Macbook air 2017 SSD Compatibility with Samsung SSD

[Audit13]

The place where I bought my MBA is an official Apple Reseller and they themselves offered to upgrade my SSD, I can just purchase it myself and pay some insignificant amount for them to assemble it. At least the warranty won't be void.

Are they installing an OEM Apple drive? If they are, I'm not sure an apple store will service the machine under warranty with a nvme drive inside.

Hi All!

I've recently replaced my original Samsung 128Gb SSD on MacBook Air 13' (Early 2015) with Sabrent Rocket 512Gb via Sintech adapter green. Honestly, I've really expected something more with performance. I don't know what to say else...I little bit disappointed. Hope, my battery life and degradation will remain at the same level.

Which adapter was used for the upgrade?

 

[edbutcher]

Which adapter was used for the upgrade?

Took here https://www.ebay.com/itm/222617863013

Is the drive registered as x4 in system report?

Yes, all is OK. Trim enabled and x4 activated.

Did you apply kapton tape to the adapter?

What is this?

 

[edbutcher]

Guys,

It looks strange, but I receive the different result at the same time. I don't know how this app works, but no matter what portion size is chosen, the write speed is between 600-1400 Mb. And I noticed that all flags are marked against previous one screenshot. For comparison added one more test tool benchmark.

 

[Audit13]

Took here https://www.ebay.com/itm/222617863013

Yes, all is OK. Trim enabled and x4 activated.

What is this?

Kapton tape is tape that can tolerate high temperatures and was used by many people, myself included, to prevent the Sintech's pins from touching the metal shield covering the SSD slot on the logic board. Kapton tape was only necessary with the early versions of the short, green adapter. The adapter from your link looks like the new revision that doesn't need tape.

Based on your speed tests, the drive looks to be working fine. The 2017 MacBook Air has PCI-e 2.0 x 4 lanes while the 2015 Pro has PCI-e 3.0 x 4 lanes.

 

[Macdctr]

I received my 512GB Samsung 970PRO storage drive today and installed it into my 2015 11-inch MacBook Air. I am in the process of setting it up and will be looking at battery life using this storage drive. I currently have 157 load cycles with 98.7% full charge capacity on the battery in this laptop.

My 11 inch is spec'd at 2.2GHz i7/8GB.

I ran Blackmagic Disk Speed Test after installing the new Samsung drive. Here are the results.

 

[mikzn]

Samsung 970 Pro NVMe M.2

did much the same - am very happy with the 970 Pro

 

[dudaslaszlo]

Hi everyone! Does anyone tried these adapters?
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32935091308.html?spm=a2g0s.9042311.0.0.32d44c4d6kNCRQ
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32994792960.html?spm=a2g0s.9042311.0.0.32d44c4d6kNCRQ
I watched these 2 ssds, are they compatible with Macbook Air 13 2017?
https://www.intel.com/content/www/u...es/pro-7600p-series-1-024tb-m-2-80mm-3d2.html
https://www.samsung.com/us/support/owners/product/960-pro-mvne-m2
https://www.skhynix.com/eng/product/ssdClient.jsp (Hynix PC401)

 

[Macdctr]

Hi everyone! Does anyone tried these adapters?
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32935091308.html?spm=a2g0s.9042311.0.0.32d44c4d6kNCRQ
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32994792960.html?spm=a2g0s.9042311.0.0.32d44c4d6kNCRQ
I watched these 2 ssds, are they compatible with Macbook Air 13 2017?
https://www.intel.com/content/www/u...es/pro-7600p-series-1-024tb-m-2-80mm-3d2.html
https://www.samsung.com/us/support/owners/product/960-pro-mvne-m2
https://www.skhynix.com/eng/product/ssdClient.jsp (Hynix PC401)

Get this adapter: https://www.ebay.com/itm/M2-M-Key-S...863013?hash=item33d50f0365:g:41sAAOSweZJaSPrL

then for the NVMe M.2 storage drive get either the Samsung 950 EVO/PRO series or 970 EVO/PRO series drives if you go with the Samsung drives.

AVOID THE 960 SERIES DRIVES AS THEY ARE NOT COMPATIBLE WITH THE MAC.

 

[dudaslaszlo]

Get this adapter: https://www.ebay.com/itm/M2-M-Key-S...863013?hash=item33d50f0365:g:41sAAOSweZJaSPrL

then for the NVMe M.2 storage drive get either the Samsung 950 EVO/PRO series or 970 EVO/PRO series drives if you go with the Samsung drives.

AVOID THE 960 SERIES DRIVES AS THEY ARE NOT COMPATIBLE WITH THE MAC.

I've tried with 970 EVO series and it didn't work. There was heating problem and battery draining... Maybe the adapter was wrong, I used cheap chinese adapter.
And what is the guarantee working with the sintech adapter?

 

[Macdctr]

I've tried with 970 EVO series and it didn't work. There was heating problem and battery draining... Maybe the adapter was wrong, I used cheap chinese adapter.
And what is the guarantee working with the sintech adapter?

Sounds like to me you were using the wrong adapter. You need to get the Sintech adapter for the Samsung drive to work. I have used the 970 EVO 2TB drive in my 2015 13inch MBA with no issues. I'm currently using a 950 PRO 512GB drive in this computer and I have recently installed a 970 PRO 512 GB drive in my 2015 11inch i7/8GB laptop. So far I have no issues although I do have some heat buildup but so far no issues in performance with either laptop.

I have been using this configuration for quite some time without any issues. No sleep issues.... nothing. Laptops are performing as expected. There is more battery drain but this in itself does not bother me too much. I can easily plug in my AC adapter when needed.

Get yourself a Sintech adapter. I have provided the link in my previous post.

 

[dudaslaszlo]

Sounds like to me you were using the wrong adapter. You need to get the Sintech adapter for the Samsung drive to work. I have used the 970 EVO 2TB drive in my 2015 13inch MBA with no issues. I'm currently using a 950 PRO 512GB drive in this computer and I have recently installed a 970 PRO 512 GB drive in my 2015 11inch i7/8GB laptop. So far I have no issues although I do have some heat buildup but so far no issues in performance with either laptops.

I have been using this configuration for quite some time without any issues. No sleep issues.... nothing. Laptops are performing as expected. There is more battery drain but this in itself does not bother me too much. I can easily plug in my AC adapter when needed.

Get yourself a Sintech adapter. I have provided the link in my previous post.

Thank you, I try with the sintech!

 

[Ardo]

Somebody tried with the Evo Plus and the new firmware? I heard it's working, but it can manage the heat problem better?

 

[Macdctr]

Somebody tried with the Evo Plus and the new firmware? I heard it's working, but it can manage the heat problem better?

Quick instructions on how to upgrade your Samsung firmware:

1 - Download the new firmware on Samsung site https://s3.ap-northeast-2.amazonaws...A78151C/Samsung_SSD_970_EVO_Plus_2B2QEXM7.iso

2 - Write it on the USB drive (I burned through Rufus on Windows 7)

3 - Boot the system from the flash drive, you will fall into the installer for updating the firmware

4 - Follow the instructions, after a successful upgrade, restart the computer

5 - You can install the system on 970 evo plus



I got these instructions from this website by google searching: https://www.tonymacx86.com/threads/...ew-firmware-available-2b2qexm7.270757/page-14

Seems you just update the firmware on the Samsung 970 EVO PLUS drive then you can use them on Macs. In that link I provided where I found the instructions there are people reporting they have this working on their Macs after doing the Samsung firmware update. I myself have not tried this as I'm using a 970 PRO in my Mac.

 

[Ardo]

Quick instructions on how to upgrade your Samsung firmware:

1 - Download the new firmware on Samsung site https://s3.ap-northeast-2.amazonaws...A78151C/Samsung_SSD_970_EVO_Plus_2B2QEXM7.iso

2 - Write it on the USB drive (I burned through Rufus on Windows 7)

3 - Boot the system from the flash drive, you will fall into the installer for updating the firmware

4 - Follow the instructions, after a successful upgrade, restart the computer

5 - You can install the system on 970 evo plus



I got these instructions from this website by google searching: https://www.tonymacx86.com/threads/...ew-firmware-available-2b2qexm7.270757/page-14

Seems you just update the firmware on the Samsung 970 EVO PLUS drive then you can use them on Macs. In that link I provided where I found the instructions there are people reporting they have this working on their Macs after doing the Samsung firmware update. I myself have not tried this as I'm using a 970 PRO in my Mac.

Thanks!

 

[Rocko99991]

Sounds like to me you were using the wrong adapter. You need to get the Sintech adapter for the Samsung drive to work. I have used the 970 EVO 2TB drive in my 2015 13inch MBA with no issues. I'm currently using a 950 PRO 512GB drive in this computer and I have recently installed a 970 PRO 512 GB drive in my 2015 11inch i7/8GB laptop. So far I have no issues although I do have some heat buildup but so far no issues in performance with either laptop.

I have been using this configuration for quite some time without any issues. No sleep issues.... nothing. Laptops are performing as expected. There is more battery drain but this in itself does not bother me too much. I can easily plug in my AC adapter when needed.

Get yourself a Sintech adapter. I have provided the link in my previous post.

How much hotter would you say it runs with the EVO vs OEM?

 

[Macdctr]

How much hotter would you say it runs with the EVO vs OEM?

I have been using my 11-inch MBA all evening with it on my lap (skin to laptop) and have been comfortable. I'm using a 512GB Samsung 970 PRO NVMe M.2 drive and my cooling fan is running at a fairly quiet constant 2400rpm while I'm typing this. I have absolutely no complaints.

My Air does run alittle warmer than it did with the original Apple drive but I have 3x the performance gain using the 970 PRO drive. I will take the improvement in drive performance for a little more heat.

My 13-inch Air has the 512GB Samsung 950 PRO drive and I have not had any issues with this laptop and I have had it installed for quite some time. Still no issues with the logic board. I'm running at 140 degrees at the CPU.

 

[pescobar61]

Somebody tried with the Evo Plus and the new firmware? I heard it's working, but it can manage the heat problem better?

It's working, true. After updating the firmware, my MBA 13 early 2015 have a new Samsung 970 Evo Plus 1 Tb working. I used Rufus for the USB firmware updating and the instructions from Samsung web.

No problem about heat, no problem battery. I am so happy with my new Samsung 970 EVO Plus SSD.

 

[Macdctr]

It's working, true. After updating the firmware, my MBA 13 early 2015 have a new Samsung 970 Evo Plus 1 Tb working. I used Rufus for the USB firmware updating and the instructions from Samsung web.

No problem about heat, no problem battery. I am so happy with my new Samsung 970 EVO Plus SSD.

Glad to hear you got your 970 EVO Plus working on your Air. That is good news!

 

[Macdctr]

I installed my 2TB 970EVO NVMe M.2 drive into my 11-inch 2015 MacBook Air i7 today. No issues running the EVO in these laptops

 

[Majaraya]

Hello everyone. It is a very interesting and informative reading, to see so many cases and tests, but I am new to the subject and I need help and guidance. I have a 2017 A1466 MQD32E / A air mackbook. I want to change the hard drive for a larger one, since mine is currently 128 GB and I would love a 512 GB or 1 TB one. I see that many talk about putting a 1tb Ssd disk, but can that be? It is not supposed that the Apple page indicates that it has 512 GB, can you clarify that, please? Also, I'm thinking of putting an HP ex950, do you recommend it? Since it has been difficult for me to get an Sx adata or a 950 pro. I thank you in advance for the attention provided and sorry for the inconvenience caused by your time.

 

[Macdctr]

Hello everyone. It is a very interesting and informative reading, to see so many cases and tests, but I am new to the subject and I need help and guidance. I have a 2017 A1466 MQD32E / A air mackbook. I want to change the hard drive for a larger one, since mine is currently 128 GB and I would love a 512 GB or 1 TB one. I see that many talk about putting a 1tb Ssd disk, but can that be? It is not supposed that the Apple page indicates that it has 512 GB, can you clarify that, please? Also, I'm thinking of putting an HP ex950, do you recommend it? Since it has been difficult for me to get an Sx adata or a 950 pro. I thank you in advance for the attention provided and sorry for the inconvenience caused by your time.

I sent you a private message.....

 

[fiktumen]

I sent you a private message.....

Can you send me a private message too? i have same macbook 13' 2017 128gb a1466 and i want to upgrade to 512gb but i am really confused, i don't know what to do. Please help mee

 

[Macdctr]

Can you send me a private message too? i have same macbook 13' 2017 128gb a1466 and i want to upgrade to 512gb but i am really confused, i don't know what to do. Please help me

private message sent

 

[fiktumen]

I installed the same Samsung 970 EVO M.2 SSD (500 GB version) in my 2017 MacBook Air and everything is working fine. Installation was a breeze with the Sintech adapter. The only thing that bugs me is the drive is not getting the Read/Write speeds that Samsung claims. I get around 1400 MB/s write and 1500 MB/s read using Blackmagic Disk Speed Test. Samsung claims the drive is capable of 3500 MB/s read and 2500 MB/s write. Are the slower speeds due to the APFS file system, macOS in general, or are those speeds only possible on Windows?

Edit: After doing some research it seems the 2017 MacBook Air only has a PCIe 2.0 x4 interface which limits the drive to 5.0 GT/s which translates to the rough maximum of 1500 MB/s read/write speeds. Kind of a bummer as I was hoping for the speeds Samsung quotes in the specs. Probably really doesn't matter that much as the difference would probably not really be noticeable and the battery life would go down even more.

Also, for those still looking to upgrade their drive with the Sintech adapter, it is also available on Amazon so you don't have to wait forever for one to be delivered from China.

View attachment 803115

may you send message to me please, i need to ask something.

 

[Macdctr]

1400 MB/s write and 1500 MB/s read using Blackmagic Disk Speed Test is all you will get using the Samsung storage drives due to the architecture of the logic board. You won't get any more speed from these drives. The 970 PRO/EVO drives are capable of 3500 MB/s read and 2500 MB/s write speeds but when placed in the right computer. In the 2015 - 2017 MacBook Air, the best you will see is 1400 MB/s write and 1500 MB/s read speeds.

Good part is that when you get a better computer that can still use the M.2 drives, you will be able to reuse these drives and possibly start seeing even faster performance from them.