I have a late 2011 17” MacBook Pro, currently running with an internal Samsung 8TB SSD w/- OS Sierra. I have bought an identical model / specs MacBook, as my old one has had its day. Can I simply pull the SSD out of the old MacBook, and put it straight into the new one? Thank you
Try it. The only "break hardware with software" I ever heard of was "overwrite an SSD with 0s" because it clogs up the write-buffer, but even that may be a thing of the past.
If you have unexpected issues such as shutdowns or kernels panics, you will know you need to install new for the other device.
Those 8TB Internal SSDs are expensive!
YES, you can pull the old one out and install the new one. You have mentioned that both drives are identical models so there shouldn’t be any issues. Remember to install the macOS on the new drive after installation.
Axel F.
Thanks Axel. The SSD was $875, which is half the price it used to be, but yes, not cheap. The 8TB already has the macOS installed, and is running perfectly on the old MacBook Pro, it’s just a straight swap into an identical MacBook Pro, so I just wasn’t sure if that would be a problem. Thanks again.
Hate to contradict, sir, but ...
The MBPs are identical (as far as the OP can tell) and wants to know if the drive ALREADY loaded with OS for old-identical is safe to run in new-identical system without OS re-install.
Thanks for your reply. I have a late 2011 17” MacBook Pro. I’ve bought an identical unit, as the hardware is starting to fail on the old unit. I’ve cloned the internal SSD in the old unit; which has macOS Sierra, and want to remove that, and connect it - internally, to the replacement laptop.
I am not sure. I hope Axel Foley comes back in. There are hundreds of driver files in an install. In fact, that is why you had SL disks made just for your system not a "generic install" disk that was guaranteed to boot any MBP from 2011. Your install adapted itself to the other MBP, and *may* have every piece in line ... or may not. Very tricky question.
Steve359:
I see your concern however I am betting on the third party SSD originally working perfectly.
I bet it works on the new unit which is identical to the old unit. The thought process here is that the Samsung SSD was already a third party install in the original unit and it worked. This SSD will not know which unit it is going to be in due to the identical specs. The macOS is also the same because it is cloned on the SSD. In this case, the macOS in the new MacBook will boot entirely from the SSD. Should not have any other hardware/software issues.
Yes, tricky question, however the answer is probably straightforward.
Axel F.
The instance of MacOS that 'shipped in the box' has always been specific to the model Mac it was created for. That instance does not contain "Drivers for every model Mac", and they can not be added in any ordinary way. Updating to a later revision of the same major version does not add those drivers either.
UPGRADEs to a different major version are tagged with your Apple-ID, and are similar to purchases for $0. These instances do contain "Drivers for every [appropriate] model Mac".
If they are identical laptops, then keep the original laptop for spare parts. Just make sure they are identical since several models can be easily mistaken for one another, but the hardware is not always interchangeable.
You are welcome.
Axel F.
Agreed, Steve.
Axel F.
Swap out the SSD from my old MacBook Pro to an identical model replacement
