Macbook, Leopard, new HDD

clv101 · 17 Oct 2007 at 09:39

I bought a MacBook 2GHz, 2GB, 80GB in Dec 2006. I’d like to upgrade to Leopard and also increase the size of the HDD. I’d like to use the 80GB in a USB2 caddy as a portable device and install Leopard on a new drive.

So questions:

Does the upgrade go on a new drive just fine?
Can someone recommend the replacement drive, I’m looking for a 7200rpm 160GB+ model.
Can someone recommend a decent USB2 caddy for the old drive?

Thanks!

clv101 · 17 Oct 2007 at 09:58

Great, so either of these:

Seagate Momentus 7200.2 G-Force 200GB 7200RPM SATA-II 8MB Cache - OEM (ST9200420ASG)

Hitachi Travelstar 7K200 200GB 7200RPM SATA 16MB Cache - OEM (0A50940)

The Hitachi has more cache... which one runs cooler? Which is better? I'm I likely to notice any reduced battery life with these over the current 5400rpm 80GB? I'm really after the extra space, but will this upgrade have much impact on performance?

clv101 · 17 Oct 2007 at 17:42

Okay - I'm going to go for the 160GB 7K200. The Storage Review report on that drive is great!

clv101 · 17 Oct 2007 at 19:00

The cost per GB is pretty much the same ~60p and I can't see the extra 40Gb really being worth an extra £24. The 160GB is already loads more than the 80GB in there atm.