User install HD?

[manosaurus]

Hey,

I have a 2.16 MBP w/ a 120/5400 HD. I want to get a 160/7200.

A mac center I called charges $90 to install the new HD.

So, of course I was wondering can I do it myself? I have installed RAM tons of times (and I already have the tiny little phillips head ) in my computers but have never done a HD. Plus the MBP HD is not "user servicable" like the MB as I understand it.

I am sure that this would void warranty but I am sure that I could do it carefully. I just want to know if anyone here has done it themsleves. Is it worth the $90 or should I just do it?

Also, would the 7200 be much louder than my 5400?

TIA

 

[majordude]

I want to get a 160/7200. A mac center I called charges $90 to install the new HD. So, of course I was wondering can I do it myself?

I just bought a 7200 RPM 200GB Hitachi and installed it myself (two weeks ago)...

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/348699/

Piece of cake with my 17" MBP. The 15" Mac looks a bit harder because it has clips holding down the top cover where the 17" only has screws.

15" discussion:

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/351372/

Here is an online guide for doing it yourself:

http://www.ifixit.com/Guide/Mac/MacBook-Pro/Hard-Drive/85/5/

I was going to pay someone to do it but they wanted $90 and a week to do it. I did it in 30 minutes.

Plus my quality is probably better than most so I didn't scratch the case or strip the heads.

You will need a Torx driver too.

The 7200, to me, is very quite. Hitachi clams that it is as quite as the 5000 RPM units.

I figured that if I ever need a repair I could swap the old drive back in and still be under warantee.

 

[shoulin333]

yep i did it in a 15" and it wasnt bad, just know that the manuals out there
are for the non SR mbp's

... for you is a good thing, .. on the new gen the bluetooth connection ontop of the hard dirve is completly different from the manual

 

[manosaurus]

Thanks guys!

I found a good video at OWC detailing RAM, HD and OD installation and reassembly.

It looks pretty easy but getting the keyboard off looks a little scary.

 

[squeeks]

It looks pretty easy but getting the keyboard off looks a little scary.

it requires a good deal of prying/pulling yes