Choosing SSD setup for Macbook Pro 2011....confused!!

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robodelfy

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May 20, 2013
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I have just got a Macbook Pro from 2011. (after being a lifelong pc user).

I want to upgrade the hard drives. Would it be better to get a 256 SSD for OS and programs as the main drive, and a larger SSD or HDD as a second drive in place of the cd drive. Or to get one of these new 1tb SSD's and put everything on it. As its an SSD would it make a difference in performance?

Is there any dis advantage in terms of speed of having just one 1tb Sata III SSD?

Also, its so confusing trying to pick a brand or model of SSD. I am leaning towards samsung, they have the 840 evo and the 850 pro, big difference in price....would there be much of a difference in real world usage?

If anyone can shed some light on this I will be very grateful!!

Alex
 
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JohnnyLucky

JohnnyLucky

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May 30, 2007
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You're in Luck!

OWC is a reputable online vendor that has ssd's for every MacBook made during the last 10 years:

http://eshop.macsales.com/

I actually have some of their ssd's listed in the ssd database I maintain. Here is the link:

http://www.johnnylucky.org/data-storage/ssd-database.html

Scroll down to the OWC section. You'll find several models that were reviewed. Follow the links to the technical reviews.

In addition, Samsung has very large contracts to supply OEM versions of their ssd's for Apple, Lenovo, Dell, and other "off the shelf" computer brands. I'm thinking you could get an OEM version for your MacBook from one of the MacBook vendors.
 
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kenrivers

kenrivers

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I have a late 2011 MacBook Pro and replaced the hard drive with a Samsung SSD and removed the CD drive and added a 500GB HDD in its place. The performance has been quite good. I do not regret changing the HDD to an SSD. I also upgraded the RAM to 16GB though the specs say it supports a max of 8GB. Of course I did some research before upgrading both the hard drive and RAM.
 
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robodelfy

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Hi guys

Thanks for the info. I have looked at the OWC drives. They are a fair bit more expensive, and from comparisons, it seems that the Samsung SSD's and the Crucial SSD's perform better.

I feel a bit stuck between these two :

http://www.ebuyer.com/629712-crucial-m550-1tb-2-5inch-sataiii-ssd-ct1024m550ssd1

http://www.ebuyer.com/539547-samsung-1tb-ssd-840-evo-ssd-only-mz-7te1t0bw

Also, Im starting to read threads about having your OS, apps, and audio all on one drive, and how that might not be good even if it is an SSD. But I cant get to the bottom of it!!
 
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Tim Jensen

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Generally it's good practice to have one drive with your OS and one drive with your personal data. Apps usually reside on your OS drive, for easy backups and to make sure that if you run out of storage space, hopefully it's on your personal drive!

Recommended setup would be to have a super fast OS drive that allows your computer to work quickly and a slower but bigger storage drive to keep your big media. This also means if you have to replace/reinstall your OS for any reason at least you still have all your personal stuff!

Excellent choice on MBP for this, you can buy a drive caddy to replace the optical drive (rarely used anymore anyways) fairly cheaply. I personally have a MBP 2012 late, and I use a 256GB Intel 530 for my primary OS, and a 1TB WD Black for my personal data. It gives me flexibility and speed ;)

Follow up:

NEVER skimp on an SSD. You're relying on that piece of silicon and metal to keep you running. Going from most reviews, Samsung is a decent choice but Intel are all around more reliable.
 
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robodelfy

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Hi Tim

Thanks, yeah Im leaning towards a similar setup to you. I will get Crucial or Samsung, some say crucial are more mac friendly as some of teh samsungs have been troublesome in 2011 macbook pros.

The only thing with putting a spinning disk in the HDD is that it doesnt have any suspension etc, and therefore not as solid/stable/safe. DO you know anything about this?

Cheers
 
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kenrivers

kenrivers

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I have been using a Samsung in a late 2011 MacBook Pro for over a year without any problems. As far as the second drive goes you would get a drive caddy for the HDD so that it will be securely positioned.
 
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robodelfy

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Yeah its putting certain hard drives in teh second bay that worries me. There are so many people saying that you can run in to problems, but its unclear what exactly.

Thanks for all your help....the search continues
 
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