Late 2009 UMBP biggest HDD

[ShadowCat]

Hi all, I was wondering whats the biggest HDD (capacity) that I can install in the UMBP? Mine already came with the 500gb. I want more space. Thank you.

[Lippy]

Any 9.5mm thick 2.5" HDD will fit, i believe the biggest is the WD Scorpio blue 750 GB. However I'm not sure if it's selling in SG, you could check with storage studio in SLS.

Otherwise a good alternative is to buy an MCE optibay or optibay alternative, it lets u replace your cd drive with another harddisk. You can later do a RAID 0 to make into one large HD (2 * 500GB = 1TB in your MBP).

Here is a thread on Macrumors to help you if you wish to take the optibay route:
http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=680228&highlight=optibay

[ShadowCat]

Thanx lippy. The idea of converting the super drive to another HDD space is interesting. But I'll hold that thought for a while as I need the SuperDrive. So as of now, if only there's a 1Tb hdd that will fit in the mbp, it'll be a dream come through. 

[Lippy]

np haha yes, its much of a waiting game for them to implement the necessary manufacturing technology for consumers before we get 1TB of space.

[online]

I've installed a WD 1TB HDD in my 08/09 MBP and it works fine.
Just transferred it to Mid'10 MBP and it continues to serve me well.

Now thinking of changing to SSD.... Only factor pulling me back is PRICE, but most likely gonna take the plunge.

[ShadowCat]

1Tb internally hdd is already available? Whoaaaa.... I must have fallen behind. Was at SLS 3 days ago looking for 640Gb hdd for my ps3 but all of the shops I went to says the highest they have is 500Gb.
Thanx online. I'm going to start hunting for the 1Tb hdd for my mbp starting right now.

[online]

Hi ShadowCat,

Fyi, I bought it in May'10 at SLS Best Price Computers P/L for $255 then.

http://www.wdc.com/en/products/products.asp?driveid=685

Note it's 5200RPM, even though some shops may state 5400RPM, but specs can't be wrong.

This drive will fit unibody MBP, but not the case for most Windows laptop cos of the thickness.

[Banksy]

As online stated the WD 1TB HDD is available but it is very very slow. SSD is the way forward although costly. I used a 256 SSD from Other World Computing and the speed difference is huge. Why not move all your data to an external HD and buy an SSD....... it's well worth the upgrade.

[ShadowCat]

Hmm...either way, it 1Tb of storage is what I'm looking for. 1TB SSD going to cost a bomb. So I guess, I'll just wait for at least a 1TB 5400rpm hdd even though going the SSD way is also very very tempting

[online]

Yep, totally agree on the SSD.....

I just ordered a SSD and will convert my DVD drive to hold the SSD with OWC Data Doubler Optical Bay Hard Drive/SSD Mounting Solution.
So I'll have the best of both worlds 

[ShadowCat]

Wow, do update me how it goes. I am so tempted also.

[online]

Yeah, i've ordered.... Still waiting for delivery.

However, I've ordered 3rd party bracket to convert DVD drive to SATA HDD instead, cos it's so much cheaper!!
Go to ebay.com.sg and search for "hdd optibay" if you're keen.

[Lippy]

Online, please inform us if it has a perfect fit and what brand you got I would like to perform this upgrade myself...

[online]

Yep, the waiting for delivery period is the most painful process (not the payment process ).

Will update again once I've setup..... 

[online]

Here's my update....

I ordered a Crucial M225 256GB SSD on 4 Aug. However, their credit dept asked for utility bill as proof of billing address, cos SG is listed as one of the "fraud" countries, so my order got delayed until 9 Aug then they processed it and it was delivered on 12 Aug.

Speed improvement was great!! With just stock Snow Leopard and no other applications installed, it boots up in 19 sec.
After I installed all my required applications, every single applications open with 1 bounce in dock, including CS5 Photoshop.

Being greedy, I bit the bullet and ordered an OWC Mercury Extreme Pro RE SSD 200GB (with SandForce technology) which the website boast it's one of the fastest SSD around.

The thing I loved in ordering from OWC is their fast packing/processing/delivery. Twice I ordered from them on Friday night (SG), I would receive the items on next Monday morning (SG).

However, I'm kinda disappointed in the boot up result, it actually took 27 sec to boot up with stock SL.
(Edited: somehow after I installed all my required apps, it now boots up in 18 sec. Did a test to boot up and open Safari at login, OWC wins Crucial by 2 sec.)
All apps continue to open with 1 bounce in dock.

Anyway, I will stick to the OWC drive as I strongly believe it's one of the fastest SSD around.

As for the eBay bracket, it's not that fitting but it's cheap at USD19+ with free delivery. However, I would prefer to pay more for better fit.

My MBP specs after all upgrades:
Unibody 2.66GHz Intel Core i7 (Mid-2010)
NewerTech NuRAM 8GB 1067MHz DDR3
Western Digital 1TB 5200RPM HDD
OWC Mercury Extreme Pro RE SSD 200GB with eBay bracket (to convert DVD drive to SATA hold SSD)

[online]

Decided to wack OWC bracket to replace eBay bracket 
https://eshop.macsales.com/item/Other%20World%20Computing/DDAMBS0GB/

Anybody wanna take this chance to share shipping cost?
Will show you receipt and figures

Gonna place order at 10pm tonight, so that Fedex will deliver on this Friday morning.

PM me.

[ShadowCat]

Wow, the boot up timing is insane. Really tempting. But wallet not as thick now. So gotta pass for now. Thanx for the update bro.

[online]

Wow, the boot up timing is insane. Really tempting. But wallet not as thick now. So gotta pass for now. Thanx for the update bro.

You're welcome..... Anyway, any SSD will make your machine run faster.... So can get one that "fits your wallet"

[ShadowCat]

Hahaha. If I'm going to plunge into SSD, I'm going to need the 1Tb ones.

[online]

Yeah! And I believe cost of a 1TB SSD can buy a Mac Pro liao