GB version for 15-inch MBP (Mid-2009, 2.66Ghz with NVIDIA GeForce 9400M/9600M GT) and no issues for a month now.

No issue with negotiated link speed: It runs fully at 3 Gigabit
No system lock ups (very common with Crucial, Sandisk, Intel, etc.)
TRIM Enabler: Enabled without any problems so far.

I highly recommend the SSD for Mid-2009 MBP.
Click to expand...

Thank you for that advice. Hopefully I can find one as they seem to have been replace by the 840 which users are reporting many issues with. With a 2009 MBP, no need for increased speed reading/writing.

----------

Also, iarti, is this the model number: MZ-7PC128B? And did you need anything to get the drive to fit securely in the hard drive bay, or is it the right size (thought it might be too thin and needs a shim or something).
 
heisman6183 said:
Thank you for that advice. Hopefully I can find one as they seem to have been replace by the 840 which users are reporting many issues with. With a 2009 MBP, no need for increased speed reading/writing.
Click to expand...

Get 830 rather than 840 or 840 Pro. 830 is proven to be a reliable SSD for the past year or so.

I didn't really need SSD for speed but it really made my Mac feel like-new and looks like my Mid-2009 will last for a very long time. It is a great upgrade for your Mac. ;)

----------
heisman6183 said:
Also, iarti, is this the model number: MZ-7PC128B? And did you need anything to get the drive to fit securely in the hard drive bay, or is it the right size (thought it might be too thin and needs a shim or something).
Click to expand...

The Model number is correct except mine is MZ-7PC512B (512GB). You can buy the B (Bare), N (Notebook) or D (Desktop) version. They all fit without any adapters. You just need T6 Screw to remove four screws attached to the old drive (in your Mac) to the new SSD.
 
Thanks again for the advice! Just ordered a 128 GB drive for a great price. I'm planning on running iTunes and iPhoto libraries off an external drive so this should be plenty for OS and apps. Hope all goes well.
 
heisman6183 said:
Thanks again for the advice! Just ordered a 128 GB drive for a great price. I'm planning on running iTunes and iPhoto libraries off an external drive so this should be plenty for OS and apps. Hope all goes well.
Click to expand...

Excellent. I'm glad you got it for a great price. It used to cost A LOT a year ago... SSD is the way to go now.
 
iarti said:
I am aware of the compatibility issues between Mid-2009 MBP and most SSDs [...]
Click to expand...

I'm curious what issues you refer to specifically as I've used my 2009 17" MBP with SSDs (both in original hdd bay and in optical bay) from Intel (Postville and 320), Plextor (M3), OCZ (Vertex 2) and Samsung (830) and never had any issue with compatability.
 
I'm in the same boat with the MBP 2009 and want to get the Samy 840 but, really want to know if the SATA3 drive will have any issue with the SATA2 controller onboard (NVIDIA chipset).

Secondly if anyone knows, if its better to put such SATA3 devices on the optical drive path or where the existing HD is (i.e. move the HD to the optical area)? Yes - I know this might affect the shock protection system.

Thanks!
 
qamaro said:
I'm in the same boat with the MBP 2009 and want to get the Samy 840 but, really want to know if the SATA3 drive will have any issue with the SATA2 controller onboard (NVIDIA chipset).
Secondly if anyone knows, if its better to put such SATA3 devices on the optical drive path or where the existing HD is (i.e. move the HD to the optical area)? Yes - I know this might affect the shock protection system.
Thanks!
Click to expand...
On the 2009 MBP, the HD location has SATA II (3GBs) and the optical has SATA I (1.5GBs) so obviously you will be better off using the HD bay and moving the HD to the optical drive bay. You can use MacTracker (available from macupdate.com, do a search there), to find the speed of the HD and optical drive. Only the 2011 models have SATA iii (6GBs) for both bays.
I can't remember exactly, but there was a blog on the OWC site about using a SATA III drive in those models, if I remember correctly the early 2011s had some issues, fixed in the late 2011 models. For your 2009 model, the HD bay has the fastest connection.
 
SSD replacement for MacBook Pro and TRIM

Thanks for the information in the introduction. I just purchased an Intel 330 series 240gb SSD for my mid 2010 MacBook Prop. I thought it would be a rather simple install, but now I'm reading a lot about TRIM (a new subject for me) and finding out Apple doesn't offer TRIM support for 3rd party products. I've read a couple of hack solutions but it's Greek to me. Am I in over my head or is there a simpler solution? Thanks!
 
heisman6183 said:
Thank you for that advice. Hopefully I can find one as they seem to have been replace by the 840 which users are reporting many issues with.
Click to expand...

This statement is not entirely correct. The only reported issues by users, were related to a pre-release testing firmware being installed on those units that failed (yes all of them had the same faulty pre-release/ testing firmware). The issues have been corrected in new production firmware that all production models have been released with. I have not seen one report of failure or issue with the production firmware installed models.

I currently have one and have been pushing it 24/7 for a month now without issue (and have been following the reports of others with interest). Most of the tech sites that reported failures have had the drives replaced by Samsung with correct production firmware models and are putting them through the paces without any issues occurring.

Anandtech has been running the same tests that killed their other drives and are trying to reveal/ reproduce the issues. They just posted the other day that they have experienced no problems thus far and the drives are performing up to all expected standards without a single issue to report.
 
BentNote said:
Thanks for the information in the introduction. I just purchased an Intel 330 series 240gb SSD for my mid 2010 MacBook Prop. I thought it would be a rather simple install, but now I'm reading a lot about TRIM (a new subject for me) and finding out Apple doesn't offer TRIM support for 3rd party products. I've read a couple of hack solutions but it's Greek to me. Am I in over my head or is there a simpler solution? Thanks!
Click to expand...
Can you click on a button? That's how simple it is with ChameleonSSDOptimizer (Google that) or Trim Enabler. Both are apps that do the "hack" for you. I used the former as it also has the option to enable noatime, which cuts down your IO access. In use on my system now with no issues at all. :cool:
 
Davidlv,
Thanks. I read this article yesterday: http://digitaldj.net/2011/07/21/trim-enabler-for-lion/in which the author states:
"After a little inspection of this application, I found that instead of patching the file, it replaces an entire kernel extension. This means that when you use TRIM Enabler with Lion, it replaces a critical kernel extension, with lots of dependencies, with an older one (from Snow Leopard 10.6.8). This is bad. Very bad. While TRIM does become enabled, the kernel extension you now have has the potential to cause a ton of problems. That means anything from kernel panics, to disk I/O delays…and the dreaded spinning beach ball."

Are you familiar with this? Thanks.
 
BentNote said:
Davidlv,
Thanks. I read this article yesterday: http://digitaldj.net/2011/07/21/trim-enabler-for-lion/in which the author states:
"After a little inspection of this application, I found that instead of patching the file, it replaces an entire kernel extension. This means that when you use TRIM Enabler with Lion, it replaces a critical kernel extension, with lots of dependencies, with an older one (from Snow Leopard 10.6.8). This is bad. Very bad. While TRIM does become enabled, the kernel extension you now have has the potential to cause a ton of problems. That means anything from kernel panics, to disk I/O delays…and the dreaded spinning beach ball."
Are you familiar with this? Thanks.
Click to expand...
That article refers to the previous generation of TRIM enabler, I believe. The present version "patches" the kernal extension, just as the manual terminal commands and ChameleonSSDOptimizer do, so that article is not relavant
now. Still I prefer ChameleonSSDOptimizer as it also offers other options.
Using either should work OK. The problem with getting info on the web is that some is out of date, some is not pertinent and some is just mistaken. Like wading through a mud pool searching for a lotus, you are going to get a little dirt on your pants as you go. :eek: Shrug it off, and keep searching. :cool::D:cool:
 
SSD option upgrades suggestions

OK, I'm going to put out the question and ask for suggestions.

Just picked up a late 2011 MBP 17" 2.5ghz and would like to upgrade it with a SSD and memory.

The memory will be a pair of 8gb 1600mhz from OWC which I understand from OWC and other users works well with a slight speed bump over the older 1333mhz version, and work in the late 2011 MBP.

The SSD drive upgrade has me wondering… and looking at options and suggestions. The only 'heavy lifting' is using photoshop/Lightroom to process photos. And it would be good to have speed and storage for those files.

Option 1 is a OWC 480gb Mercury EXTREME and move the 750gb HD top the optical bay. Enough and extra space on the SSD. Maybe even keep the DVD [till I really decide its not needed] which I use rarely but sometimes, but sometimes play a DVD and still converting my CD collection.

Option 2 is a Samsung 830 or OWC 256gb again moving the 750gb HD to the optical bay. Saves money and should be enough for OS for applications and working with photo files on the SSD moving the final product to the HD for storage.

Option 3 is a couple OWC 3G 256gb SSDs in both the main and optical bay (6G I understand is not an option in the optical bay of the MBP 17" because of shielding issues) and RAID 0.
 
davidlv said:
That article refers to the previous generation of TRIM enabler, I believe. The present version "patches" the kernal extension, just as the manual terminal commands and ChameleonSSDOptimizer do, so that article is not relavant
now. Still I prefer ChameleonSSDOptimizer as it also offers other options.
Using either should work OK. The problem with getting info on the web is that some is out of date, some is not pertinent and some is just mistaken. Like wading through a mud pool searching for a lotus, you are going to get a little dirt on your pants as you go. :eek: Shrug it off, and keep searching. :cool::D:cool:
Click to expand...

Thanks. There is certainly a lot of mud to wade through. I appreciate the help.
 
Question for you guys! I installed M4 as my main drive and moved the stock 250GB drive to the optical bay. For the drive in optical bay, the link speed is 3 Gigabit but the negotiated link speed is only 1.5 Gigabit. The controller is NVidia MCP89 AHCI. Can this be fixed or am I stuck with this? Or does it even matter?
 
nepalisherpa said:
Question for you guys! I installed M4 as my main drive and moved the stock 250GB drive to the optical bay. For the drive in optical bay, the link speed is 3 Gigabit but the negotiated link speed is only 1.5 Gigabit. The controller is NVidia MCP89 AHCI. Can this be fixed or am I stuck with this? Or does it even matter?
Click to expand...

Nothing needs to be fixed. The reason is most likely because a 250GB 5400rpm HDD can't even max out 1.5Gb/s anyway.
 
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