How do I determine what ssd is compatible with my MBP?

By #Michael
in Apple (macOS)

 Share

Recommended Posts

Grand Master

Ambroos

Posted
Posted

You should try Crucial's Memory Advisor: http://www.crucial.com/store/advisor.aspx

It's brilliant. Enter your exact model and it'll come up with memory and drives that are guaranteed compatible. After entering your model just hit "SHOW ALL COMPATIBLE SOLID STATE DRIVES' in the respective category to expand the list. The Crucial m4 is an excellent SSD that will do perfectly!

Grand Master

+LogicalApex MVC

Posted
  • MVC
Posted

Unless Apple only allows specific drives you should be fine with any SATA SSD. The only major consideration on SSDs in laptops is drive height, but your 2009 MacBook shouldn't be using slim model drives so you shouldn't have to worry (you can get a slim drive into a non-slim bay, but not the other way around).

Grand Master

neufuse Veteran

Posted
  • Veteran
Posted

Unless Apple only allows specific drives you should be fine with any SATA SSD. The only major consideration on SSDs in laptops is drive height, but your 2009 MacBook shouldn't be using slim model drives so you shouldn't have to worry (you can get a slim drive into a non-slim bay, but not the other way around).

Can't remember exactly, but didn't Apple make it so TRIM only works out of the box on "approved" SSD drives?

Experienced

mr_han_solo

Posted
Posted

Not every drive will work. I have a Patriot Inferno and my late 2012 Mac Mini will not sleep. In retrospect I wish I would have done some more homework before using the drive. Fortunately I have not had any problem with leaving the Min on 24/7.

TRIM is disabled on non-apple SSD's. However, download TRIM Enabler (Free) and it will enable it for whatever drive you get.

Also if anyone has any ideas on how I get my Mini to sleep I would be open to suggestions.

- Han

Grand Master

Ambroos

Posted
Posted

Can't remember exactly, but didn't Apple make it so TRIM only works out of the box on "approved" SSD drives?

If your drive has proper garbage collection TRIM isn't all that important. I've been running without TRIM for ages (two Toshiba SSD's in RAID0), and the difference in speed is negligible.

Grand Master

#Michael

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Not every drive will work. I have a Patriot Inferno and my late 2012 Mac Mini will not sleep. In retrospect I wish I would have done some more homework before using the drive. Fortunately I have not had any problem with leaving the Min on 24/7.

TRIM is disabled on non-apple SSD's. However, download TRIM Enabler (Free) and it will enable it for whatever drive you get.

Also if anyone has any ideas on how I get my Mini to sleep I would be open to suggestions.

- Han

That was my problem with a seagate drive last year....kept getting kernel panics.

Grand Master

+LogicalApex MVC

Posted
  • MVC
Posted

Wow, thanks for the correction. I don't keep up with Apple and I wasn't aware they managed to cause problems for users with a commodity part like the disk drive.

Grand Master

neufuse Veteran

Posted
  • Veteran
Posted

If your drive has proper garbage collection TRIM isn't all that important. I've been running without TRIM for ages (two Toshiba SSD's in RAID0), and the difference in speed is negligible.

yes, but my point still stands, Apple still disabled the feature on non-apple devices... still stupid

Grand Master

threetonesun

Posted
Posted

Wow, thanks for the correction. I don't keep up with Apple and I wasn't aware they managed to cause problems for users with a commodity part like the disk drive.

Apple didn't, per se, but a lot of SSDs require firmware updates to run out of the box on Macs.

Any of the "better" drives, Samsung, Crucial, Intel, should work fine.

Grand Master

#Michael

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Samsung 830 is an awesome drive for the price, been using them exclusively in all my new systems

The 830 or 840 series? Because it seems that Amazon has the 830 series 256gb for $250 and the 840 series 250gb for $180. Both get great reviews....so which one is better?

Grand Master

neufuse Veteran

Posted
  • Veteran
Posted

The 830 or 840 series? Because it seems that Amazon has the 830 series 256gb for $250 and the 840 series 250gb for $180. Both get great reviews....so which one is better?

830 is MLC 840 is TLC, TLC memory wears faster... MLC is better for wear... TLC is a cheaper memory that crams more bits into a cell

Grand Master

#Michael

Posted
  • Author
Posted

830 is MLC 840 is TLC, TLC memory wears faster... MLC is better for wear... TLC is a cheaper memory that crams more bits into a cell

So the samsung 830 256gb is a great drive if I am willing to spend a bit more. The crucial m4 256gb is a bit less expensive but also a great drive...I just have to update the firmware when I get it to make sure that it works as it should.

I am thinking the crucial m4 is a great investment that should give me another year or two on my mbp.

Grand Master

Shadrack

Posted
Posted

I think that most 2.5" sata SSDs will work. Let me also say that the boost in performance will be substantial. I upgraded my mid-2009 mbp to an 80GB Intel SSD a little over a year ago and it still feels like a new snappy computer. Even compared to my wife's 2012 MBA.

Don't lose sleep over TRIM and I recommend not doing any hacks to support it. IMO its just as good without the TRIM support and drives are not going to self-destruct without it.

Also, I don't think you will get much more battery life when compared to the stock 4200rpm drive. You may even experience a small decrease in battery life. But it is hard for me to tell since Im running two drives (the Intel SSD and the stock 4200rpm drive).

Grand Master

#Michael

Posted
  • Author
Posted

I think that most 2.5" sata SSDs will work. Let me also say that the boost in performance will be substantial. I upgraded my mid-2009 mbp to an 80GB Intel SSD a little over a year ago and it still feels like a new snappy computer. Even compared to my wife's 2012 MBA.

Don't lose sleep over TRIM and I recommend not doing any hacks to support it. IMO its just as good without the TRIM support and drives are not going to self-destruct without it.

Also, I don't think you will get much more battery life when compared to the stock 4200rpm drive. You may even experience a small decrease in battery life. But it is hard for me to tell since Im running two drives (the Intel SSD and the stock 4200rpm drive).

I take it that by adding the 2nd drive you no longer have an optical drive? Do you find that there is any disadvantage to this setup?

Grand Master

Shadrack

Posted
Posted

I take it that by adding the 2nd drive you no longer have an optical drive? Do you find that there is any disadvantage to this setup?

Not having an optical drive built in? Nope. Having 2 mass storage devices is way better. Nobody uses optical drives and if you really need one you can get an external one. I wouldn't recommend one of those super drive enclosure (for the one that comes out of the mbp). Those things don't work right... Get a proper USB optical drive if you need it.

  • zhangm locked this topic
This topic is now closed to further replies.
 Share
Go to topic listing

  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.

  • Posts

    • Samsung, Amazon extend 990 PRO 2TB NVMe SSD deal beyond Prime Day 2026

      By seeprime · Posted

      I like to reminisce about the good old days, way back in autumn 2025 when building a gaming machine was fun and the drives were about $150 when you caught a deal. Yes duh, back in the day we had it gone. Then baby Skynet came along, hiding in AI datacenters demanding more processing power until it reached singularity. End of a not totally fictional story.
    • Bypassed Windows 11 shows surprising stability on ancient, completely unsupported hardware

      By +Spark99 · Posted

      My experience in the past with older Windows 11 builds was not great on unsupported machines but I recently used Rufus to put the latest build on a older 5th Gen Core Thinkpad T that we upgraded with a SATA SSD and 8GB of RAM four years ago when hardware was reasonable and it seemed pretty fast and solid. Customer is very happy with the performance and will probably get four more years out of that venerable laptop that he loves so much. Another customer just retired his Dell Studio laptop from 2009 running Windows 10. It got an SSD over 10 years ago and did everything he needed it to for 17 years but he also retired last year and is happy doing everything on his iPad now.
    • Apple's newest AirTag 2 gets first big discount

      By TarasBuria · Posted

      Apple's newest AirTag 2 gets first big discount by Taras Buria In late January 2026, Apple introduced its second-generation AirTag trackers, bringing a refresh to the old model that has been on the market for half a decade. Now, you can get these new trackers at an all-time low price, thanks to the first big discount that brought the price down by 17% on Amazon. While the second-generation AirTag looks identical to its predecessor, it packs meaningful upgrades inside. The second-gen ultrawideband chip works 50% farther than the original AirTag, allowing you to detect lost items in a wider range. In addition, the second-generation AirTag features an upgraded Bluetooth chip for extended range and a significantly louder speaker (up to 50%) so that you can hear it better when locating a lost item. Note that the second-gen AirTag only works with iPhones and iPads that run iOS/iPadOS 26 and newer, so you need a compatible device to use the tracker. Like the original AirTag, the AirTag 2 is available in two packs: one and four pieces. Both are now available at a notable discount on Amazon, and you can purchase them using the links below. Apple AirTag 2 tracker - $24 | 17% off on Amazon Apple AirTag 2 tracker (four-pack) - $89 | 10% off on Amazon Good to know This Amazon deal is U.S.- specific and not available in other regions unless specified. We only use first-party seller links (at the time of article publishing); ensure that you purchase from a first-party seller link only. Check out Today's Deals on Amazon | or our recent tech deals. Become a Prime member (for Students or SNAP) via Neowin Get Prime Access - Prime for half price (for qualifying Medicaid, EBT, SNAP) Subscribe to Prime Video, Audible Plus, Music Unlimited or Kindle Unlimited via Neowin As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
    • Tidal won't monetize AI slop music, company says

      By monterxz · Posted

      I've been on Deezer for over a decade, but glad that Tidal joined them in fighting AI slop. Can't stand such takes as Spotify's: "Spotify's CEO recently pushed back against listeners who call AI music "slop," urging people to stop using the term and instead embrace the creative potential of AI music."
    • Why it's almost impossible to produce a smartphone in the United States

      By Cosmocronos · Posted

      “Could” … in the IS the healthcare is run by insurance companies that make indecent profits denying basic treatments to people that are paying money for nothing. Besides, where are all the Trump epigones who were stating that the tariffs were going to paid by foreign companies and not the US citizens? …

  • Recent Achievements

    • Reacting Well
      NovaEdgeX earned a badge
      Reacting Well
    • Week One Done
      NovaEdgeX earned a badge
      Week One Done
    • One Year In
      BA the Curmudgeon earned a badge
      One Year In
    • Conversation Starter
      rosiecharles earned a badge
      Conversation Starter
    • First Post
      KMilenkoski1202 earned a badge
      First Post

  • Popular Contributors

    1. 1
      +primortal
      538
    2. 2
      +Edouard
      266
    3. 3
      PsYcHoKiLLa
      151
    4. 4
      Steven P.
      98
    5. 5
      macoman
      66
    Show More

  • Tell a friend

    Love Neowin? Tell a friend!