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Can someone recommend the best HDD upgrade for the MacBook?

sonictonic

sonictonic

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Mar 25, 2006
954
11
San Jose, California
Hi everyone,

I wanna buy the new MacBook and need more hard drive space than the standard 60GB. I can't afford and don't want the 2GHz model MacBook, and after hearing that the HDD in the new MacBook is easily user-replaceable, I figured that I could probably save some money by buying the hard drive myself instead of paying Apple to include a bigger HDD on my MacBook ordering from the Apple Store online...

Will I save much? Can anyone recommend a specific hard drive that's compatible? I am only semi-savvy :eek:

Thanks :)
 
No problem. You may be able to find it cheaper elsewhere. Just check the specs closely and post back if you have more questions.

Personally i will be going with the Hitachi Travelstar 7200RPM 100GB. I need the added HD speed (and storage as well).

For the average user 5400RPM is fast enough.
 
Do the MacBooks use a special connector for the HD? On the video that was posted on a page 1 article I thought it said something about a "special" mount. Am I confused or are these things easy to get?

*EDIT*
Just watched the video again, "a small metal housing", so where do you get one of these, or do you just take it off the old HD?
 
neocell said:
Do the MacBooks use a special connector for the HD? On the video that was posted on a page 1 article I thought it said something about a "special" mount. Am I confused or are these things easy to get?

*EDIT*
Just watched the video again, "a small metal housing", so where do you get one of these, or do you just take it off the old HD?
Click to expand...

I'd say you just take it off of the old HD, seems like there are just four screws attached to the sides.

On a sidenote... Is it possible to get USB 2.0 or Firewire enclosures for 2.5" SATA drives for the extra HD? I find a lot of 2.5" enclosures online in Sweden, but they don't say that they'll work with SATA... will the regular enclosures work with SATA at a lower speed or do they have different connectors altogether?
 
If you don't need the upgrade right away, I would hold off. 2.5" SATAs are getting a particular amount of attention from manufacturers at the moment, and I expect that over the next few months we will see drives that are:

-faster
-quieter
-larger capacity
-more energy efficient
-cooler
-more reliable (in the larger sizes)
-significantly less expensive

I understand that this is true for drives in general, but I think that there is a lot of pressure at the moment to put increased attention on bringing out superior product for this particular niche. As Core Duo laptops are flooding the market, these SATA drives will have to cool down and extend battery life. The demand of this relatively new and rapidly expanding market will fuel rapid and substantial innovation.
 
erickg said:
I'd say you just take it off of the old HD, seems like there are just four screws attached to the sides./QUOTE]Bingo. This is similar to the screws on other Mac laptop HDs that typically allowed the drive to "lock" into the case. On the MB the "slider" housing is attached to the HD by four screws, remove screws, remove housing, place housing on new HD and replace screws. Then just slide it in and begin reinstalling software and files.
Click to expand...
 
FireWire Enclosures 2.5"

There are SATA FireWire enclosures (2.5") at OWC -- http://eshop.macsales.com/shop/hard-drives/2.5-Notebook/
on the right side - middle-bottom part of page.

There are a few choices here of combinations of connectors at the back of the enclosure. These are very sturdy plastic enclosures.

:)

erickg said:
I'd say you just take it off of the old HD, seems like there are just four screws attached to the sides.

On a sidenote... Is it possible to get USB 2.0 or Firewire enclosures for 2.5" SATA drives for the extra HD? I find a lot of 2.5" enclosures online in Sweden, but they don't say that they'll work with SATA... will the regular enclosures work with SATA at a lower speed or do they have different connectors altogether?
Click to expand...
 
Also look at this movie (QT) for upgrading hard drive and RAM on a MacBook:

http://eshop.macsales.com/tech_center/Video/macbook/macbook/high.mov

I upgraded my RAM (will also upgrade my hard drive soon) and posted pictures of the RAM upgrade process in my blog at: http://www.edtechworld.com/?p=185

Hope these are hepful for your quest.

:)



sonictonic said:
Hi everyone,

I wanna buy the new MacBook and need more hard drive space than the standard 60GB. I can't afford and don't want the 2GHz model MacBook, and after hearing that the HDD in the new MacBook is easily user-replaceable, I figured that I could probably save some money by buying the hard drive myself instead of paying Apple to include a bigger HDD on my MacBook ordering from the Apple Store online...

Will I save much? Can anyone recommend a specific hard drive that's compatible? I am only semi-savvy :eek:

Thanks :)
Click to expand...
 
I upgraded my daughter's MacBook with a Hitachi TravelStar 5K160 (160GB SATA). As I write, the Froogle prices are down to $170, but it's out of stock at most or all under-$200 vendors. It's currently $219 + shipping at ZipZoomFly.com.

If you prefer Seagate, the Seagate Momentus 5400.3 160GB SATA is now available for as little as $195 + shipping.

You'll need a Number 8 Torx driver and a Number 0 or 00 Philips screwdriver.
 
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