How to upgrade your old MacBook so you don't have to buy a new one. How I changed the SSD in a MacBook Pro to an inexpensive, but capacious and fast one History of the release of Apple SSD

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SSD Maintenance Program for MacBook Pro 13 inches without panel Touch Bar

Apple Company has identified that a limited number of 128GB and 256GB solid-state drives (SSDs) used in 13-inch MacBook Pros without Touch Bar may experience data loss and drive failure issues. MacBook Pro 13-inch computers with these drives were sold between June 2017 and June 2018.

Apple will also announce this program at e-mail customers who have registered their devices with Apple.

Eligibility

First, check which model of MacBook Pro 13-inch you have. From the Apple menu () in the upper left corner of the screen, choose About This Mac. Make sure you have a 2017 13-inch MacBook Pro with two Thunderbolt 3 ports. Then enter serial number computer below to see if the program applies to it.

This program does not cover 13-inch MacBook Pro with touch panel Bar or earlier 13-inch MacBook Pro models.

Maintenance procedure

Find the drive for service. Before servicing, your 13-inch MacBook Pro will be inspected to determine its overall performance and eligibility for this program.

It is important to back up all data stored on the drive because it will be deleted during maintenance.

• The technician will run the utility to update the drive's firmware, which will take no more than an hour.
• Your 13-inch MacBook Pro will be returned to you with macOS reinstalled.
• After service you will need

He gave Apple technology lovers hope for an update to the entire line of professional computers.

Even though the beloved slots for SD cards and USB-A connectors will never be returned to the MacBook, we still got a very comfortable keyboard instead of a sticky butterfly.

In six months or a year, it will be possible to replace old Retina models with updated laptops. To give a second life to the “old guys” and work for them for some more time, we suggest making a simple upgrade.

We will only consider models that support installation macOS Catalina:

▸ MacBook Pro mid 2012 or later
▸ MacBook Air mid 2012 or newer
▸ MacBook Retina early 2015 or newer

Upgrade impossible on a 12-inch MacBook, which was produced from 2015 to 2017, but new Macs Book Air 2018-2019 and on MacBook Pro starting with 2016 models (TouchBar/Type-C).

The instructions are not suitable for new Macs with the T2 chip. Such manipulations require

On older devices (MacBook Pro Retina and MacBook Air), you can replace SSD drive. Upgrade random access memory could be done on previous generation laptops in a unibody case (laptops from 2008 to 2012 without a Retina display).

MacBook Pro Retina

Models produced between mid-2012 and mid-2015 are considered to be the third MacBook generation Pro. This entire line is also called Retina.

It includes 7 modifications with screen diagonals of 13″ and 15″:

Mid 2012: MC975LL/A, MC976LL/A, MD831LL/A
Late 2012: MD212LL/A, MD213LL/A, Z0N43LL/A
Early 2013: ME662LL/A, ME664LL/A, ME665LL/A
Late 2013: ME864LL/A, ME865LL/A, ME866LL/A, ME293LL/A, ME294LL/A, ME874LL/A
Mid 2014: MGX72LL/A, MGX82LL/A, MGX92LL/A, MGXA2LL/A, MGXC2LL/A
Early 2015: MF839LL/A, MF840LL/A, MF841LL/A
Mid 2015: MJLQ2LL/A, MJLT2LL/A

MacBook Air

Of the “air” laptops, we will consider devices that were released from mid-2012 to mid-2017.

Upgrade is possible to any of five modifications 11″ and 13″:

Mid 2012: MD223LL/A, MD224LL/A, MD231LL/A, MD232LL/A
Mid 2013: MD711LL/A, MD712LL/A, MD760LL/A, MD761LL/A
Early 2014: MD711LL/B, MD712LL/B, MD760LL/B, MD761LL/B
Early 2015: MJVM2LL/A, MJVP2LL/A, MJVE2LL/A, MJVG2LL/A, MMGF2LL/A, MMGG2LL/A
Mid 2017: MQD32LL/A, MQD42LL/A

Which drive to choose

Cupertino has done everything to make upgrading a laptop drive problematic. The replacement procedure itself is not very complicated; it is more difficult to choose a suitable SSD.

The MacBook Pro and MacBook Air of these generations used SSDs with a specific connector, which differ from most SSDs with an M2 connector.

The upgrade can be done as follows:

▸ find the original SSD from Apple desired volume that was removed from another MacBook. Such discs are very rarely found on sale.

▸ find third-party SSDs with a similar connector. There is more choice here, but the prices are still high. There are several models of the OWC brand: Aura Pro X2 and Aura Pro 6G, Transcend has similar drives: JetDrive 725 or JetDrive 850

▸ connect a regular M2 format SSD drive through a special adapter: this one or this one.

In the first case, it is best to order the necessary components in the USA at eBay. In the second case, a good option would be a model from Transcend; along with the drive you will receive an adapter for connecting the drive via USB, so you can quickly deploy backup copy system on the SSD before installing it in the MacBook. After the upgrade, you can place in the adapter old SSD and make it an external USB drive.

If you choose a model from another manufacturer, a similar dock can be purchased on AliExpress.

In the case of an adapter, you should carefully select the model of the adapter itself and the model of the SSD suitable for it. The choice is very large, but you can make a mistake.

Attention! Suitable for different models of laptops presented SSD various type and size. With the first one, everything is simple: MacBook models up to and including the beginning of 2013 work with drives mSATA, and newer devices (from mid-2013) need disks m2 format. The physical dimensions of the SSD depend on specific model. A bar that is too large or wide will simply not fit into the space allotted to it inside the case.

To avoid errors, check the drive dimensions for your MacBook Pro or MacBook Air on the website iFixit.

Only then select new SSD and an adapter for it.

For those who are looking at Transcend drives, a convenient table has been posted on the company’s website. There you can find the right disk model for your laptop.

How to replace SSD

1. Create a system backup via Time Machine or using .

If you purchased a replacement drive with an external dock, you can immediately connect it via USB and format it in disk utility and deploy backup to it.

2. Create a flash drive for clean macOS installations.

3. Turn off your laptop to begin replacing the SSD.

4. Remove back cover laptop. To do this you will need a screwdriver and a bit. P5.

5. Using plastic objects, carefully disconnect the battery cable.

6. Using a screwdriver T5 Unscrew the standard SSD mount and carefully remove it.

7. Replace the new drive and reassemble the laptop in reverse order.

Online store of spare parts and tools for Apple.
Today we will tell you how to save money by upgrading the SSD drive of all Mac computers after 2013. As you know, OWC has released new drives with a capacity of up to 1 TB with a PCIe interface and a proprietary Apple connector. Disk speeds for this protocol are not great: up to 763 MB/s reading and 446 MB/s writing, but PCIe 2.0 allows you to achieve much higher speeds. And the price for 480GB is almost 30,000 rubles with delivery from the USA, and in Moscow from 44,000 rubles.

Most recently, Kingston released PCIe 2.0 SSD drives with M.2 connector. Food is the same as Mac computers, but the connector is different. The task has been set, the drawings have been drawn, months of waiting and the necessary adapter is already in our office. All that remains is to install the disk through the adapter and carry out testing.

Brief instructions for SSD installation Kingston M.2 in MacBook Retina 13" 2015.

Step 1
- unscrew 10 Pentalobe screws *1.2 with a screwdriver
- please note that the screws differ in shape and length, during the assembly process return everything to its place

Step 2
- remove the plastic cover from the battery connector

Step 3
- disconnect the battery cable from the motherboard with a spatula

Step 4
- now that motherboard de-energized, unscrew the T5 screw that secures the standard SSD drive

Step 5
- carefully remove the SSD at a slight angle

Step 6
- prepare a new larger SSD with an adapter and insert it into the connector, it fits perfectly

Step 7
- install our disk with the adapter and assemble the laptop in reverse order

Step 8
- install clean OS X from a flash drive and test the new disk

After installing the operating system, we pass the BlackMagic Disk Speed ​​Test. Windows results in the screenshot. The write speed at some points reached 561Mb/sec, and the read speed over 1Gb/sec. What did all this give us? New 256Gb SSD disk for Mac devices PCIe last generations costs from 25,000 rubles, and it will be a disk without any warranty, since Apple does not sell such disks, it will be a disassembled or used disk. We, using a magic adapter, installed a Kingston SHPM2280P2/240G 240GB drive (price on Yandex Market at the date of publication from 11,730 rubles). Total savings of over 10,000 rubles, taking into account the cost of the adapter, as well as a 3-year manufacturer’s warranty on the SSD drive.

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Fair, not overpriced and not underestimated. There should be prices on the Service website. Necessarily! without asterisks, clear and detailed, where technically possible - as accurate and concise as possible.

If spare parts are available, up to 85% of complex repairs can be completed in 1-2 days. Modular repairs require much less time. The website shows the approximate duration of any repair.

Warranty and responsibility

A guarantee must be given for any repairs. Everything is described on the website and in the documents. The guarantee is self-confidence and respect for you. A 3-6 month warranty is good and sufficient. It is needed to check quality and hidden defects that cannot be detected immediately. You see honest and realistic terms (not 3 years), you can be sure that they will help you.

Half the success in Apple repair is the quality and reliability of spare parts, so a good service works directly with suppliers, there are always several reliable channels and your own warehouse with proven spare parts for current models, so you don’t have to waste extra time.

Free diagnostics

This is very important and has already become a rule of good manners for service center. Diagnostics is the most difficult and important part of the repair, but you don't have to pay a penny for it, even if you don't repair the device based on its results.

Service repairs and delivery

Good service values ​​your time, so he offers free shipping. And for the same reason, repairs are carried out only in the workshop of a service center: they can be done correctly and according to technology only in a prepared place.

Convenient schedule

If the Service works for you, and not for itself, then it is always open! absolutely. The schedule should be convenient to fit in before and after work. Good service works on weekends and holidays. We are waiting for you and working on your devices every day: 9:00 - 21:00

The reputation of professionals consists of several points

Company age and experience

Reliable and experienced service has been known for a long time.
If a company has been on the market for many years and has managed to establish itself as an expert, people turn to it, write about it, and recommend it. We know what we are talking about, since 98% of incoming devices in the service center are restored.
Other service centers trust us and refer complex cases to us.

How many masters in areas

If there are always several engineers waiting for you for each type of equipment, you can be sure:
1. there will be no queue (or it will be minimal) - your device will be taken care of right away.
2. you give your Macbook for repair to an expert in the field of Mac repairs. He knows all the secrets of these devices

Technical literacy

If you ask a question, a specialist should answer it as accurately as possible.
So that you can imagine what exactly you need.
They will try to solve the problem. In most cases, from the description you can understand what happened and how to fix the problem.

Apple has always been expensive when it comes to pricing storage in its devices. In both the iPhone, iPad, and MacBook, every step to increase the storage capacity costs a pretty penny. And gigabytes from Apple are significantly more expensive than the market average. There is no doubt about it, these are usually very fast gigabytes, and you don’t have to particularly regret overpaying. And yet sometimes the toad strangles. And you buy the option with a smaller drive. You hope to squeeze in and somehow get by. But you always, absolutely always face a lack of volume.

In the case of iPhone and iPad, the problem is partly, but on relatively old MacBooks (before 2016), you can change the SSD. But if you use original components, this is a very expensive pleasure. For example, a 256 GB drive will cost 30 thousand rubles if you buy a new one, and 18-20 thousand for a used one. It bites, you know. Meanwhile, “just an SSD” of this size is sold for 9-10 thousand. For 16-18 thousand you can get a 512 gigabyte model. The proprietary nature of the Apple connector is overcome with the help of an adapter, which costs about 1000 rubles on Aliexpress, and 2-3 thousand in Russian shops.

The autopsy showed...

I'll tell you about mine own experience with a MacBook Pro 13, model Early 2015. I got it with a 128 gigabyte SSD, which, in general, was enough, but still somehow itched - what if I need to edit some kind of incendiary video, but there’s not enough space? For some reason I didn’t want to spend 30 thousand. But with non-native SSDs, everything is not so simple. The fact is that Apple has its own problems, because of which disks from other manufacturers appear operating system only after dancing with a tambourine, turning on TRIM also requires shamanism, and there are also problems with hibernation, which has to be turned off.

In particular, such overlays occur with the Samsung 960 EVO, which is often purchased to upgrade MacBooks. I didn't want to deal with something like this.

Deep googling showed that one of the least problematic SSDs for the MacBook Pro Early 2015 is the Kingston KC1000. The 240 GB model (I certainly don’t need more) costs an average of 8,500 rubles. For this we get a drive with a stated read speed of 2700 MB/s and write speed of 900 MB/s. For comparison, the original Apple SSD produces 1200/700 read and write speeds, respectively. It’s worth mentioning here that Kingston’s recording is relatively slow only on the younger model, and already from 480 GB it grows to 1600 MB/s. But, I repeat, I don’t need such a volume, and overpaying would not make any sense.

Considering that I had never upgraded a MacBook before, I asked the guys from the Fixed.One service to help me with this matter. Looking ahead a little, I will say that if you have special screwdrivers (five- and hexagonal stars), the operation can be done at home.

Let's go. First, unscrew the back cover and admire how beautifully everything is arranged inside. The SSD is secured with one screw. A slight movement and the slot is free.

The adapter came from China, it looks modest, but, on the other hand, it doesn’t need to work miracles. There are no electronics on it - everything is limited to redirecting contacts from the Apple connector to a regular M.2 connector. Something similar happened with proprietary Sony cards: it quickly became clear that regular microSD can be inserted into a portable PSP console just fine through a cheap adapter.

The installation procedure is as follows: first insert the adapter into the connector, then insert the new SSD into it. If we are talking about a capacious model (for example, a terabyte), it makes sense to wrap the contact area with thermal tape for secure fastening and additional heat removal. But in our case this would be clearly unnecessary, because this model Kingston heats up very moderately, and in conjunction with the existing adapter it sticks out above the board slightly higher than the original and is in excellent contact with the thermal interface on the cover. The length matches completely, so the KC1000 was fixed with a screw from its predecessor.

When turned on, the MacBook expectedly complained that there was no boot disk, but after inserting the flash drive with the distribution kit High Sierra, immediately saw the new SSD and offered to install the OS on it. A very important point: without upgrading to High Sierra, it is impossible to install a third-party drive, and you need to upgrade the operating system BEFORE replacing the drive.

The installation went without the slightest hiccups. It’s real - there’s not even anything to tell. After completion, restored all data from copies of Time Machine on a flash drive. This turned out to be significantly faster than over the air, but still slow relative to the capabilities of the flash drive. It can transfer up to 300 megabytes per second, and recovery proceeded at an average speed of 20 megabytes, only sometimes increasing to 40-50 megabytes.

Immediately after the recovery, I ran a benchmark and, frankly, was pretty discouraged: according to its data, the read and write speed was below 400 MB/s. At the same time, the speed of work was the same. Launching applications, switching between them - that's it. I have a suspicion that the problem is in the background tasks with which the system loads the disk, and in particular with the Spotlight indexing service. The latter works furiously in the first days after installing a new drive, re-learning files, letters, contacts, etc., which leads not only to slower operation, but also to increased energy consumption. You can disable indexing by entering the command in Terminal sudo mdutil -a -i off. But it’s probably better to just wait until the system realizes itself again and calms down.

Actually, the very next day the benchmark showed completely different, more encouraging numbers. This is not at the peak of SSD capabilities, but noticeably higher than original drive, released, let me remind you, three years ago.

What pitfalls may arise? Firstly, with a non-native SSD, the MacBook Pro tends to wake up incorrectly from hibernation - it crashes and goes into reboot. This happened to me a couple of times, but only on the first day, when background FileVault data encryption was in progress. After it ended (pah-pah-pah) everything became normal. If your problem persists, you need to type the command in the terminal sudo pmset -a hibernatemode 25. But the best thing, as experts say, is to reset the laptop and set it up from scratch, rather than restore it from Time Machine. Then there will be no problems getting out of sleep. I haven’t checked it myself yet, but I trust the experts.

Secondly, the drive may not operate at full capacity. This is also stated in the honest descriptions of the adapters: they do not pump more than 2 GB/s. Plus, not all lines can earn PCI Express, for example only two instead of the maximum four. My diagnostic utility shows either x2 or x4. This does not affect performance. And by the way, I don’t even know - maybe the original SSD had the same problem.

But in general, especially after the release of High Sierra 10.13.3, third-party SSDs work decently, and if you're lucky with the adapter, you'll save a very significant amount. To be lucky, it is better to buy it in Russia and from companies that conduct preliminary testing of this kind of hardware.

Many thanks to Fixed.One for help with the upgrade. The Kingston KC1000 has shown full suitability for use in a MacBook, and given that they have a maximum capacity of 960 GB, this will allow someone to increase the storage capacity to a very impressive size at a very reasonable cost.

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