How To Upgrade The Internal 2.5" SATA Disk In An Apple Computer

Article ID = 58
Article Title = How To Upgrade The Internal 2.5" SATA Disk In An Apple Computer
Article Author(s) = Graham Needham (BH)
Article Created On = 18th October 2011
Article Last Updated = 17th August 2016
Article URL = https://www.macstrategy.com/article.php?58

Article Brief Description:
Instructions for upgrading the internal 2.5" SATA disk in a MacBook / MacBook Pro / Mac mini (Intel)

Upgrading The Hard Disk In Your MacBook / MacBook Pro / Mac mini (Intel)

List of computers that can be upgraded with rating for how easy it is to upgrade
Step by step instructions for upgrading your disk
Using your old disk in an external case
2.5" SATA disks
External 2.5" SATA disk cases
External 2.5" SATA docks
Thunderbolt Hard Drive Enclosures and Docks

Computers That Can Be Upgraded

How to identify your:

Easy Upgrades

All MacBook 13" Black/White Apple's hard disk upgrade instructions
MacBook 13" (Late 2008) Unibody model Apple's hard disk upgrade instructions (page 38)
All MacBook Pro 13" (Mid 2009 onwards) Unibody models Apple's hard disk upgrade instructions
All MacBook Pro 15" (Late 2008 onwards) Unibody models Apple's hard disk upgrade instructions (page 38)
All MacBook Pro 17" (Early 2009 onwards) Unibody models Apple's hard disk upgrade instructions

Hard Upgrades

MacBook Pro 15" (2006 to Early 2008) original Core Duo and Core 2 Duo models iFixit's repair guides
MacBook Pro 17" (2006 to Late 2008) original Core 2 Duo models iFixit's repair guides

Very Hard Upgrades

Mac Mini (Early 2006 to Late 2009) Intel white models iFixit's repair guides
Mac Mini (Mid 2010 onwards) Intel aluminium models iFixit's repair guides

NOTE

Only

Step By Step Instructions For Upgrading Your Disk

If you are upgrading to a Solid State Disk (SSD) see our article on upgrading to/using SSDs.

Backup or clone your boot disk
de-authorise/deactivate any software/services
Make sure you have plenty of time and space to perform the upgrade - use a clean, flat surface (a towel can be useful to prevent scratching/movement)

NOTE: A good tip is to use an ice cube tray for tracking screws that you may have to remove.

Prepare your tools and unpack your new disk
Upgrade the disk in your computer as per the individual instructions for the computer that you have
Boot your computer from your Mac OS X install disc or external installation device

NOTE: If you are using Mac OS X 10.7 Lion that came with your computer and you have not obtained the Lion disc image you will need to use the Lion Internet Recovery Mode

Erase install Mac OS X to the new disk, restore from your Time Machine backup/backup clone or migrate from your old drive in an external case

Using Your Old Disk In An External Case

Obtain an external 2.5" SATA disk case or dock
Install your old hard disk in the external case or connect it to the dock
Erase install Mac OS X on your new boot disk
At the account setup stage create an account with user name and password "setup"
Go to Macintosh HD > Applications > Utilities > Migration Assistant
Connect the external case/dock with your old disk in it to your computer
In the Migration Assistant follow the on screen instructions and at the Migration Method stage select "From a Time Machine backup or other disk"
Transfer your user account(s), applications and system settings as required
Wait for the migration to complete

NOTE: Be patient as the migration could take a long time especially if your old disk was large and/or you are using a USB connection.

Once the migration has been completed logout (Apple menu > logout) and login with your usual user account.
Test everything is working okay on your new boot disk and in your usual user account
Now make a new up-to-date backup or clone your new boot disk
Go to Apple menu > System Preferences > System > Accounts (or Users & Groups in Lion) > select the "setup" account on the left > click the "-" button to delete the account and choose the "Delete the home folder"
If you are going to reuse the old disk format/partition it as required
If you are going to sell the old disk or give it to someone else securely erase it first

2.5" SATA disks

2.5" SATA hard disks

Hitachi Travelstar 7K1000 7200rpm

Hitachi Travelstar 7K1000 7200rpm 750GB (part code = HTS721075A9E630)
Hitachi Travelstar 7K1000 7200rpm 1TB (part code = HTS721010A9E630)

Hitachi Travelstar 7K750 7200rpm

Hitachi Travelstar 7K750 7200rpm 500GB (part code = HTS727550A9E364)
Hitachi Travelstar 7K750 7200rpm 640GB (part code = HTS727564A9E364)
Hitachi Travelstar 7K750 7200rpm 750GB (part code = HTS727575A9E364)

Hitachi Travelstar 5K1500 5400rpm

Hitachi Travelstar 5K1500 5400rpm 1.5TB (part code = HTS541515A9E630)

Hitachi Travelstar 5K1000 5400rpm

Hitachi Travelstar 5K1000 5400rpm 640GB (part code = HTS541064A9E680)
Hitachi Travelstar 5K1000 5400rpm 750GB (part code = HTS541075A9E680)
Hitachi Travelstar 5K1000 5400rpm 1TB (part code = HTS541010A9E680)

Hitachi Travelstar 5K750 5400rpm bare drives

Hitachi Travelstar 5K750 5400rpm 500GB (part code = HTS547550A9E384)
Hitachi Travelstar 5K750 5400rpm 640GB (part code = HTS547564A9E384)
Hitachi Travelstar 5K750 5400rpm 750GB (part code = HTS547575A9E384)

Western Digital Scorpio Black 7200rpm

Western Digital Scorpio Black 7200rpm 160GB (part code = WD1600BEKT)
Western Digital Scorpio Black 7200rpm 250GB (part code = WD2500BEKT)
Western Digital Scorpio Black 7200rpm 320GB (part code = WD3200BEKT)
Western Digital Scorpio Black 7200rpm 500GB (part code = WD5000BPKT)
Western Digital Scorpio Black 7200rpm 750GB (part code = WD7500BPKT)

Western Digital Scorpio Blue 5400rpm

Western Digital Scorpio Blue 5400rpm 160GB (part code = WD1600BPVT)
Western Digital Scorpio Blue 5400rpm 250GB (part code = WD2500BPVT)
Western Digital Scorpio Blue 5400rpm 320GB (part code = WD3200BPVT)
Western Digital Scorpio Blue 5400rpm 500GB (part code = WD5000BPVT)
Western Digital Scorpio Blue 5400rpm 640GB (part code = WD6400BPVT)
Western Digital Scorpio Blue 5400rpm 750GB (part code = WD7500BPVT)
Western Digital Scorpio Blue 5400rpm 1TB (part code = WD10JPVT)

Seagate Laptop HDD 5400rpm 9.5mm

NOTE

not

Seagate Laptop HDD 1TB (5400rpm) (part code = STBD1000100)
Seagate Laptop HDD 2TB (5400rpm) (part code = STBD2000102)

Seagate Laptop HDD 7mm

NOTE

not

Seagate Laptop HDD 1TB (part code = ST1000LM035)
Seagate Laptop HDD 2TB (part code = ST2000LM007)

Seagate Laptop HDD 7200.4 7200rpm (formerly known as Momentus)

NOTE

not

Seagate Laptop HDD 7200.4 160GB (7200rpm) (part code = ST9160412AS)
Seagate Laptop HDD 7200.4 250GB (7200rpm) (part code = ST9250410AS)
Seagate Laptop HDD 7200.4 320GB (7200rpm) (part code = ST9320423AS)
Seagate Laptop HDD 7200.4 500GB (7200rpm) (part code = ST9500420AS)
Seagate Laptop HDD 7200.4 500GB (7200rpm) (part code = ST9750420AS)

Seagate Laptop HDD 5400.6 5400rpm (formerly known as Momentus)

NOTE

not

Seagate Laptop HDD 5400.6 250GB (5400rpm) (part code = ST9250315AS)
Seagate Laptop HDD 5400.6 320GB (5400rpm) (part code = ST9320325AS)
Seagate Laptop HDD 5400.6 500GB (5400rpm) (part code = ST9500325AS)
Seagate Laptop HDD 5400.6 640GB (5400rpm) (part code = ST9640320AS)
Seagate Laptop HDD 5400.6 750GB (5400rpm) (part code = ST9750423AS)

Toshiba 2.5" L200 5400rpm

Toshiba L200 500GB (5400rpm) (part code = HDWJ105EZSTA)
Toshiba L200 1TB (5400rpm) (part code = HDWJ110EZSTA)

Toshiba 2.5" internal hard drive

Toshiba 500GB (5400rpm) (part code = PH2050U-1I54)
Toshiba 1TB (5400rpm) (part code = PH2100U-1I54)

WARNING! From 2017 some storage products are SATA III only - they are not backwards compatible with SATA I or II and will not work (properly) in older computers. Please check specifications exactly and if installing in an older computer make sure the storage product is backwards compatible/has manually adjustable "jumpers" for the version of SATA that you need.

2.5" SATA hybrid hard disks

Seagate Laptop SSHD Solid State Hybrid (formerly known as Momentus XT)

Seagate Laptop SSHD 500GB (7200rpm) + NAND Flash / 7mm height (part code = ST500LM000)
Seagate Momentus XT/Laptop SSHD 750GB (7200rpm) + 8GB Flash / 9.5mm height (part code = STBD750201)
Seagate Laptop SSHD 1TB (7200rpm) + NAND Flash (part code = ST1000LM014)
Seagate Laptop SSHD 1TB (7200rpm) + NAND Flash - RETAIL KIT (part code = STBD1000400)
Seagate Momentus XT/Laptop SSHD 500GB (7200rpm) + 4GB Flash (part code = ST95005620AS)
Seagate Momentus XT/Laptop SSHD 750GB (7200rpm) + 8GB Flash (part code = ST750LX003)

Toshiba H200 High-Performance Hybrid Drive

Toshiba H200 High-Performance Hybrid Drive 500GB (7200rpm) + Flash (part code = HDWM105EZSTA)
Toshiba H200 High-Performance Hybrid Drive 1TB (7200rpm) + Flash (part code = HDWM110EZSTA)

2.5" SATA Solid State Disks (SSDs)

If you are upgrading to a Solid State Disk (SSD) see our article on upgrading to/using SSDs.

Samsung 860 EVO

Samsung 860 EVO SSD 4TB (part code = MZ-76E4T0B/EU)
Samsung 860 EVO SSD 2TB (part code = MZ-76E2T0B/EU)
Samsung 860 EVO SSD 1TB (part code = MZ-76E1T0B/EU)
Samsung 860 EVO SSD 500GB (part code = MZ-76E500B/EU)
Samsung 860 EVO SSD 250GB (part code = MZ-76E250B/EU)

Samsung 860 PRO

Samsung 860 PRO SSD 2TB (part code = MZ-76P2T0B/EU)
Samsung 860 PRO SSD 1TB (part code = MZ-76P1T0B/EU)
Samsung 860 PRO SSD 512GB (part code = MZ-76P512B/EU)
Samsung 860 PRO SSD 256GB (part code = MZ-76P256B/EU)

Samsung 850 EVO

Samsung 850 EVO SSD 4TB (part code = MZ-75E4T0)
Samsung 850 EVO SSD 2TB (part code = MZ-75E2T0)
Samsung 850 EVO SSD 1TB (part code = MZ-75E1T0)
Samsung 850 EVO SSD 500GB (part code = MZ-75E500)
Samsung 850 EVO SSD 250GB (part code = MZ-75E250)
Samsung 850 EVO SSD 120GB (part code = MZ-75E120)

Samsung 850 PRO

Samsung 850 PRO SSD 2TB (part code = MZ-7KE2T0)
Samsung 850 PRO SSD 1TB (part code = MZ-7KE1T0)
Samsung 850 PRO SSD 512GB (part code = MZ-7KE512)
Samsung 850 PRO SSD 256GB (part code = MZ-7KE256)
Samsung 850 PRO SSD 128GB (part code = MZ-7KE128)

Toshiba/OCZ TR150 SSD

OCZ TR150 SSD 960GB (part code = TRN150-25SAT3-960G)
OCZ TR150 SSD 480GB (part code = TRN150-25SAT3-480G)
OCZ TR150 SSD 240GB (part code = TRN150-25SAT3-240G)
OCZ TR150 SSD 120GB (part code = TRN150-25SAT3-120G)

Toshiba/OCZ VT180 SSD

OCZ TR150 SSD 960GB (part code = VTR180-25SAT3-960G)
OCZ TR150 SSD 480GB (part code = VTR180-25SAT3-480G)
OCZ TR150 SSD 240GB (part code = VTR180-25SAT3-240G)
OCZ TR150 SSD 120GB (part code = VTR180-25SAT3-120G)

NOTE: Special information on using drives that are larger than 2TB.

Thunderbolt Hard Drive Enclosures and Docks

AKiTiO Thunder2 Duo Pro (part code = T2DP-THU3IAA-AKTU)
HighPoint Dual SATA Bay Thunderbolt 10Gbps Storage Dock (part code = RocketStor 5212)
Buy it now at

NOTE: Special information on using drives that are larger than 2TB.

Authorised/Activated Software and/or Services

Apple software and related services
Adobe Creative Suite/Creative Cloud and other products/services
Microsoft Office 2011/2016/2019/365 for Mac but not Office 2004 or 2008
Microsoft Windows and other products/services
QuarkXPress
Enfocus Pitstop Pro
Mathworks MATLAB and Simulink Student Version
Unity Technologies Unity 3D
OnOne Software Perfect Photo Suite and other products

NOTE: If you know of any other Macintosh software that requires activation please contact us.

Article Keywords: install new replace replacement upgrade upgrading MacBook Pro Mac mini macmini hard disk drive HDD 2.5" SATA solid state SSD upgrade hard disk upgrade hard drive Macintosh

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How To Upgrade The Internal 2.5" SATA Disk In An Apple Computer

Upgrading The Hard Disk In Your MacBook / MacBook Pro / Mac mini (Intel)

Computers That Can Be Upgraded

Easy Upgrades

Hard Upgrades

Very Hard Upgrades

Step By Step Instructions For Upgrading Your Disk

Using Your Old Disk In An External Case

2.5" SATA disks

2.5" SATA hard disks

2.5" SATA hybrid hard disks

2.5" SATA Solid State Disks (SSDs)

External 2.5" SATA disk cases/enclosures

External 2.5" SATA Drive Docks and Connectors

Universal 2.5"/3.5" PATA/SATA Drive Docks and Connectors

Thunderbolt Hard Drive Enclosures and Docks

Authorised/Activated Software and/or Services