Samsung Electronics 840 EVO-Series 500GB 2.5-Inch SATA III Single Unit Version Internal Solid State Drive MZ-7TE500BW

This is a quick install guide that I decided to write for anyone that could use some help. Specifically if you are a PC person and your significant other is a Mac user with a slooooow MacBook in need of an upgrade. I will break this review up into sections.Note: If you are reading this to resolve slow startup into OSX after SSD install skip to section 3. of this review.1. Preparation2. Install3. Finishing actions for proper operation1. Preparation to install your new shiny SSD1.a You will need a migration tool (I used the Sabrent kit USB 3.0 to Sata that was suggested in these review) see link http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00DQJME7Y/ref=oh_details_o03_s01_i01?ie=UTF8&psc=11.b You will need to download a trim enabler (mid 2012 macbooks only support native trim with apple brand ssd's) I recommend going to cindori.org and downloading trim enabler version 3.xx. You can do this step before or after the OS migration1.c You cannot use the Samsung SSD migration software *don't worry Mac has its own imaging/migration utility*1.d You will need a torq bit driver or pliers as well as a small Philips screw driver, and an anti-static wrist strap2. Installation2.a SSD migration set up: Attach the power to the Sabrent kit with the inline cord switch off. Attach sata power and data cable to SSD and to the Sabrent kit. Plug in usb cable to the MacBook. You should be prompted to initialize the drive, if not you can initialize in the next step.2.b select the go menu on the OSX tool bar and open utilities.2.c Open drive utilities. You should see your Toshiba HD with a subfolder underneath titled Mac HD; below that you should see your SSD device. Highlight the SSD and click the restore option tab in the main window of the utility screen. You will have the option to format the device using the Mac journal format. Go ahead and format your SSD to the journal format; you will also be prompted to name your device. I decided on Samsung SSD, but you can name it whatever you like.2.d Shut down your MacBook2.e Power on your MacBook and hold down the command + r keys simultaneously. This will start the MacBook recovery utility.Note: Mac uses onboard utilities to clone and migrate software. The Samsung migration software will not be used.2.f Select the drive utility. Then select the restore tab again. This time highlight the "Mac HD" device on the left hand column and ensure that the "Mac HD device" appears in the origination line. Then place cursor in the destination line and select the Samsung SSD device. At this point on your main utility screen under the restoration tab you should see the Mac HD device first and the destination drive on the second line should be your Samsung SSD. Click restore and accept yes for any formatting prompts, etc. This will begin the cloning of the installed hard drive to your new SSD. Will take anywhere from 20 minutes to much longer depending on the size of data. *160 gb's took about 30 minutes on my wifes MacBook*.2.g Upon completion of the cloning operation you will still be at the recovery utility screen. Go ahead and select the apple icon in the left hand corner and select shutdown. Once the MacBook is off power down the inline Sabrent power cable switch and disconnect all cables to the SSD. Caution! Do not pull up on the sata cables; use a straight pulling motion as to not break the SSD connectors on the controller.2.h Open the MacBook from the back by removing all fasteners. *orientation of the Macbook is face down with the back of the macbook facing your body* Once open disconnect the power cable; located on the left hand side middle of the MacBook (1 inch black flat connector on the motherboard). Locate the retention bracket for the hard drive and undo the two fasteners. Carefully lift the hard drive out and disconnect the unibody sata power/data rail from the hard drive.2.i Remove Qty (4) fasteners from hard drive using torq bit or pliers. Note: these fastners have nylock elements and will initially require a good amount of break away torque to undo, so don't be afraid to put a little back into it. Once the fasteners are removed install 4 fasteners into the SSD. Hand tighten the 4 fasteners until the fastener shank with the nylock reaches the SSD mounting thru holes. Use torq bit or pliers to finish tightening the fasteners until the fastener heads are flush with the SSD mounting thru holes.2.j Install the unibody sata rail onto the SSD and firmly seat. Place the SSD into the MacBook and re-install the retention bracket using the screwdriver. Then re-install the back cover.3. Finishing touchesNote: initial start ups will be slow, and show no improvement over the replaced hard drive. The subsequent steps below will solve the sluggishness and slow startups.3.a Before restarting the mackbook Hold ctrl+shift+option+power button down together. Simultaneously release these buttons and then count 10 full seconds.3.b Power on your MacBook and wait for it to boot. *if data migration and installation were proper it will take 30 to 45 seconds to boot into OSX*3.c. Download and/or run the Trim enabler from Cindori.org version 3.xx. You will need to left click and drag the download to the application folder. Upon completion open the application folder and click the Trim Enabler program. Trim enabler will prompt warnings for downloaded files from internet, etc, etc, and want to run a helper. Allow them all. Once the program is open it will display a small graphic user interface with a switch that says off to on. Click on the switch to turn on. Once this is done it will should prompt you to reboot your MacBook. Reboot the MacBook.3.d *again load times for OSX should be 30 to 45 seconds* Once you are back into OSX select the go menu on the OSX toolbar then select utilities. Select the system properties to display devices; on the left hand side you should see a list of all your devices including your "Mac HD" which is your new SSD. Highlight the Mac HD and verify the following: S.M.A.R.T=verified, and T.R.I.M = Yes. They should both be verified and yes.3.e Now to solve the slowness issue! Select the go menu from the OSX toolbar then select utilities. Locate and select startup disk. Once start up disk menu is open you should see your MAC HD device *new SSD*. Select the Mac HD device as the startup device. You should be prompted to restart. If not manually restart from the restart button shown on the start up disk utility window.3.f You should now have a 7 to 10 second start time into OSX with your new trim enabled Samsung EVO 840 SSD.Give MacBook over to wife and bask in the praise for getting rid of the OSX application loading circle!

*** Update Dec 4th 2014I've had this SSD in my MacBook Pro for almost a year... I cannot begin to explain how impressively different the experience is. My Macbook came with a standard 500GB 5400rpm HDD, so moving to a 500GB SSD both improves battery life, but also power up and practically every other process I can think of. My friends are jealous because transferring big files (couple of GB) from a thumb drive to my computer takes seconds vs 15 minutes in their standard 7200 rpm HDDs LOL. If you're opening up your Mac to install this mighty drive I also suggest upgrading the Memory. I went up from 4GB to 16GB, this my friends is money well spent. Instructions on how to install OSX below...________________________________________________________________________________________My MacBook Pro fell off the bed a couple of weeks ago, and started making this noise. Took it to the Mac Store and they told me it was the HDD's (500GB 5400rpm it came with by default) motor that was screwed up and only way to fix it was to replace it. I looked online and everybody agreed my HDD would eventually die. I looked and looked and compared, and looked some more and decided this was the best replacement / upgrade for the price.** Note: You do not need to clone your old drive to his one prior to installation. Apple has wonderful software already embedded in their OS X installation software and there is no need for using 3rd parties that will only make things more complicated - keep reading.What you will need:- Samsung Electronics 840 EVO-Series 500GB 2.5-Inch SATA III SSD (obviously) or any other SSD compatible- Antistatic Mat (Not mandatory, but you don't want to risk frying your components with static charge, right?) (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004N96WQ0/ref=oh_details_o02_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1))- Blue-Medium Strength Threadlocker (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0002UEMZ2/ref=oh_details_o02_s01_i03?ie=UTF8&psc=1)- Screwdriver set. If you already have a Philips 00 and Torx T6 screwdriver, great you can use those, if not this is a great set for the price (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000FGQ1G6/ref=oh_details_o02_s01_i04?ie=UTF8&psc=1)- 1GB or higher thumb drive- USB to SATA adapter (if you want to bring stuff from your old drive into the new one I personally bought this one: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005B3VO24/ref=oh_details_o01_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 which seems a bit expensive but has great reviews).Get ready by:1) Turn on your computer, connect the thumb drive and google: Apple Recovery Disk Assistant2) Select the very 1st link (from Apple) and clock download (this will work by lion and mountain lion, not sure about mavericks or previous versions)3) Open program and follow instructions. Select your thumb drive when prompted, and eject it once finished.What you need to do:1) Turn off your computer2) Spread anti-static mat on a had surface (table)3) Lay your computer upside down and remove screws using the Philips 00** Note: My MacBook and yours probably too, had 7 short screws and 3 long ones, I used a technique I saw online of getting a bit of duct tape upside down on the table and paste the screws there in the same order I removed them to avoid confusion.4) Remove bottom panel. you should see the HDD in the lower left hand corner, just below the CD / DVD drive.5) Unscrew (with the same philips) the black thingy that's between the HDD and the DVD drive (2 screws). Screws don't need to come off, you'll basically just loosen that part to be able to remove it completely.6) Pull up the HDD by the small plastic that looks like scotch tape and disconnect it from the SATA conector (left side).7) Using the Torx T6 screwdriver remove the 4 screws from the HDD (look like handles) and set them aside.8) Unbox the SSD and using the Torx T6 place the previously removed screws from the HDD into the SSD (use a small dropplet of the blue threadlocker to dip the screws first (just the very tip) to ensure no movement with vibration.9) Connect the SATA connector to the SSD and put back in the place of the SSD10) Using the Philips 00 screw back the black thingy you previously removed with the 2 screws, this will lock your new SSD in place. Once you have done just try to move them a little and see they are not loose.11) Place the bottom panel right back and use the Philips 00 to get the screws back in place. Make sure to dip the tip of each on a bit of the blue threadlock to avoid them getting out with movement, etc.12) Turn on your computer. When you hear the booting on sound press and hold the "Option" key13) Click on your Thumb Drive and continue to the OS X Utilities menu14) Select Disk Utility and select Erase tab.15) Select: Mac OS Extended (Journaled) and give the drive a name, when you're done click Erase (takes a min or so).16) Go back to the OS X Utilities main screen17) Select Reinstall OS X (many people don't want to do this, but I find it better to ensure a fresh install that will remove any previous errors the old HDD might have.18) Follow the instructions, you will need an active internet connection (takes about half an hour, your computer will restart on its own).19) Once the computer is back on, you will be prompted with the configuration screen (keyboard, language etc), just continue and select your preferences. You will get to a screen that will prompt if you want to import data from other computer, or drive.20) Select other drive, and connect your old HDD with the USB to SATA connector and hit next.21) Select the things you want to import (preferences, applications, etc) I personally imported them all (took about 45 mins).You are done. Your computer will ask for your password and when you get in, you'll notice that everything on your computer is exactly the same as you used to have. No need for 3rd party or any other type of software to make things more difficult and that could bring potential harm to your system.Any questions please let me know. I am very happy with my new SSD :)