- Then I downloaded Yosemite, and my MacBook went insane, as did I. At first, I just thought it was showing its age. It took over 90 minutes to install Yosemite, a suspiciously long time.
- I have macbook pro3.1 – A1226 mid 2007 (895) with 10.5.8 – I checked in terminal it has EFI64 120gb, RAM 4GB, NVDA GForse8600, 124mb video. Using my new iMac and MLPS v1.0.1 I make usb 8gb with Mountain lion 10.8.5 and install that on a macbook pro, installation done well. After restarting I see logo on white screen and rolling wheel under.
The original MacBook, available in black or white colors, was released on June 28, 2006, and used the Intel Core Duo processor and 945GM chipset, with Intel's GMA 950 integrated graphics on a 667 MHz front side bus.Later revisions of the MacBook moved to the Core 2 Duo processor and the GM965 chipset, with Intel's GMA X3100 integrated graphics on an 800 MHz system bus. The original name of my HD changed from APPLE SSD to OS X Yosemite which I named for my partition. My original HD Macintosh HD falls under that. Also, when holding down the 'Option' key to boot it shows OS X Installer, OS X Yosemite and OS X 10.9 Recovery. So I have NO clue how to boot Mavericks.
White Unibody MacBook Q&A - Updated January 15, 2013
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How do you upgrade the hard drive in the White 'Unibody' MacBook? Do these models support an SSD?
Please note that this Q&A explains how to upgrade or replace the hard drive in the White 'Unibody' MacBook models shipped from 2009 to 2010 (model number A1342).
EveryMac.com also provides hard drive upgrade instructions for the 'White & Black' MacBook models shipped from 2006 to 2009 (model number A1181) and the Aluminum 'Unibody' MacBook models shipped in 2008 (which share the A1278 model number with many other systems).
There are two different White 'Unibody' MacBook models -- the MacBook 'Core 2 Duo' 2.26 13' (White Polycarbonate Unibody/Late 2009) and MacBook 'Core 2 Duo' 2.4 13' (Mid-2010) -- but the hard drive upgrade procedure is the same for both models. It isn't as simple to upgrade the hard drive in these models as it is for the earlier 'pre-Unibody' White or Black MacBook models, but it still is fairly easy.
Photo Credit: Apple, Inc. (White 'Unibody' MacBook)
Identification Help
If you're not sure whether or not you have a White 'Unibody' MacBook or an earlier system, these models can be externally identified by the A1342Model Number on the gray rubber bottom of the notebook toward the hinge in tiny type. For the purpose of upgrading or replacing the hard drive, this single identifier is sufficient for identification.
Open source video compression software. However, these models also can be easily identified by the Model Identifier in software. To locate the model identifier, select 'About This Mac' under the Apple Menu on your computer and click the 'More Info..' button. If the MacBook is running OS X 10.7 'Lion' or later, you will need to click the 'System Report' button after clicking 'More Info..' as well.
Useful identifiers for these MacBook models include:
Please note that this Q&A explains how to upgrade or replace the hard drive in the White 'Unibody' MacBook models shipped from 2009 to 2010 (model number A1342).
EveryMac.com also provides hard drive upgrade instructions for the 'White & Black' MacBook models shipped from 2006 to 2009 (model number A1181) and the Aluminum 'Unibody' MacBook models shipped in 2008 (which share the A1278 model number with many other systems).
There are two different White 'Unibody' MacBook models -- the MacBook 'Core 2 Duo' 2.26 13' (White Polycarbonate Unibody/Late 2009) and MacBook 'Core 2 Duo' 2.4 13' (Mid-2010) -- but the hard drive upgrade procedure is the same for both models. It isn't as simple to upgrade the hard drive in these models as it is for the earlier 'pre-Unibody' White or Black MacBook models, but it still is fairly easy.
Photo Credit: Apple, Inc. (White 'Unibody' MacBook)
Identification Help
If you're not sure whether or not you have a White 'Unibody' MacBook or an earlier system, these models can be externally identified by the A1342Model Number on the gray rubber bottom of the notebook toward the hinge in tiny type. For the purpose of upgrading or replacing the hard drive, this single identifier is sufficient for identification.
Open source video compression software. However, these models also can be easily identified by the Model Identifier in software. To locate the model identifier, select 'About This Mac' under the Apple Menu on your computer and click the 'More Info..' button. If the MacBook is running OS X 10.7 'Lion' or later, you will need to click the 'System Report' button after clicking 'More Info..' as well.
Useful identifiers for these MacBook models include:
Yosemite Macbook Wallpaper
Unibody MacBook | Subfamily | Model ID | Model Number |
Late 2009 | |||
Mid-2010 |
More details about specific identifiers are provided in EveryMac.com's extensive Mac Identification section.
EveryMac.com's Ultimate Mac Lookup feature -- as well as the EveryMac app -- also can uniquely identify these systems by their Serial Numbers, and this is another method that can be used to pinpoint the precise model.
Hard Drive Type & SSD Replacement Options
Apple provides hard drive upgrade instructions for these models on pages 37-45 of the User's Guides for both the Late 2009 and Mid-2010 systems. Apple starts by explaining:
You can upgrade the hard disk drive in your MacBook. When you open the back of your MacBook, the hard disk drive is located next to the built-in battery. The replacement drive must be a 2.5-inch drive with a Serial ATA (SATA) connector.
More specifically, the White 'Unibody' MacBook models each support a 2.5' notebook hard drive or SSD that is up to 9.5 mm tall (0.37 inches). Each uses the same 3 Gb/s SATA interface, sometimes referred to as SATA 2.0 or SATA II.
The 3 Gb/s SATA standard is backwards compatible with the earlier 1.5 Gb/s SATA (SATA 1.0) standard, and you may install a 1.5 Gb/s SATA drive in these models as well, although it will run at the slower speed. To maximize performance, it is best to install a 3 Gb/s SATA SSD.
Hard Drive Upgrade Instructions
The User's Guides provide detailed instructions, complete with drawings, which absolutely should be read in their entirety before one upgrades or replaces the hard drive.
However, even better, site sponsor Other World Computing provides a convenient step-by-step video of the process:
After watching the video, it should be clear that upgrading the hard drive in this model is not too difficult. However, if you do not feel comfortable -- or have the time -- to perform the upgrade yourself, hiring a professional always is a good option.
MacBook Hard Drive or SSD Purchase Options
In theory, just about any hard drive or SSD that meets the minimum requirements should work in the MacBook. However, it always is best to buy from a trusted company with Mac knowledge for the most trouble-free experience.
In the US (and many other countries), site sponsor Other World Computing sells storage upgrades in addition to memory for the White 'Unibody' MacBook models (and all other Macs as well).
In the UK and Ireland, site sponsor Flexx sells MacBook compatible SSDs with free shipping. The company provides flat rate shipping to France, Germany, and Switzerland and inexpensive shipping for all of Europe, too.
In Canada, site sponsor CanadaRAM sells hard drives and SSDs for all MacBook models with guaranteed compatibility, fast shipping, and no customs.
In Australia, site sponsors Macfixit and Upgradeable sell MacBook compatible hard drives and SSDs with fast shipping, a money-back guarantee and more.
In New Zealand, site sponsor Upgradeable New Zealand sells MacBook hard drives and SSDs with fast delivery to all corners of the country, precise compatibility, a lifetime warranty, and a money-back guarantee.
Also see:
- How do you upgrade the RAM in the White 'Unibody' MacBook models? What type of RAM do they use? How much RAM do they actually support?
- How do you upgrade the hard drive in the 'White & Black' MacBook models? Do these models support an SSD?
- How do you upgrade the hard drive in the Aluminum 'Unibody' non-Pro MacBook? Does this model support an SSD?
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After waiting on the fence since its release last October 17th (UTC+8), I've finally given in to upgrading my MacBook to Apple's latest operating system – the OS X Yosemite. First off, before you proceed in reading this post, kindly note that this ain't an in-depth review of the OS. There's already too many of that online. I won't be going through each of Yosemite's features and highlights.
Why the wait?
The reason I've waited this long to have a taste of Yosemite is because of one primary reason… Adobe Creative Suite. With every new OS X upgrade comes a plethora of bugs, incompatibilities and patches for us graphic designers and our apps. I wanted to make sure that this time around my workflow wouldn't get disrupted with such nuisance. There's also the fact that I was a little apprehensive about running Yosemite in my half a decade old Mac. Yes… five years old, that's like 50 in human years. I got it back in October of 2009. So far my unibody MacBook have housed a total of five Operating Systems: Snow Leopard (which came out of the box), Lion, Mountain Lion, Mavericks and Yosemite. So far, this is my longest lasting, most reliable and most used computer ever. No major crashes, no BSoDs, never overheated, never got f*cked up by any viruses, never got serviced for being ‘unusable'. The only three separate times I tinkered under the hood is when I upgraded its RAM to 8GB, upgraded my SuperDrive into an SSD and when I replaced the battery. By now you could just imagine how much I'm taking good care of this baby.
Patches, patches everywhere…
Adobe officially announcing that Photoshop (and other CS apps) are working properly with Yosemite was all the reason I needed to upgrade. And so I did. They did note in the forums that after upgrading to OS X 10.10 you'll have to update your Java in order to launch Illustrator, well that's true. Right after I launched AI it prompted me to update my Java. No biggie, I just followed the Java download link from Apple that AI provided and followed the installation wizard.
Another issue that came up, which OS X actually caught and notified me with, was that my Wacom tablet driver was incompatible and cannot be used. I knew from the moment I started using a graphic pen and tablet that I'll be getting driver updates from time to time (specially during OS upgrades), so I already had the Wacom tablet driver download page handy in my bookmarks.
Another satisfied customer
Haters often say that Apple computers are overpriced, underpowered and overly-hyped pieces of trash. But what I often notice is that most of the people who say these kind of things are users who haven't actually used a Mac for an extended period of time, enough to actually incorporate the machine into their workflow and in their everyday lives. Yes it's true that for half the price consumers can easily buy a PC or a laptop with the same or even better specs. But it's not always about spending big money for the highest specs, with Macs its more about paying a premium for the assurance that all of your machine's components will work seamlessly and not collapse overtime and that you'll get the support you need—when you need it. Take my experience for example; how many laptops have you owned that lasted you five years that you can still use for professional work and a little bit of gaming?
With all that said, I've upgraded and I'm happy with how seamless and fast everything is. Back when I upgraded to an SSD with Mavericks, booting up the Mac took less than 10 seconds but somehow shutting down was a drag… it took somewhere around 30-45 seconds. I don't know why, but it was inconvenient specially when I'm nearing my bus stop and waiting for it to finish. But now with Yosemite it's surprisingly quick. Shutting down takes less than 3 seconds! I was so surprised the first time I shutdown my Mac, I thought that it crashed or something ominous was brewing, I had to boot it up and shut it down again just to make sure everything was fine and it's just the way it is.
