Replacing Macbook optical drive with HDD

Hemps · Feb 21, 2014

I was going to get an external drive BUT decided against it.

I want to replace my optical drive with a 500gb 2.5 that came with my macbook.

Where do I get the hdd bracket from in SA?
Any of you guys one this before, is it worth it?

http://gigaom.com/2011/04/01/how-to...optical-drive-with-an-ssd/data_doubler_empty/

bwana · Feb 21, 2014

There are several threads already that you might like to review.

Hemps · Feb 21, 2014

Bugger, so you have to buy the hdd caddy from overseas.

Hemps · Feb 21, 2014

http://www.amazon.com/Drive-Unibody...8258&sr=8-1&keywords=macbook+hard+drive+caddy

$8 is not bad

Local:

http://www.importitall.co.za/Hard-D...uperDrive-Replacement-Only-ap-B0058AH2US.html

Hemps · Feb 21, 2014

https://www.importitall.co.za/produ...+drive+caddy&CatBase=Everything&x=-736&y=-118

Which one?

I see one with my model listed Unibody MD101, pricier than others.

Hemps · Feb 21, 2014

http://www.amazon.com/Afrom-Here-Un...r=8-1&keywords=macbook+hard+drive+caddy+md101

$18.45 for one that fits my model.

I have $35 that I was gifted in gift card balance.
How much of a mission would it be to courier this thing from US?

IainMarsh · Feb 21, 2014

I have bought from OWC in the past. decent service and pretty prompt delivery. was quoted R4k to upgrade my ram to 16GB by apple SA. I think it came in under R1k from OWC.

Cassady · Feb 24, 2014

Ordered mine off Amazon.co.uk - all good.

iFan · Feb 26, 2014

@Hemps

I was browsing gumtree and came accross this:

"Macbook Pro HYBRID conversion- Remove cd rom, insert secondary harddrive/ssd R550 (excludes secondary drive)"

View the link here:

http://www.gumtree.co.za/a-macbook-...e-priced-from-r6500/1001099026400910003478309

I have never dealt with them, but maybe worth it to not have to struggle with getting the part in.

Cheers

Hemps · Aug 4, 2014

IainMarsh said:
I have bought from OWC in the past. decent service and pretty prompt delivery. was quoted R4k to upgrade my ram to 16GB by apple SA. I think it came in under R1k from OWC.

Think the time has come to go this route, I never use the Superdrive at all.

http://eshop.macsales.com/item/Other World Computing/DDAMBS0GB/

Cant find an SA site with these or one's that support my Model Mid-2012 13" - MD101LL/A

GreGorGy · Aug 4, 2014

Previous discussion reveals cheaper caddies:

http://mybroadband.co.za/vb/showthread.php/535595-Hard-Drive-Caddy-for-MBP

Rocket-Boy · Aug 4, 2014

Hemps said:
Think the time has come to go this route, I never use the Superdrive at all.

http://eshop.macsales.com/item/Other World Computing/DDAMBS0GB/

Cant find an SA site with these or one's that support my Model Mid-2012 13" - MD101LL/A

I think I might have one of those lurking...
I ordered it to do the same thing then ended never using it and ditching the MBP and getting an HP with a MSATA slot.

Hemps · Aug 4, 2014

GreGorGy said:
Previous discussion reveals cheaper caddies:

http://mybroadband.co.za/vb/showthread.php/535595-Hard-Drive-Caddy-for-MBP

Shot, my bad for not searching.

This should FIT my model?

http://www.dx.com/p/sata3-serial-hd...ook-pro-more-silver-black-328271#.U99B2cJUSCQ

Anyone know if it will make a difference if I choose a more expensive delivery option, will it still come through normal post office channel I suppose.

Rocket-Boy · Aug 4, 2014

Hemps said:
Shot, my bad for not searching.

This should FIT my model?

http://www.dx.com/p/sata3-serial-hd...ook-pro-more-silver-black-328271#.U99B2cJUSCQ

Anyone know if it will make a difference if I choose a more expensive delivery option, will it still come through normal post office channel I suppose.

*cough* new one lying in my cupboard, in East London... *cough*

GreGorGy · Aug 4, 2014

Hemps said:
Shot, my bad for not searching.

This should FIT my model?

http://www.dx.com/p/sata3-serial-hd...ook-pro-more-silver-black-328271#.U99B2cJUSCQ

Anyone know if it will make a difference if I choose a more expensive delivery option, will it still come through normal post office channel I suppose.

No idea - despite bookmarking those older threads, I never went back and tried it. But I think they're pretty much universal. Maybe Rocket Boy's proposal could be cheapest though...

bwana · Aug 4, 2014

Hemps said:
Shot, my bad for not searching.

This should FIT my model?

http://www.dx.com/p/sata3-serial-hd...ook-pro-more-silver-black-328271#.U99B2cJUSCQ

Anyone know if it will make a difference if I choose a more expensive delivery option, will it still come through normal post office channel I suppose.

Should fit.

Fusion drive?

Hemps · Aug 4, 2014

bwana said:
Should fit.

Fusion drive?

I read in the other forum you can "create" a fusion drive once I add this other HDD in the caddy?

bwana · Aug 4, 2014

Hemps said:
I read in the other forum you can "create" a fusion drive once I add this other HDD in the caddy?

Yes - it's pretty straight-forward. Clone your original drive, SSD in the caddy and HDD in the bay, run a few terminal commands, create a single logical drive, copy your cloned original back, and bob's your uncle.

Hemps · Aug 4, 2014

Rocket-Boy said:
*cough* new one lying in my cupboard, in East London... *cough*

Awesome news, sent you a PM.

Hemps · Aug 4, 2014

Awesome, so wife collected the caddy from Rocket-boy, hopefully it works come Tuesday morning and no more space issues.
I have a 1Tb and 750gb 2.5 hdd to fill the void and all for measly R100.

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