SSD upgrade for MacBook Pro 13" Mid 2012

[arbj]

Hi,
I use a MacBook pro Mid 2012 13" inch laptop. Detailed specs are given below.

- 2.9 Ghz Intel Core i7

- 8GB 1600 Mhz

- 1 TB HDD

- MacOs Sierra

I am thinking of upgrading the hard drive to an SSD and use the HDD in the optical drive as secondary storage. My plan is to install the MacOS on to the SSD, with the applications an document files installed on the HDD. Is this possible ?? I heard this gives faster performance.

I have tons of software currently installed on the 1 TB HDD, there are also several Virtual Machines installed as well , the disk is currently using 400 GB, do I have to clean install MacOS on the SSD ?? what about activation etc.??

I have seen some videos on ifixit and it seems this can be done. I have selected on the following parts for this.

- SSD
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00OAJ412U/ref=psdc_1292116011_t1_B01IAGSD5O

-Drive Caddy
Amazon.com: 2nd 2.5'' SATA HDD SSD Hard Drive Disk DVD CD ROM Optical SuperDrive Caddy Tray Adapter for Apple Unibody Ma…

In ifixit they recommended another drive caddy that costs 25 USD, is the above caddy suitable for my laptop ??

Also is the above Samsung SSD compatible with my laptop ??
What is the minimum capacity of SSD required to install MacOS?

Thanks
a

 

[andy9l]

1. Clean install on the SSD, yes. There’s no activation as such for MacOS. It is free to use on Apple hardware

2. Use Migration Assistant or manually copy/move data from old HDD - in your case I might suggest manual

3. I strongly suggest you also install applications on your SSD - leave your documents/virtual machines off it if you need to save space

Yes, that SSD and drive caddy should work.

I don’t believe you need a caddy if you manually transfer files later so long as you move your HDD to the optical drive at the same time as putting your SSD in. You just need to be able to boot to get MacOS on your SSD, that’s all.

 

[hallux]

I would put the SSD in the optical bay. I don't believe the optical bay has the motion sensor that stops the drive when the laptop is moved briskly or dropped. Leaving the HDD in the original location maintains that protection and with the 2012 model there are no issues with the SATA speed as there were in some earlier models.

If both drives are staying in the system, just install the SSD, install the OS to it and when prompted run Migration Assistant and point it to the old drive as your source.

 

[adam9c1]

I've read that in the mid2013 optical bay caddy does not operate reliably with SATA3 drives. I think this info is from OWC.

I've installed older SSD in the optical, and new SSD in where the HD was.

 

[hallux]

I've read that in the mid2013 optical bay caddy does not operate reliably with SATA3 drives. I think this info is from OWC.

I've installed older SSD in the optical, and new SSD in where the HD was.

There is no mid 2013 with an optical bay (though I guess you made a typo). I think the issues with SATA3 drives in the optical bay were with the 2011 models.

 

[adam9c1]

Testing has demonstrated that Apple factory hardware does not reliably support a 6G (6Gb/s) Solid State Drive or Hard Disk Drive in the optical bay of 2011 and 2012 MacBook Pros (Model ID 8,1; 8,2; 8,3; 9,1; 9,2). If your OWC Data Doubler bundle comes with a 6G drive, you should ONLY install that drive in the main drive bay and utilize the Data Doubler to re-task your existing drive or install a new 3G SSD or HDD in the optical bay. PRE-2011 models can utilize a 6G drive in the optical bay, but will do so at a reduced 3G (3Gb/s) speed.

https://eshop.macsales.com/item/OWC/DDAMBS0GB/

And yes, I did mis-typed.

 

[saladino]

After doing this upgrade, which version of OSX should I update to? (Currently on Mavericks)

 

[adam9c1]

10.12.6 Sierra

Get macOS Sierra

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT208202