SSD Upgrade Questions - Suggestions Needed

[GoProDavidLe]

Hello all,

Current Apple MacBook Pro 13" Information:
- 2.5GHz Dual-core Intel Core i5
- 4GB 1600MHz DDR3 SDRAM
- 500GB Serial ATA Drive @ 5400 rpm

I am thinking about upgrading to a SSD with my current MacBook specifications. I'm new to the upgrading scene so please hang with me. I have two options that are open to me at a great price (Employee @ Best Buy). What are your guys opinions on the Samsung and PNY?

Options:
- Samsung - 840 EVO 250GB Internal Serial ATA III Solid State Drive
Link To Product

- PNY - XLR8 240 GB 2.5" Internal Solid State Drive
Link To Product

Note: The PNY will come out cheaper than the Samsung if that makes a difference.

Thanks in advance!

- David L.

 

[Brian Y]

I'd go for the Samsung. The PNY has a Sandforce controller, and whilst the newer ones might be OK, they don't exactly have a great track record.

 

[GoProDavidLe]

I'd go for the Samsung. The PNY has a Sandforce controller, and whilst the newer ones might be OK, they don't exactly have a great track record.

I was thinking the same thing. I've also been researching some reviews and it seems as though Samsung has provided great results.

 

[Weaselboy]

I'd go for the Samsung. The PNY has a Sandforce controller, and whilst the newer ones might be OK, they don't exactly have a great track record.

I'm with Brian. Sandforce controllers have not been too good. Get the EVO.

 

[T5BRICK]

Going by my personal experience, I'd definitely go with the Samsung Evo. Going by the Best Buy reviews would lead me to the same conclusion.

 

[meson]

The upgrade is really easy. I just upgraded mine yesterday with a Crucial MX100. 10 screws in the bottom cover of your MBP, 4 screws around the HDD. The only challenge is the 4 posts on the sides of the SSD, you will either need an appropriately sized torx driver or a small enough allen wrench. I had an allen wrench that fit perfectly.

Given the choices, I would opt for the EVO out of those drives.

You will certainly be pleased with the result.

 

[GoProDavidLe]

Awesome! I really appreciate yalls help. This forum is amazing!

 

[GoProDavidLe]

Question: If I upgrade from my HDD to SSD, will I lose all of my data? Therefore I should back up my computer before I make this change? Sorry for the noobie question, lol.

 

[yjchua95]

Question: If I upgrade from my HDD to SSD, will I lose all of my data? Therefore I should back up my computer before I make this change? Sorry for the noobie question, lol.

Yes, so do a Time Machine backup to an external drive. Then once the SSD is installed, restore the Time Machine backup from the external drive back to it.

 

[GoProDavidLe]

Yes, so do a Time Machine backup to an external drive. Then once the SSD is installed, restore the Time Machine backup from the external drive back to it.

Thank you!