SSD + RAM options for MacBook Pro early 2011 13"

[alexistkd]

Hello my name is Alexis, im looking to upgrade my actual hard disk of 500gb toshiba that came with my macbook pro early 2011 13" i saw many discussions about the Crucial M4 SSD having firmware issues even with the latest firmware + the macbook early 2011 so should i avoid that SSD? i dont want my SSD freezing every X seconds, i want speed improvement. Which SSD can u recommend me i want something between 128 & 256gb. In addition i want to upgrade my RAM from 4gb to 16GB as i do a lot of final cut pro, photoshop, etc at the same time and virtual machines.

i was thinking in buying this combo:

Crucial m4 256GB 2.5-Inch Solid State Drive SATA 6Gb/s CT256M4SSD2

Crucial 16GB Kit (8GBx2) DDR3 1333 MT/s (PC3-10600) CL9 SODIMM 204-Pin 1.35V/1.5V Notebook Memory Modules CT2KIT102464BF1339 -

thank you very much.

 

[Yebubbleman]

Hello my name is Alexis, im looking to upgrade my actual hard disk of 500gb toshiba that came with my macbook pro early 2011 13" i saw many discussions about the Crucial M4 SSD having firmware issues even with the latest firmware + the macbook early 2011 so should i avoid that SSD? i dont want my SSD freezing every X seconds, i want speed improvement. Which SSD can u recommend me i want something between 128 & 256gb. In addition i want to upgrade my RAM from 4gb to 16GB as i do a lot of final cut pro, photoshop, etc at the same time and virtual machines.

i was thinking in buying this combo:

Crucial m4 256GB 2.5-Inch Solid State Drive SATA 6Gb/s CT256M4SSD2

Crucial 16GB Kit (8GBx2) DDR3 1333 MT/s (PC3-10600) CL9 SODIMM 204-Pin 1.35V/1.5V Notebook Memory Modules CT2KIT102464BF1339 -

thank you very much.

Stick with the Crucial RAM, but go with the Samsung 840 Pro series SSDs. They're a little bit pricey, but they are rated extremely highly.

 

[alexistkd]

Stick with the Crucial RAM, but go with the Samsung 840 Pro series SSDs. They're a little bit pricey, but they are rated extremely highly.

thank you, you recommend me to avoid crucial m4 ssd?

 

[Yebubbleman]

thank you, you recommend me to avoid crucial m4 ssd?

My recommendation isn't anywhere near (let alone at all) against the Crucial M4 (as I don't know anything about those firmware issues of which you mention; plus I've seen the M4 also being rated highly) as much as it is in favor of the Samsung 840 Pro series. Again, I've heard great things about both, just more of them about the Samsung 840 Pro. Having just bought one for my father for a PC he's in the process of building, I did a bit of research and found that while the M4 is well respected, the 840 Pro series is just a little moreso. Not that I don't think you wouldn't like the M4; just that my research leads me to believe that you would definitely like the 840 Pro.

 

[alexistkd]

My recommendation isn't anywhere near (let alone at all) against the Crucial M4 (as I don't know anything about those firmware issues of which you mention; plus I've seen the M4 also being rated highly) as much as it is in favor of the Samsung 840 Pro series. Again, I've heard great things about both, just more of them about the Samsung 840 Pro. Having just bought one for my father for a PC he's in the process of building, I did a bit of research and found that while the M4 is well respected, the 840 Pro series is just a little moreso. Not that I don't think you wouldn't like the M4; just that my research leads me to believe that you would definitely like the 840 Pro.

thank you, but tell me sometign samsung ssd doesnt have firmware updates for mac true, should i then connect it tru usb lets say using a sata 2.5 case and updating firmware via vmware fusion or have to be a real windows machine?

 

[Giuly]

You have to prepare an USB stick and boot from that in order to upgrade the firmware. It's not that you have to open the Mac, it just doesn't work on OS X.
The same goes for the OCZ Vector, the difference being that they speak proper English and have YouTube videos on how to do it, which makes it a little easier to comprehend.

 

[alexistkd]

You have to prepare an USB stick and boot from that in order to upgrade the firmware. It's not that you have to open the Mac, it just doesn't work on OS X.
The same goes for the OCZ Vector, the difference being that they speak proper English and have YouTube videos on how to do it.

for me to upgrade samsung ssd i need a windows pc? will work using vmware fusion virtual machine? i mean when i buy the samsung 840 connect to a case usb then into my actual mac using vmware with windows can i upgrade first the firmware of ssd? then open my macbook and upgrade with the new ssd?

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You have to prepare an USB stick and boot from that in order to upgrade the firmware. It's not that you have to open the Mac, it just doesn't work on OS X.
The same goes for the OCZ Vector, the difference being that they speak proper English and have YouTube videos on how to do it, which makes it a little easier to comprehend.

anyways do i need to buy a case for the hard drive true the only think im not clear is how i can upgrade it for my macbook u think samsung 840 its my best choice? so i need to avoid crucial m4? thank you very much

 

[Giuly]

The only reason to avoid the m4 is because they've announced the Crucial M500 already, which is faster and less expensive. Nobody here has had problems with the Crucial m4.

To upgrade the firmware on the Samsungs and OCZs, you put a file on an USB stick, then you restart your Mac, hold down the Option key, select the USB stick and then follow the instructions by the manufacturer. No need to open the Mac, Use VMWare or Windows at all.

The Samsung and the OCZ are about equally good, take the one you find for less money.

 

[alexistkd]

The only reason to avoid the m4 is because they've announced the Crucial M500 already, which is faster and less expensive. Nobody here has had problems with the Crucial m4.

To upgrade the firmware on the Samsungs and OCZs, you put a file on an USB stick, then you restart your Mac, hold down the Option key, select the USB stick and then follow the instructions by the manufacturer. No need to open the Mac, Use VMWare or Windows at all.

yeah im scare about some posts in crucial forum like this http://forum.crucial.com/t5/Solid-S...-early-2011-random-freezes-with-M4/td-p/98190 i dont know if its ok to post another link here but im scare about those freezes using crucial m4 what do u recommend me?

 

[Giuly]

If you read the whole post, it states that it's fixed. But if you are looking for an alternative to the m4, you don't want to wait for the M500 and the Samsung and OCZ are too expensive, then take a look at the new SanDisk Ultra Plus.

 

[alexistkd]

If you read the whole post, it states that it's fixed. But if you are looking for an alternative to the m4 and the Samsung and OCZ is too expensive, take a look at the new SanDisk Ultra Plus.

but at the end in page 4 states theres issues yet between samsung and sandisk which one do u recommend me?

 

[Black.Infinity]

Why you so much insist to go with M4 go with ssd 840 pro. Samsung is BETTER.

 

[alexistkd]

Why you so much insist to go with M4 go with ssd 840 pro. Samsung is BETTER.

out of my budget im looking for something like sandisk or the samsung 840 non pro version what u think about that one?

thank you very much.

 

[G-Mo]

For the money, you can't beat the Crucial m4. I've installed hundreds and had no issues. Of you've got the extra $$$ get the Samsung.

 

[alexistkd]

For the money, you can't beat the Crucial m4. I've installed hundreds and had no issues. Of you've got the extra $$$ get the Samsung.

and what about samsung 840 non pro version? thanks

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For the money, you can't beat the Crucial m4. I've installed hundreds and had no issues. Of you've got the extra $$$ get the Samsung.

and then why i saw so many firmware issues with the crucial m4 thats what scares me with my early 2011

 

[G-Mo]

The Samsung 840 is a good drive too.

 

[Yebubbleman]

thank you, but tell me sometign samsung ssd doesnt have firmware updates for mac true, should i then connect it tru usb lets say using a sata 2.5 case and updating firmware via vmware fusion or have to be a real windows machine?

If there are firmware updates that you need for that drive (and mind you, not all SSDs need firmware updates) then, as others have said, you can make a bootable USB drive to install that firmware.

 

[TriforceStig]

Nobody here has had problems with the Crucial m4.

I've just purchased the m4 256 gb. for my Macbook Pro (early 2011) and I had massive problems with my m4.

I have updated the firmware on the SSD (070H) and installed Lion (10.7.5), so far so good. Shutdown and start up is lightningfast which is cool and all, but very often when I open e.g. Aperture, VLC, Word or Mail it get this annoying spinning wheel for about 20 seconds (try watching a movie with that going on). As of now I am only using 146 gb of the total 256 gb.

Now, I am well aware about the whole" 3rd party SSD has no TRIM support, but instead Garbage Collection"-conversation. I've written the Crucial support team several times, and they couldn't help at all. They all tell me to let the MBP run idle at the boot manager screen for about 24 hours (and to expect good results after 8 hours).

I did everything that the support-team recommended but nothing helped. At last they said i could be my SATA-cable, which doesn't make any sense to me.

 

[G-Mo]

I've just purchased the m4 256 gb. for my Macbook Pro (early 2011) and I had massive problems with my m4.

I have updated the firmware on the SSD (070H) and installed Lion (10.7.5), so far so good. Shutdown and start up is lightningfast which is cool and all, but very often when I open e.g. Aperture, VLC, Word or Mail it get this annoying spinning wheel for about 20 seconds (try watching a movie with that going on). As of now I am only using 146 gb of the total 256 gb.

Now, I am well aware about the whole" 3rd party SSD has no TRIM support, but instead Garbage Collection"-conversation. I've written the Crucial support team several times, and they couldn't help at all. They all tell me to let the MBP run idle at the boot manager screen for about 24 hours (and to expect good results after 8 hours).

I did everything that the support-team recommended but nothing helped. At last they said i could be my SATA-cable, which doesn't make any sense to me.

These machines are well known for having faulty SATA cables, Crucial support is accurate in that suggestion.

Remove the SSD and boot from a known good USB connector and see if you have the same issues, if so, it's likely the drive, replace it! Otherwise, it's your cable, as suggested, replace that.

 

[Giuly]

I've just purchased the m4 256 gb. for my Macbook Pro (early 2011) and I had massive problems with my m4.

I have updated the firmware on the SSD (070H) and installed Lion (10.7.5), so far so good. Shutdown and start up is lightningfast which is cool and all, but very often when I open e.g. Aperture, VLC, Word or Mail it get this annoying spinning wheel for about 20 seconds (try watching a movie with that going on). As of now I am only using 146 gb of the total 256 gb.

Now, I am well aware about the whole" 3rd party SSD has no TRIM support, but instead Garbage Collection"-conversation. I've written the Crucial support team several times, and they couldn't help at all. They all tell me to let the MBP run idle at the boot manager screen for about 24 hours (and to expect good results after 8 hours).

I did everything that the support-team recommended but nothing helped. At last they said i could be my SATA-cable, which doesn't make any sense to me.

That was six month ago.

The m4 is ancient technology by now, the then-new 256GB SanDisk Ultra Plus is $35 less expensive than the m4 today, based on a newer version of the chipset from the m4, which is faster.

 

[jorgk]

SSD + RAM options for MacBook Pro early 2011 13"

... Nobody here has had problems with the Crucial m4.

Given the number of requests in the Crucial forums regarding the m4 in MacBook Pro's there do seem to be -sometimes- problems.

I have a late-2011 MacBook Pro (15") and a m4 (256 GB) and I am totally happy. Have another m4 in an late-2008 Unibody MacBook, also running flawless.
From what I take from the Crucial forum readings: Don't install the SSD into the optical drive bay (using whatever adapter). It seems that the SATA-cables Apple used in the 2011 MacBook Pro's (particularly the 15" versions being affected) are not shielded sufficiently. Thus it's pure luck in case it works. This flaw kills the nice RAID 0 idea with an SSD in both HDD- and optical-slot. That, however, is not m4 specific.

One would anyhow not like to replace the optical drive in case one wants to change the firmware - Crucial only supplies update sw that works when booted from the -internal- optical drive. No (easy) way to go via booting from an USB stick or an external optical. That's a clear disadvantage compared to other producers.

Finally, use a firmware of the m4 that was OK for MacBooks - I am on 0309 and will not change that unless I must.

Taking that into consideration, m4's are perfect drives. And as there's already the M500, you may get them with a discount.

 

[Giuly]

Taking that into consideration, m4's are perfect drives. And as there's already the M500, you may get them with a discount.

Crucial M500:

SanDisk Ultra Plus:

You tell me which of the 128GB and 256GB drives are the ones to get here. And yes, the SanDisks are even slightly less expensive than the Crucial M500 (as in ~$15).

I'd say that the 64-256GB SanDisk Ultra Plus and the 480-960GB Crucial M500 complement themselves to a nice lineup of inexpensive SSDs.

On exception is the 128GB OCZ Vector, which is a premium SSD but the 128GB model is on sale lately and costs as much as the 120GB Crucial M500. I'd take it over both every time (they normally cost more than 840 Pros and are on the same level of performance).

 

[MacVibe]

I have a 2011 13 in Macbook Pro.

1) I had a 128 crucial M4 and loved it and then upgraded and now have a 512 GB crucial M4. I have never had any problems, it is awesome. I can't say it is better than Samsung or Intel- I just think the SSD is an awesome upgrade.

2) I have 8 GB of 1600 MHz ram, it isn't officially spec'd for 1600 but my machine has been perfectly stable for over a year.

When you take a off the back plate make sure you remember which screws came from which holes since all the short screws are not the same length- I messed this up and had poor performance from the optical drive until it was straightened out.

Also, I did have a sata cable fail out of warranty, I recommend you replace yours during the upgrade.

 

[Mikeoporto]

I have a 2011 13 in Macbook Pro.

1) I had a 128 crucial M4 and loved it and then upgraded and now have a 512 GB crucial M4. I have never had any problems, it is awesome. I can't say it is better than Samsung or Intel- I just think the SSD is an awesome upgrade.

2) I have 8 GB of 1600 MHz ram, it isn't officially spec'd for 1600 but my machine has been perfectly stable for over a year.

When you take a off the back plate make sure you remember which screws came from which holes since all the short screws are not the same length- I messed this up and had poor performance from the optical drive until it was straightened out.

Also, I did have a sata cable fail out of warranty, I recommend you replace yours during the upgrade.

Hi mate, are you still using your macbook this 2015? If yes. How's your macbook pro with ssd and upgraded ram after like 2-3years? still problem-free? Thanks!

 

[shaunp]

I've never had any issues with Crucial RAM (touch wood, hoping not to jinx that now), but I did have an issue with an M4 500GB SSD. It was fine when it was new, but I wasn't running TRIM enabler. After a few months the performance was diabolical. I put the same SSD into a Windows 7 PC, reformatted and it was fine.

I found Intel and Samsung SSD's are better on OS X as they seem to survive longer periods without running TRIM enabler. If you are happy running TRIM enabler then there's nothing wrong with the Crucial SSD. A friend of mine has been running his since 2011 without issue in his 17" MBP.