Apple Mac SSD Installation

Hope

Hope

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Just fitted an SSD into my Mac and wanted to share :)

I already have an SSD in my Air but it just isn't comparable. The drive I have gone for is a Vertex 2E.

6:18PM - Installation Started
 
6:32PM - Done :)

That must be pretty decent for a full install :D
 
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I put one in my old MacBook Air about 12 months ago and what a difference!

Just got myself a new MacBook Air with a 256 SSD :D
 
Nice!

I ran some benchmarks, the SSD in the Tower is pushing through 200MB/S +

The one in the MacBook Air that came from Apple is barely getting 20-30!

The old mechanical drive in the tower got 40 :( I dont know why the Air is so low

Have you run XBench on yours Badger?
 
Just ran it on the new one and am getting an average of 216MB/s on sequential/random read/write.

Will check the old one once my girlfriend has finished what she's doing in Windows :cuckoo:
 
Aah, I thought that as long as you aren't editing on the drive you will get away with it.
So how do Apple get away with it in the Airs?? No wonder the air is running so slooow!
 
Original MBA with a Runcore 128GB SSD (fitted about 12 months ago) is only getting average of 110 :(
 
I'm tempted to install an SSD in my i5 MacBook Pro. It's currently got a 500GB 7200rpm WD Scorpio Black, but I'm thinking of getting a caddy to replace the superdrive with the 500GB drive, and pick up a 64GB SSD for the main OS/apps.
 
Go for it, if it doesn't cost too much, I mean I am running this machine now with 10GB usage on the boot drive.
 
I've seen a 64GB Kingston SSDNow for under £80 which isn't too bad and seems the best value wise. I'm just sorting out my external storage at the moment but I think once that's done, I'll go for it.
 
I haven't heard good things about those. I went for the OCZ Vertex 2E, 60GB for just under £90 it was.
 
Apologies for dragging up an old thread, but just wondering how you were getting on with your Vertex 2E? I'm most likely going to be ordering one this weekend, is it still the best one to go for under £100?
 
Hey!

It is still running fine, I will do a speed test tonight for you to see how it is transferring still but you know what it is like you get used to the speed then forget about it.

I believe there is some new stuff out but nothing special really. This still gives a good bang for buck ;)
 
If you're running the OCZ Vertex 2E then it has automatic garbage collection (just like TRIM) so no issues running on a Mac.

Had the 128GB Vertex 2E in 2 Macbook Pro's (an early 2008 C2D and a 2010 Cire i5) and both work speedily after months of use.

arad85 said:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TRIM

If you don't have TRIM, the drive can't garbage collect which means it gets slower and slower with time. OSX doesn't have TRIM support.
Click to expand...
 
Thanks for the responses. I went for the 60GB Vertex 2E in the end, it arrived last week and I've installed it in my MacBook Pro. At the moment I've just done a clean Snow Leopard install and in the process of installing my programs, but in general it does feel snappier (boots in 19 seconds, CS5 launches in 4 seconds!)

I'm just waiting for my Optibay to arrive (cheap version from China) so I can install my 500GB drive in the Superdrive slot and move my home folder there, and then move across all my docs. I've got an external USB DVDRW for the few times I need to use optical media anyway.

Just one thing, my SSD is on firmware 1.32, I noticed the latest is 1.33. Is it necessary to upgrade, and if so how without access to a Windows PC?
 
TRIM and garbage collect operate different. Garbage collect only does its thing when the drive is idle whilst TRIM works whenever a file is deleted (emptied from trash, not just moved to trash).

Regardless, OSX Lion will support TRIM.
 
You didn't fancy the Vertex 3 then, supposed to be much faster.
Windows 7 supports Trim, OSX has to wait for next release.
 
OSX lion will include Trim.

Vertex 2E's are probably one of the most unreliable SSD's possible, ive had 3 fail on me.

If your machine stops working and the SSD has a red light on it the only way to fix is replacement.

They are cheap for a reason unfortunately
 
Ah that's a bit concerning. I'm glad I ordered from Amazon anyway, they are usually good if there is a problem. And plus I back up regularly anyway just in case!
 
2 points to make:

1.Have had mine around 6 months now without any issues, I know lots of people in the same position
2. This is only a 60GB OS drive, worst case scenario it goes and you lose nothing! I know if mine went today I certainly wouldn't lose anything
 
wicker_man said:
Ah that's a bit concerning. I'm glad I ordered from Amazon anyway, they are usually good if there is a problem. And plus I back up regularly anyway just in case!
Click to expand...
The 2E doesn't use the latest SandForce controllers... You should be OK (at least I hope so as my SSD is a 2E...)
 
Silly question, but what ssd's are you running in the macbook air?
Every time i find one apple stop the company from selling them :s (apart from there own product offering)
 
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