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evzme

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Aug 20, 2019
2
0
Hi guys
I just got a new 1tb internal ssd for my 2015 13 MacBook pro and i would like to convert the old ssd into an external drive. I did a little research on the internet and found out apple's proprietary ssd interface makes it almost impossible to do so (although a company called OWC offered a $100 enclosure case which i think is way too expensive). I'm wondering are there any cheap substitutes for that so that i can utilize my old ssd?

Thanks
 

jav6454

macrumors Core
Nov 14, 2007
22,303
6,264
1 Geostationary Tower Plaza
I'm not familiar with the 2015 MBP's ports. What form/port is the SSD you removed? 2.5"or is it M.2

If it's 2.5", then any enclosure will work. Also, M.2 ports are not Apple proprietary, they are industry standard.

SATA 2.5" Port type Disks:

MCRAK960TCB1A_hero.jpg


M.2 Drive Interface:

20-147-690-V21.jpg
 

evzme

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Aug 20, 2019
2
0
I'm not familiar with the 2015 MBP's ports. What form/port is the SSD you removed? 2.5"or is it M.2

If it's 2.5", then any enclosure will work. Also, M.2 ports are not Apple proprietary, they are industry standard.

SATA 2.5" Port type Disks:

MCRAK960TCB1A_hero.jpg


M.2 Drive Interface:

20-147-690-V21.jpg


I believe the interface is Apple proprietary and the pin looks like this:
 

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Fishrrman

macrumors Penryn
Feb 20, 2009
29,279
13,377
OWC -might- have a purpose-built external enclosure that can handle this drive.

Due to Apple's proprietary design, might be hard to find one anywhere else.

If you don't want to pay OWC's price (about $90), best to take Kiki's advice above and sell the old drive...
 

smbu2000

macrumors 6502
Oct 19, 2014
469
220
I have the OWC Envoy Pro (external usb3 for 2013-2015 MBP ssd blades) and it works just fine at USB3 speeds. It is a bit pricey though, I picked mine up as an open box one from them along with a black friday coupon that brought mine down to about $60 awhile back. It's been very handy though. I have a 1TB Apple drive from a late 2013 15 rMBP in the OWC Envoy Pro right now.

The drives can also be used in a desktop with a PCIe to Apple SSD blade adapter if you have a desktop. I have a 256GB Apple SSD from a 2013 Mac Pro (trashcan) in the adapter in my Windows Desktop. It gets faster R/W speeds compared to the USB3 limit with the external OWC case. My 2013 Mac Pro has a 1TB Apple SSD.

Selling it is probably the best advice although to get bootrom updates for the MBP you will need an official Apple SSD. (You didn't mention in your post if the 1TB SSD you got was an Apple one or 3rd party w/adapter). It should work fine, but just an FYI.
 
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