SSD can be upgraded you just need an adapter from eBay or Amazon
Like this:
NGFF M.2 nVME SSD Adapter, für Upgrade Macbook Air 2013 - 2017 Macbook Pro Late 2013 - 2015 iMac 2013 - 2017 Jahr (ST-NGFF2013C) https://www.amazon.de/dp/B01CWWAENG/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_jvJyFbGZBEYN8
OWC should work right out of the box, I wouldn't waste any time or money troubleshooting.
Return it, order a cheap sintech adapter
https://www.amazon.com/Sintech-Adapter-Upgrade-2013-2015-MacBook/dp/B01CWWAENG
Toss in a much larger SSD than you could get for the same price as a the 1tb OWC drive.
OWC is overpriced trash 99% of the time.
The RAM on the Airs is soldered, and the SSD is proprietary, but with an adapter such as this https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01CWWAENG/ref=cm_sw_r_awdo_navT_g_SHEADC6NFES5XAZK2M2Bit
It can be replaced with a standard m.2 SSD. 2.5" drives don't fit. If you want to replace the SSD, you should update the Macbook (with the original SSD inside it) to High Sierra or higher, as that includes drivers for 3rd party SSDs (you can sometimes get it to work on older versions, but it's prone to crashing and bad read/write speeds).
Macs run surprisingly well with low amounts of RAM (a 4GB Mac will usually run better than a 4GB Windows laptop of the same year) so 4 or 8GB should be fine for light coding. You could also connect it to an external monitor and a keyboard and mouse and use it as a desktop, if the larger screen is worth the lack of portability. (Note: MacBooks won't display to external monitors when the lid is closed if the Mac isn't connected to power, unless you use NoSleep or similar)
Sorry for the long message..
You'll need an adapter, I think in the US you can get one for ~$20 ish (https://www.amazon.com/Sintech-Adapter-Upgrade-2013-2015-MacBook/dp/B01CWWAENG). Also you should know you won't get the full NVMe speed, the Mac driver can only handle lower speeds. But still, cheap upgrade for a big memory boost compared to buying an expensive, old proprietary mac drive
Is that an A1502/MacBook Pro 12,1? Also who is the manufacturer of the SSD? The Amazon page I found for a Sintech adapter lists the following 3 Samsung models as incompatible:
Samsung PM981 Samsung 950 Pro Samsung 970 Evo Plus
You need an adapter to use standard NVMe drives. The best and most reliable one is Sintech. Get the long one, not the short one. It’s like $17 on Amazon. I’ve been using one in a 2019 iMac with an HP 950EX for nearly a year now with no problems. It’ll save you a fortune over the Apple ones and there is no performance penalty. I get close to 3000mbps with it. Make sure the drive you choose is an NVMe drive not just m.2.
Sintech NGFF M.2 nVME SSD Adapter Card for Upgrade 2013-2015 Year Macs(Not Fit Early 2013 MacBook Pro) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01CWWAENG/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_W3eSDbM2H8SVX
Yes you can replace with another M.2 SSD using an adapter like this. Most M.2 SSDs will work, but some won't like the Samsung EVO Plus (check first to make sure) and it's best to do this with the latest OS X version you can install on it.
Yeah I came across this one
I'm not super worried about the RAM, that would have been cool but it runs pretty well for my needs. That 128 gb storage though is absolutely pathetic and ruthlessly hindering.
you can upgrade the internal SSD on your mac. Get a USB hard drive or SSD with over 128 GB, a pentalobe screwdriver, and a T5 screwdriver (also, while you're in the computer, if you get a microfiber cloth and some thermal paste you can swap that). Also, get an M.2 NVMe SSD and a Sintech adapter like this one https://www.amazon.com/Sintech-Adapter-Upgrade-2013-2015-MacBook/dp/B01CWWAENG. First, use Carbon Copy Cloner to clone your internal drive to the external drive. Then, take off the back panel using the pentalobe screwdriver, and use the T5 to remove the SSD screw, and pull out the SSD. Then, install the SSD inside the adapter, slot the SSD in the slot, reinstall the screw, and put the back panel back on. Then, plug in the external drive, hold ALT, and boot from it- you should be on your desktop, but a significantly slower version of it. Then, use carbon copy cloner to clone the contents of the external drive to the internal SSD. Afterwards, turn off the computer, hold ALT, and boot from the internal drive. Then, go to settings -> startup disk and change the boot drive to the internal drive.
Apple uses proprietary SSDs in their macs. Simply swapping an Apple blade SSD for a Samsung will not work. Some people had success with something like this so that may be an option. Folks at the shop should know this.
You would need an adapter like this:
https://www.amazon.com/Sintech-Adapter-Upgrade-2013-2015-MacBook/dp/B01CWWAENG
And of course a computable drive.
There’s a list of drives that work in the description.
Also, you should upgrade to at least High Sierra before doing this. El Capitan most likely doesn’t have drivers for these recent drives.
The old adapters, first gen, caused problems. I'm using the one in the video on my 2015 with absolutely no sleep/wake issues. Working great. This is the one I've been using since last October.
its running perfectly fine. if you wanna do it it, just follow these steps
1)update your mac to the latest OS
2)take time machine backup(optional)
3)get this sintech adapter and any m.2 SSD (SATA or NVME)
4)just install the ssd and reinstall the OS. You are good to go
My macbook air speeds are capped at 1500mb/s in both read and write. and its perfectly running without any issues.
Better yet, spend the $17 on the Sintech adapter and use any NVME SSD you like.
https://smile.amazon.com/Sintech-Adapter-Upgrade-2013-2015-MacBook/dp/B01CWWAENG
Hi foocux,
I updated my 2015 13” MBPr with a Samsung evo 970 (I got the 1TB version) To do this you will need an adapter which will adapt the standard nvme PCI SSDs to the port on the logic board of your MBPr.
Since I am from Germany I can only give you the link to the german version of Amazon. But you should be able to get this adapter on the internet.
https://www.amazon.de/Sintech-M-2-PCIe-2280-SSD-Karte-MZ-JPU128T-SD6PQ4M-128G/dp/B01CWWAENG
Here are the steps I did to upgrade my MBPr.
Good luck!
If I use this adapter can I use other SSD's?
I have two systems. Both use this adapter: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01CWWAENG/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
I just ran a disk speed test. I had overhyped my speeds and swapped which drive was faster.
The Crucial CT2000P2SSD8 is achieving 1542MB/s write and 1099MB/sec read.
In my other system, the Intel 660p SSDPEKNW020T8X1 is coming in around 1150MB/sec read and write.
At one point I also had a Western Digital SN750 SSD in another Mac Pro. I forget the speeds, I believe they were in the ballpark of 800-1000MB/sec.
While a 500GB SATA SSD is around $30, his iMac has a fusion drive, meaning it has an NVMe slot, a 1TB NVMe SSD can be found for $50 at times (Intel 660P or 670P) all OP needs is this Apple proprietary PCIe SSD to NVMe SSD adapter.
A 2TB NVMe can be found for $124 at times, just have to be ready when the deals pop up.
You can check OWC for drives or try the neat adapter to use industry standard nvme drives. https://www.amazon.com/Sintech-Adapter-Upgrade-2013-2015-MacBook/dp/B01CWWAENG
Yeah, it's pretty easy to swap the internal drive while you're at it. There's a nice thread over at MacRumors on how to do it. It does significantly decrease your battery life from my own experience. If you're planning to go the MacRumors way, make sure to buy an M.2 drive that doesn't consume heaps of power (read the thread!). Another tip is to buy a decent adapter for the drive (e.g. Sintech). Copy your data, and you're all set!
Item | Current | Lowest | Reviews |
---|---|---|---|
Sintech NGFF M.2 nVME SSD Adapter Card for Upgrad… | $16.38 | $16.38 | 4.5/5.0 |
^Item Info | Bot Info | Trigger
This one should do it:
https://www.amazon.com/Sintech-Adapter-Upgrade-2013-2015-MacBook/dp/B01CWWAENG
You will need a bootable iso from Samsung for the 970 Evo Plus to be recognized before installing macOS.
Which 2TB SSD drive do you recommend for a 2017 iMAC PCI-e 3.0x4 Replacement. Will be using this adapter.
https://www.amazon.com.au/gp/product/B01CWWAENG/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
I am after performance and reliability.
I'm not arguing, I'm asking, because I didn't see it in iStat Menus, apparently because I have a soldered SSD and you don't.
I asked if the adapter is using the extra power. Checking the Amazon listing for the adapter you mentioned (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01CWWAENG/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_4EKQSHHHAMJHJCSBY0TD) specifically states "NOT Support: Samsung 970 Evo Plus". So are you using a different adapter or are you expecting something to work a certain way when the vendor specifically says your hardware isn't supported, or are you using some other software hack on top of this hardware hack?
Notebookcheck.com's testing stated your SSD can draw ~5W when active and 30 mW when idle -- is the SSD being read/written to when testing, and how are you confirming that it's idle if so?
You could always upgrade the internal storage via this adapter and an NVMe SSD. I purchased a 2015 15" with a dead SSD last year and used these to get it working again.
Title: [USA-TN] [H] 2013 Mac Pro, 2018 Mac Mini [W] Paypal
Username: /u/PAChrist
Body:
Hi all!
Normally list on /r/hardwareswap, but figured this would be better here.
Both Macs come with macOS Big Sur 11.1 installed.
There are a couple scratches on the top of the Mac Pro and some on the bottom of the Mac Mini.
Unfortuntely, no original boxes or packaging for either.
Mac Pro specs and timestamps: $1000 shipped
3.5Ghz 6 Core Xeon E5
32GB RAM
256GB SSD
FirePro D300 2GB
I also have an adapter for the SSD so you can use regular NVMe drives in it that I'll include. Note, not everything works in it. Amazon listing for it is here.
The only thing I know of that is wrong with this computer is the second ethernet port seems slightly damaged. It frequently drops connection and has been that way since I bought it years ago. First port is fine. This is reflected in the price.
Mac Mini specs and timestamps: $520 shipped
3.6Ghz i3 Quad Core
8GB RAM
256GB SSD
Intel UHD 630 graphics
Everything with this computer works great.
I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/appleswap) if you have any questions or concerns.
No that isn't a good method of upgrade. What you really want to do is replace the internal drive with a better one.
Here is what I used :
I know this is a very specific question, but do you recommend any drives in particular for a 2013-2016 Macbook Pro Retina? They use a proprietary drive, but there are adapters available on Amazon. Link. Adapter Link.
I can't afford to buy the OWC 1TB for $600. But a $15 adapter plus a $150-$250 1TB NVMe is affordable. Samsung makes the original drive for Apple, so I was going to go for the 960/970 EVO (non-pro). I know you are sort of the SSD guru around here, so do you have any advice for this specific use case?
So I know this question is two months old, but I came across it in a search related to something else and I have a really hard time not giving my $0.02 on stuff like this, especially when nobody else feels like doing it.
First of all, you don't need 32GB of RAM. 16GB is fine, and you could very likely do absolutely fine with 8GB.
That price for that computer is absolutely absurd. From the tone of the post, it seems like budget is very important to you. If you were willing to take a rather calculated risk (and filter your search to include only "returns accepted" listings), eBay has 2015 27" iMacs with 16GB of RAM starting around the $800 mark.
Furthermore, if you were really budget conscious, you could look at purchasing a computer I actually own, the Mid-2011 27" iMac. Mine came with 16GB of RAM and a 1TB internal hard drive (which I believe is the standard size this model shipped with). I paid $349.68 including shipping for this computer and it works brilliantly.
Couple of things when considering the above: one is that older computers (read: computers older than yours) will probably not be as powerful CPU-wise as your current one, which will cause Lightroom to not be as snappy when you are in the process of editing photos. Another is that most iMacs from this era are only capable of running up to OS X "High Sierra," which although I do not find this to be a problem, your situation may be different. If considering a Mid-2011 iMac, you must absolutely under no circumstance purchase one with the AMD Radeon HD 6970M GPU, which means you need to look for a Mid-2011 with the Core i5 processor only. The 27" Late-2009 and Mid-2010 iMacs are fine and probably even more affordable than the one that I have, so they may be worth looking at as well.
I don't know exactly how much storage space you feel like you need, but another option that could help is to find a tech-savvy friend to help you upgrade the storage on your current computer. This can be done using an adapter and an NVMe solid state drive like this one or this one which is even bigger.
Bottom line, I think if you are going to invest in a new computer and your top priorities are display size, storage capacity, and price, I'd seriously consider looking at 2010 and 2011 27" iMacs on eBay, filtering for "Buy it Now" and "Returns Accepted" listings only. There are some insane deals there. I personally could never justify paying that much to OWC for an iMac that's already 5 years old and would serve my needs no (or only very slightly) better than my Mid-2011. Honestly, this thing is still so capable that I bought a solid state drive for it and ended up never putting it in because even with the 1TB spinning disk, it's still incredible fast and runs absolutely everything I throw at it without so much as a hiccup.
Just for reference, you can buy a new...brand new 27" iMac directly from Apple right now, one that has a 5K display, for $1,799.
Another option is that you could buy a brand new mac Mini directly from Apple and buy your own display and still easily come in well below what OWC wants for the computer you mentioned. You could also buy a used Mini on eBay that would surely suit your needs and come in at an even lower price.
Let me know if you are even still looking and if you have questions I can help. I've purchased many iMacs and MacBooks from eBay and would be happy to lend some of my expertise your way.
You would need this adapter
I bought this one for my trash can and it works fine. Remember, that to use an NVME drive in an older MacPros (2013 trash can an the older 2010/2012 silver towers) you have to have updated to High Sierra via the full upgrade package since that package includes a firmware update for the Mac that allows booting from an NVME drive.
https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B01CWWAENG/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Probably this one: Sintech NGFF M.2 nVME SSD Adapter Card for Upgrade 2013-2015 Year Macs(Not Fit Early 2013 MacBook Pro) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01CWWAENG/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_E.UrDb5HY0E6T
Looking at putting this instead of an intel 660p in my 2015 macbook pro with this adapter. https://www.amazon.com/Sintech-Adapter-Upgrade-2013-2015-MacBook/dp/B01CWWAENG
Anyone know if this will work? I do a good amount of photo and video editing.
>https://www.amazon.com/Sintech-Adapter-Upgrade-2013-2015-MacBook/dp/B01CWWAENG
thank you! I'll check it out.
​
You'll need to replace the Apple blade SSD with NVMe drive along with a Sintech NVMe adapter. You'll end up with 1TB NVMe SSD + 2TB HDD, the current fusion drive will be broken. I think you'll want to run it as separate SSD and spinning disk after the upgrade, not as a Fusion drive.
​
That said, it's considered an extremely advanced type of drive replacement if you're not familiar with it. You'll have to completely remove the display which has adhesive and completely disassemble the iMac to get to the back of the motherboard where the blade SSD is installed. Essentially this: https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/iMac+Intel+27-Inch+Retina+5K+Display+Blade+SSD+Replacement/30537
Ahm.. I ordered this Sintech adapter. It won't fit directly cause the ports are different
Strictly speaking, the SSD is really the only thing that can be upgraded, and it's just held in with a single pentalobe screw, and is easy to do yourself. You can either get a "native" replacement with an OWC Aura drive or getting lucky and finding a larger OEM drive on ebay; or you can just get a standard m.2 drive, and an adapter which are known to be glitchy/have sleep recovery problems.
If you mean literally upgrading, as in de-soldering the RAM chips, and re-soldering different ones, it is technically possible. (Proof of concept) but you'd need the correct chips donated from a different logic board of the same model that had larger RAM to begin with, and it may be easier to just buy a different logic board and put it in, instead. Not sure I've heard of anyone just doing that, though anyone who has the tools for logic board repair can do it if you supplied the chips - someone like Louis Rossman