Filed under: Hardware, MacBook
If you've got a MacBook with a cramped hard drive, and you're kind of handy, check out this official DIY manual from Apple. As someone who has changed the drives on beastly Nubus Macs and 1st generation iMacs, I can tell you that the process described here is a breeze. Holding the Command key (aka the Apple key) and pressing Tab will cycle through your open applications. It's easier to Cmd-Tab if you are Copy (Cmd-C) and Pasting (Cmd-V) to and from various applications.
![TUAW [Cafepress]](http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.tuaw.com/media/tuaw-cafepress-promo.png)
Advertise with us. (Learn more)
| # | Blogger | Posts | Cmts |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Steven Sande | 40 | 13 |
| 2 | Michael Rose | 32 | 27 |
| 3 | Mel Martin | 30 | 0 |
| 4 | Mike Schramm | 27 | 1 |
| 5 | Victor Agreda, Jr. | 25 | 8 |
| 6 | Brett Terpstra | 18 | 11 |
| 7 | Erica Sadun | 18 | 2 |
| 8 | Megan Lavey | 16 | 6 |
| 9 | Dave Caolo | 14 | 0 |
| 10 | Robert Palmer | 14 | 5 |
| 11 | David Winograd | 12 | 0 |
| 12 | Chris Rawson | 12 | 0 |
| 13 | Michael Jones | 10 | 0 |
| 14 | Christina Warren | 10 | 28 |
| 15 | Tim Wasson | 8 | 0 |
| 16 | Sang Tang | 7 | 1 |
| 17 | Cory Bohon | 6 | 0 |
| 18 | Casey Johnston | 6 | 0 |
| 19 | Jason Clarke | 6 | 1 |
| 20 | Mat Lu | 4 | 0 |
AppReview audio developers IpodTouch gaming AppStore SoftwareUpdate wwdc Iphone3gS safari video free software store apple att iPhone app-store ipod-touch wwdc09 retail breakingnews update iphoneos twitter design microsoft gps SnowLeopard itunes mobileme Iphone3g game games MacbookPro mac IphoneOs3.0 security ipod podcast AppleStore music travel features AskTuaw rumors MacOsX apps macbook giveaway
All contents copyright © 2003-2009, Weblogs, Inc. All rights reserved
The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) is a member of the Weblogs, Inc. Network. Privacy Policy, Terms of Service, Notify AOL
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
joe said 10:16AM on 5-14-2007
Macbooks have only been out for a year. Way to stay ahead of the curve.
Reply
Mark (UK) said 10:39AM on 5-14-2007
All the DIY guides are here http://www.apple.com/support/diy/
Mark
Reply
Chris Hauserman said 10:47AM on 5-14-2007
Did this myself a few weeks ago - what the instructions dont tell you is if you buy a 3rd party hard drive, you need to swap over the cover that comes on the apple hard drive to the 3rd party one before you install it - advised by apple to do this cause it protects the hard drive from interference. It requires a special tool (weird looking one) which my local computer shop let me borrow for the few minutes it took me to swap it over.
Reply
Sarah said 10:48AM on 5-14-2007
WOAH!!
I've had the change the harddrive on my ibook, and that involved basically stripping her down to her frame ... this is WAY easier! Good on you Apple!
Reply
Ryan said 11:17AM on 5-14-2007
Also keep in mind you need to buy a drive that apple "likes". I spoke to a representative on the phone and she asked me if I purchased the replacement drive at an apple store (yeah and get ripped off), I said no. She then asked if it was apple approved or something along those lines. If it wasnt that alone voided the warranty. Just like unverified drivers for windows these companies look for any reason to back out of their customer service and warranties.
Reply
brian said 11:36AM on 5-14-2007
Note that only applies to MacBook... um, non-Pros. (God, I hate the new naming. This is on reason why--there's no distinct clear way to refer to "MacBooks but not MacBook Pros." Which, of course, should be called "MacBooks Pro." :-) )
Aaaanyway, yes: MacBooks are a breeze--3 captive screws--but MacBook Pros are much more difficult to get into.
Also, there are nice guides here: http://www.ifixit.com/Guide/Mac/
Site navigation is a bit wonky but the guides are nice. (No, I haven't looked at the Apple guides, so I can't compare.)
Reply
Aaron said 12:35PM on 5-14-2007
Yep, did this within 4 months of getting my macbook and not by choice...I kinda would have preferred it to be more difficult, would have reflected my feelings related to the experience
Reply
Grof Flek said 1:14PM on 5-14-2007
Chris Hauserman (the guy behind the 3rd post). Unscrewing the top metal part from the hard drive itself requires only a standard Philips screwdriver
Reply
tuaw said 1:57PM on 5-14-2007
Why not link directly to the actual you reference, instead of a general link to Apple's manuals page?
http://manuals.info.apple.com/en/MacBook_13inch_HardDrive_DIY.pdf
Reply
Adam said 3:37PM on 5-14-2007
@ Chris Hauserman
Yea or you can just use a small flathead screwdriver in a precision kit. It works fine. I've changed my drive and 2 friends' drives by using that.
Reply
Adam said 3:43PM on 5-14-2007
@ Ryan
I officially asked Applecare (not a sales agent) and they said that as long as you don't damage the computer itself during the install it does not void the warranty. According to him there are no specific requirements, etc. Just thought I'd throw that little bit in. I've got a 160GB Hitachi in mine, but I switch back to the "Apple" (actually a Segate) 80GB drive if I send it off to be repaired. That way I won't have to worry about theft and/or data loss while its being shipped (I live in Memphis and there have been several computers stolen from our DHL shipping center...including one of my Fiancee's----it was replaced, but still was a bitch).
Reply
russdogg said 4:29PM on 5-14-2007
maybe they didn't link directly to it because some people (like myself) don't like links directly to PDFs.
Reply
Ryan said 4:48PM on 5-14-2007
@ Adam
Yeah Im just stating what I was told over the phone (she was from apple care). I replaced the laughable 60 gig with a 160 from seagate. Now I just need to get 2 gigs of ram...
A torx T8 is what holds the drive caddy also...
Reply
Adam said 6:29PM on 5-14-2007
@Ryan
Yea I dropped 2GB of ram in mine immediately after I got mine. I went with the Transcend JetRam from NewEgg (they ship from the other side of Memphis most of the time so I get it next day). I've had no problems out of it thusfar. Prices have dropped a lot since I got mine though. I was excited when I got each of my individual 1GB sticks for about $65 8 months ago. Now you can pick up 2GB kits for as low as $87 shipped. www.dealram.com is a good place to check ram prices that I've found.
Reply
marcosmalo said 8:55PM on 5-14-2007
A torx screwdriver should cost you less than $3.00. If your local hardware store doesn't carry them, try Sears.
Reply
Diddle said 2:36AM on 5-15-2007
They should seriously ship the hardware with this information - even URL info for FAQs and DIYs.
Reply
Steve Parr said 3:51AM on 7-03-2007
Could you give me more info about swapping the hard drive cover? On my replacement (Momentus 7200 80GB) there are pins, on the Fujitzu I am replacing there is a contact strip. Is this correct, or did I buy the wrong replacement?
Reply
Ramon said 5:43PM on 7-17-2007
@ SteveParr
I'm afraid you bought the wrong replacement Steve...
MacBooks have a 2.5" S(erial)ATA interface, and would you're describing ("pins") sounds like a P(arallel)ATA drive.
So, I'd suggest you check that before trying to stuff it in and break something!
Good luck.
Reply