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

[RoboMcD]

MBA 7.2 i5 early 2015. No gaming, not often heavy workloads (I do the video editing on my desktop). Checked my speeds with the OEM drive: 685 MB/s write 1 385 MB/s read. Battery has been replaced already a few months ago.

As said, I have the Sintech long adapter already in house; the short version was not available in the Czech Republic.
Paid $ 21 for it, including transport.

The four options I am looking at now are all 500 GB versions (don't need more). All these cards are single-sided and 2.38 mm thick. The double sided or others like ADATA are 3.5 mm or more and will not fit the long adapter.

- WD Blue SN580 for $ 40 (will be here in a few days)
- WD Black SN750 for $ 45 (will take several days to get here)
- WD Black SN770 for $ 52 (will be here in a few days)
- Hynix Platinum P41 for $ 68 excl transport, comes through amazon.de, will take a week or more).

Battery drain is not so much an issue; mostly I use the laptop directly connected to an outlet. Temperature might be an issue.

The P41 is praised by most, but the higher price, higher transport costs, and the longer transport makes it less interesting for me.

Any recommendations-comments?

 

[xanderx007]

The Hynix drive is better quality. Kingston is ok for ram but Ssds are quite poor.

I beg to differ.

The first replacement SSD I used was a Kingston A2000. I had it on for 4 years and performed quite well.

 

[xanderx007]

I cannot get the P41 500 GB here, and actually some post comment that the Hynix can run warm/hot? I can get it from Germany, but it would take some weeks.

Any other thin SSD then the Kingston that is good quality and fits?

In this respect, given the speed limits of the MBA, I really do not want to spent $$$ on a super size super speed SSD, 500GB is the max for me unless I can get a very good deal on a 1 TB.

Edit: does anybody has experience using the Sk Hynix Platinum 41 in an MB AIR?

Kingston is okay. Currently, I've replaced my Kingston A2000 with an Adata SX8200. Depending on your Mac's PCIE, a Hynix might already be overkill.

 

[RoboMcD]

Kingston is okay. Currently, I've replaced my Kingston A2000 with an Adata SX8200. Depending on your Mac's PCIE, a Hynix might already be overkill.

Reading too much reviews and comments makes you go cross-eyed 🙃😳🤔😵.

Apart from mixed remarks about this Adata, my problem is that the Adata SX8200 is 3.5 mm; too thick for using with a long adapter in an MBA 2015.

Over-kill: probably. My problem is that I am looking for a suitable medium but reliable SSD in a 2015 MBA with medium use. Unfortunately most reviews on other sites are trying to show how this or that SSD is blowing everything modern out of the water or absolutely should not be used by production profs and top gamers. Which is not very helpfull.

As explanaton for my use, its normal to have 50+ web browser tabs open while working on several excel files and word docs and listening to music at the same time. However, I am not much of a gamer and if so, its mostly simple and old type of games. Production work I do on my super desktop. And my MBA is limited in PCIe speed anyway, so ????

The good thing is, I am also looking for good NVMEs as scratch drives or small OS drives in my production desktop to be build soon, and this thread helps with that as well.

 

[xboxbml]

Reading too much reviews and comments makes you go cross-eyed 🙃😳🤔😵.

Apart from mixed remarks about this Adata, my problem is that the Adata SX8200 is 3.5 mm; too thick for using with a long adapter in an MBA 2015.

Over-kill: probably. My problem is that I am looking for a suitable medium but reliable SSD in a 2015 MBA with medium use. Unfortunately most reviews on other sites are trying to show how this or that SSD is blowing everything modern out of the water or absolutely should not be used by production profs and top gamers. Which is not very helpfull.

As explanaton for my use, its normal to have 50+ web browser tabs open while working on several excel files and word docs and listening to music at the same time. However, I am not much of a gamer and if so, its mostly simple and old type of games. Production work I do on my super desktop. And my MBA is limited in PCIe speed anyway, so ????

The good thing is, I am also looking for good NVMEs as scratch drives or small OS drives in my production desktop to be build soon, and this thread helps with that as well.

Adata SX8200 overkill in 2015 MBA? Yes.. but it works, with the small adapter.. no issues in 5-6 years..

 

[macpro_mid2014]

Adata SX8200 overkill in 2015 MBA? Yes.. but it works, with the small adapter.. no issues in 5-6 years..

I use a Silicon Power + short adapter (see sig) on my wife's MBA7,2. The only issue I had in the beginning was some kernel panics which I solved by using Kapton Tape on the metal bottom of the laptop just below the SSD.

 

[RoboMcD]

As said, I cannot get the short adapter here in the Czech Republic, Europe and I already have the long version at home. So rather than trying to send it back, trying to get my money back, and trying to get an adapter from abroad, I try to find an SSD here that works with the long adapter.

Question. If I understand correctly, this MBA is PCIe 2 x4, and has a limit of 4 GB/s. So any 3 x4 or 4 x4 or even 5 x4 with theoretical max speed 14 GB/s will not perform quicker than 4 GB/s. Correct? Or are there other limiting factors as well?

 

[macpro_mid2014]

Question. If I understand correctly, this MBA is PCIe 2 x4, and has a limit of 4 GB/s. So any 3 x4 or 4 x4 or even 5 x4 with theoretical max speed 14 GB/s will not perform quicker than 4 GB/s. Correct? Or are there other limiting factors as well?

You are correct. The hardware limitation impede higher speeds.

 

[dudechief]

MBA 7.2 i5 early 2015. No gaming, not often heavy workloads (I do the video editing on my desktop). Checked my speeds with the OEM drive: 685 MB/s write 1 385 MB/s read. Battery has been replaced already a few months ago.

As said, I have the Sintech long adapter already in house; the short version was not available in the Czech Republic.
Paid $ 21 for it, including transport.

The four options I am looking at now are all 500 GB versions (don't need more). All these cards are single-sided and 2.38 mm thick. The double sided or others like ADATA are 3.5 mm or more and will not fit the long adapter.

- WD Blue SN580 for $ 40 (will be here in a few days)
- WD Black SN750 for $ 45 (will take several days to get here)
- WD Black SN770 for $ 52 (will be here in a few days)
- Hynix Platinum P41 for $ 68 excl transport, comes through amazon.de, will take a week or more).

Battery drain is not so much an issue; mostly I use the laptop directly connected to an outlet. Temperature might be an issue.

The P41 is praised by most, but the higher price, higher transport costs, and the longer transport makes it less interesting for me.

Any recommendations-comments?

Hey, which one did you buy? Because I am also in Europe and the SK Hynix P41 costs now 90€ at amazon Germany

 

[xanderx007]

Reading too much reviews and comments makes you go cross-eyed 🙃😳🤔😵.

Apart from mixed remarks about this Adata, my problem is that the Adata SX8200 is 3.5 mm; too thick for using with a long adapter in an MBA 2015.

Solution: Get a short one, which I have anticipated and done.

Over-kill: probably. My problem is that I am looking for a suitable medium but reliable SSD in a 2015 MBA with medium use. Unfortunately most reviews on other sites are trying to show how this or that SSD is blowing everything modern out of the water or absolutely should not be used by production profs and top gamers. Which is not very helpfull.

Ultimately, it's up to you, but other people recommending one over the other because of reasons is unreasonable.

As explanaton for my use, its normal to have 50+ web browser tabs open while working on several excel files and word docs and listening to music at the same time. However, I am not much of a gamer and if so, its mostly simple and old type of games. Production work I do on my super desktop. And my MBA is limited in PCIe speed anyway, so ????

I teach, and at times I do have more than 50++ browser windows/tabs open, with Adobe applications and Zoom. Your PCI limit is just that. If you have PCI 2.0, then your transfer speed can't go up any higher than your machine.

The good thing is, I am also looking for good NVMEs as scratch drives or small OS drives in my production desktop to be build soon, and this thread helps with that as well.

Then get the Hynix if you want. I've just clarified a misconception about other drives that are cheaper and more available, but otherwise do work.

 

[xanderx007]

Adata SX8200 overkill in 2015 MBA? Yes.. but it works, with the small adapter.. no issues in 5-6 years..

A bit, but in my case, The Kingston A2000 is no longer available so I opted for the next best thing.

 

[Meddvedd]

Just finished upgrading my 512GB Early 2015 MacBook Pro 13" Retina 12,1 A1502 as I had to replace the battery.

Installed a Crucial P3 1TB SSD using the Sintech mini adapter. Didn't really need more storage but since I had the laptop open decided to future-proof it for my needs.

Used SuperDuper to clone the old drive running Ventura 13.7.4 with OCLP 2.2.0 to the new drive, installed it, and the system came up and is working fine.

Ian

Thank you for info. What are your thoughts about temperature?
Also thinking about Crucial, but T500 model. THG marked it as a best choice for laptop…
Or try to find old Hynix P31 as the coldest drive…

 

[Meddvedd]

RoboMcD said:
I cannot get the P41 500 GB here, and actually some post comment that the Hynix can run warm/hot? I can get it from Germany, but it would take some weeks.

Maybe predecessor Hynix P31? P41 is hotter

 

[Meddvedd]

I cannot get the P41 500 GB here, and actually some post comment that the Hynix can run warm/hot? I can get it from Germany, but it would take some weeks.

Maybe predecessor Hynix P31? P41 is hotter

Sorry, post doubled

 

[dudechief]

Maybe predecessor Hynix P31? P41 is hotter

Sorry, post doubled

Thanks for your reply. The problem is, that the P31 isn't sold in my country. The only option I see is the P41. But 99€ today is too much I think. So I am thinking about the SN580

 

[Meddvedd]

Double again

 

[Meddvedd]

Thanks for your reply. The problem is, that the P31 isn't sold in my country. The only option I see is the P41. But 99€ today is too much I think. So I am thinking about the SN580

Also I’m thinking about Crucial T500. THG marked it as a successor of P31 and the best choice for laptop

 

[edc415]

Also I’m thinking about Crucial T500. THG marked it as a successor of P31 and the best choice for laptop

Why are you going for a Gen 4 SSD instead of Gen 3? Gen 4 will generate more heat and are not faster than Gen 3 for this upgrade. Would rather see you end your analysis paralysis and get the best value for your money.

If you refer back to page 1 of this post, section 4 - Which NVMe SSDs are known to work?, you will see a list of all recommended drives that have been tested to work.



Can you get the Crucial P3 in your country? It's on the" known to work list" and THG seems to like it:
"
Crucial P3 1TB SSD: now $59 at Best Buy (was $89)
This budget-oriented PCIe 3.0 NVME SSD promises sequential read and write speeds of 3,500 and 3,000 MBps. It performed well on our tests and is extremely power efficient, making it great for laptops."

You can use search in upper right to search this thread for "Crucial P3" to see if anybody had any installation issues.

If not the Crucial P3, please consider using the search function at upper right of page.
You can easily search the 496 pages in this thread for any other SSD models you are considering.
Chances are you will find answers to your questions on each SSD model including any issues people had.

Best of luck to you. Hope you can end the analysis paralysis that coms with having too many choices.
Please let us know when you get your SSD installed 😒.

 

[Meddvedd]

Can you get the Crucial P3 in your country?

Unfortunately no longer available.
I’ve found only Hynix P31 2Tb for extremely high price $200 for very old model. Or Crucial P3 Plus and P5 plus.
Are they better than T500?
BTW, P3 plus is DRAMless…

Just reminding, I need 2Tb instead of the original 1Tb.

Why are you going for a Gen 4 SSD? They generate more heat and a waste of $$$$ for this kind of upgrade to extend the life of your beloved laptop.

Because the most of recommended Gen3 devices are gone.
Using t500 in gen3 mode we could get less heat (I hope but not sure). And certainly spend less money than for rare antic drive. If you are sure that T500 is incompatible or too hot, especially if you have your own experience - let us know please.

 

[Meddvedd]

You can easily search the 496 pages in this thread for any other SSD models you are considering.

Best of luck to you. Hope you can end the analysis paralysis…

I have already read ALL the 496 pages and concluded that almost of recommended models are out of our market.
It’s a history. Like our MBPs…
We need the updated list - with actual cold Gen4 devices.
Special thanks for the analysis paralysis and also wish you luck in overcoming the sociopathy and paralysis of decent behavior

 

[sotosoul]

I just finished installing a brand new WD Blue SN5000 2TB drive on my MacBookPro11,3 (late 2013). Works flawlessly. The previous drives were:

• WD SN730 512GB, also worked perfectly fine;
• Samsung Evo Plus 970 2TB, which indeed required a firmware update and worked ok apart from the extremely long boot times (around 1-2 minutes before it showed the apple logo, as far as I remember).

 

[turbineseaplane]

It's incredible how good these machines are with an NVMe upgrade

My 2015 15" MBP on latest Sequoia is just brilliant .. as good as it's been in years.

Things have somehow gotten even better as I almost never have the fans kick on anymore.

Typing on it now -- it's my travel machine and it's just so good

 

[dudechief]

It's incredible how good these machines are with an NVMe upgrade

My 2015 15" MBP on latest Sequoia is just brilliant .. as good as it's been in years.

Things have somehow gotten even better as I almost never have the fans kick on anymore.

Typing on it now -- it's my travel machine and it's just so good

nice to hear Can I ask which NVME did you install?

 

[turbineseaplane]

nice to hear Can I ask which NVME did you install?

Nothing special -- old SanDisk 3D 1TB

Looks like this

 

[danielristic]

For anyone reading this thread in 2025: any WD Blue or Black works fine, some Samsung models seem to work fine at first but give you extra long boot times (and all hell breaks loose when you try to activate FileVault so my advice is to stay away from them!), Crucial P2 and P3 work fine too (but since the P3 has QLC memory I’d stay away from it too as it’s arguably less durable than TLC models).

You won’t have any significant battery drain issue if you use OCLP along with SSDPmEnabler.