Looking to upgrade my Macbook Pro mid-2010

[anon(10507650)]

Hi all,

My Macbook Pro 17 specs as purchased when new in December 2010:

Apple Model No: A1297
Model ID: MacBookPro 6,1
Apple MacBook Pro Mid-2010
Processor: 2.66 GHz Intel Core i7
Memory: 8GB 1067 MHz DDR3
Video Card: NVIDIA GeForce GT 330M
Hard Drive: APPLE SSD TS256B
Optical Drive: HL-DT-ST DVDRW GS23N

I would like to upgrade my mac and I would like to know what options are available for my model. I use my computer (for the basics) to browse, read, eBay, Youtube, email. I don't use it for graphic design, AutoCad, play games etc...

I would like to add an additional Hard Drive to replace my Optical Drive and install a current version of Mac OS since I'm still running 10.6.8.

Q1. Which SSD hard drive brand/model is best? The Samsung 860 Evo 1TB 2.5" Solid State Drive looks interesting:
https://pcpartpicker.com/products/internal-hard-drive/#t=0&c=4096,2048,1024&sort=price&page=1

Q2. Which hard drive adapter is best? Any good/bad experiences or suggestions/recommendations? Some brackets I found while searching:
a) OWC ($25.00):
https://forums.imore.com/e?link=htt...om%2Fitem%2FOWC%2FDDAMBS0GB%2F&token=6VJaSl4X
b) IFIXIT ($24.99):
Unibody Laptop Dual Drive / New / Part Only
C) Others:
https://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-...m-For-Apple-MacBook-Pro-Unibody-/282645252185
https://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-...975333&hash=item441e20c507:g:pawAAOSwsVVa-U2i
https://forums.imore.com/e?link=htt...Dgsx%26utm_content%3Dtest_0_30&token=zfxpCoYh

Q3. Will I be able to install the new hard drive and then choose which drive I want to boot up from? Original hard drive is running MAC OS X 10.6.8

Q4. Should I replace any fans or other components as preventative maintenance or are there any upgrades that I can do?
*The only part that has been replaced is the battery because it failed at 199 cycle count which bulged and affected the performance of my trackpad. New battery today is at 10 cycle count.

I'm happy to read if anyone has any links related to the subject that they can post. I've searched but I'm confident that I probably missed many valuable posts/info.

Thank you

 

[Golfdriver97]

Q1) Samsung is a good brand. You should be fine with that.

Q2) I am not sure what to suggest about removing the disk drive for the second drive caddy. The reason is, I just don't have any experience with tearing Macs down. I would ask this: do you need more storage? If so, then I would suggest the second drive be an HDD of at least 1 TB. Notebook drives tend to be more expensive, but a general rule of thumb is 1 TB is the standard size for pricing. If you try to go smaller, you will usually find that the price increases enough (even a few dollars) to the point where you may as well get the 1 TB.

Q3) Little experience here, but I would look at the option of cloning the drive onto the SSD.

Q4) I would strongly suggest to at least clean out everything. Grab a couple cans of compressed air and try to get as much dust as possible. I myself would be comfortable doing this, But I would clean up any of the thermal compound around the CPU and reapply it if it has any. If it uses pads, you might want to see about if the possibility of getting replacements is still possible.

 

[inmnbob]

I did both the Samsung SSD and moved the hard drive to the dvd slot. Also added more memory. All was easy. Just followed the YouTube videos. The 2010 runs a fast now

 

[bdball]

Not much to add but I replaced my hard drive in my Mid 2010 with a Crucial SSD. The performance change is huge! It runs so much quicker. You'll feel like you have a new laptop again.