New MBP hard drives

[zylander]

I know that when the new MacBook Pros were released there was some problem with the chipsets running SATA 2 drives at 1.5gbps but that has recently been fixed due to a firmware update. My question is, if I upgrade to a 7200rpm drive from apple when buying a MBP 15, will it still be SATA1? Are all the HDs offerd by apple (excluding the SSDs) all SATA1? Is the only way for me to get a SATA 2 drive to buy one form newegg and install it myself? I have no problem installing my own HD, but if thats the case, I wont bother upgrading to a 7200rpm drive through apple.

 

[TheWart]

I don't know which HD's are SATA I or II, but I do not think a HDD can even reach the theoretical limit of SATA I, much less SATA II, so unless you are looking to get an SSD, it doesn't matter.

That being said, I would just as soon get the stock HD and buy one yourself on newegg for far less than apple would charge to upgrade it - plus you can keep the original for an external backup.

 

[Gooberlx2]

Well, 7200 would still be an improvement over 5400, at least for sustained transfer rates (dunno about random access times). Neither will saturate SATA1 though, much less SATA2. But yeah, I wouldn't bother upgrading via Apple.

 

[zylander]

Well that answered my questions, thanks guys.

 

[Shlong]

I just ordered a macbook pro 13" with http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16822148374 and http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16820146878

Anyone know of a good place to get the T6 driver online? Also, if I just install this harddrive with the leopard dvd and boot up - I should be able to format / install without any problems?

 

[TheStu]

Originally posted by: Shlong
I just ordered a macbook pro 13" with http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16822148374 and http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16820146878

Anyone know of a good place to get the T6 driver online? Also, if I just install this harddrive with the leopard dvd and boot up - I should be able to format / install without any problems?

You just have to make sure to format it as Mac OS Extended (journaled), which should be the default setting.

Alternatively, if you have an enclosure that will work, you can just drop the new drive in there, and clone the MBP's drive over to it.

 

[Shlong]

Originally posted by: TheStu

Originally posted by: Shlong
I just ordered a macbook pro 13" with http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16822148374 and http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16820146878

Anyone know of a good place to get the T6 driver online? Also, if I just install this harddrive with the leopard dvd and boot up - I should be able to format / install without any problems?

You just have to make sure to format it as Mac OS Extended (journaled), which should be the default setting.

Alternatively, if you have an enclosure that will work, you can just drop the new drive in there, and clone the MBP's drive over to it.

Thanks! I just need to find a T6 driver now for the harddrive pins...

 

[TheStu]

Originally posted by: Shlong

Originally posted by: TheStu

Originally posted by: Shlong
I just ordered a macbook pro 13" with http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16822148374 and http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16820146878

Anyone know of a good place to get the T6 driver online? Also, if I just install this harddrive with the leopard dvd and boot up - I should be able to format / install without any problems?

You just have to make sure to format it as Mac OS Extended (journaled), which should be the default setting.

Alternatively, if you have an enclosure that will work, you can just drop the new drive in there, and clone the MBP's drive over to it.

Thanks! I just need to find a T6 driver now for the harddrive pins...

You can buy it for $10 on ifixit.com. You can also get the take apart guide for the system there.

 

[Keitero]

You can go to Sears or any hardware store to get a T6 screwdriver.

 

[Burrens78]

I am thinking of buying my first Mac for college and I am planning to go with the Macbook Pro 13" base model. I am planning to upgrade the HDD and selling the 160 Gb one that comes with the notebook.

What is the best way to erase the HDD before selling it? Is there any way to do it without an external enclosure?

TIA

 

[TheStu]

Yes, put in the OS X install disk and let the installation launch. From there, you can access Disk Utility and that will let you not just erase the drive, but also zero it 1, 7 or 28 times. Then you can format it FAT32 with an MBR, or stick it in a PC and format it there.

 

[secretanchitman]

i got my torx screwdrivers from the home depot...i think the company was called husky. got myself the torx and the phillips ones from there for about $12 in total. of course it comes with tips for all the different sizes.

 

[Excelsior]

Originally posted by: secretanchitman
i got my torx screwdrivers from the home depot...i think the company was called husky. got myself the torx and the phillips ones from there for about $12 in total. of course it comes with tips for all the different sizes.

I came in here to post that. I bought my Husky Torx tool at Home Depot for maybe $7. It has a relatively wide range of smaller torx bits that are interchangeable.