I just installed two 500 Gb drives on my Mac laptops. The "OWC" install kit is a well worth the price - it has all the tools necessary to install the drive(s) as well as a transfer case and cable. I reviewed the video once to watch the "retainer bar" portion - was only confused because I didn't realize only needed the side-mount screws from the old drive, not the top plate. These Macs now fly compared to original performance.
I got the 240GB Mercury Electra 6G SSD 2.5" Serial-ATA 7mm 6Gb/s Solid State Drive for my 2009 macbook pro. This video was very helpful. The only thing that I would note, is the new hard drive I got was thinner than the original one. It had this black plastic frame with a sticky backing. I had to stick that frame on top of the thinner hard drive to make it the same thickness. I also had to start my computer plugged into my external to get the mac to "boot" and then I formatted the drive from disk utility. After that, my mac recognized the drive and I was able to do time machine from my external save. LOL that may be common knowledge, but I had to figure it out! :D
Works great for me and I use my laptop in a variety of ways. I also work with diff design programs and it's still kicking! Honestly, unless you're doing some heavy duty design/video work, I'd just upgrade the hard drive and/or ram and keep rocking your old one.
I am also looking to replace my drive in my Macbook Pro. From my limited knowledge in MAC and reading other comments I am going to try and replace LIKE for LIKE. I have a 500 GB SATA(I believe it is SATA II but will find out when I pull the case). It sounds like in many cases the firmware will only recognize if it is the same size drive. I used to repair pc based laptops from 1999 to 2012 and replaced hundreds of drives in HP, Dell, and IBM laptops and never had any issue like this. The case is really suave but it's really annoying how Apple and now other manufacturers are making it more difficult to repair and replace basic parts. The companies would rather you trade in the system for a new one.
I have a mid-2009 13-inch Macbook Pro. I took out the stock 250gb hard drive and replaced it with a 1TB SATA disk. I also switched the two 2gb memory sticks with two 4gb memory sticks so I have 8gb of RAM. I replaced the battery as well. However, I still have issues frequently with video, exporting and uploading in particular. Exporting a 15min video to 1080p takes around 3-4 hours and uploading a 6min video or 15min video take 4-6 hours respectively. In addition, I can't upgrade my operating system and I can't use the App Store at all. Would I be better off replacing the SATA disk with a SATA II disk or should I stop upgrading it and just get a new computer?
Hi Dane, I saw your name under one of the MacBook upgrading video. I think you have MacBook Pro 5.5, and you upgraded it its memory, hdd and renewed its battery. I have the same MacBook Pro 5.5 and I want to do similar upgrades as you did, but you also said there are some problems you have. Can you contact with me?
Hello Francisco, it may be that your system is too old and recovery mode may not be available. It could also be that your disk doesn't have a recovery partition, in any case I'd advise you get the serial number of your computer and give us a call at 1-800-275-4576 we'd be happy to assist!
Hi Jamielyn! Unfortunately, the macOS limitations are part of the circuitry on the logic board; upgrading the storage drive won't change those limitations.
{ What screw driver do I need for the x4 screws on my Hitatchi 500gb SATA hard drive and for the Crucial SSD That fit in my 13" MacBook Pro late 2012 unibody ?
I did this from memory and forgot to put the side screws in the new SSD. It is locked in place by the side brackets and does not move. Will it be okay or should I disassemble and add those?.
Any 2.5" HDD or SSD will work in this model machine. we've got a selection of them here: eshop.macsales.com/upgrades/macbook-pro-13-inch-mid-2009-2.26-ghz/internal-drives
I just purchased a seagate 1tb hybrid ssd on my mid 2009 13" mbp and I get the old grey folder with the question mark in it when I boot. Can anyone help me out with this? Do i need a new hard drive cable?
I NEED HELP. I did everything you said and I get the "blinking folder" at startup. I then hold COMMAND & R key at boot up but it just gives me the blinking folder. If I hold "option" instead the screen stays blank. PLEASE HELP ME. Thank you
+robert greene What kind of macbook pro do you have, and on what EFI version you are on. support.apple.com/en-us/HT201518 If you have a MacBook Pro mid 2009 and running EFI 1.7, then thats the problem. You can downgrade it to 1.6 and it will work.
What to do when: As in my case, the MacBook got in an accident that renders it inoperable (something fell on it, cracked screen, keyboard etc. and somehow the hard drive popped out) This Mac hadn’t been used in years, but had some nostalgic information / photos on it I hoped to recover after fitting a new battery. As it is, in the current situation I may buy a used MacBook and switch hard drives, than back up all the data. Does that sound like a reasonable approach and can I recover my photos that way? Just wondering ; -)
Hi Guys can you advise me please on what would be best update for my MacBook Pro mid 2009 ??? To replace HDD to SSD OR To change 2Bb Memory To 8Gb RAM , To make it work faster ? Thanks !
Does the Crucial MX200 1TB SATA 6Gb/s 2.5" Internal SSD work good with Macbook Pro 13-inch mid 2012? Link>www.crucial.com/usa/en/macbook-pro-%2813-inch-and-15-inch%2C-mid-2012%29/CT6833053 .. Like same SATA inferface
i got a macbook pro 5.3 mid 2009 15" ... last week i'm buy the kingston UV400 480 GB, but i got serious problems, for formating or do clean instalation. you recomend change the disk ?
You I have to format the new drive to afps once you put it in the computer. And then you have to make bootable media with an OS image to load onto the new (Target) drive.
I just installed two 500 Gb drives on my Mac laptops. The "OWC" install kit is a well worth the price - it has all the tools necessary to install the drive(s) as well as a transfer case and cable. I reviewed the video once to watch the "retainer bar" portion - was only confused because I didn't realize only needed the side-mount screws from the old drive, not the top plate. These Macs now fly compared to original performance.
I got the 240GB Mercury Electra 6G SSD 2.5" Serial-ATA 7mm 6Gb/s Solid State Drive for my 2009 macbook pro. This video was very helpful. The only thing that I would note, is the new hard drive I got was thinner than the original one. It had this black plastic frame with a sticky backing. I had to stick that frame on top of the thinner hard drive to make it the same thickness. I also had to start my computer plugged into my external to get the mac to "boot" and then I formatted the drive from disk utility. After that, my mac recognized the drive and I was able to do time machine from my external save. LOL that may be common knowledge, but I had to figure it out! :D
Kay Martin How's the performance with the upgrade? I'm considering vs new MBP.Thanks
Works great for me and I use my laptop in a variety of ways. I also work with diff design programs and it's still kicking! Honestly, unless you're doing some heavy duty design/video work, I'd just upgrade the hard drive and/or ram and keep rocking your old one.
Thanks for this! Just removed my hard drive super quickly thanks to your video!
I am also looking to replace my drive in my Macbook Pro. From my limited knowledge in MAC and reading other comments I am going to try and replace LIKE for LIKE. I have a 500 GB SATA(I believe it is SATA II but will find out when I pull the case). It sounds like in many cases the firmware will only recognize if it is the same size drive. I used to repair pc based laptops from 1999 to 2012 and replaced hundreds of drives in HP, Dell, and IBM laptops and never had any issue like this. The case is really suave but it's really annoying how Apple and now other manufacturers are making it more difficult to repair and replace basic parts. The companies would rather you trade in the system for a new one.
I have a mid-2009 13-inch Macbook Pro. I took out the stock 250gb hard drive and replaced it with a 1TB SATA disk. I also switched the two 2gb memory sticks with two 4gb memory sticks so I have 8gb of RAM. I replaced the battery as well. However, I still have issues frequently with video, exporting and uploading in particular. Exporting a 15min video to 1080p takes around 3-4 hours and uploading a 6min video or 15min video take 4-6 hours respectively. In addition, I can't upgrade my operating system and I can't use the App Store at all.
Would I be better off replacing the SATA disk with a SATA II disk or should I stop upgrading it and just get a new computer?
Hi Dane, I saw your name under one of the MacBook upgrading video. I think you have MacBook Pro 5.5, and you upgraded it its memory, hdd and renewed its battery. I have the same MacBook Pro 5.5 and I want to do similar upgrades as you did, but you also said there are some problems you have. Can you contact with me?
is it easy to upgrade ram and battery?, i was only going to change hdd
what i can do if recovery menu doesnt work?
i downloades a lot of version of macOS and not boot :(
Hello Francisco, it may be that your system is too old and recovery mode may not be available. It could also be that your disk doesn't have a recovery partition, in any case I'd advise you get the serial number of your computer and give us a call at 1-800-275-4576 we'd be happy to assist!
Will this allow me to use a newer Mac OS version than the El Capitan? Also can’t update to high Sierra :/
Hi Jamielyn! Unfortunately, the macOS limitations are part of the circuitry on the logic board; upgrading the storage drive won't change those limitations.
WOW thanks.
{ What screw driver do I need for the x4 screws on my Hitatchi 500gb SATA hard drive and for the Crucial SSD That fit in my 13" MacBook Pro late 2012 unibody ?
They should be the #00 Philips Screws, but if you send a picture or your serial number to support@owc.com we should be able to tell you for sure.
Would a 2.5 in. Samsung Evo 850 SATA 3 500gb be compatible with the MacBook Pro?
+something1717 yes
So senora!
whats the highest hd or ssd im able to install and what is the highest RAMs as well? thank you in advance
I did this from memory and forgot to put the side screws in the new SSD. It is locked in place by the side brackets and does not move. Will it be okay or should I disassemble and add those?.
We'd recommend putting those in when you have a minute.
What's the best hard drive? I need to buy one asap!!
Any 2.5" HDD or SSD will work in this model machine. we've got a selection of them here: eshop.macsales.com/upgrades/macbook-pro-13-inch-mid-2009-2.26-ghz/internal-drives
I just purchased a seagate 1tb hybrid ssd on my mid 2009 13" mbp and I get the old grey folder with the question mark in it when I boot. Can anyone help me out with this? Do i need a new hard drive cable?
+Brian Smith Downgrade the EFI version to 1.6, you have probably 1.7. Google it even on the Apple discussion board there a treats about this.
I NEED HELP. I did everything you said and I get the "blinking folder" at startup. I then hold COMMAND & R key at boot up but it just gives me the blinking folder. If I hold "option" instead the screen stays blank. PLEASE HELP ME. Thank you
+robert greene What kind of macbook pro do you have, and on what EFI version you are on.
support.apple.com/en-us/HT201518
If you have a MacBook Pro mid 2009 and running EFI 1.7, then thats the problem. You can downgrade it to 1.6 and it will work.
Go on command+alt+r which will put you through internet recovery, the only way to get a copy from Mac OS on a factory resettled hd
Can it use 2T ssd?
Does it matter what GB I purchase? I dont know my original size because it crashed and I dont know how else to get that information..
Its written on the drive itself
What to do when: As in my case, the MacBook got in an accident that renders it inoperable (something fell on it, cracked screen, keyboard etc. and somehow the hard drive popped out)
This Mac hadn’t been used in years, but had some nostalgic information / photos on it I hoped to recover after fitting a new battery.
As it is, in the current situation I may buy a used MacBook and switch hard drives, than back up all the data. Does that sound like a reasonable approach and can I recover my photos that way? Just wondering ; -)
@@poweredbyowc I will try to find that information and then get in touch, thanks.
Hi Guys can you advise me please on what would be best update for my MacBook Pro mid 2009 ??? To replace HDD to SSD OR To change 2Bb Memory To 8Gb RAM , To make it work faster ? Thanks !
Both of those things would help a lot but the biggest thing if you have to choose is definitely adding an SSD.
Does the Crucial MX200 1TB SATA 6Gb/s 2.5" Internal SSD work good with Macbook Pro 13-inch mid 2012? Link>www.crucial.com/usa/en/macbook-pro-%2813-inch-and-15-inch%2C-mid-2012%29/CT6833053 .. Like same SATA inferface
can i put on my mac the hard disk of another mac book pro mid 2009 (not formatted)? will i be able to start up?
cyberbarbaro depends on the model
Will I be able to watch 4K videos?
BlastoGalaxy probaly not because the older processor. You will be lucky to watch 1080p at 60fps with an ssd updrage!
i got a macbook pro 5.3 mid 2009 15" ... last week i'm buy the kingston UV400 480 GB, but i got serious problems, for formating or do clean instalation. you recomend change the disk ?
You I have to format the new drive to afps once you put it in the computer. And then you have to make bootable media with an OS image to load onto the new (Target) drive.
Hello. I have a mid 2009 MBP. Would a 1Tb, 5400 rpm 2.5 inch hard drive be compatible? Or is there a limit on GB Space?
MacSales. com hey so back to this question I’m wondering if there’s a storage size limit on the SSD can it take up to 1TB?
Does it work with a 2010 model!?
Is it possible to run 16 GB of 1067Mhz ddr3 ram? On this machine?
No 8gb is Max for this motherboard
Will the OS still be accessible when the drives are swapped? thanks
Trollseeder no, there is where is stored. Create a bootable usb, with a usb of at least 8gb you can transfer the OS once the ssd is installed.
Will i have to reinstall the OS? Or buy a new 1
How do you install the OS? does anyone have a link for a video on how to install the OS on a newly installed/replaced HD?
Does mid 2009 13" have SATA I, II, or III?
thnx!
The title of this music, please. If anyone knows.
You are welcome. Are you able to share this on my email? Or it is copyrighted?