MacBook Pro 15" Unibody Mid 2010 SSDInstallation
Replace your hard drive.
Written By: Dozuki System
MacBook Pro 15" Unibody Mid 2010 SSD Installation Draft: 2013-07-29Guide ID: 396 -
This document was generated on 2019-09-17 10:01:51 AM (MST).
© 2019 guides.crucial.com/ Page 1 of 9
INTRODUCTION
Upgrade your clunky, spinning hard drive with a lightning fast SSD.
Some drive bays have a height of 7 mm, while others have a height of 9.5 mm. Depending onthe size of your drive bay, you may need to use a spacer to make your SSD fit properly.
TOOLS:Phillips #00 Screwdriver (1)T6 Torx Screwdriver (1)Tri-wing Y1 Screwdriver (1)
PARTS:Universal Drive Adapter (1)SSD Upgrade Kit (1)
MacBook Pro 15" Unibody Mid 2010 SSD Installation Draft: 2013-07-29Guide ID: 396 -
This document was generated on 2019-09-17 10:01:51 AM (MST).
© 2019 guides.crucial.com/ Page 2 of 9
Step 1 — Lower Case
Remove the following ten screwssecuring the lower case to the uppercase:
Three 13.5 mm Phillips screws.
Seven 3 mm Phillips screws.
Step 2
Using both hands, lift the lower casenear the vent to pop it off two clipssecuring it to the upper case.
Remove the lower case and set itaside.
MacBook Pro 15" Unibody Mid 2010 SSD Installation Draft: 2013-07-29Guide ID: 396 -
This document was generated on 2019-09-17 10:01:51 AM (MST).
© 2019 guides.crucial.com/ Page 3 of 9
Step 3 — Battery
Remove the two 7.4 mm Y1 Tri-Wing screws securing the battery tothe upper case.
Note: For certain repairs (e.g. harddrive), removing the battery is notnecessary but it prevents anyaccidental shorting of electronics onthe motherboard. If you do notremove the battery, please becareful as parts of the motherboardmight be electrified.
You do not necessarily have tofollow steps 3-6 to remove thebattery in order to replace the harddrive. However it is recommended toremove all power sources fromelectronics before working on them.
MacBook Pro 15" Unibody Mid 2010 SSD Installation Draft: 2013-07-29Guide ID: 396 -
This document was generated on 2019-09-17 10:01:51 AM (MST).
© 2019 guides.crucial.com/ Page 4 of 9
Step 4
Use the tip of your finger to carefullypeel back the corner of the warninglabel to reveal a hidden Tri-Wingscrew.
Remove the last 7.4 mm Y1 Tri-Wing screw securing the battery tothe upper case.
Step 5
Lift the battery by its plastic pull tab and slide it away from the long edge of the upper case.
Do not try to completely remove the battery just yet.
MacBook Pro 15" Unibody Mid 2010 SSD Installation Draft: 2013-07-29Guide ID: 396 -
This document was generated on 2019-09-17 10:01:51 AM (MST).
© 2019 guides.crucial.com/ Page 5 of 9
Step 6
Tilt the battery away from the logicboard enough to access the batterycable connector.
Pull the battery cable connectoraway from its socket on the logicboard and remove the battery fromthe upper case.
Pull the battery cable connectoraway from the center of the logicboard.
Step 7 — Hard Drive
Remove two Phillips screwssecuring the hard drive bracket tothe upper case.
These screws are captive to thehard drive bracket.
MacBook Pro 15" Unibody Mid 2010 SSD Installation Draft: 2013-07-29Guide ID: 396 -
This document was generated on 2019-09-17 10:01:51 AM (MST).
© 2019 guides.crucial.com/ Page 6 of 9
Step 8
Lift the the retaining bracket out ofthe upper case.
Step 9
Lift the hard drive by its pull tab andpull it out of the chassis, minding thecable attaching it to the computer.
MacBook Pro 15" Unibody Mid 2010 SSD Installation Draft: 2013-07-29Guide ID: 396 -
This document was generated on 2019-09-17 10:01:51 AM (MST).
© 2019 guides.crucial.com/ Page 7 of 9
Step 10
Remove the hard drive cable by pulling its connector straight away from the hard drive.
Step 11 — SSD Installation
Remove two T6 Torx screws from each side of the hard drive (four screws total).
Transfer these screws to your new SSD.
You may also wish to transfer the plastic pull tab to your new drive.
MacBook Pro 15" Unibody Mid 2010 SSD Installation Draft: 2013-07-29Guide ID: 396 -
This document was generated on 2019-09-17 10:01:51 AM (MST).
© 2019 guides.crucial.com/ Page 8 of 9
To reassemble your device, follow these instructions in reverse order.
Step 12
For 7 mm SSDs, you'll need to apply a spacer to ensure a good fit.
Peel the backings up off the adhesive strips mounted on the spacer.
Press the spacer onto the SSD as shown; proper orientation will ensure the spacer does not coverany screws or screw holes.
MacBook Pro 15" Unibody Mid 2010 SSD Installation Draft: 2013-07-29Guide ID: 396 -
This document was generated on 2019-09-17 10:01:51 AM (MST).
© 2019 guides.crucial.com/ Page 9 of 9