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SSD Buying Guide
- Thread starter Hellhammer
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a good choice in my opinion. I put the 840 500GB in my Early 2011 MBP (already had 16GB RAM, and upgraded/ retired the Corsair 180GB SSD that was in there) and I must say that the difference is amazing. i can tell when I am doing intensive things (as I troubleshoot network installations for a iiving my test lab usually consists of 3-5 VMs running concurrently in Fusion 5 alongside the Host OS (Mountain Lion). I am so glad I made this move, regardless of what the others say about reliability.
I will be an early adopter, especially since I got a 500GB SSD for $299 shipped. Have been running this drive for a month now and no issues at all. For those that are suspect, all of the issues reported were on pre-release/ test firmware (confirmed by Samsung and the testers) and the issues have been resolved in the production firmware which all production (non-test) models are shipping with.
I figure I have 3 years warranty and Samsung will stand behind it. If it makes it 3 years, I will be ready for the next iteration anyway as I actually make my living with my computer, so it usually doesn't get too outdated.
You know that in the 2011 MBP the optibay uses SATA II? So you're not pushing the SSD to it's max.
Put it in the main drive and move your HDD to the optibay
This is what I'm waiting for. Hopefully by Xmas they'll drop the price a little.
Not entirely correct: I believe the post below refers to the Late 2011 models only, but that may be wrong, see the link below, where it says the 13" MBPs can use SATA III in the optibay.You know that in the 2011 MBP the optibay uses SATA II? So you're not pushing the SSD to it's max.
Put it in the main drive and move your HDD to the optibay
https://discussions.apple.com/thread/3722955?start=0&tstart=0
Originally posted on the Apple discussions board by AceyPilot
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1. A SATA 3 SSD/HDD will connect at 6GB negotiated link speed, but will not operate with data.
2. A SATA 2 SSD/HDD will connect at 3GB and will operate with data.
So if your thinking of that SATA 6 RAID on this device, think SATA 2 instead. Yes, RAID works fine on this model, but at 3GB max. Make sure you use a SATA 2 device only and not a backwards compatible SATA 3, because this device will connect at 6GB instead of the 3GB that you can actually use, and there is no way to control it unless the drive itself has an external switch for SATA 2/3.
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The folks over at OWC has a very good read on this issue. Basically, Apple currently does not support SATA 3 use on the Optibay with due warranty and official support. Some models like the 2011 MBP 13" can obtain SATA 3 use on the optibay. There are several technical issues responsible for this, but it all boils down to factory support. If you are lucky enough to get SATA 3 functionality for your model, then good for you. It really is a shame to have such fine hardware in place, but unable to fully utilize it due factory policy.
Installed an Intel 330 series SSD in my 2011 Macbook Pro. It did not work well. Kept hanging; the spinning pinwheel.
I took that out, and put in a Kingston HyperX SSD. It seems to be working perfectly. Very, very fast too.
Hopefully this will help someone in the future.
I took that out, and put in a Kingston HyperX SSD. It seems to be working perfectly. Very, very fast too.
Hopefully this will help someone in the future.
Information overload. I'm trying to buy a new SSD for my '10 MBP (6,2). I'm leaning toward the Samsung 840 Pro 256GB. I know I'm limited to SATA II, but I'm having difficulty finding 830 drives, and the standard 840 doesn't seem compelling. Anyone have experience with this drive? My only concern is that it hasn't been on the market very long. My number one concern is reliability. It can't fail while I'm taking an exam.
That is why i went for the 830. Im sure the 840 pro is great but it is not proven just yet.
Samsung 256GB 830 Series Internal 2.5" Solid State Drive (SSD)
It was even cheaper a couple days ago... $179; now $189!!!
You know that in the 2011 MBP the optibay uses SATA II? So you're not pushing the SSD to it's max.
Put it in the main drive and move your HDD to the optibay
Mine has the SATA III connection.
The issue, I believe, is that even though the connection is SATA III, errors occur and that connection cannot be "used" on some 2011 models. I have seen some reports of the 13" model working with SATA II in the optibay. Apple may have changed something in the early 2011 models when they brought out the late 2011 series. Sorry, can't find the link to the original research done by OWC, they had a good explanation of this issue. Where is that pesky linky?
830 working nicely
Based on this thread I bought Samsung 830 256 GB two months ago for around $200 and installed it to my Macbook 13-inch, early 2011 (8 GB RAM). Thank you for the excellent advice.
Been running it with Trim Enabler with zero trouble. My choice was based 100% on reliability reports. Apps start faster and docs open a bit quicker than before. I reboot my computer probably once a month so the boot time is no factor for me.
Old 320GB HD is now inside USB external enclosure and serves as a TimeMachine backup disk. SSD was a great upgrade with 8 GB memory, keeps my laptop current until next fall (low-watt Haswell CPU's arrive with a major upgrade in battery life).
Based on this thread I bought Samsung 830 256 GB two months ago for around $200 and installed it to my Macbook 13-inch, early 2011 (8 GB RAM). Thank you for the excellent advice.
Been running it with Trim Enabler with zero trouble. My choice was based 100% on reliability reports. Apps start faster and docs open a bit quicker than before. I reboot my computer probably once a month so the boot time is no factor for me.
Old 320GB HD is now inside USB external enclosure and serves as a TimeMachine backup disk. SSD was a great upgrade with 8 GB memory, keeps my laptop current until next fall (low-watt Haswell CPU's arrive with a major upgrade in battery life).
I have the 2011 (Early) 15" MBP and my Optibay does say SATAIII but runs at SATAII.
I have no issues on the main SATA, it runs at full speed—6.0Gbps
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Based on this thread I bought Samsung 830 256 GB two months ago for around $200 and installed it to my Macbook 13-inch, early 2011 (8 GB RAM). Thank you for the excellent advice.
Been running it with Trim Enabler with zero trouble. My choice was based 100% on reliability reports. Apps start faster and docs open a bit quicker than before. I reboot my computer probably once a month so the boot time is no factor for me.
Old 320GB HD is now inside USB external enclosure and serves as a TimeMachine backup disk. SSD was a great upgrade with 8 GB memory, keeps my laptop current until next fall (low-watt Haswell CPU's arrive with a major upgrade in battery life).
Once you go SSD, you may never go back
Samsung 256GB 830 Series Internal 2.5" Solid State Drive (SSD)
It was even cheaper a couple days ago... $179; now $189!!!
Have you ordered from B&H before? Or anyone for that matter? Looks like the best deal around...
B&H is probably one of the most reputable stores around. They also have a Brick & Mortar store in LA, which is very popular. Also no tax outside of NY
The lowest price I've seen was $155 with free shipping on Amazon back in November. I haven't seen it go that low since the 840 was released though.
Unfortunately I didn't go for it and I don't think it's going to drop much below $170.
Yeah, all the time. It is my local camera store. I spend way too much money in there
It is probably the biggest photo & video brick & mortar store in the world, in terms of sales. They are good and quick and have decent return policy. If you ever visit NYC, do not miss the experience to see it in personThe only thing to keep in mind: They are Jewish owned store and therefore observe Sabbath and all Jewish holidays quite strictly (in addition to all the usual holidays), meaning they close early on Fridays and stay closed Saturdays. Also, they stay closed for extensive time periods during holidays, i.e. This is also for online ordering.
Hours of Operation
Yeah, all the time. It is my local camera store. I spend way too much money in there
The only thing to keep in mind: They are Jewish owned store and therefore observe Sabbath and all Jewish holidays quite strictly (in addition to all the usual holidays), meaning they close early on Fridays and stay closed Saturdays. Also, they stay closed for extensive time periods during holidays, i.e. This is also for online ordering.
Hours of Operation
Thanks for the info! I'll be placing my order for the Sammy 830 once the online ordering comes back online!
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.
What is the risk of installing an SSD into a 2012 13" MBP and not using Trip support of some sort of utility? Will the drive eventually fail or just fill up?
I have not heard of anyone in the Mac world not using it and having trouble later on?
Just curious in case I missed something, this is not to state your info is incorrect?....
2009 Macbook Pro 5,5
Hello,
I'm having a hard time figuring out the best SSD for my older Macbook Pro (2009 13" 2.26GHz). I've done hours of research and prices and options are always changing. I am looking to switch out my 160GB Hard Drive with a 240-256GB SSD. I am tempted to order the Crucial m4 for $160 but have not pulled the trigger yet. Based on product and price, is this my best option? Not a heavy user, just want a quicker Mac that will (hopefully) last longer. Thanks!
Hello,
I'm having a hard time figuring out the best SSD for my older Macbook Pro (2009 13" 2.26GHz). I've done hours of research and prices and options are always changing. I am looking to switch out my 160GB Hard Drive with a 240-256GB SSD. I am tempted to order the Crucial m4 for $160 but have not pulled the trigger yet. Based on product and price, is this my best option? Not a heavy user, just want a quicker Mac that will (hopefully) last longer. Thanks!
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