Mac Repair London carries out an SSD upgrade on the MacBook (white & black, 2006–2010) from our Central London workshop, for home users and businesses.
Fitting an SSD is the single best upgrade for these MacBooks. The drive is a standard 2.5-inch SATA unit, reached behind the battery on the A1181 and under the base on the A1342. The SATA bus on early models is slower than a modern SSD, but the jump from a 5400rpm hard drive still makes start-up and app launches several times faster. We clone your current system or install the newest macOS your model supports.
About this model: The white and black polycarbonate MacBook was Apple’s first Intel notebook and sold in huge numbers, so plenty are still in use. The A1181 models are known for cracked or discoloured palm rests and for batteries that swell.
Signs it needs an SSD upgrade
- Very slow start-up and app launches
- Old hard drive making noise
- Wanting to extend the life of a working MacBook
- Hard drive cable faults (A1342)
How we do it
We use quality SATA SSDs from established brands, fitted with a bracket or adapter where the bay was designed for a larger drive. If your old drive still reads, we clone it so your apps, files and settings carry across unchanged.
Once fitted, we either restore your existing system or install the newest macOS your model supports, then run a full read/write test and check the drive’s health reporting before handing it back.
If you’d rather move to a new Mac instead, our data migration service (from £79 + VAT) transfers everything across.
At a glance
| Years | 2006–2010 |
|---|---|
| Processor | Intel Core Duo / Core 2 Duo |
| Storage | Standard SATA drive |
| Memory | Socketed, upgradeable |
| Battery | Removable |
| Power / charging | MagSafe 1 |
Before you bring it in
Think about whether you want a clean install or everything moved across exactly as it is. Both are fine; a clean install can also clear out years of clutter.
Which model do you have?
This page covers the MacBook white & black polycarbonate (13-inch, 2006–2010) (MacBook1,1 to MacBook7,1; A1181 and A1342). Open the Apple menu, choose About This Mac, then More Info or System Report. The A-number is also printed in small text on the underside. Not sure? Bring it in and we’ll identify it for you.
Price
We give you a fixed quote for your exact model after a free initial assessment, before any work starts. All prices are subject to inspection, and nothing is done without your approval.
Questions we’re often asked
Will I lose my files?
No. We clone or back up your data before any upgrade and check everything is in place afterwards.
Is it worth upgrading this model?
If the machine is otherwise healthy, yes. Storage and memory upgrades are the cheapest way to make an older Mac noticeably quicker, and we’ll tell you honestly if we think a replacement would be better value.
Do I pay if you can’t fix it?
No. If the repair isn’t possible, you don’t pay for it, and the free initial assessment costs nothing.
Book a repair
Call us on 020 7394 2528 or email info@mac-repair.london to arrange a time to drop it off.