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SSD Buying Guide
- Thread starter Hellhammer
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Are you already using an external drive for Time Machine backup? If you are, you can just option key boot to that disk and use Disk Util to format the new drive to Mac OS Extended then restore everything to the new disk. This works with 10.7.2 or later.
If you are not already using Time Machine, just get an inexpensive external USB drive (something like this WD drive) and make a Time Machine backup.
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Just installed my 840 EVO. Did the time machine restore and everything went slick as a whistle.
In theory yes, but we're quite a few people who can't get the Samsung boot disks to work.
If you aren't scared of Windows (Ie. have it installed), then you can also use that instead with greater success I believe.Thanks mate, I'm sticking to sandisk extreme II then
Just in case you cannot get a Sandisk, the Plextor HP has iso files for all of the SSD models. I updated the 2 different SSDs in my sig using those (DU to burn the iso files to 2 CDs and then using the CDs to boot the MBP with each SSD installed, one after the other. Firmware update worked just as they should on both SSDs, which have different controllers.Thanks mate, I'm sticking to sandisk extreme II then
Just my opinion, but the Plextor M5P 'xtreme is a great SSD, works so well in my MBP.
The M5S is no slouch either, and it's about $50 cheaper.Along with the latest Sandisk model, the Plextor is a valid choice today.
Many thanks to Hellhammer for mentioning it back when the M3P was the latest model.
I never even thought of that. I do have an external for TM, so that should work. Thanks.
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I know this has most probably been asked in one of the many many pages on this thread but im thinking of upgrding the SSD that came with my MP as its a sata II and my read write speeds dont seem that great for an SSD??, 90mb write 140mb read it varies on what its doing... but ive heard the PCIe SSD's are the way forward?? could anyone confirm or squash this rumour for me please?
If MP = Mac Pro then it would be best if you post in the Mac Pro forum:
https://forums.macrumors.com/forums/1/
PCIe SSDs are one way forward, but not the only way. SATA and eSATA are still good options and RAID is a good option for some. But even with SATA-II you should get better read/write speeds than 140 MB/s and 90 MB/s.
The best 1TB SSD for MacBook Pro (Mid-2012)
Hi I'm looking to replace my MacBook Pro (Mid-2012) HDD with a new 1TB SSD and was wondering what the best one to go for was.
I've a number of people I know who upgraded using Crucial's M500 960GB 2.5-inch Internal SSD but is this still the best option? I've read on here people are opting for the Samsung instead. So if this is the better option, do I go for the EVO or the PRO?
Thanks so much for your help with this everyone.
Hi I'm looking to replace my MacBook Pro (Mid-2012) HDD with a new 1TB SSD and was wondering what the best one to go for was.
I've a number of people I know who upgraded using Crucial's M500 960GB 2.5-inch Internal SSD but is this still the best option? I've read on here people are opting for the Samsung instead. So if this is the better option, do I go for the EVO or the PRO?
Thanks so much for your help with this everyone.
I would say it is a toss up between the M500 and EVO. Get whatever is cheapest IMO. Unless you are involved in a lot of work that involves write activity to the drive, there is not much need to spend more money for the Samsung Pro version.
Successfully installed 840 Evo on mid 2009 15" mbp
Found this thread very useful (thanks!) so thought I should contribute my own experience, particularly since some have experienced issues with 840 Evo.
I installed 250gb Samsung 840 Evo on my mid 2009 2.66 MacBook pro 15 inch today. Just prior to installing it, I upgraded its firmware using my desktop. I used Carbon Copy Cloner to move Mavericks, content, etc over to the SSD. Neg. Link speed is as expected for SATA 2 connector. I also enabled trim. It is working great and I love the speed bump.
Found this thread very useful (thanks!) so thought I should contribute my own experience, particularly since some have experienced issues with 840 Evo.
I installed 250gb Samsung 840 Evo on my mid 2009 2.66 MacBook pro 15 inch today. Just prior to installing it, I upgraded its firmware using my desktop. I used Carbon Copy Cloner to move Mavericks, content, etc over to the SSD. Neg. Link speed is as expected for SATA 2 connector. I also enabled trim. It is working great and I love the speed bump.
I thought I'd chime in - using a 250GB Evo in a 2012 13" non-Retina MBP for about two weeks - updating the firmware was a bit of a pain (burn the ISO to a DVD for the least issues) - the rest of the process was painless (did a copy with SuperDuper). I also have a friend who is running a 256GB 840 in a 2009 13" MBP for about the last six months with no complaints or issues, and plan on putting a 256GB 840 Pro in a future Pro Tools machine for work.
They seem to be good drives, especially since Samsung makes the whole thing (I've heard about - but haven't personally experienced - issues with SandForce-based drives for some)...
They seem to be good drives, especially since Samsung makes the whole thing (I've heard about - but haven't personally experienced - issues with SandForce-based drives for some)...
SSD Installed 'there is a problem with your time machine backup
As usual I rush these things
Samsung Evo 250 gig 'installed' in macbook today
Thought I could use time machine for a non problem re install of mavericks and existing apps etc
The error message states there is a problem with your time machine backup
I've now 'started again' mountain lion/mavericks now downloading:roll eyes:hdd
When mavericks is downloaded can I install direct to SSD? (mountain lion is now on external hdd -cause I forgot to partition the SSD
Success with migration assistant
How important is the Samsung Evo firmware update required? (I thought I downloaded a mac version its a windows exe file)
As usual I rush these things
Samsung Evo 250 gig 'installed' in macbook today
Thought I could use time machine for a non problem re install of mavericks and existing apps etc
The error message states there is a problem with your time machine backup
I've now 'started again' mountain lion/mavericks now downloading:roll eyes:hdd
When mavericks is downloaded can I install direct to SSD? (mountain lion is now on external hdd -cause I forgot to partition the SSD
Success with migration assistant
How important is the Samsung Evo firmware update required? (I thought I downloaded a mac version its a windows exe file)
Last edited:
As usual I rush these things
Samsung Evo 250 gig 'installed' in macbook today
Thought I could use time machine for a non problem re install of mavericks and existing apps etc
The error message states there is a problem with your time machine backup
I've now 'started again' mountain lion/mavericks now downloading:roll eyes:hdd
When mavericks is downloaded can I install direct to SSD? (mountain lion is now on external hdd -cause I forgot to partition the SSD
Success with migration assistant
How important is the Samsung Evo firmware update required? (I thought I downloaded a mac version its a windows exe file)
How difficult was the installation? I'm looking to upgrade to a SSD for speed and performance improvement but have never actually replaced anything in my mac. is it relatively simple (like upgrading ram)?
Thanks!
The 'installation of the SSD was fine -philips 00 and torx 6 screwdrivers needed - Maplins local store(not sure what the USA equivlent is)
Please consider your backup source -usually from EITHER carbon copy cloner or time Machine (though I found if the TM restore backup dosent work then download OSX from app store then use migration assistant to restore previous files and settings to SSD
(the SSD can be 'formated' using delete function via disk utility)
the original hdd can be 'connected via usb' if not networked
I would say drive updates are more complex because of the software setup/file transfer issues. They are slightly more complex vs RAM from a "hardware" point of view as you have to remove screw etc and can have cable issues depending on what sort of modifications you are going for.
At this point nobody sells an aftermarket storage upgrade of the new Retina models, so if you need the storage space you better buy it how you want it from Apple.
It is unlikely you will see new models until the latest Intel Broadwell chipsets are released in Q3 2014.
It's not like it used to be, 2.5 vs 2.5. Apple is using high speed SSD (PCIe). Even if you could get it inside and connected, it would be slower. So far, it takes a pair of sata III drives in raid 0 to reach the same speeds.
Get as much apple SSD as you can afford/justify.
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