I've managed to keep my ageing MacBook Pro in service for a lot of years now, and it's still going strong. So when it started shutting down unexpectedly and exhibiting all kinds of odd behaviour, I took it into Apple, who diagnosed a faulty hard drive. As well as quoting for a replacement, they also told me that it's actually a user-replaceable part, something I hadn't realised at all. So, with a new set of micro tools and spudger, plus a clean desktop and YouTube, I took apart my laptop for the first time.
Switching out the hard drive is remarkably easy, and I think anyone with some patience and the ability to follow a simple step-by-step procedure can do the same. Just make sure you have all the right tools to hand to begin with, and don't rush it.
At the same time, I discovered and removed a huge amount of dust and fluff that had gathered inside, and this has probably lengthened the life of the machine considerably. So don't hesitate if you want to replace or upgrade your hard drive.
It works fine but is just slightly slower to react than the original drive, plus it has a habit of spinning and clicking every now and again, hence the dropped star, but functionally, it's really very reliable.
| Brand | Western Digital |
|---|---|
| Product Dimensions | 10.01 x 6.99 x 0.95 cm; 122.47 Grams |
| Item model number | WD5000BPKX |
| Manufacturer | Western Digital |
| Color | Black |
| Form Factor | 2.5 inches |
| Hard Drive Size | 500 GB |
| Hard Disk Rotational Speed | 7200 RPM |
| Wattage | 1 watts |
| Are Batteries Included | No |
| Item Weight | 122 g |
