I own a 17" early 2009 unibody MBP 2.93 GHz (model 5,2), running Mountain Lion, fully software updated, with 8GB RAM and a 7200 rpm 750GB HDD.
I'm trying to squeeze every drop out of it before having to shell over 3K to Apple for a new MBP.
I've been debating getting an OWC Data Doubler and SSD and putting those in with my current HDD, or instead buying a Seagate Momentus XT 750GB and sticking my current HDD in an external enclosure.
The Momentus would be the cheaper route to go, require less surgery, and from what I've read, real-world usage would approach SSD after it had a little time to learn my computing / app launching / etc habits.
The problem is that I've read SSD blogs describing problems hooking up Sata III drives to 2009 MBP's. Apparently, the controller in the MBP downgrades the link all the way to Sata I speeds (1.5 Mbit), and not the laptop's rated capable Sata II (3 Mbit).
So....question is whether or not the Momentus XT 750GB, which is a Sata III drive, will only get Sata I speeds in my machine? If that's the case, I may have to go with Data Doubler / SSD route.
Also, I know that the earlier Momentus XT models were Sata II, but if I'm right, those models maxed out at 500GB capacity, which isn't enough for me. Also, I read several blogs describing serious problems with the older models on 2009 MBP's - big, basic things like installing OS X on the drive, peoples' machines being rendered useless, drives being returned, etc.
If anyone has first hand knowledge or experience with this, I'd be grateful to hear about it.
Thank you!
I'm trying to squeeze every drop out of it before having to shell over 3K to Apple for a new MBP.
I've been debating getting an OWC Data Doubler and SSD and putting those in with my current HDD, or instead buying a Seagate Momentus XT 750GB and sticking my current HDD in an external enclosure.
The Momentus would be the cheaper route to go, require less surgery, and from what I've read, real-world usage would approach SSD after it had a little time to learn my computing / app launching / etc habits.
The problem is that I've read SSD blogs describing problems hooking up Sata III drives to 2009 MBP's. Apparently, the controller in the MBP downgrades the link all the way to Sata I speeds (1.5 Mbit), and not the laptop's rated capable Sata II (3 Mbit).
So....question is whether or not the Momentus XT 750GB, which is a Sata III drive, will only get Sata I speeds in my machine? If that's the case, I may have to go with Data Doubler / SSD route.
Also, I know that the earlier Momentus XT models were Sata II, but if I'm right, those models maxed out at 500GB capacity, which isn't enough for me. Also, I read several blogs describing serious problems with the older models on 2009 MBP's - big, basic things like installing OS X on the drive, peoples' machines being rendered useless, drives being returned, etc.
If anyone has first hand knowledge or experience with this, I'd be grateful to hear about it.
Thank you!
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