Your hard drive is the heart of your MacBook or laptop. For quite some years now, MacBooks have been equipped with SSD hard drives as standard. But if you still have an HDD hard drive, you might consider replacing it. This might even prevent you from having to buy a new (or refurbished ) MacBook. Why? What is the difference between HDD and SSD?
Hard Drive: The Basics
Let's start at the beginning. A hard drive is a medium for long-term storage on which, for example, your operating system, programs and your own data are stored. In addition to the hard drive, your MacBook or laptop has an extra storage medium: the working memory. This is a temporary memory to be able to perform tasks better and faster.
How HDD and SSD work
HDD and SSD hard drives have the same function, but work completely differently. HDD, which stands for hard-disk drives, is like a whole stack of flat cylinders. These disks spin around, while the read and write button reads or records information. A bit like a record player.
With SSD, or solid state drive, the data is read or written to a computer chip via electrical impulses. Because SSDs do not have rotating disks, it is nice and quiet in use. And due to the lack of moving parts, an SSD hard drive is more wear-resistant and therefore more suitable for laptops.
The biggest advantage of SSD: the speed
An SSD hard drive is often faster than an HDD. If your MacBook or laptop with an HDD takes a full minute to boot, then with an SSD it will probably only take about 15 seconds. You will also notice a world of difference when loading larger programs and games. In fact, your old MacBook will probably feel like new again by replacing an HDD with an SSD. Which means it can possibly last for years.
The cost: SSD is a bit more expensive
SSD is a slightly more expensive technology. You won't notice that when you buy a new MacBook , because it has an SSD in it anyway. But if you need more storage space for your older MacBook or if you want a much faster PC, you will see that SSD is a bit more expensive per gigabyte than HDD. But not only do you get a faster PC in return, but also a more energy-efficient, quieter and non-vibrating one!
How to Fix Your MacBook Hard Drive Problems
The first step in troubleshooting your MacBook hard drive issues is to understand what exactly a hard drive is. In the simplest terms, a hard drive is the part of your MacBook where all of your data is stored. This includes everything from your operating system and applications to your personal files like photos, documents, and music.
When your MacBook starts running slow or you find yourself running out of space to store new files, it’s probably time to upgrade your hard drive. But how do you do that? Here are some simple steps to get you started:
- Make sure your MacBook is turned off and disconnected from the power source.
- Use a screwdriver to open the bottom of your MacBook.
- Locate the hard drive (it should be in the corner of your MacBook).
- Remove the screws holding the hard drive in place and gently pull it out of the MacBook.
- Place the new hard drive in the same place and secure it with the screws.
- Place the bottom of your MacBook back in place and screw it in place.
- Turn on your MacBook and follow the on-screen instructions to format your new hard drive and install your operating system.
But beware…
While this process may seem fairly straightforward, we recommend that you proceed with caution and take your time. We also always recommend making a backup beforehand. It is also important to remember that not all hard drives are compatible with all MacBook models. Therefore, it is important to check which hard drive is compatible with your specific model before making a purchase.
What is best for me: SSD or HDD?
The hard drive that is most suitable for you depends on several factors. How fast does the hard drive need to be? What is your budget? And how many gigabytes or terabytes do you need? If you need a lot of storage space, you can't avoid an HDD. SSDs can hold a maximum of a few terabytes, while there are plenty of HDDs of 10 or 20 terabytes. But you really only need that much storage space if you are, for example, a photographer, filmmaker or graphic designer.
In that case, you could for example take an internal SSD so that your computer boots quickly and the most important programs load in no time. With an external HDD for example your photos, videos or other large files.
