2015 MBP SSD replacement?

[firelighter487]

hiya, i have a 2015 MBP 13", the base 120gb model, and i just can't live with it anymore. ideally i want to buy a cheapo 500GB drive, but i've done a bit of research and apparantly you need an adaptor? and you can't use SATA?

can anyone tell me what exactly i should get?

 

[Lasermoon]

Kingston 500G A2000 M.2 2280 NVMe PCIe Gen 3.0 x4

Sintech NGFF M.2 nVME SSD Adapter Card for Upgrade 2013-2015 Year Macs(Not Fit Early 2013 MacBook Pro) (Black)

 

[lambertjohn]

Forget upgrading the hard drive; just get a new MB instead. Why not a 2022 Air?

 

[firelighter487]

Forget upgrading the hard drive; just get a new MB instead. Why not a 2022 Air?

because i can't afford one. i can afford an ssd upgrade to my current one, which is why that's what i'm asking about.

 

[Audit13]

Check out this thread: https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/upgrading-2013-2014-macbook-pro-ssd-to-m-2-nvme.2034976/

 

[Fishrrman]

Be aware that some software updates (such as OS upgrades that include firmware updates) WILL NOT install onto some (not all, but some) 3rd-party adapter/SSD combinations.

There are threads here that cover that issue (I can't point the way to them, because it's never been a concern of mine).

 

[firelighter487]

Check out this thread: https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/upgrading-2013-2014-macbook-pro-ssd-to-m-2-nvme.2034976/

thanks i bought the sintech adaptor thing, should arrive next month

Be aware that some software updates (such as OS upgrades that include firmware updates) WILL NOT install onto some (not all, but some) 3rd-party adapter/SSD combinations.

There are threads here that cover that issue (I can't point the way to them, because it's never been a concern of mine).

i have a Mac i can just mirror to the 2015, not a big problem if it refuses to update

 

[EugW]

The safest thing is to get the appropriate OEM Apple drive. They're more expensive than the NVMe drives, but not hugely expensive, if you're OK with 256 or 512 GB that is.

I believe yours is the SSUBX but you'd have to confirm.

 

[BrianBaughn]

i have a Mac i can just mirror to the 2015, not a big problem if it refuses to update

Not sure what you mean by this.

If you're already running macOS 10.15 or later I don't think you have an issue.

What was said referred to the fact that if your 2015 MBP has never been updated to Catalina, Big Sur or Monterey it will possibly be unable to do so until the firmware on it is updated…and for some reason the firmware update will not work if there's a third party SSD installed.

I think the only way to get the firmware update is to do the macOS upgrade but I'm not sure about that.

 

[EugW]

Not sure what you mean by this.

If you're already running macOS 10.15 or later I don't think you have an issue.

What was said referred to the fact that if your 2015 MBP has never been updated to Catalina, Big Sur or Monterey it will possibly be unable to do so until the firmware on it is updated…and for some reason the firmware update will not work if there's a third party SSD installed.

I think the only way to get the firmware update is to do the macOS upgrade but I'm not sure about that.

Yes, before doing any third party NVMe upgrade, macOS should be updated if it hasn't already been done. Of course, backups of all important data are necessary.

 

[maflynn]

Forget upgrading the hard drive; just get a new MB instead. Why not a 2022 Air?

Why spend thousand(s) of dollars when a few hundred will fit the bill?

I get we all love shiny new things, but there's something to be said about just updating an existing product and gaining more years of service. Most apps are such that any modern computer will be more then enough

 

[Nbd1790]

Why spend thousand(s) of dollars when a few hundred will fit the bill?

I get we all love shiny new things, but there's something to be said about just updating an existing product and gaining more years of service. Most apps are such that any modern computer will be more then enough

I do agree in some cases, but I don't see the 2015 receiving updates for much longer. We're going into year 8 with those machines. Private sell / with the money spent on upgrading the SSD adapter etc, probably only 100-200 away from getting a refurb MacBook Air that's going to be significantly better in every aspect and outlast the OP current machine by just short of a decade.

 

[maflynn]

but I don't see the 2015 receiving updates for much longer.

Oh I get it, but the OP was looking for SSD replacements, so its clear that he's intending on keeping it.

My 2012 MBP lasted well beyond where people thought it should, so i get why he wants to keep it. If you're happy with it, and it works, then keep using it.

 

[EugW]

I do agree in some cases, but I don't see the 2015 receiving updates for much longer.

It should get two more years of security updates, plus updates in Safari.

 

[firelighter487]

The safest thing is to get the appropriate OEM Apple drive. They're more expensive than the NVMe drives, but not hugely expensive, if you're OK with 256 or 512 GB that is.

I believe yours is the SSUBX but you'd have to confirm.

very pricey, i'm not in freedom land, so...

 

[firelighter487]

Not sure what you mean by this.

If you're already running macOS 10.15 or later I don't think you have an issue.

What was said referred to the fact that if your 2015 MBP has never been updated to Catalina, Big Sur or Monterey it will possibly be unable to do so until the firmware on it is updated…and for some reason the firmware update will not work if there's a third party SSD installed.

I think the only way to get the firmware update is to do the macOS upgrade but I'm not sure about that.

OOOH i see. it's running Monterey so i'm good.

 

[firelighter487]

I do agree in some cases, but I don't see the 2015 receiving updates for much longer. We're going into year 8 with those machines. Private sell / with the money spent on upgrading the SSD adapter etc, probably only 100-200 away from getting a refurb MacBook Air that's going to be significantly better in every aspect and outlast the OP current machine by just short of a decade.

it'll get 2 more years of security patches, at least stock. patcher devs got Ventura running on a 2008 Mac Pro, so... using patchers i can get even more life out of it. even if that all fails, monterey will remain usable for a long time after apple EOL's it, you can still get Chrome for high sierra for example.

and if it even outlives that, i can install linux on it to get even more years of life.

 

[firelighter487]

Oh I get it, but the OP was looking for SSD replacements, so its clear that he's intending on keeping it.

My 2012 MBP lasted well beyond where people thought it should, so i get why he wants to keep it. If you're happy with it, and it works, then keep using it.

she*

also, i have a 2012 MBP too, running monterey with a patcher, with 16GB ram and a 500GB SSD upgrade, it's still a beast.

 

[maflynn]

she*

Sorry, force of habit - it seems the majority of members are of the male persuasion and I typed w/o thinking. No disrespect intended

 

[Jack Neill]

Forget upgrading the hard drive; just get a new MB instead. Why not a 2022 Air?

The 13" MBP is still a good machine, I have a 2TB Rocket Q in mine and while it may not run 12.x as fast as a new machine but its fine for most tasks. It has great port selection, a decent screen, good battery life, MagSafe, Force Touch trackpad and I am hoping to try 13.x on it soon.

 

[Macdctr]

Nothing wrong with just upgrading the storage drive on these machines. I put in a 1TB Samsung 970 PRO NVMe M.2 drive with a Sintech adapter in my recently acquired 2015 15-inch MBP.

As Audit13 posted earlier there is a link with in-depth comments regarding use of M.2 NVMe drives in these computers. 👍

 

[firelighter487]

Nothing wrong with just upgrading the storage drive on these machines. I put in a 1TB Samsung 970 PRO NVMe M.2 drive with a Sintech adapter in my recently acquired 2015 15-inch MBP.

As Audit13 posted earlier there is a link with in-depth comments regarding use of M.2 NVMe drives in these computers. 👍

awesome, i've ordered the sintech adaptor, yay slow shipping it arrives in a week or 2.

do you have any tips or things i should look out for when upgrading other than the info already in the thread? i plan to run Ventura using the OCLP patch as well, got that running on it rn, would love to keep using that if possible as well.

 

[EugW]

awesome, i've ordered the sintech adaptor, yay slow shipping it arrives in a week or 2.

do you have any tips or things i should look out for when upgrading other than the info already in the thread? i plan to run Ventura using the OCLP patch as well, got that running on it rn, would love to keep using that if possible as well.

Pay attention the specific drives used in that thread because some have compatibility issues, not just specific models, but also specific firmwares. Furthermore, some are better in terms of power utilization than of others. One popular one is the Hynix Gold P31. I didn't go that route here because they don't sell them in Canada. Luckily I have been able to find relatively cheap Apple/Samsung OEM drives here so that's what I've gone with in our 2017 MacBook Air and 2015 MacBook Pro. However, in my 2014 Mac mini I used a Western Digital SN550 since I wasn't concerned about power utilization. (Plus my Mac mini didn't have the Apple 12+16 SSD connector anyway, so if I was going to get a drive connector, it'd be the NVMe one, not the Apple one.)

 

[Macdctr]

awesome, i've ordered the sintech adaptor, yay slow shipping it arrives in a week or 2.

do you have any tips or things i should look out for when upgrading other than the info already in the thread? i plan to run Ventura using the OCLP patch as well, got that running on it rn, would love to keep using that if possible as well.

I always push using Samsung drives (970 EVO and PRO) because of performance. I'm never far away from an AC source so long battery life is not a crucial requirement for my use. Audit13 has provided great real world recommendations so if you're looking for something that promotes longer battery life and has a good balance between size/pricing I would reach out to him.

I have been running MacOS 13.1 Ventura on all my MacBook Pros (see my signature) and have not had any issues running the new OS. I'm contemplating installing Ventura on my 11-inch Air just to see how responsive it will be on the smaller Mac

As much as people are pushing buying the new current lineup of Macs, I prefer to have one where I can change out storage drives as my needs change. I'm not a fan of buying "disposable computers" which, in my opinion, Apple is now selling. Besides the hardware of 2015 Macs are still good enough to run Apple's current OS without any noticeable performance issues. I will keep using my "older Macs" and use money saved elsewhere.

 

[firelighter487]

Pay attention the specific drives used in that thread because some have compatibility issues, not just specific models, but also specific firmwares. Furthermore, some are better in terms of power utilization than of others. One popular one is the Hynix Gold P31. I didn't go that route here because they don't sell them in Canada. Luckily I have been able to find relatively cheap Apple/Samsung OEM drives here so that's what I've gone with in our 2017 MacBook Air and 2015 MacBook Pro. However, in my 2014 Mac mini I used a Western Digital SN550 since I wasn't concerned about power utilization. (Plus my Mac mini didn't have the Apple 12+16 SSD connector anyway, so if I was going to get a drive connector, it'd be the NVMe one, not the Apple one.)

i'm thinking of buying a WD SN750 SE, because it's very well priced where i live. would that be ok?

I always push using Samsung drives (970 EVO and PRO) because of performance. I'm never far away from an AC source so long battery life is not a crucial requirement for my use. Audit13 has provided great real world recommendations so if you're looking for something that promotes longer battery life and has a good balance between size/pricing I would reach out to him.

I have been running MacOS 13.1 Ventura on all my MacBook Pros (see my signature) and have not had any issues running the new OS. I'm contemplating installing Ventura on my 11-inch Air just to see how responsive it will be on the smaller Mac

As much as people are pushing buying the new current lineup of Macs, I prefer to have one where I can change out storage drives as my needs change. I'm not a fan of buying "disposable computers" which, in my opinion, Apple is now selling. Besides the hardware of 2015 Macs are still good enough to run Apple's current OS without any noticeable performance issues. I will keep using my "older Macs" and use money saved elsewhere.

i'm not gonna go samsung due to pricing, i have a very limited budget... battery life is a bit of a concern to me though, the batteyr in my MBP is starting to age, and if i suddenly lost an hour that would suck...

glad to know that OCLP works though