Upgrading 2013-2015 Macbook Pro SSD to M.2 NVMe

[savink]

I am trying to piece together what I would need to upgrade my Macbook Air 6,2 (mid-2013).
So, basically, based on the main post in this thread, and some other replies:
~$130 for 1TB NVMe SSD
~$15 for adapter
~$65 dollars for additional hardware
+Time to hack it all together:
$210+ (not including my time)

Orrrrr--- just get an OWC 1TB for $230 and retain factory hibernate functionality without fuss (and possible bricking of my device)? ...I think I am leaning for just getting the OWC, at this point. Are newer 2018+ Macbooks NVMe-native? (I assume, but haven't researched, since I don't own one that new).

Thanks!

When my drive failed on MBA mid-2013, I was working good using an USB drive with El Capitan installed. could do everything except that Numbers version couldn't be upgraded to what I wanted. could have done with Microsoft Office but that would have required me to migrate my vast collection of Numbers spreadsheet over to another application.

Just get an USB and done.

 

[junkw]

if its true that the macbook air 2015 13" gets a bulge on the bottom case (where the ssd is located) after upgrading the factory ssd to a nvme?

If you buy a XPG Gammix with heatsink, yeah

 

[dewitts]

Not completely sure since I haven't had a chance to go though this process personally, but I think the best course of action would be to make a time machine backup, re-partition the drive and then restore the backup.
As for filesystem it can be chosen upon erasing/partitioning the drive under "Format" drop-down menu. Mac OS Extended Journaled - is what you want.

View attachment 878851

I did choose those options when I originally formatted the drive in the installer.
Can a time machine backup restore the OS?

I've never used it, i've always used Carbon Copy Clone

 

[Walee]

I did choose those options when I originally formatted the drive in the installer.

Can you check filesystem of your ssd? To do so simply open Disk utility and click on your mac os partition of the ssd

Can a time machine backup restore the OS?

I used it once after clean install - right during the set up process there is an option to transfer data from time machine backup. But there is also an option to restore within OS installer menu as well - how exactly it works I don't know. There are plenty of online tutorials for that though.
https://www.howtogeek.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/time-machine-restore-step-one.png
https://www.howtogeek.com/356063/ho...-from-a-time-machine-backup-in-recovery-mode/

 

[sawpits]

Amazon has the ADATA XPG-SX8200 Pro 1TB for $147.99, and they also have a $30 coupon to click with that price. So $117.99 before taxes.


https://www.amazon.com/XPG-SX8200-G...ywords=Adata+XPG+SX7000&qid=1574722358&sr=8-3

 

[sawpits]

Saw this on eBay, no adapter needed.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/DATARAM-51...Q0AAOSwXF5dbt1x:sc:USPSFirstClass!10573!US!-1

 

[Walee]

Saw this on eBay, no adapter needed.

..because it's been pre-applied. This is a dram-less m.2 ssd with adapter, looks like originally made by KingSpec or some other chinese brand.

 

[JXMX]

Thanks for this thread, I have a new to me early-2015 MBP arriving soon with 128GB. So, it would be nice to improve on that storage. I'm a little confused with one aspect and that is whether the new NVMe drives will work with the Command+Option+R installation of the OS? I realize that I will need to upgrade the OS on the existing drive for the firmware upgrade. After installing a new SSD would I simply be able to run a new installation via Command+Option+R or would I need an external enclosure and boot off of it? This item includes the installation info in the description.. anybody have any experience with this drive?

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07Z7J4YJX/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_mRP3DbZE79C7E

or does anyone have any suggestions for a 512 or 256 drive? Is the DataRam posted earlier OK?

thank you, and Happy Thanksgiving!

 

[Walee]

Thanks for this thread, I have a new to me early-2015 MBP arriving soon with 128GB. So, it would be nice to improve on that storage. I'm a little confused with one aspect and that is whether the new NVMe drives will work with the Command+Option+R installation of the OS? I realize that I will need to upgrade the OS on the existing drive for the firmware upgrade. After installing a new SSD would I simply be able to run a new installation via Command+Option+R or would I need an external enclosure and boot off of it? This item includes the installation info in the description.. anybody have any experience with this drive?

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07Z7J4YJX/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_mRP3DbZE79C7E

or does anyone have any suggestions for a 512 or 256 drive? Is the DataRam posted earlier OK?

thank you, and Happy Thanksgiving!

Never tried using internet recovery on an empty ssd, but looks like it should work just fine. However I always advice to create an installation usb drive for offline installation in case internet goes out.


INDMEM by the looks of it is an overpriced dram-less nvme ssd specifically shaped for use in macs.
DATARAM is just a re-branded chinese dram-less ssd with an adapter slapped to it. How reliable these ssds are gonna be - is a gamble in my opinion. The fact that they are dram-less (have no dram cache) is not a catastrophe in itself, but not a good thing either - as far as I know it impacts write performance and might affect lifespan of the drive.

Please wait for more replies regarding ssd suggestions or chose one of drives listed in the first post + an adapter. There are a few charts at the bottom of the first post.

Happy Thanksgiving to you too!

 

[vince22]

Thanks for this thread, I have a new to me early-2015 MBP arriving soon with 128GB. So, it would be nice to improve on that storage. I'm a little confused with one aspect and that is whether the new NVMe drives will work with the Command+Option+R installation of the OS? I realize that I will need to upgrade the OS on the existing drive for the firmware upgrade. After installing a new SSD would I simply be able to run a new installation via Command+Option+R or would I need an external enclosure and boot off of it? This item includes the installation info in the description.. anybody have any experience with this drive?

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07Z7J4YJX/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_mRP3DbZE79C7E

or does anyone have any suggestions for a 512 or 256 drive? Is the DataRam posted earlier OK?

thank you, and Happy Thanksgiving!

please check OP page of this thread , and decide which drive fits your needs, power efficient Nvme’s vs Speed but power hungry Nvme’s, early 2015 mbp definitely support hibernation, I don’t know much about Dataram. Good luck and Happy thanksgiving.

 

[markintosh13]

Saw this on eBay, no adapter needed.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/DATARAM-51...Q0AAOSwXF5dbt1x:sc:USPSFirstClass!10573!US!-1

From the specs "up to 2 Lanes"

I realize the 2013, 2014 Airs only support 2x links, but I'd say it's an interesting indicator that it's supposedly PCI-E v3 but limited to 2x link speed...

 

[JXMX]

please check OP page

yes, thanks it’s a great resource. A couple of the new SSDs such as those recently mentioned weren’t in the list so I was wondering how these compared.

Any thoughts on the 2 versions of the Sintech adapters (long and short version) and if they are equally good and both fit a MacBook 2015? On the Amazon page the seller writes “they are same function. But long card is more stable after assembed with SSD.”
i haven’t opened up a 2015 MBP yet, is there enough room to add the longer card base without hitting the back plate?

 

[sawpits]

Thanks for this thread, I have a new to me early-2015 MBP arriving soon with 128GB. So, it would be nice to improve on that storage. I'm a little confused with one aspect and that is whether the new NVMe drives will work with the Command+Option+R installation of the OS? I realize that I will need to upgrade the OS on the existing drive for the firmware upgrade. After installing a new SSD would I simply be able to run a new installation via Command+Option+R or would I need an external enclosure and boot off of it? This item includes the installation info in the description.. anybody have any experience with this drive?

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07Z7J4YJX/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_mRP3DbZE79C7E

or does anyone have any suggestions for a 512 or 256 drive? Is the DataRam posted earlier OK?

thank you, and Happy Thanksgiving!

The Intel 660P would be fine unless you will be writing large files. Right now a seller (Newegg) at eBay has a 1TB for 82.99 with free shipping; I see that they have just 2 left.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Intel-660p-Series-M-2-2280-1TB-PCI-Express-3-0-x4-3D-NAND-Solid-State-Drive-SSD/302910692273?ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT&_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l9372

This is the adapter to buy:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07FYY3H5F/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I have no connection in any way with the seller(s).

 

[JXMX]

Thank you, I may miss the deal though since the MBP doesn’t arrive until next Tuesday and I have a feeling I need to test it out first, in case it not as advertised

 

[Macbookprodude]

Hello, this maybe stupid question but are Apple’s retina MacBook pros after 2012 upgradable ? I was thinking of getting 2012 retina and upgrading 8gb to 16 - is possible ?

 

[sawpits]

Hello, this maybe stupid question but are Apple’s retina MacBook pros after 2012 upgradable ? I was thinking of getting 2012 retina and upgrading 8gb to 16 - is possible ?

This is the best place to check on all Macs and what upgrades are possible:

https://everymac.com/

However, I do not believe that you can upgrade RAM in any MacBook Pro Retina.

 

[Macbookprodude]

Yeah I read that on the everymac.com website - a waste as 16gb is ideal.

 

[quaresma]

Hi, thanks for this thread, really helpful.

i’m thinking of upgrading the SSD in my 2015 13” Macbook Pro.

I see the Corsair MP510 is listed as working, but how is it in day to day use? Any kernel panics?

Also, will I need the short or long adapter when installing the Corsair MP510?

Thanks

Edit: Scrolling through the thread, sounds like there are some issues with the Corsair MP510.

Will the Intel 760p work better? Stability is more important to me than fast speeds.

 

[sawpits]

Are you happy with the 1TB Kingston A2000 upgrade overall if you take the cons into consideration?

Hi, thanks for this thread, really helpful.

i’m thinking of upgrading the SSD in my 2015 13” Macbook Pro.

I see the Corsair MP510 is listed as working, but how is it in day to day use? Any kernel panics?

Also, will I need the short or long adapter when installing the Corsair MP510?

Thanks

Edit: Scrolling through the thread, sounds like there are some issues with the Corsair MP510.

Will the Intel 760p work better? Stability is more important to me than fast speeds.

The Intel 660P would be a fine choice as it should do just as well and should be cheaper.

Newegg over on eBay has a great price on the 1TB:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Intel-660p-Series-M-2-2280-1TB-PCI-Express-3-0-x4-3D-NAND-Solid-State-Drive-SSD/302910692273?ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT&_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l9372


This is the adapter:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B...=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1


I have no connection with either seller.

 

[lkchelios]

If you buy a XPG Gammix with heatsink, yeah

anyone else has this problem with their macbook airs + nvme ssd with heatsink?

and, is it necessary to put the heatsink on the nvme ssd for macbook airs?

 

[junkw]

is it necessary to put the heatsink on the nvme ssd for macbook airs?

Some Gammix heatsinks are not removable

 

[quaresma]

I’m leaning more towards the Adata SX8200 Pro 512gb. I can get it for a really nice price.

Will my early 2015 13 inch Macbook Pro support 4 lanes or just 2?

 

[novus]

Hello eveybody i want upgrade my MacbookAir 7.2 early 2015 with sabrent rocket 1TO but when i have to make the choice i have 2 models with a big price difference and i'm afraid to make a mistake .
thanks for your answerv

 

[markintosh13]

I’m leaning more towards the Adata SX8200 Pro 512gb. I can get it for a really nice price.

Will my early 2015 13 inch Macbook Pro support 4 lanes or just 2?

4

 

[sawpits]

Hello eveybody i want upgrade my MacbookAir 7.2 early 2015 with sabrent rocket 1TO but when i have to make the choice i have 2 models with a big price difference and i'm afraid to make a mistake .
thanks for your answerv

I haven't seeen any reviews of the Q model. Which uses QLC NAND, thus the Q designation. If you write lots of large files a QLC NAND is not for you. If you don't write lots of large files then QLC NAND drives are fine. But I have yet to see any reviews of the Sabrent Rocket Q model.