Need internal hard drive for MacBook Pro

[MacConvert2007]

I need a new internal hard drive for a mid-2009 MacBook Pro running OS X 10.11.6 with 8 GB RAM

What is the maximum capacity I can get?

Should I try a hybrid SSHD?

Any specific drive/brand/model recommendations that are compatible? I can spend around $130

Thanks so much for your help.

 

[hallux]

ANY SATA drive will work.

How much space do you need? Newegg.com has a Samsung 850 EVO with a capacity of 256 GB for only $100.

 

[MacConvert2007]

ANY SATA drive will work.

How much space do you need? Newegg.com has a Samsung 850 EVO with a capacity of 256 GB for only $100.

Was hoping for maximum capacity SATA drive. Will 2 TB work? Will 3 TB work?

 

[DeltaMac]

Thickness of the drive is an issue for you.
You cannot use a hard drive that is thicker than 9.5mm.
You can find 2TB hard drives that will fit - here's one, for example...

Any SSD will fit physically, but the larger capacities are still a lot of money for upgrading an 8-year old laptop.

 

[MacConvert2007]

Will this work?
Seagate Firecuda Gaming SSHD 2 TB SATA 6 GB/s 2.5 inch
(ST2000LX001) 7mm thick. Found one on amazon.

 

[DeltaMac]

Yes, that will fit the space, and should work well (other than being a 5400 rpm spinner, with a large cache). You should be fine with that...

 

[Fishrrman]

If "size" is more important to you than "speed", get a large-capacity platter-based hard drive.

If "speed" is more important to you than "size", get an SSD. Then get an external platter-based HDD for additional storage space.

 

[ZapNZs]

If "size" is more important to you than "speed", get a large-capacity platter-based hard drive.

If "speed" is more important to you than "size", get an SSD. Then get an external platter-based HDD for additional storage space.

Agreed 100000%!!!!!!!!!

Something like this 256 GB Samsung 850 EVO for the OS and most frequently used files, combined with something like this Seagate Barracuda HDD for data files used less frequently or that do not benefit as much from the SSD speeds, will yield a dramatically superior User experience than a single HDD or hybrid HDD, enabling better productivity and making the computer more enjoyable to use. It would also come in pretty close to the budget.