Want to put a SSD in my MacBook Pro 13" Mid 2012... advice?

[yazpistachio]

Hello everyone. I want to do 3 upgrades to my Mac, the first of which is I want a SSD (next is a bootcamp Windows partition and then a RAM upgrade). But I'm reading that there are issues with needing a third party TRIM utility if you do not use a Mac branded SSD. Also people have posted that some SSDs work better with Mac, but most of these posts are in America and list models I cannot readily find for sale here.

Is it really this complicated? Can't I just buy any 2.5" SSD and install it where my SATA drive is right now?

If I install a TRIM utility, will I need to find and install a similar TRIM utility for a bootcamp Windows partition as well? Or is that not an issue?

I could always take my Mac to Apple and have them install it, but given that I am on the 17th working day of a screen replacement with Samsung at the moment (which they assured me would take no more than 5 working days), I really just do not want to be without my computer for so long (I'm not addicted I swear), and service delivery in general is so horrible that I'd rather just open my computer myself and make the switch at home. (Ask me about the printer that IC has had since November because they're arguing with HP over who broke it and neither wants to take responsibility.)

Can anyone provide good examples of SSDs that would work? Preferably stuff available at IC or takealot or similar stores, not some flybynight mom and pop that may not be there next week.

Thanks...

 

[XenitXTD]

Firstly, Using Samsung as an example is absolutely ridiculous... Turn around times at apple or Ifixit are way better than that...

If this is just the macbook pro (Non Retina) then You can buy any of the 2.5inch SSD's available like the samsung evo or 850 pro, I have installed them several times and no issues

If its a retina its a bit of a problem as this is a non standard custom shaped chip which only one or two places make other than apple... OWC is the most reliable but getting a local source will be the challenge... OWC includes a kit for migrating data as well.

I read that samsung also makes the custom chip but have never seen one on sale anywhere...

If its the normal macbook pro its easy to do it yourself, if its the retina, I would say its a bit more complicated... Just contact ifixit and ask if they can assist in a swap out, and that you would be prepared to pay to have it done asap as in within the hour and you will install the OS etc yourself afterwards...

Hope this helps

 

[Maverick Jester]

TRIM is disabled by default in OSX for third party drives, but can easily be re-enabled either via the terminal or by using something like TRIM Enabler to modify the appropriate kext file. The caveat is that this only works up until Mavericks.

The problem comes in Yosemite, where OSX actually requires the modified kext file to be digitally signed by Apple before they are run. Meaning that the traditional workarounds no longer work to enable TRIM support. The only way around this is to introduce a huge security hole into the entire OS and disable kext signing globally.

So, bear that in mind when performing your upgrade. If you're on Yosemite, I'd consider an Apple-specific drive, or a downgrade to Mavericks (or clean install of Mavericks onto the SSD).

Also- this would only apply to the non-Retina MacBook Pro. I don't think you'd want to install an SSD into a rMBP anyway, it already comes with one.

 

[yazpistachio]

It's non retina so yay for that.

Unfortunately I was a total d*** and upgraded to Yosemite blindly. I tried downgrading to Maverick but I must have missed a step somewhere because it didn't work and I wound up having to do a clean install of Yosemite again.

So boo.

Would it be easy to do a clean install of Mavericks onto the SSD? How would I even go about doing that? Can someone help a girl out? I should have never bought a Mac because my IT Governance husband is a total Apple snob and refuses to help me.... and other than popping in RAM I am in over my head.

But I'm still going to do it! Because I'm crazy!

 

[Maverick Jester]

It's non retina so yay for that.

Unfortunately I was a total d*** and upgraded to Yosemite blindly. I tried downgrading to Maverick but I must have missed a step somewhere because it didn't work and I wound up having to do a clean install of Yosemite again.

So boo.

Would it be easy to do a clean install of Mavericks onto the SSD? How would I even go about doing that? Can someone help a girl out? I should have never bought a Mac because my IT Governance husband is a total Apple snob and refuses to help me.... and other than popping in RAM I am in over my head.

But I'm still going to do it! Because I'm crazy!

Should be possible, the major issue would be downloading a copy of Mavericks to create a bootable disc with. Try looking for it under your previous purchases in the Mac App Store? Apparently, if you unhide previous purchases, it should appear and be available for download. This guide might be a decent starting point to perform a clean install.

 

[Mike C]

Another option (If you're willing to sacrifice it) is to replace the optical drive with the SSD to run the OS and Applications and use the HDD for media and additional storage.

You will need a housing for the SSD, something like this.

Amazon US and UK ship to SA. May be able to find it locally too.

I'm looking at doing this too as soon as i can afford an SSD

 

[Maverick Jester]

Another option (If you're willing to sacrifice it) is to replace the optical drive with the SSD to run the OS and Applications and use the HDD for media and additional storage.

You will need a housing for the SSD, something like this.

Amazon US and UK ship to SA. May be able to find it locally too.

I'm looking at doing this too as soon as i can afford an SSD

The OP would still face the same problem of Yosemite not enabling TRIM support on the drive, but your idea is a good one, and probably the best upgrade to the non-Retina MBP's.

 

[yazpistachio]

Not so sure if I want to sacrifice the optical drive.... will have to think on that.

Thanks everyone for the suggestions.

 

[Mike C]

Removing the drive is a tough one, but they are falling away rapidly. I think the reward is greater than the loss. Only thing I would use it for now is loading Music CD's I buy into iTunes.

Luckily we have a Mac Mini at home with an external drive for me to fall back on. Plus you don't need to buy the Apple drive, many other decent options from around R300 and up.

Let us know if/when you go ahead...

 

[Cassady]

Want to put a SSD in my MacBook Pro 13" Mid 2012... advice?

Remind me again about how big that gaping hole in security is?

Sincere question btw. I'm running Yosemite on a Crucial SSD with Trim Enabler running. But toying with switching it off.

Is it a case of not doing something stupid, and downloading a bad app/file - or are there other ways to get FUBARed (with kext signing off)??

 

[yazpistachio]

I know they're falling off but I'm fairly certain that out of the 4 computers in our house, mine is the only one with a functional optical drive. It's not a matter of I want to hold onto it forever, more a matter of I need it for right now. I'm sure it will be replaced eventually... just not sure if the time is now.

 

[bwana]

Not so sure if I want to sacrifice the optical drive.... will have to think on that.

Thanks everyone for the suggestions.

Some of the drive replacement kits come with the necessary bits to convert the old SuperDrive to an external SuperDrive so all is not lost if you do it - I would and did.

Your best bet is to put the SSD in the place the SuperDrive occupied. I've seen numerous sources that state that the sudden motion sensor only works on the HDD bay and that's the drive you want to protect.

The nice bit about adding the second drive is you can then create your own Fusion drive and have the best of both worlds - speed and storage - without having to manage things yourself.

 

[Space_Chief]

Upgraded my 2012 rMBP 15 inch. Got the Mercury Aura 960GB SSD with Envoy Pro enclosure and screw drivers.

Also installed Windoze 8.1 on a 160GB Bootcamp particition to get DOA5TLR to run: Marie Rose on rMBP just completes the Mac experience.

I used Carbon Copy Cloner to clone the Mountain Lion Macintosh HD and recovery partition to the new drive from the old one which I put in the USB3 Envoy enclosure.

For anyone who is interested how much this cost:

R7,626 Mercury Aura 1TB SSD with Envoy enclosure and FedEx Priority shipping.
R1,234 for VAT and FedEx SA rip off fees.

 

[phiber]

Upgraded my 2012 rMBP 15 inch. Got the Mercury Aura 960GB SSD with Envoy Pro enclosure and screw drivers.

Also installed Windoze 8.1 on a 160GB Bootcamp particition to get DOA5TLR to run: Marie Rose on rMBP just completes the Mac experience.

I used Carbon Copy Cloner to clone the Mountain Lion Macintosh HD and recovery partition to the new drive from the old one which I put in the USB3 Envoy enclosure.

For anyone who is interested how much this cost:

R7,626 Mercury Aura 1TB SSD with Envoy enclosure and FedEx Priority shipping.
R1,234 for VAT and FedEx SA rip off fees.

Nice, thats quite a piece of kit!

 

[Space_Chief]

Nice, thats quite a piece of kit!

Thanks. The installation was very simple. And I got to clean out some of the dust which had gotten stuck under that cover.

The SSD still runs.... It's now May 4. No issues so far.

Had to use the free app, Trim Enabler ( www.cindori.org ) to enable TRIM support on the drive in OS X though. Just had to do it once and it works.

 

[bwana]

Thanks. The installation was very simple. And I got to clean out some of the dust which had gotten stuck under that cover.

The SSD still runs.... It's now May 4. No issues so far.

Had to use the free app, Trim Enabler ( www.cindori.org ) to enable TRIM support on the drive in OS X though. Just had to do it once and it works.

For those thinking they want to use Trim Enabler under Yosemite YMMV - https://www.cindori.org/documentation/

 

[Space_Chief]

For those thinking they want to use Trim Enabler under Yosemite YMMV - https://www.cindori.org/documentation/

They have "Disk Sensei" for that.

 

[bwana]

They have "Disk Sensei" for that.

But you still have to manually disable kext signing.

Since Automatic Trim in Disk Sensei works by unlocking the Trim driver for 3rd party SSD’s, you must first disable the kext signing security setting in order to use this feature. It is only recommended for advanced users to enable Automatic Trim in Yosemite.

 

[Space_Chief]

But you still have to manually disable kext signing.

Why is that bothering you?

The recommendation for advanced users is obvious. Only an advanced user would replace the stock SSD with a third party device. It is possible to shred the screws, one can damage the battery connector or the SATA connector and of course damage the batteries themselves, never mind the static damaging the logic board.

 

[bwana]

Why is that bothering you?

You made it sound like Disk Sensei was the answer - it isnt.

The recommendation for advanced users is obvious. Only an advanced user would replace the stock SSD with a third party device. It is possible to shred the screws, one can damage the battery connector or the SATA connector and of course damage the batteries themselves, never mind the static damaging the logic board.

What's more common I imagine is for someone to upgrade from a HDD to a SSD - such is the case with the OP.

Anyway - my warning not directed to you but to others. It's a risky procedure (and one that I elected not to pursue when I upgraded to Yosemite).