MBP Hard Drive upgrade - HDD size

fjon

My hard drive is starting to make worrying clicking noises so I think it's time to upgrade.
SSD is still unfortunately way too expensive so I'm looking at a 500GB 2.5 drive.

I've seen various conflicting bits of info on how large it can be. Some are saying no bigger than 9.5mm, but others have said they can fit a 12.5mm one.

I was looking at this one, but not sure it will fit:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Samsung-500GB-Cache-5400RPM-Internal/dp/B002842SRY/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top

Or anyone else have any recommendations for better ones at that price?

It's a July 2009 15" MBP.

Talisman

The drive will work in your computer. I have used those drives to update Mac minis and MBPs in the past but it wouldn't be my first choice drive for an upgrade.

A few things to note:
- It's a relatively quiet drive but it makes an audible clicking sound when it spins up which can get annoying when your ear tunes into it.
- It uses more power than the Hitachi Travelstar and Seagate Momentus 5400 drives.
- The Western Digital Scorpio Blue is a better performing drive in reads/writes, the Samsung seems to crawl at times.

fjon

Ok, thanks for that. Is this the one?

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Western-Digital-Internal-Playstation-Compatible/dp/B0037NYQ6Q/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1319468728&sr=8-1

Only thing I noticed about it is that it's SATA instead of SATA II/300. Would that make any big difference?

Talisman

It is a SATA II drive.

There's also the Scorpio Black which is the faster version of the drive (7200RPM, 16MB Cache) if you're looking for desktop like performance.

fjon

Talisman wrote: »

It is a SATA II drive.

There's also the Scorpio Black which is the faster version of the drive (7200RPM, 16MB Cache) if you're looking for desktop like performance.

Oh, thanks.
Think I'll go for that one. I've looked at reviews for the Black and many people mention issues with noise/ vibration. Think 5400RPM is good enough for me, or is there a very noticeable difference with 7200?

Jev/N

I upgraded mine a few years ago with the Seagate Momemtus 500GB, 7200, 16MB cache and have found it great, although it does tend to create a bit of noise and heat but it's not the worst

If I was going for a new one, I'd get this hybrid with 4GB solid state:

http://www.expansys.ie/seagate-momentus-xt-7200-1-500gb-sata-204847/

fjon

Thanks for that, didn't even look at that.
After reading this thread I think I'm leaning towards the Seagate one:

http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=1145281

dubmick

I got the 750gb version of the WD scorpio black. It's working very well. Absolute pain in the hole to install though.

fjon

dubmick wrote: »

I got the 750gb version of the WD scorpio black. It's working very well. Absolute pain in the hole to install though.

Really? On a unibody MBP? I thought the it was only on only MBPs that it was tricky to install a new HDD.

dubmick

fjon wrote: »

dubmick wrote: »

I got the 750gb version of the WD scorpio black. It's working very well. Absolute pain in the hole to install though.

Really? On a unibody MBP? I thought the it was only on only MBPs that it was tricky to install a new HDD.

No the last MBP before the unibody was released. Just a lot of very small screws and I had to get a special screwdriver.