Storage Drive for Dying MacBook Pro

doobey1231 on 01/03/2024 - 11:34
Last edited 01/03/2024 - 16:57 by 1 other user

Hi all, partner has a MacBook Pro from 2013, arguably one of the best Intel based Macs released.

It's on its way out, we will be keeping it and I plan on restoring it with a new battery, SSD etc. However, for now it's beginning to go a bit funny, not turning on all the time and things like that.

Long story short I need the cheapest possible storage option to transfer all the important data too, so I can transfer it to my M1 MBA that she will be taking over for work. I have an adapter for it so USB A only is fine but for longevity USB C would be preferred, but cheap is the theme of the story. It can sit overnight and transfer files if need be. Physical storage required because she does not always have a solid connection to cloud storage. Portable/USB powered would also be preferred for ease of use.

Really just looking for the cheapest option out there, have checked all the usual stores and it looks like I am getting a TB for about 70ish bucks, hoping to knock that down to maybe 40 bucks or so, but would like to get some OzBargainers opinions as I know you guys won't just recommend cheap crap that'll die in a year.

Thanks in advance and have a wonderful weekend!

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  freefall101 on 01/03/2024 - 11:49

  +1

  On restoring it… Just don't. Proprietary storage, ridiculously hard to remove/replace the battery and it's already having issues that don't sound storage related. No more software updates either, it's just not worth the headache and cost.

  How much storage are you talking? I'd look at a big, cheap USB thumb drive or look on scumtree/marketplace instead if it's just for a once off. Unfortunately 1TB external drives tend to be the worst price per GB range, 2TB doesn't cost much more usually.

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    doobey1231 on 01/03/2024 - 12:31

    I wasn't looking for advice for the restoration project but thanks anyway. The 2013 is arguably the best because it does not require proprietary storage and it is relatively easy to change the battery and upgrade ram, yet still comes with a retina display and the best iteration of the magic keyboard to date.

    Just looking for the cheapest TB storage device. If its a usb so be it, but its not going to be a once off, it will remain a back up so new is preferred. Happy to consider 2tb if the added jump is worth it but hoping for something under $50.

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      freefall101 on 01/03/2024 - 13:15

      I highly recommend you google some actual teardowns before you start buying parts. The 2013 macbook pros definitely do have proprietary storage, a glued down battery and soldered on RAM.

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        doobey1231 on 01/03/2024 - 13:24

        -1

        Might be an older model then I guess, I have had it apart before to clean it. The glue doesn't scare me so much. Soldered on ram would be a disappointment but wouldn't surprise me. I am sure that the storage is just standard PCIe, possibly formatting required? Either way, its not going to anything else so may as well tinker, I can get parts pretty cheap though ali express.

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          freefall101 on 01/03/2024 - 13:45

          @doobey1231: It looks like a standard m.2 drive, but it’s not. Apple did their own thing on it.

          Although googling around these days there are adapters from the Apple “gumstick” design to nvme, worth reading this first: https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/upgrading-2013-2015-mac…

          Good luck on the glue. I did it once and swore never to again, especially as the aliexpress battery I bought started swelling after 18 months.

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            doobey1231 on 01/03/2024 - 14:04

            +1

            @freefall101: Ouch thats rough, thank you for the link as well, I might have to go back to my old links, I researched this ages ago and thought most bits were interchangeable.. Its a shame cause its an absolute workhorse of a laptop. Im positive the failing to turn on is because the missus absolutely canes the already very old battery, completely drains it every time she uses it lmfao, wont listen to me on that issue either.

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    Gdsamp on 01/03/2024 - 12:34

    On restoring it… Just don't.

    10 years is a good innings for a laptop
    time to go to the great apple store in the sky

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  CyberMurning on 01/03/2024 - 12:08

  if this is windows i will suggest change to ssd and add ram… if mac, no idea.. probably just get new one. let it RIP bro…

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    doobey1231 on 01/03/2024 - 12:27

    I specified both machines are macs..

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  mskeggs on 01/03/2024 - 12:35

  I’d be sorely tempted to buy a couple of 256gb micro sd cards. Back up the data to both, and put one in the draw for an emergency backup.
  Sd speeds are slow, but fine for documents etc.
  Copy regularly used files to the new machine ssd.

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  outlander on 01/03/2024 - 14:18

  Just went through this on my sisters machine (A1395)
  Had to a) use a special torque screw to get into it
  b) buy an adapter so the hard drive could be connected to a SATA port
  c) run it on a linux installation to read their special APFS bullshit file system

  Turned into a much bigger headache than I originally planned for. If your harddrive isn't corrupted then that should make it a lot easier