How to Upgrade the Hard Drive on a MacBook Pro 15.4

The 15.4-inch and 17-inch MacBook pro models feature speakers on either side of the keyboard.

Apple's MacBook Pro is the company's line of notebook computers targeted towards professional users. The computer comes in three different models, with the smallest featuring a 13.3-inch display and the largest equipped with a 17-inch display. Between these two lies a medium-sized model featuring a 15.4-inch display. This model's other features include a 2.0 GHz Intel Core i7 processor, 4GB of DDR3 SDRAM and a 750GB, 5400 rpm hard drive. If desired, users may upgrade this hard drive with a faster model, or one with a greater storage capacity.

Things You'll Need

• Blank CD-R (optional)
• External hard drive (optional)
• Soft, lint-free cloth
• Phillips No. 00 screwdriver
• 2.5-inch notebook hard drive
• "Mac OS X" system installation discs
• Application installation discs

Instructions

1. Copy over any important documents to a blank CD-R or external hard drive. Shut down the computer and turn off any attached devices. Unplug any cables connected to the MacBook Pro's ports, including the power cord. Allow the computer to cool down for 10 minutes before you proceed.

2. Cover a flat and level work surface with the soft, lint-free cloth. Close the laptop's display and place it onto the cloth, with the bottom of the laptop facing upwards. Rotate the laptop until the rear edge is facing away from you. Remove the three 13.5-mm screws installed along the rear edge of the laptop's bottom panel. Remove the seven 3-mm screws installed along the remaining edges of the panel.

3. Grip the edges of the bottom panel. Lift the bottom panel free of the laptop's base and set it aside. Touch one of the metal surfaces inside the laptop's base to ground yourself. Find the installed hard drive module, located in the near-left corner of the laptop's base. Find the hard drive bracket, installed on the far side of the hard drive.

4. Use the Phillips screwdriver to loosen the two screws installed in the hard drive bracket; do not attempt to remove the screws completely. Grip the flexible tab attached to the far end of the hard drive. Pull the tab upwards and locate the connector attached to the left side of the drive. Pull on the connector to disconnect the hard drive from the base.

5. Use the Phillips screwdriver to remove the four screws installed on the sides of the hard drive. Install these screws in the sides of the new drive. Attach the hard drive connector to the left side of the hard drive, then lower the drive into the hard drive bay. Reinstall the hard drive bracket and tighten the two attached screws.

6. Place the bottom panel back onto the laptop's base. Reinstall the seven 3-mm screws and the three 13.5-mm screws. Return the laptop to its original position and reconnect the power cord. Open the display and turn on the computer. Insert the first of the "Mac OS X" system installation discs into the MacBook Pro's optical drive. Follow the on-screen instructions. Reinstall your applications and copy over your saved documents.

References

• MacBook Pro (15-inch, Early 2011) -- User Guide; Apple, Inc.; 2011 (PDF)