Partitioning a Momentus XT to Macbook

I have never really messed with a Mac OS before. I am still very new at it coming from a hardcore Windows user.

I just purchased a Macbook Pro and a 500gb Momentus XT to put in it.
This Mac will be used primarily for DJ'in. Running 2-3 softwares at most, light internet usage, and storing Music.

I have an a netbook I lug around to use internet, downloads etc.

What would be the best way to partition this drive for this? Also, How does the OS bootup if I change Harddrives? Do I need to reinstall Snow Leopard on it?

Thanks

*edit I have all my music on a external 500gb right now, What would be the best way transfer like 150gb of music to the drive?

 

I would recommend that you simply install OS/x with the defaults. No partitioning at all.

Why? Because once you prove that your notebook is running properly with the XT, you can shrink the volume to the size you want.

If the external is USB, then simply plug in to your notebook and copy to the destination you want your data in.

Note I do not have any Apple/Mac expertise, but thought I would attempt an answer for you as it seems like your Q has been forgotten.

Good luck.

 

You would need a way to reinstall the OS, either via dvd or usb. But I would install them using the default settings to make sure it works up to par

 

Ok so you guys wouldnt recommend me partitioning anything for better performance?

I have the OS on CD so I can install after.

 

I assumed you have the OS on CD, but Mac OS/x can have 4 or 5 partitions to be setup 'properly' just for it's own internal workings.

I'm suggesting not fooling around with something you don't (and I don't ) know about and instead, make sure that the new hardware works as it should.

Once the hardware is not in question, you can begin to explore partitioning in Mac OS and see if you get a further increase in performance by doing so over a 'default' install.

I would also seek a more Mac oriented site than here (I don't see too many specific Apple questions and (real) answers.

 

There's no advantage partitioning the Momentus XT since it's already a fast drive. If it does happen to crash you can still extricate the data using an external drive enclosure.

 

You will not get any performance benefit by repartitioning.

The idea of partitioning used to be based on the idea that the outer edges of a spinning hard drive platter access data faster than the inner tracks, because of higher angular velocity. This was an older practice that has died off... hard drives are so fast now that this performance difference has become negligible. And those looking for bumps in performance will do something like buy an SSD instead.

 

Alright thanks fellas