Filed under: Macbook Pro, Found Footage
Found Footage: MacBook Pro HDD Replacement
I had to replace the hard drive in my MacBook Pro a few months ago. If you've never done it, I can tell you that after over 20 screws, a little prying and pulling and then reassembling with your fingers crossed, there's probably a moment of stomach-turning worry when you hit the power button. But some people have a knack for making things look a little less gut wrenching.
MacBook Pro owner Max Million replaced his hard drive in about 40 minutes. Working from the excellent instructions at ifixit, he put a 320 gig drive into his laptop. And while he was at it, he put together a time-lapse video of the process that's under 3 minutes long but still manages to convey the tenacity required for the undertaking. So, here's to the brave souls who have no regard for the phrase "not user serviceable". Video after the jump...
![TUAW [Cafepress]](http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.tuaw.com/media/tuaw-cafepress-promo.png)
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
fanguad said 11:12AM on 2-04-2008
I replaced the hard drive in my PowerBook about 2 years ago, after the Apple store wanted about $200 for what is, I'm sure, 20 minutes of labor. I decided that I'm reasonably competent taking apart laptops, and proceeded slowly and carefully. It took me about 45 minutes, and I saved myself $200.
Reply
Thayne Miller said 6:33PM on 2-04-2008
This video is *weak* compared to my timelapse of assembling an entire 12" powerbook. Plus, the video doesn't waste your time, it gets right to the skinny.
http://thayneq.com/ThaynesProjects/Movies.html
There's also a version without the iMovie effects (I know you geeks will hate those, but I was demoing the capabilities of iMovie).
let me know what you think. TUAW: why don't you put my video on your blog huh??
stucco_x said 11:19AM on 2-04-2008
"Enjoy all the space you've just got"? Is this not a native English speaker?
Reply
max.milion said 12:00PM on 2-04-2008
nope - but I'm still better than Borat :-D
pangelav said 11:21AM on 2-04-2008
40 minutes?? It took me all of 20, most of that time spent picking up dropped screws from the floor.
Reply
Kuy said 11:32AM on 2-04-2008
I actually found that doing this was easy if you're methodical and you don't try to pry it apart before the screws are properly removed. Removing the HDD of the Air is even easier, as long as you're careful not to damage the side-panel ribbon cable, which runs right over the HDD's silicone mount. I was able to get mine out in about 15 minutes. The aluminium iMacs are probably my favorite though, because there's an anti-vibration mount and a plastic handle that makes it easy to remove.
Overall I think people aren't giving Apple enough credit for how service-friendly their machines are, considering their unequaled exterior simplicity (1 external screw on the iMac, anybody?)
-Kuy
Reply
akira said 11:35AM on 2-04-2008
scary as hell. I'd need a craptop to take apart before I crack the mbp
Reply
Snaggy said 11:43AM on 2-04-2008
I just replaced the hard drive in Nitrozac's 17" powerBook. iFixit it rules. :)
There was one thing the instructions omitted though... the fact that the lid's magnet would suck up one of the screws from the front edge of the battery compartment. I needed to use some sticky gum on the screwdriver in order to replace it.
320GB? Must be nice!
Reply
tim said 11:48AM on 2-04-2008
That's insane! the last laptop hard disk I replaced was in an HP (cant remember the model). I removed 4 screws, slid open a catch and out popped the hard disk. all in all it took less than 5 mins, I most certainly didn't have to remove the keyboard assembly from the machine nor did I need a video from the internet!
What the hell is apples reason for not making their machines at all user serviceable?
Reply
Ed said 3:45PM on 2-04-2008
I have a pair of dells that are similar. I don't even leave in the screws, I just slide down the door and pull it out. Easy as pie, and keeps me from having to partition my drive just to dual boot.
ill trooper said 11:16PM on 2-04-2008
What you describe with your HPs is probably about as easy as replacing the HD in a MacBook, but for some reason Apple wasn't in the mood for 'user replaceable' when they designed the MacBook Pro.
Seems like it should have been the other way around, but that's the way it is.
Tomahawk said 11:52AM on 2-04-2008
Does anyone know where I can find instructions for replacing a LCD on a Titanium PowerBook G4. Mine isn't broken, however the hinges that connect it to the keyboard/system is, along with a frayed power cable for the LCD to the point where I really should replace the hinges along with a new LCD power cable.
Reply
robogobo said 6:27PM on 2-04-2008
um, google it.
Richad said 12:02PM on 2-04-2008
Those of you considering doing this might find this useful: MacBook Pro Hard Disk Replacement
I've now done this three times: once to replace a broken drive, once to upgrade to a 7300 rpm model to see about getting more umph out of Aperture, and the last time to downgrade back to a 5400 rpm model with more speed and less heat. Each time it went without a hitch. Great video above.
Reply
max.milion said 12:04PM on 2-04-2008
Guys if You liked my little video please DIGG me http://www.digg.com/apple/Time_lapse_Macbook_Pro_HDD_swap_in_HD_on_Vimeo I wonder if it's that hard to hit the main page :-)
Reply
Richard said 12:04PM on 2-04-2008
Whoops, somehow the comment system stripped the url, sorry:
http://www.richardsnotes.org/archives/2006/12/26/macbook-pro-hard-disk-replacement/
Reply
brian said 12:21PM on 2-04-2008
Too bad Apple can't standardize on good design. To remove the HDD from a non-Pro MacBook: take out the battery, loosen three captive screws, take out the now-loose L-shaped piece of matal, grab the tab that's on the HDD, pull.
Reply
GrizzlyAdams said 5:50PM on 2-04-2008
Yea, I remember watching the MacBook (non-Pro) disassembly video. I am surprised apple didn't keep the smart design and instead opted for a more labor intensive approach.
It only costs them money by making things more difficult.
Just think of the added time it takes an employee to replace the drive. The added work won't deter most folks who would replace the drive themselves.
ill trooper said 1:08AM on 2-05-2008
Grizzly: The MacBook was designed and released AFTER the MacBook Pro, so I can only assume the Pro family might have that sort of 'ease' added to it if Apple does a serious redesign to it.
Adam said 12:56PM on 2-04-2008
You're lucky you didn't damage something. Since you're new at this:
-GROUND yourself. Static discharge hurts electronics. Buy a wristband.
-NEVER use metal tools to pry it apart. Get a plastic spudger. I see the front lip of PBs/MBPs bend ALL the time, and I see iBooks/MacBooks get gouged just as often. USE A PLASTIC TOOL.
-Use a partitioned tray for those screws. One bump and you're fucked. Or at least slowed way down.
Reply