Ordered an SSD for my 13" 2010 MBP, questions

Got the Intel X25-M 80GB from Newegg (on sale right now $195 shipped).

Got this $20 Optibay alternative
http://ayagroup.com/product.php?prod...3&cat=0&page=1

and a $13 optical SATA to USB enclosure
http://www.ayagroup.com/product.php?...9&cat=0&page=1

Should I put the SSD in the HDD spot or the Optibay? Also, what's the best software to clone my HDD? I want to take most of the apps and OS X installation from what I have now, but obviously I don't want to copy movies and mp3s (I'll keep that for the HDD). Thanks guys.

EXCITED! finally bit the bullet after so much debating and rationalization. Before this 13" MBP, I had the antiglare i7 15" that cost me $2300 so I figure I'm still in the clear when purchasing this SSD.

 

might as well put the SSD int he main spot and the HDD in the optical bay.

Cloning a HDD to a SSD is not the best idea.. they work differently. Your better off doing a fresh install on the SSD. If you have a Time Machine backup you can always use Migration assistant once its installed to move over saved files and settings.

 

Nice call....was just going to say the same...

 

Why SSD in main and HDD in optical bay? I read the opposite on another forum because SSD doesn't heat up too much and the HDD in its current spot is getting adequate cooling. Thoughts?

 

In addition to heat, the other issue is the sudden motion sensor. Optibay location will not feature this, and it could be an issue if you tend to move around with your laptop. Some HDDs have internal fall sensors, but I dont think the Hitachi HDD that he/she is moving has it. There was a very comprehensive discussion about this in one thread. Let me see if I can locate it for you.

 

You need to put the SSD in the HD bay to get full performance out of it and to ensure it is recognized as the boot drive. I have helped and heard of countless people doing this and this is the first time I have ever heard the theory that it would affect any sudden motion sensor.

 

This is true I have moved my SSD/HDD all around and ran lots of tests smacking the laptop around. You need to put the HDD in the normal spot as this is the only connection that will allow the sudden motion sensor to work.

OSX is a robust OS. It does not matter what HDD you have plugged into what and where the OS is installed at all. Or windows for that matter when running boot camp. I have OSX on my SSD in the normal spot with Windows 7 installed on the HDD in the optibay. I swapped them around and OSX never missed a beat durring my testing.

@Les both connections are full SATA 3.0gbps. Won't effect performance at all. Now the crappy stock 500GB HDD that came in my laptop is locked at 1.5gbps no matter what computer its plugged into.

 

Thanks for clarification Dante. SSD in Optibay and HDD in normal spot, it is

 

Because it's an issue on the Mac

Seriously, as mentioned above, HDD bay is the only place that Mac OS implicated sudden motion sensor. If you put the HDD in the optibay, you "may" hurt the HDD if you keep moving with the laptop while accessing the drive (e.g., watching a movie). Having the SSD in the optibay will not cause any problems (except rare hibernation/wake up issues that I've heard before); however, having the HDD in the optibay will cause problems. Please note that this scenario assumes that you are moving the Hitachi HDD that came with the Macbook, which doesn't have "internal" fall sensor. If you really have to have the SSD in the Hard drive bay, then you can buy a new HDD for the optibay with a built-in fall sensor. I guess this could be part of the confusion here....