Solid State Disk, a generic term for computer storage devices that have no moving parts and do not involve a "hard disk". A hard disk, in contrast, is a device incorporating a spinning platter or platters that store information magnetically.
28
votes
12answers
17k views
Why would I disable swap file in Mac OS X?
I came across a thread about installing an SSD drive in MacBook Pro.
Someone in the comments also recommended to disable the swap file but didn't say why:
sudo launchctl unload -w ...
10
votes
1answer
3k views
Replacing SuperDrive with secondary storage?
I'm familiar with the OWC Data Doubler, a kit which allows you to remove your Macbook's SuperDrive and replace it with secondary storage.
What alternatives exist for this product?
A complete answer ...
15
votes
5answers
2k views
Does the use of SSD give one a dramatic performance boost?
I use Mac book pro 15", and it's time to buy a new one.
For HDD, now I see a new option of SSD, which is pretty expensive.
I can expect shorter boot-up time and faster access of files, but I'm not ...
4
votes
1answer
872 views
Turning off hibernate on a MacBook Pro with an SSD
I've been reading several articles on the Internet how to "optimize your Mac with an SSD". I'm not sure whether or not to agree with the articles because I think that Apple knows what's the best ...
19
votes
2answers
5k views
Optimize macbook pro for internal SSD+HDD drives
I upgraded my MacBook Pro by replacing the SuperDrive with an SSD. I'm now using the SSD as the boot volume and have all my applications. My home folder is on the HDD.
My question is how to best ...
41
votes
8answers
13k views
Can I make a DIY Fusion Drive?
I have a Mac Mini with two drives: a 256GB SSD and a 500GB HDD. From what I've read, the new Fusion Drive does all of it's magic in software, using the Core Storage APIs.
Can I get my setup to ...
2
votes
3answers
6k views
Is it worth upgrading my MacBook hard drive to an SSD?
I have a mid 2007 white MacBook. I don't currently have the money to get a new computer (even though I'd love to). I was thinking with all the good reports coming out with the SSD performance in ...
3
votes
1answer
1k views
MacBook SSD replacement — sudden motion shock sensor in optical bay?
When looking to upgrade a MacBook Pro with a solid state drive (SSD), one option is to:
First, install the SSD instead of the spinning hard disk drive (HDD).
Then, install the HDD instead of the ...
1
vote
3answers
1k views
Trouble with SSD/HDD in Macbook Pro Mid 2009
When my original HDD crashed I wanted to change it and choose a Samsung HDD (I don't not the exact model anymore). The problem with this one was that the system often hanged for several seconds until ...
1
vote
1answer
516 views
What type of bracket to use for HDD/SSD in optical bay? (MCE vs. OWC)
Looking for a bracket/adapter/caddy for installing a HDD/SSD where the MacBook Pro SuperDrive used to be.
There are two general types:
1) Minimalist open-type brackets (in the truest sense of the ...
14
votes
4answers
2k views
MBP SSD upgrade - which settings to change?
After replacing the harddisk drive in MacBook Pro with a Solid State Disk I am wondering which settings I should change and how.
Thinking of things that are supposed to protect the SSD like
...
18
votes
7answers
16k views
Is there a way to securely erase an SSD on my MacBook Air?
I have a late 2011 MacBook Air with an SSD and Lion. I used it for a while and then I activated File Vault 2. Now the data is encrypted, but I need to securely erase it so I can sell the computer.
I ...
14
votes
2answers
3k views
How to securely erase an SSD drive?
I'm pretty new to SSD technology, so I don't know how it compares to hard drives when it comes to securely erasing the drive. Is it enough to run Disk Utility and erase the drive with the option ...
4
votes
6answers
4k views
Macbook Pro Upgrade - 16GB RAM or 128GB SSD
I am asking myself which constellation is better: should I stock up my RAM up to 16GB (from 8GB), or should I buy a SSD with 128GB??
I really dont know :/
Cheers!
BTW: My macbook supports 16GB ...
3
votes
1answer
7k views
What brand of SSD does apple use for their LATE 2011 MacBook Pros? [closed]
The ones that came out on October 2011. Models #:
MD311*/A, MD313*/A, MD314*/A, MD318*/A or MD322*/A
The SSD options are listed here with no detailed information:
...
2
votes
1answer
484 views
Are “generic” Optical Bay Hard Drive Enclosures for Macbook Pros just as good as Optibay/OWC
I'm looking at replacing my DVD drive in my Macbook Pro with an SSD. The Optibay and OWC solutions seem awfully expensive compared to "knockoffs" found on Amazon and eBay.
Do these knockoff products ...
2
votes
3answers
2k views
What is the point with iMac + SSD?
The newly released iMac can be built with an optional 256 GB SSD. To complement this, the new iMac's also contains the Intel Z68 chipset:
Z68 mproves performance by putting files
that are ...
1
vote
0answers
203 views
How to keep /Volumes symbolic links from getting auto-deleted?
I moved my /Users directory to a separate disk/partition (to get it off my SSD boot disk) as per this post. However, some things (like double-clicks of .html files to be viewed in a an Opera browser) ...
1
vote
3answers
2k views
What manufacturer and model SSD drive are in the Early 2011 MacBook Pro?
Thinking about getting the new MBP but cannot decide if the SSD upgrade is worth it; $100 dollars to bump to the 128 is small money but SSD drives vary widely in performance. trying to decide if I ...
13
votes
5answers
8k views
Is a 3-5 second delay normal for a Retina MacBook Pro to wake up from sleep?
For 3 days, I now got a new rMBP. I am a first time Mac user.
I had a friend with a MBP and it usually wakes up in a mere second, as soon as he opens the laptop's lid up. However in my Retina MBP, it ...
5
votes
4answers
1k views
How can I best use an SSD?
I have a Mac Pro, and I've added an Intel 80GB SSD to improve performance in LightRoom and Photoshop. So far so good.
But after moving all of my current work, catalogs, etc. to the SSD, I still have ...
9
votes
2answers
1k views
What happens at the Mac OS level when the SSD finally wears out?
I have been reading up on SSD technology and don't know of any first hand reports on what happens when an SSD eventually fails due to over use. I am most interested in the SSD that apple includes as a ...
5
votes
4answers
830 views
Can I configure an SSD and HDD to be one logic volume in Lion?
I recently purchased a 120GB SSD that will replace my optical drive in my MBP. It also has a 500GB 7200RPM hard drive.
Is it possible to have a single logical volume that uses both physical disks in ...
8
votes
3answers
3k views
Is the retina Macbook Pro's SSD soldered into the logic board?
The Macbook Air's SSD can be manually upgraded.
The RAM of the Macbook Air and retina MBP however are soldered into the logic board.
Question
Is the retina Macbook Pro's SSD soldered into the logic ...
5
votes
2answers
3k views
Slow SSD Performance on iMac
I recently replaced my broken SuperDrive with an OCZ Agility 3 120GB SSD with the following specs:
2.5" SATA 6Gb/s
SandForce 2281 Controller
Read 525Mb/s
Write 500Mb/s
85K IOPS
I have an ...
4
votes
0answers
384 views
Copy Crucial SSD Firmware Update ISO to Bootable USB
I want to start with the Crucial SSD Firmware Update and copy the ISO to a bootable Mac USB stick, using a minimal set of tools. I hope that means using only built-in Mac software, such as Disk ...
3
votes
1answer
2k views
Issues with installing SSD instead of DVD drive?
It is common to replace a MacBook Pro's hard disk drive (HDD) with an solid state drive (SSD), however, that may pose a threat to the HDD if installed in the optical bay instead of the SuperDrive.*
...
3
votes
2answers
761 views
Hard Disk Transfer to SSD - 2007 MacBook and Lion
I've recently asked a question regarding fitting a Crucial 256GB SSD (Part No : CT1742109) into my 2007 MacBook (model MB061LL/A), however when researching the transfer process something isn't too ...
3
votes
1answer
2k views
What is the connector used by the MBA's SATA drive?
I wonder what kind of connector is used in the latest MacBook Air for the SATA drive.
SATA Express?
When I first saw the gumstick SSD drive I thought it was using a SATA Express connector.
But when ...
1
vote
1answer
483 views
Compatible SSD for Macbook Pro (replace HDD)?
Any special compatibility concerns when replacing the HDD on a MBP with an SSD? I am running Parallels with XP Pro and Ubuntu and have been disk bound for some time. Not too concerned about size, ...
0
votes
2answers
2k views
Freezes on MacBook w/ Lion with Intel 330 SSD
I installed an Intel 330 SSD (120GB) in my MacBook (4,1) a few weeks ago. I reinstalled a fresh Mac OS X Lion (10.7.4) to make sure there are no issues with the new drive.
However, since then I ...
0
votes
1answer
721 views
Solving a problem on a MacBook Pro 5,1 with an OCZ Agility 3 SSD
I installed Mac OS X lion on an SSD (through USB) after checking the firmware was the latest version (2.15). When I transferred the SSD into the MacBook Pro (like i usually do after an install) but it ...
9
votes
9answers
3k views
What is the benefit of using flash memory in the Macbook Air?
I don't understand why Apple does not use SSD drives in the Macbook Air like some other manufacturers to (e.g. Asus, Samsung). The technical specifications of the Macbook Air on Apple's website never ...
3
votes
3answers
4k views
New Macbook Pro 2012 Operating System onto new SSD?
A friend has just bought a brand new Macbook Pro with Mountain Lion OS. We are going to install an SSD to replace the standard HD that it shipped with, however, it looks like Apple don't ship with the ...
3
votes
5answers
4k views
Is it worth it to upgrade a mid-2007 MacBook (MB061LL/A) to use an SSD?
I would sincerely love a new MacBook, but I can't justify spending the prices that are being touted by Apple what with life to pay for and everything. I upgraded my memory to 2GB a while ago, but am ...
2
votes
2answers
959 views
Is the performance of Lion + SSD + Filevault2 good enough for a system primarily used for application developemnt?
I'm looking to buy a MacBook Pro w/ SSD.
I was wondering if anyone out there has noticed any significant performance drop with FileVault2 enabled for the following tasks:
Small (under 2 GB) ...
2
votes
1answer
332 views
Prevent automatic removal of the Spotlight index due to low disk space
I am guessing that when disk space runs low, it automatically deletes the Spotlight index to make room for virtual memory. Then when space becomes available it reindexes. But I'm not sure about that. ...
1
vote
1answer
267 views
SSD adapter for optical drive
I'm going to add a SSD drive to my macbook pro.
I'm wondering if the optical drive adapter can have any influence on the disk speed, taking it down from a SATA III to a SATA II or I.
1
vote
6answers
9k views
Recommended MacBook Pro 13 (mid 2012) SSD upgrade?
I am going to buy the high end MacBook Pro mid 2012. I want to get an SSD, but the BTO options given by Apple are too pricey in my opinion.
Which third party SSD (512 GB) are recommended (for ...
0
votes
1answer
1k views
Which SSD Thunderbolt Product For Main Boot Drive for my iMac?
So I have a 2012 iMac. I got the base model 21.5" which means I have a painfully slow 5400 RPM hard drive. The pure SSD option would have cost $1,300 ($1 more than the $1,299 base price) if I could ...
0
votes
2answers
135 views
How to install an Operating System after replacing optical Drive by a second HDD on MacBook white late 2009?
I want to improve the performance of my MacBook white by donating it a Solid State Drive.
Because the prices are too high and I don't want to get stuck in space shortage, I thought of replacing the ...
0
votes
2answers
486 views
Optimal configuration for MacBook with small SSD and big HDD?
I am looking for an optimal configuration for a MacBook Pro that was converted to have two disks: primary one one SSD of around 100-200 GB and second one of 500-750 GB (the original drive that was ...
0
votes
0answers
1k views
SSD behaves strangely, then suddenly fails, but checks show no problems
A few days ago, I've installed an additional SSD (as a main system disk) into my 2011 Mac mini (manual installation using Ifixit's Mac mini Dual Harddrive Kit) that first behaved strangely and today ...
