MacBook Pro 13" Unibody Early

2011 SSD Installation

Written By: iRobot
INTRODUCTION
Replace the clunky, spinning hard drive inside your MacBook Pro 13" Unibody with a
lightning fast SSD.
Some drive bays have a height of 7 mm, while others have a height of 9.5 mm.
Depending on the size of your drive bay, you may need to use a spacer to make your
SSD fit properly.
TOOLS:
Phillips #00 Screwdriver (1)
Spudger (1)
T6 Torx Screwdriver (1)
PARTS:
MacBook Pro 13" Unibody Hard Drive
Bracket (1)
SSD Upgrade Kit (1)
MacBook Pro 13" Unibody Early 2011 SSD Installation
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Step 1 Lower Case
Remove the following ten screws:
Three 14.4 mm Phillips screws
Three 3.5 mm Phillips screws
Four 3.5 mm shouldered Phillips
screws
Step 2

Use your fingers to pry the lower case away from the body of the MacBook near the vent.
Remove the lower case.
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Step 3 Battery

Use the edge of a spudger to pry the battery connector upwards from its socket on the
logic board.
It is useful to pry upward on both short sides of the connector to "walk" it out of its
socket.
Step 4
Bend the battery cable slightly
away from its socket on the logic
board so it does not accidentally
connect itself while you work.
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Step 5 Hard Drive
Remove the two Phillips screws
securing the hard drive bracket to
the upper case.
These screws will remain
captive to the hard drive
bracket.
Step 6
Remove the hard drive bracket.
The hard drive bracket may
be firmly seated against the
upper case.
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Step 7
Use the attached pull tab to lift the
hard drive out of the upper case.
Don't try to completely
remove the hard drive just
yet. It is still attached to the hard
drive cable.
Step 8

Pull the hard drive cable away from the body of the hard drive.
Remove the hard drive.
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Step 9 SSD Installation

Remove the four 6.0 mm T6 Torx hard drive retaining posts from the sides of the hard
drive.
Transfer these screws to your new SSD.
If desired, transfer the pull tab over to your new hard drive.
Step 10

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 cover any screws or screw holes.
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To reassemble your device, follow these instructions in reverse order.
This document was last generated on 2013-08-23 01:44:30 AM.
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