is there any SSD difference in 2014 rmbp and rmbp 2015?

[Heliotropen]

Hi all ...

Can anyone explain to me the difference between the SSD in the 2014 mid rmbp and early 2015 early rmbp?
*both 13"

I assume the bus is faster in the 2015, but:

1. Can you swap the drive between them?

2. Is the "connector" the same? or does it take an adapter?

3. Do they use the same type of SSD?


I'm going to look for a cheap replacement of the 250 gb ssd in my 2015 rmbp.

Cheapest would be to swap the 500 one from my 2014 macbook pro to the 2015 and visa versus.

Otherwise I'll go hunting for an adapter and a good cheap disk for it.

Thank you all, for the always great inputs

 

[pshufd]

My recollection is that the 2015 MacBook Pros had SSDs that are twice the speed of the 2014 models.

 

[Heliotropen]

My recollection is that the 2015 MacBook Pros had SSDs that are twice the speed of the 2014 models.

Thank you, I should go hunting for one of those then ...
What low power drives and adapters do ppl advice for such an old machine these days?

Besides that though, would it be able to plug it in and run with it anyways?
It would just be slower (less lanes) or is it another adapter / drive?

 

[pshufd]

Everymac confirms:

Compared to its predecessor, this model looks nearly identical externally, but it has a more advanced processor and architecture, more advanced graphics processor, faster RAM, a faster SSD, and a higher capacity battery as well as the aforementioned more advanced "Force Touch" trackpad.

MacBook Pro "Core i5" 2.7 13" Early 2015 Specs (Retina Early 2015 13", MF839LL/A*, MacBookPro12,1, A1502, 2835): EveryMac.com

Technical specifications for the MacBook Pro "Core i5" 2.7 13" Early 2015. Dates sold, processor type, memory info, hard drive details, price and more.

everymac.com

 

[pshufd]

Everymac confirms:

Compared to its predecessor, this model looks nearly identical externally, but it has a more advanced processor and architecture, more advanced graphics processor, faster RAM, a faster SSD, and a higher capacity battery as well as the aforementioned more advanced "Force Touch" trackpad.

MacBook Pro "Core i5" 2.7 13" Early 2015 Specs (Retina Early 2015 13", MF839LL/A*, MacBookPro12,1, A1502, 2835): EveryMac.com

Technical specifications for the MacBook Pro "Core i5" 2.7 13" Early 2015. Dates sold, processor type, memory info, hard drive details, price and more.

everymac.com

There is a thread in this forum about how to replace/upgrade the SSDs in the Retina MacBook Pros. It is not as straightforward as just replacing the NVMe SSD with another one.

 

[pshufd]

It's the second sticky thread at the top.

 

[Heliotropen]

Everymac confirms:

Compared to its predecessor, this model looks nearly identical externally, but it has a more advanced processor and architecture, more advanced graphics processor, faster RAM, a faster SSD, and a higher capacity battery as well as the aforementioned more advanced "Force Touch" trackpad.

MacBook Pro "Core i5" 2.7 13" Early 2015 Specs (Retina Early 2015 13", MF839LL/A*, MacBookPro12,1, A1502, 2835): EveryMac.com

Technical specifications for the MacBook Pro "Core i5" 2.7 13" Early 2015. Dates sold, processor type, memory info, hard drive details, price and more.

everymac.com

Sure perhaps it can still run with the older / slower ssd though?

Or perhaps it can just take more advantage of the drive?
Not sure if it's the drive or lanes that is the limiting factor?

 

[Heliotropen]

There is a thread in this forum about how to replace/upgrade the SSDs in the Retina MacBook Pros. It is not as straightforward as just replacing the NVMe SSD with another one.

Well I know if you just use a non mac ssd you need an adapter.
But since these are all mac ssd's, should they not be able to use the same drives then?

I mean faster drives might benefit the 2015 but not 2014; so I will look for a faster low energy drive.
But in theory ... if I was happy with the drive speed of the 2014, perhaps it could use it?

 

[Heliotropen]

It's the second sticky thread at the top.

is that not for 2013/2014, machines?

 

[pshufd]

Well I know if you just use a non mac ssd you need an adapter.
But since these are all mac ssd's, should they not be able to use the same drives then?

I mean faster drives might benefit the 2015 but not 2014; so I will look for a faster low energy drive.
But in theory ... if I was happy with the drive speed of the 2014, perhaps it could use it?

I don't know the details - this is just from forum threads that I've read in the past. I actually have both 2014 and 2015 MacBook Pros but they are 15-inch models but I think that they use the same SSDs as their respective 13 inch models. The 2014 and 2015 are both quite similar. There are some small differences but I don't notice them in actual use.

 

[pshufd]

is that not for 2013/2014, machines?

This thread is about upgrading MacBook Airs & Macbook Pros (2013-2015) with new high speed and/or high capacity NVMe SSDs.
This thread was one of the first to talk about MacBook Pro NVMe SSD upgrades on Macrumors, and was started by user "maxthackray", which we can thank and give tribute for having started this thread.
This post has now been converted by MacRumors administrators to the present wiki post you are reading.

 

[yyzguy]

https://eshop.macsales.com will have definitive answers

 

[Heliotropen]

I don't know the details - this is just from forum threads that I've read in the past. I actually have both 2014 and 2015 MacBook Pros but they are 15-inch models but I think that they use the same SSDs as their respective 13 inch models. The 2014 and 2015 are both quite similar. There are some small differences but I don't notice them in actual use.

There is a difference between 13" and 15" ... as I recall 15" is twice as fast in the bus as the 13" 2015, the 2015 twice as fast as the 13" 2014 and 2013.

Sadly the 15" size is not useable for me, I need something more mobile and also have my Imac for really heavy stuff.

My logic is that since all seems to be adviced to use the same

Sintech adapter for the "fake" drives; then the "connector" should be identical... that is the 2014 should fit into the 2015 physically ... *sadly I'm not sure*
(might even to the 15" as well).

Since I have the macbook 2014 13" 500 SSD drive lying around, I wonder how much faster it would be to buy a Sintech adapter and an NVME? ... *perhaps someone in here knows?*

 

[Heliotropen]

https://eshop.macsales.com will have definitive answers

Thank you that guide:

SSD Upgrades for 2013, 2014, and 2015 MacBook Pro

Upgrade the SSD of any 2013-2015 MacBook Pro for up to 16x the capacity of the original factory drive. Kit includes all tools needed for DIY installation.

eshop.macsales.com

Seems to sell the same drives to all of these, so they should be compatible with each other right?

 

[diego.caraballo]

Thank you that guide:

SSD Upgrades for 2013, 2014, and 2015 MacBook Pro

Upgrade the SSD of any 2013-2015 MacBook Pro for up to 16x the capacity of the original factory drive. Kit includes all tools needed for DIY installation.

eshop.macsales.com

Seems to sell the same drives to all of these, so they should be compatible with each other right?

You can find an Apple original SSD on eBay for about $70.

Check the photos for the following:

Model: MZ-JPV5120/0A4
SSUBX next the capacity
Try to find a 2016 or 2017 unit (date below the QR), probably newer with fewer hours

 

[Heliotropen]

You can find an Apple original SSD on eBay for about $70.

Check the photos for the following:
View attachment 2039232

Model: MZ-JPV5120/0A4
SSUBX next the capacity
Try to find a 2016 or 2017 unit (date below the QR), probably newer with fewer hours

Thats really cool ... would be my best option I think.
Though I'm not sure they deliver fast to Denmark, I guess I have to go and see.

1. Does the 2016-2017 units use the same connector / pins?
2. Is the 2016-2017 as low energy consuming? (heat / battery) or more preforming?

 

[Heliotropen]

You can find an Apple original SSD on eBay for about $70.

Check the photos for the following:
View attachment 2039232

Model: MZ-JPV5120/0A4
SSUBX next the capacity
Try to find a 2016 or 2017 unit (date below the QR), probably newer with fewer hours

The one from my 2014 macbook pro is obviously also an Apple original.

I read something once that they are more optimized for the cpu? so the cpu preform better with an original.

Anyways: how much slower would my Apple original 2014 SSD be compared to this one?

 

[GMShadow]

The 2015 13" moved to a PCIe 2.0 x4 bus for the SSD (formerly had a 2.0 x2). The 2015 15" moved to a PCIe 3.0 x4 bus.

Thats really cool ... would be my best option I think.
Though I'm not sure they deliver fast to Denmark, I guess I have to go and see.

1. Does the 2016-2017 units use the same connector / pins?
2. Is the 2016-2017 as low energy consuming? (heat / battery) or more preforming?

The 2016+ models are all soldered storage - you can't swap it out.

 

[Heliotropen]

The 2015 13" moved to a PCIe 2.0 x4 bus for the SSD (formerly had a 2.0 x2). The 2015 15" moved to a PCIe 3.0 x4 bus.



The 2016+ models are all soldered storage - you can't swap it out.

Yes, but lanes in the PCIe does not determinate the disk does it?

Isnt that more about how much of the drive the machine can use?

 

[otosan]

Yes, but lanes in the PCIe does not determinate the disk does it?

Isnt that more about how much of the drive the machine can use?

Am operating an indie shop for macbook repair and upgrade

You can easily slot in SSUBX drive from those of 2015 model to your 2014 model. 100% plug and play, no "but" at all.

Your mainboard have PCI 2.0 x 4 Capability (but ahipped with PCI 2.0 x2 SSD), and it will run on around 1200-1300Mb/s peak speed using SSUBX drive. With write around 700-900Mb/s

If you want something faster, get the NVME drives along with adapter. It can give you around 1500/1400 R/W speed.

One thing you need to make sure is to uodate your BootRom(Firmware) to those from BigSur OS. So it can utilise the new x4 SSD or the NVME drive in an optimum way.

 

[otosan]

The one from my 2014 macbook pro is obviously also an Apple original.

I read something once that they are more optimized for the cpu? so the cpu preform better with an original.

Anyways: how much slower would my Apple original 2014 SSD be compared to this one?

About your original drive speed, i believe it's peak speed is around 700/600 Read/Write,

so around 1/2 of the newer drive

 

[otosan]

Thats really cool ... would be my best option I think.
Though I'm not sure they deliver fast to Denmark, I guess I have to go and see.

1. Does the 2016-2017 units use the same connector / pins?
2. Is the 2016-2017 as low energy consuming? (heat / battery) or more preforming?

By "2016-2017" here, it means 2016-2017 SSD of Macbook Air,

2017 Macbook Air used same SSD with Macbook Pro 2015. Same speed, same everything.

So, if you want a younger but original apple drive, get one from those 2017 Macbook Air.

 

[Heliotropen]

Am operating an indie shop for macbook repair and upgrade

You can easily slot in SSUBX drive from those of 2015 model to your 2014 model. 100% plug and play, no "but" at all.

Your mainboard have PCI 2.0 x 4 Capability (but ahipped with PCI 2.0 x2 SSD), and it will run on around 1200-1300Mb/s peak speed using SSUBX drive. With write around 700-900Mb/s

If you want something faster, get the NVME drives along with adapter. It can give you around 1500/1400 R/W speed.

One thing you need to make sure is to uodate your BootRom(Firmware) to those from BigSur OS. So it can utilise the new x4 SSD or the NVME drive in an optimum way.

Hey mate, this is just the info I needed.

They keyboard on my 2014 is broken (the 2015 should be here next week).
Both are the 13 inch versions btw.

Can I ask you a question:
I have had the 2014 updated to bigsur once then downgraded it to catalina.
Should the bootrom for this drive not be updated already then?

Can you take a quick look at my plan?
It is to:

1. Do a Blackmagic Disk Speed Test om the 2014 (in catalina).
2. Downgrade the 2015 machine to catalina.
3. Do a a Blackmagic Disk Speed Test on the 2015 with the current 250 gb disk.
3. Swap the disks on both of them, so the 2015 will get the 2014 500 gb disk.
4. Do a Blackmagic Disk Speed Test om the 2015 with the 500 gb disk (still running catalina).

But obviously I'm also considering the NVME drives along with the adapter.
It's just that

1. All my software and everything is already running on this 500 gb 2014 drive.
2. I'm not sure how much faster the 2015 will feel with a faster disk?
3. I only plan to keep the machine for 1-2 years ... so I don't want to waste to much money on it.
4. I'm in Denmark, it can be a bit of a pain to get cheap parts fast here.

Lastly, any suggestions for a good cheap NVME that is low powered 500 or 1000 gb?
I would be buying this adapter I think: https://mackabler.dk/ngff-m2-pcie-ssd-kort-1207.html

Thank you so much 🙏🏻

 

[otosan]

Hey mate, this is just the info I needed.

They keyboard on my 2014 is broken (the 2015 should be here next week).
Both are the 13 inch versions btw.

Can I ask you a question:
I have had the 2014 updated to bigsur once then downgraded it to catalina.
Should the bootrom for this drive not be updated already then?

Can you take a quick look at my plan?
It is to:

1. Do a Blackmagic Disk Speed Test om the 2014 (in catalina).
2. Downgrade the 2015 machine to catalina.
3. Do a a Blackmagic Disk Speed Test on the 2015 with the current 250 gb disk.
3. Swap the disks on both of them, so the 2015 will get the 2014 500 gb disk.
4. Do a Blackmagic Disk Speed Test om the 2015 with the 500 gb disk (still running catalina).

But obviously I'm also considering the NVME drives along with the adapter.
It's just that

1. All my software and everything is already running on this 500 gb 2014 drive.
2. I'm not sure how much faster the 2015 will feel with a faster disk?
3. I only plan to keep the machine for 1-2 years ... so I don't want to waste to much money on it.
4. I'm in Denmark, it can be a bit of a pain to get cheap parts fast here.

Lastly, any suggestions for a good cheap NVME that is low powered 500 or 1000 gb?
I would be buying this adapter I think: https://mackabler.dk/ngff-m2-pcie-ssd-kort-1207.html

Thank you so much 🙏🏻

Oh, if your 2014 was bought as 500GB, sometimes it was shipped with higher specs drive,

if possible, just take a photo of it and post it here. So i can check it's spec based on model/code. (if it's UBX, then it's PCI 2.0x4 , if it's UAX, it's x2. If its Toshiba/Sandisk, then it's definitely x2.

As for you bootrom, yes, you should be updated already if you previously upgrade to BigSur.

For your plan, yes, just do it that way. You can even Blackmagic your 2014 first and post it here.

Low powered NVME with good speed and decent price of my choice is a KIOXIA EXCERIA (the normal one, in orange packaging, not the plus in blue) , it cost around $60 for 500GB. (around 440 Krone as i guess ?) Come with 5 years warranty. And KIOXIA is still used by Apple even on their M1 Max mBP , so you can rest assured on quality side.

2015 with faster NVME drive should be around 20-40% faster btw.

The adapter in your link should work fine. Although it's indeed cost around 8x higner than what it cost around here 😅

 

[Heliotropen]

Oh, if your 2014 was bought as 500GB, sometimes it was shipped with higher specs drive,

if possible, just take a photo of it and post it here. So i can check it's spec based on model/code. (if it's UBX, then it's PCI 2.0x4 , if it's UAX, it's x2. If its Toshiba/Sandisk, then it's definitely x2.

As for you bootrom, yes, you should be updated already if you previously upgrade to BigSur.

For your plan, yes, just do it that way. You can even Blackmagic your 2014 first and post it here.

Low powered NVME with good speed and decent price of my choice is a KIOXIA EXCERIA (the normal one, in orange packaging, not the plus in blue) , it cost around $60 for 500GB. (around 440 Krone as i guess ?) Come with 5 years warranty. And KIOXIA is still used by Apple even on their M1 Max mBP , so you can rest assured on quality side.

2015 with faster NVME drive should be around 20-40% faster btw.

The adapter in your link should work fine. Although it's indeed cost around 8x higner than what it cost around here 😅

Mate you are the best ... wow ... thank you 🙏🏻

My old machine was a 2014, I bought it with the higher drive spec (but lower ram spec, medium cpu specs) - yes
It's this drive that I'm thinking of swapping over into the 2015.

I can open it up monday / tuesday when the 2015 arrives

This is the data I have for it now, running on the 2014.
I'm shocked how slow it seems to be compared to what I remembered:
w:107 r:150 in black magic 😱

I seem to remember it running around w:780 r:720

It does not FEEL that slow:
Can it be a catalina thing?
Or can the drive be worn out?

Then I def rather stay on the 250 gb that is in or get a new drive.

Ohh man if I could get that NVME here in Denmark at that price it would def be worth considering if the speed is much higher ... 60 usd is 440 DDK yes ...