Aftermarket SSD for OS instead of stock HDD

[javacoenn]

Hello forum!

I recently build a PC for a friend and I noticed that the SSD I was using was compatible with OS X, so I started wondering if its possible to install an aftermarket SSD in an early 2008 mac pro and do a clean install of Lion... Basically I just want to use the SSD for the OS and some software and use the current stock drive for everything else...

Thanks in advance

 

[GGJstudios]

Hello forum!

I recently build a PC for a friend and I noticed that the SSD I was using was compatible with OS X, so I started wondering if its possible to install an aftermarket SSD in an early 2008 mac pro and do a clean install of Lion...

Of course it's possible. Any SSD will work with Windows or Mac OS X, as long as it fits in your Mac and has the proper connections. They aren't OS-specific. All drives are technically "after market" since Apple doesn't make drives. The drives they install are available directly from the manufacturer or 3rd party vendors, usually at much better prices than Apple would charge.

 

[-Ryan-]

So any SSD, just like any HDD will be compatible with OS X. How well it performs under OS X is a more difficult question, and one that is answered well in many threads on this forum. Anyway, your computer will almost certainly be using SATA 3 Gb/s, which means that you're going to get slower speeds than the newer SATA III standard. In saying that the drive will still be faster than a hard drive.
If you want to do a clean install of Lion on your new drive you will need to first install Snow Leopard up to at least 10.6.6 and then upgrade to Lion that way, as the Lion recovery partition will go when you remove the hard drive.

 

[Amethyst]

I recommend latest intel 330 series.

Just release a week ago.

 

[javacoenn]

Alright great. Yes I know the technical stuff as I build PC's for friends occasionally... I just wanted to make sure as it is actually my dads Mac, and he is kind of skeptic Thanks alot!