Topic: MacBook Pro disk replacement questions... (Read 5166 times)

MrC · « **on:** March 06, 2013, 01:28:05 pm »

I might need a new disk for my early 2011 MacBook Pro 17". It is 750 gig.

SMART Utility tells me the overall SMART Status is FAILING (in yellow). I don't have much experience with this utility, so don't know how much faith to put in it.

So... 1) do I need to replace the disk, and 2) if so, with what model/type/size?

glynor · « **Reply #1 on:** March 07, 2013, 08:21:49 pm »

Reallocated sectors are expected with age, but not good. Growing reallocation counts are bad. In any case, I'd say yes. Laptop drives in general, and especially 7200 rpm models "live hard and die young".

As far as a replacement?

Simple. Buy an SSD. I'd get a ~512GB (if you can swing it). Samsung 840 Pro or Intel would be good choices. If you're looking cheap, Marvel (Crucial) SSDs aren't the fastest on the block, but they're reliable and cheap. I have a 500 GB Crucial M4 in my MacBook. But the Intel 335s are cheap too, and would also be a good midrange choice. In any case...

I can't stand using hard drive based laptops anymore.

MrC · « **Reply #2 on:** March 07, 2013, 08:28:44 pm »

Thanks.

With several VMs in use, plus converted music, I'm already using about 400M, so I'd want larger than a 500M drive.

I only want a trustworthy SSD, so Samsung or Intel it would be.

Matt · « **Reply #3 on:** March 07, 2013, 08:30:13 pm »

Quote from: glynor on March 07, 2013, 08:21:49 pm

I can't stand using hard drive based laptops anymore.

I agree. I really hate spinning disks now.

It's amazing what a difference an SSD makes. Definitely get one if possible.

And in my opinion, even the slow SSDs are fast enough for most stuff. JRiver bought a first generation Vertex when they first became available, and it's been a minor improvement in real world terms as we've worked through each newer generation of SSD (but the initial jump from a Raptor HDD was huge).

jmone · « **Reply #4 on:** March 07, 2013, 10:21:14 pm »

Quote from: Matt on March 07, 2013, 08:30:13 pm

I agree. I really hate spinning disks now.

I half agree. I like my SSD for the OS as the cost benefit is great.... but for the 60TB of media space spinning disks still win.

MrC · « **Reply #5 on:** March 07, 2013, 11:36:54 pm »

That's a monster laptop!

jmone · « **Reply #6 on:** March 07, 2013, 11:46:01 pm »

I really need to start wearing my reading glasses - completly missed the laptop references

Scolex · « **Reply #7 on:** March 08, 2013, 07:11:53 am »

MrC I know you said you would want something larger than a 500 but there is a good deal on a SAMSUNG 840 Series MZ-7TD500BW 500GB (today only)
$279.99 with promo code EMCXTXM23

glynor · « **Reply #8 on:** March 08, 2013, 08:22:41 am »

Quote from: Scolex on March 08, 2013, 07:11:53 am

MrC I know you said you would want something larger than a 500 but there is a good deal on a SAMSUNG 840 Series MZ-7TD500BW 500GB (today only)
$279.99 with promo code EMCXTXM23

That is a good deal.

However, be aware that the Samsung 840 "vanilla" and the 840 Pro are very different drives. The 840 Pro is the successor to their previous 830-series. Great, solid drives.

The 840 "vanilla" is an entirely new product with a brand new type of flash. It is the first commercial drive to use triple-level cell NAND (as opposed to the more common MLC NAND which offers two bits per cell, this uses three). I haven't seem widespread reports of trouble with these drives (though there have been some firmware issues), but... I think the jury is still out on just what impact the TLC NAND will have on write endurance. Samsung, of course, says it is fine and added some additional spare area to compensate for the reduced endurance, but...

Those kinds of judgements are always "educated guesses" until the tech has been in the field for a few years. I'm just a touch skeptical, and the prices aren't "lower enough" compared to MLC drives to take the early risk, IMHO.

glynor · « **Reply #9 on:** March 08, 2013, 08:31:46 am »

That said, the 840 Pro is one of the best drives out there right now and is ALSO on sale this weekend (though not as crazy of a deal). The 512GB model is $459 with a promo code until tomorrow at midnight.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820147194&nm_mc=EMC-IGNEFL030813&cm_mmc=EMC-IGNEFL030813-_-EMC-030813-Index-_-SSD-_-20147194-L04D

Promo code: EMCXTXM33

I have the 256GB version in my home server now and it has been great.

InflatableMouse · « **Reply #10 on:** March 08, 2013, 08:48:27 am »

The 830 512GB goes for 399 on Newegg. No idea about promo codes or extra discount.

Look around and don't dismiss the 830 models because they are last years' models. They are often dumped at even crazier prices because everyone "wants" the newer versions, even the non-pro versions, simply because they think a newer model is automatically better.

The 840 Pro's are faster on paper, I bet 'real world' performance you won't notice it so if the deal is good, I know which I'd get.

glynor · « **Reply #11 on:** March 08, 2013, 10:18:12 am »

The 830's are fantastic and that's an awesome deal.

If they're in stock (they were impossible to find last month), that's what I'd grab.

MrC · « **Reply #12 on:** March 08, 2013, 11:55:51 am »

Thanks all for the great advice.

I think I'll get the Samsung 830 (MZ-7PC512B/WW), the standalone unit. What mounting hardware do I need?

The kit (MZ-7PC512N/AM) is much more expensive and are not in stock.

glynor · « **Reply #13 on:** March 08, 2013, 12:05:25 pm »

Nothing. It'll be a straight swap. You might want an external FireWire or USB > SATA adapter so you can clone your existing data over, but otherwise you're good.

You'll probably need a Torx T6 driver too, if you don't have one. There are guides on iFixit's website. It isn't too bad.

MrC · « **Reply #14 on:** March 08, 2013, 12:08:18 pm »

Ordered, thanks!

InflatableMouse · « **Reply #15 on:** March 08, 2013, 02:09:55 pm »

Now I was just reading about loads of problems with these disks in certain macbook models ...

Nah just kidding! You'll love it!

glynor · « **Reply #16 on:** March 08, 2013, 02:55:52 pm »

Quote from: InflatableMouse on March 08, 2013, 02:09:55 pm

Now I was just reading about loads of problems with these disks in certain macbook models ...

I know you were kidding, but... Apple actually uses the 830's themselves. That's part of the reason they were impossible to find for a while there. Though, they've now largely switched over to Sandisk drives, which is probably why some of the remaining stock of 830s are returning.

MrC, since you mentioned storage constraints (I'm with you)... One thing you might want to consider with that laptop, is this bad-boy:
http://eshop.macsales.com/item/OWC/DDAMBS0GB/

I actually have that exact same Macbook, I think. This one:
http://everymac.com/systems/apple/macbook_pro/specs/macbook-pro-core-i7-2.0-15-early-2011-unibody-thunderbolt-specs.html

It is not actually mine, but is owned by my work, so I can't do the data doubler thing on it (without dealing with grumbles I don't want to deal with) so I'm sticking to external storage. BUT... Everyone I've talked to loves these things and they work well. If you can't remember the last time you used that optical drive? Pull it out. Buy a cheap 5200rpm 750GB drive and put it in the optical bay. That, plus the SSD you just ordered, and you'll be done.

(ProTip: You can also grab one of these for the old optical drive, so that you can still use the Apple DVD Player app, which only works with Apple-provided "superdrives" because DRM is stupid.)

MrC · « **Reply #17 on:** March 08, 2013, 03:01:23 pm »

Thanks again. I was just thinking about 20 minutes ago that I'd replace the optical drive with another flash drive. I think I've used the thing twice, and am happy to use an external uperdrive when necessary.

glynor · « **Reply #18 on:** March 19, 2013, 02:19:26 pm »

So, did you get this done?

Is all good in Macbook Pro world now? Loving the SSD?

MrC · « **Reply #19 on:** March 19, 2013, 02:26:13 pm »

Its sitting on my desk now. I was out much of last week. I might give it a go today. I'm thinking I'm going to do a clean install.

glynor · « **Reply #20 on:** March 19, 2013, 02:29:54 pm »

Quote from: MrC on March 19, 2013, 02:26:13 pm

I'm thinking I'm going to do a clean install.

Never a terrible idea.

Poke me if you have any migration questions. I'm sure you probably have it covered, but keep in mind that even with a clean install, migrating individual application preferences is easy-peasy on OSX. That's usually what I do, frankly. Clean install, and then migrate individual application prefs, rather than trying to migrate everything.

Of course, Macs handle disk clones much more sensibly than Windows boxes, so for a straight drive swap it isn't necessary. The bigger, deeper question is: Did you corrupt any data on that disk as it started to fail?

MrC · « **Reply #21 on:** April 05, 2013, 05:00:10 pm »

Posted from the system with the new SSD. Very easy swap/reinstall.

Thanks a bunch everyone!

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