How much to upgrade to a SSD?

D37 · Sep 29th, 2011, 11:22 PM

Hey everyone, I have a Macbook Pro 15' Core i5 with 4gb ram and 500gb 5400rpm Hard Drive.

I'm looking to possibly get a 256GB SSD because I hear that it really speeds your computer up. Although from looking around it looks like I'd be paying around $400 for a 256 SSD. Does anyone know where I can get a better deal than that and for a good brand?

Thanks in advance

Andrew Pratt · Sep 29th, 2011, 11:24 PM

Buy an OCZ Agility 3 drive or a OWC drive as they're two of the better models for your Mac. As for where if you're buying Ram as well the usual suspects are all good choices (CanadaRam, Newegg, CanadaComputers, MemoryExpress etc). Also flash the firmware on the SSD BEFORE you install it in your MacBook. It can be done once it is installed but its much easier to do in a windows machine.

D37 · Sep 29th, 2011, 11:59 PM

	Quote:			Originally Posted by Andrew Pratt
	Buy an OCZ Agility 3 drive or a OWC drive as they're two of the better models for your Mac. As for where if you're buying Ram as well the usual suspects are all good choices (CanadaRam, Newegg, CanadaComputers, MemoryExpress etc). Also flash the firmware on the SSD BEFORE you install it in your MacBook. It can be done once it is installed but its much easier to do in a windows machine.

Thanks for the info. Is there anything cheaper then that? I might have to wait until they come down in price.

i-rui · Sep 30th, 2011, 12:38 AM

any feedback on the Corsair Force Series ?? i saw a decent deal on a refurb and was thinking of getting one.

macintosh doctor · Sep 30th, 2011, 08:34 AM

	Quote:			Originally Posted by Andrew Pratt
	Also flash the firmware on the SSD BEFORE you install it in your MacBook. It can be done once it is installed but its much easier to do in a windows machine.

OWC supports flashing from a MAC
another brand that I think is under rated - Patriot wildfire which is getting good reviews
and can be bought in Canada.

macintosh doctor · Sep 30th, 2011, 09:40 AM

Patriot Wildfire 240 GB about $ 600 - it is 6G ( comes with a free 3.5" bracket )
- speeds up to Maximum Read Transfer Rate: 555 MBps
Maximum Write Transfer Rate: 520 MBps
Technical Information

Storage Capacity: 240 GB
Platform Supported: Mac
Platform Supported: PC
Features: Garbage Collection
Features: RAISE
Features: TRIM Command
Features: DuraWrite
Features: DuraClass

screature · Sep 30th, 2011, 10:38 AM

	Quote:			Originally Posted by Andrew Pratt
	Buy an OCZ Agility 3 drive or a OWC drive as they're two of the better models for your Mac. As for where if you're buying Ram as well the usual suspects are all good choices (CanadaRam, Newegg, CanadaComputers, MemoryExpress etc). Also flash the firmware on the SSD BEFORE you install it in your MacBook. It can be done once it is installed but its much easier to do in a windows machine.

Why? I never had to flash the firmware on my OWC SSD.

Andrew Pratt · Oct 1st, 2011, 12:04 AM

I can't speak to the OWC devices but for the rest upgrading to the newer firmwares often fixes performance/stability issues. OWC supports upgrading their firmware from an OSX device where the rest need to boot from a Linux DVD which sometimes works though not always.

stay AWAY from the Corsair Force drives...they have serious issues with Mac's.

chas_m · Oct 1st, 2011, 05:05 AM

To the OP: what is is specifically about your incredibly fast MacBook Pro that you find slow? What do you think will change by using an SSD?

milhaus · Oct 1st, 2011, 08:55 AM

	Quote:			Originally Posted by chas_m
	To the OP: what is is specifically about your incredibly fast MacBook Pro that you find slow? What do you think will change by using an SSD?

Spoken like someone who has never used an SSD before ... Even a brand new MBP will be substantially sped up with an SSD.