MBP HDD replacement...ummm...ya...

[thebrain74]

I just watched the OWC video on disassembly of a MBP to replace the HDD, and it looked way tougher that I thought it might have been. I am no stranger to computer and electronics repairs. I have fully torn down and rebuilt and repaired desktops and well and tinkered with a G5 iMac, and I have even work with small scale stuff like PDA's and I still don't think I'll be doing an HDD upgrade until I am well outside of warranty (and thats including applecare). Maybe they'll have cheap SSD's by then. Back to the video, not only is there a fair amount of screws (prob almost 30) to get to the HDD, and several tension producing clips (god I hate Apple and their clips, the worst part about taking an ipod apart--oh ya..I've done that a couple of times too) but the area where the HDD sits looks tight. I mean the guy in the video had to put it in twice to get it right--not comforting. and I have personal abhorrence towards ribbon cables, especially glued down ones.

On the plus side the RAM looked ridiculously easy to remove as I knew it would be

I'm sorry if this came off as whiny/complain-y, I was just surprised (I don't know why with how compact the MBP is) how tough this upgrade looks in proportion to the number of people here talking about doing it (even right after purchase), thats all

Inane Blather over...

 

[fistful]

I assume swapping the HDD on the MBP is quite similar to doing the same with a Powerbook. I've done it with my PB and the only problem I had was releasing the clip in the front (over the slot loading disc drive). I got a little frustrated and marred the edge pretty good under the plastic bezel, luckily it's not too noticeable. If you take your time you shouldn't have a problem. Once I got in there the rest was a breeze.

 

[miniConvert]

I certainly think it's a shame that the MBP HDD is so buried away. It'd be nice if changing it were as straightforward as on the Macbooks, but there you go I guess. Fortunately the selection of HDD's available with the MBP isn't too bad, in as much as there's reasonable storage and a 7200rpm option available, but I too wouldn't mind changing my HDD one day - but probably wont due to the enclosure design.