The hard drive in my 2009 MacBook Pro just died. It’s out of warranty, but can I replace the drive on my own, or do I have to pay Apple for a repair?
That’s a bummer about your drive. You do have everything backed up somewhere, right?
When Apple transitioned to unibody designs for the MacBook, we were a bit worried that the days of swapping out drives were over. Thankfully, you can still do it yourself (and for those with Macs still under warranty, you don’t have to void yours to do it). While it might seem scary, it’s actually a pretty simple task, requiring little more than a 2.5-inch SATA replacement drive and a screwdriver.
Search Apple's support pages to find useful diagrams to help you tear apart your Mac.
Apple helpfully includes step-by-step guides for replacing drives on their website, but the process is pretty much the same no matter which MacBook you have. First, power down your MacBook and disconnect the power adapter. Then flip it over on a soft cloth (to keep from scratching the top) and remove all of the tiny screws. Pay attention to which screws go where -- they’re not all the same length. Remove the bottom case. Loosen the screws on the bracket that holds your existing drive in place, and lift the drive out. Gently remove the connector from the old drive, and plug in the new one. Replace the bracket and bottom case, and you’re done.
While the idea of opening up your precious MacBook might seem intimidating, it’s really not that difficult. Honestly, the hardest part is keeping track of all those tiny screws. Just go slow -- you don’t want to strip the threads -- and keep some small bowls handy for gathering screws. If it helps, take pictures of each step to help you remember how things are oriented and which screws go where.
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