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Upgrading Macbook HD

  • 05-07-2007 9:17am
    #1
    jmck87
    Closed Accounts Posts: 197 ✭✭


    Another few questions for yee knowledgeable peeps :D

    When I get rid of the errors on my Macbook gen 1 Hard drive, and install 2gb ram :) , I plan to install windows using bootcamp....

    The only thing is..... I have an 80gb drive in her.... and there'll only be about 10-15gb to play with for windows.... so the plan is to upgrade the HD.

    Ive seen a few video walkthroughs of installing the HD so no trouble there I hope....just need your advice on what HD to buy and what else ill need....

    Heres the HD's I was looking at on komplett.ie

    Seagate 160GB 7200rpm http://www.komplett.ie/k/ki.aspx?sku=335651

    Samsung 160GB 5400rpm http://www.komplett.ie/k/ki.aspx?sku=325713

    Not sure which would be best... from what Ive heard the Seagate are a bit noisy but then again the Samsung has a lower rpm... which do you guys think I should base my choice on? As in are the Seagate really noisy?

    Next thing I need, based on my little knowledge on the subject, is something to connect the new blank HD to the computer in order to copy everything I have on the exsisting hard drive.... would a SATA to USB do the job? Such as this one on komplett.... http://www.komplett.ie/k/ki.aspx?sku=322732

    Last but not least.... I need software to copy the HD across exactly... would you guys recommend Carbon Copy Cloner?

    http://www.bombich.com/software/ccc.html

    Thanks for your time guys.... am on a learning curve... recent windows --> mac convert :D

    John


Comments

  • #2
    leeroybrown
    Closed Accounts Posts: 7,563 ✭✭✭leeroybrown


    I would suggest that unless you are unhappy with the disk latency on your current drive that you should save your money and get the 5400RPM unit. The overall transfer rate won't improve. The Seagate drive is also out of stock and and is only €35 cheaper than a 250Gb 5400 RPM unit.

    I haven't done it myself but the best way to upgrade should be to get an external hard drive (buy/borrow) and use Disk Utility to make a copy of your hard disk. Then put in the new disk and run Disk Utility again to copy everything back. It should be the cleanest way. Carbon Copy Cloner will work well for this also. Likewise the eSATRA device should also allow you to do it but personally I'd prefer to have the backup on a third device I knew was reliable.

    The final suggestion I would make is that you could buy a 2.5" USB SATA enclosure for the old disk instead of the eSATA adaptor and you would have a very handy small external drive for a few quid extra.


  • #3
    meep
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,291 ✭✭✭meep


    I Upgraded my MacBookPro HD from 80 -> 120 a few months back.

    I bought one of these;

    http://eshop.macsales.com/item/Other%20World%20Computing/MOFWU120GB54/

    Swapped the external drive with the internal leaving me with a neat external drive with my old system (that I could boot if necessary).

    I used the occasion to re-install OSX and apply all updates rather than copy all my old data back (including os) byte by byte. Failry painless process actually and laptop feels zippier for it. (my only be psycological - I like things orderly and there's nothin g more orderly than a fresh OS install!!!)

    Anyway, swapping the HD in the MacBookPro required a good deal of disassembly (though I think you have a MocBook so I think that's easier).

    Again for Pros, not all sata drives will fit and not all drives will work with the sudden motion sensor. The website linked above has info on this - I buy all my ram and drives there.

    Hope that helps

    Peter


  • #4
    jmck87
    Closed Accounts Posts: 197 ✭✭jmck87


    Thanks for your replies guys... appreciate it.

    I never thought about using an external HD.... I have a couple at home.... so ill use one to copy the current HD onto... then copy back to the new one.

    Does the Disk utility back up everything? As in if I copy the back up to the new HD will osx still run properly? Ive read up on carbon copy cloner and it seems that does what I need....

    So the plan seems to be...use the external HD to copy and then get an enclosure at a later date to put the old drive to use.

    Still undecided about which new HD to go for though... is there no limit to the size of HD I can use in the macbook? ...its a 1st gen. by the way.

    If not then it seems the 250gb Samsung for €175 on komplett would be the one to go for:

    http://www.komplett.ie/k/ki.aspx?sku=336007

    @Peter: I hadnt considered the Sudden motion sensor... anyone know if the Samsung mentioned above have this feature? Also... will that drive actually fit?!

    Thanks again.

    John.


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