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Apple 2.5"-->3.5" adapter for Mac Pro

A

akadmon

Suspended
Original poster
Aug 30, 2006
2,006
2
New England
On the odd/fat chance that someone out there has configured a BTO Mac Pro with an SSD, what kind of bracket/adapter does Apple use? The IcyDock I had been using in my old MP is giving me problems in the 2012 Hex (I keep having to reseat it). Can these things be bought separately from Apple? I've searched the online store and there is nothing listed. BTW, I already have another SSD in the ODD bay.
 
Third-party Solution

As with many things Apple, there is a third-party solution to items that Apple themselves won't provide.

I installed a 2.5" SSD in my 12-core Mac Pro using a bracket from OWC (I also bought the drive from them.)

The bracket for 2009 - current Mac Pro models is at:

http://eshop.macsales.com/item/OWC/MMP35T25/

They have a different version for older Mac Pros.

Good luck with it! I love having the SSD and three HDDs in the unit.
 
iMarc845 said:
As with many things Apple, there is a third-party solution to items that Apple themselves won't provide.

I installed a 2.5" SSD in my 12-core Mac Pro using a bracket from OWC (I also bought the drive from them.)

The bracket for 2009 - current Mac Pro models is at:

http://eshop.macsales.com/item/OWC/MMP35T25/

They have a different version for older Mac Pros.

Good luck with it! I love having the SSD and three HDDs in the unit.
Click to expand...


Thanks for replying. I actually bought this a few minutes before you posted :). Still curious about Apple's "official" solution.
 
For anyone else looking, there are many options available for much less money at NewEgg. Most of those are cross-compatible with ALL versions of the mac pro, as opposed to the OWC solution which only works with 1 model.
 
iMarc845 said:
As with many things Apple, there is a third-party solution to items that Apple themselves won't provide.

I installed a 2.5" SSD in my 12-core Mac Pro using a bracket from OWC (I also bought the drive from them.)

The bracket for 2009 - current Mac Pro models is at:

http://eshop.macsales.com/item/OWC/MMP35T25/

They have a different version for older Mac Pros.

Good luck with it! I love having the SSD and three HDDs in the unit.
Click to expand...
Did you have any problems with the locking mechanism? I've read where some people were having problems with these locking? Also is it anodized or painted aluminum? I was looking to buy 2 of them.
 
To OrangeSVTguy:
Presuming you mean the mechanism to lock the side panel back on the Mac Pro, I had no trouble at all with the locking. I attached the SSD, slid the unit in and closed the side panel with no issues.

I'm trying to recall if the sled was anodized or painted. At the moment, I cannot remember. I'll take a look at it soon and get back to you.


To slughead:
When it comes to something like this, I'd rather spend the $20 at OWC and be confident that I have the exact part which will work right the first time. I buy many things at Newegg but not something this Mac-specific.

Also, I don't know why you say the OWC unit only works with one model of Mac Pro; The one to which I linked connects the last couple of Mac Pro models. And as I mentioned, they have another solution for the earlier Mac Pros.
 
akadmon said:
Wow, $80 for these - that's 4 times what OWC charges :eek:Granted Apple's sleds are sturdier and feature what looks like heat sinks, but then again, SSDs are't exactly known for generating a lot of heat. Seems like overkill.
Click to expand...

Welovemacs aren't exactly the best source to judging pricing off, go look at some of their other part pricing and you'll see what I mean. As an example they charge $340 for a Radeon 5770 and $550 for a 5870 which are $250 and $450 from Apple.

They are $34 here http://www.applecomponents.com/item...-carrier/0000004966?pn=1&cmp=0174&per_page=30

$40 here http://www.macpartsonline.com/922-9629-ssd-carrier-adapter-mac-pro-mid-2010-a1289.html
 
check this out

if you don't know this already, you can just use a spare SATA port on your motherboard and have the drive sitting in your optical bay without a housing keeping your other bay's free for disks that need the support:

http://echeng.com/journal/2010/08/30/5th-and-6th-sata-drives-in-mac-pro-mid-2010/

My mate has done this on his hex and I've done it with a 1,1 mac pro that had two spare SATA ports (I have two SSD's sitting in my spare optical bay area!)

Best
 
To slughead:
When it comes to something like this, I'd rather spend the $20 at OWC and be confident that I have the exact part which will work right the first time. I buy many things at Newegg but not something this Mac-specific.

Also, I don't know why you say the OWC unit only works with one model of Mac Pro; The one to which I linked connects the last couple of Mac Pro models. And as I mentioned, they have another solution for the earlier Mac Pros.[/QUOTE]

My experience would NOT support having confidence that OWC has the "...exact part which will work right the first time." - not by a long shot.

My Mp 4,1 went through several OWC ssd because of faulty firmware with the Sandforce controller - huge waste of time. Also a potential issue with their 3.5 - 2.5 drive sleds.

I used to recommend OWC without reservation - not any longer.
 
"ymmv"

To Apple Corps:

Note ==> I am in no way affiliated with OWC except as a long-time customer.

Sorry to hear about your problem with the SSD firmware. Was that recent? I bought my SSD about four months ago and have not had an issue.

Also, would you be more specific about the "... potential issue with their 3.5 - 2.5 drive sleds"? Mine has worked flawlessly in my dodeca-core. It slid right in and is flush with the Apple-provided drive sleds holding the three HDDs.

Just for my own educational purposes, I'd like to know what issue you had with it.
 
OrangeSVTguy said:
I'm gonna order 2 :D
Click to expand...

I got one and it looks and fit great. Ordering two more (deciding between a tri-stripe or dual and give Win7 its own SSD). It is painted blue but the fit and dimensions are fine, they seem to match the Apple sled.
 
i ended up putting my ssd into the second opti bay, and velcroing it... if i ever need that space (who knows why) i could always remove it, and take the velcro off with a knife or something.
 
Holy crap why would anyone pay $80 for a glorified mounting bracket that nobody will ever see?
 
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