MacBook Air Q&A
- Macbook Pro Drive Upgrade
- Macbook Hard Drive Replacement
- A1278 Macbook Pro Hard Drive Upgrade
- Macbook Pro 2019 Upgrade Hard Drive
Editor's Note: Upgrading the hard drive can be one of the best things you can do for your Mac. But it's also one of the hardest to explain: each Mac model is different, and the upgrade.
- To find out what you have, click the Apple logo in the top left corner of the menu bar and select the 'About This Mac' option. On the Overview tab you'll see your Mac's exact model. This will help you figure out if you can upgrade the hard drive in your Mac, and help you find the right parts. What Macs Hard Drives Can You Upgrade?
- Jun 08, 2020 As for upgrading the MacBook hard drive, you can do so on most models. But do note that MacBook SSD upgrade – especially from HDD to SSD – is not possible on all the models. So, the right way to go is to contact a trusted MacBook repair brand and ask for the needed advice.
Update Published January 27, 2021
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How do you upgrade or replace the storage in the 'Mid-2013,' 'Early 2014' and 'Early 2015' and '2017' MacBook Air models? Is it even possible?
Note that EveryMac.com provides storage upgrade instructions for earlier MacBook Air models -- the original, 'Late 2008,' and 'Mid-2009,'Late 2010 and 'Mid-2011,' and 'Mid-2012' lines, too.
By default, the 'Mid-2013,' 'Early 2014,' and 'Early 2015' and '2017' MacBook Air models all shipped with 128 GB or 256 GB of SSD storage. Some configurations could be upgraded to 512 GB of SSD storage at the time of purchase for an extra US$300, but Apple does not intend for one to upgrade the SSD module after purchase.
Nevertheless, the SSD is a removable module and it is quite possible for a technical user to upgrade the SSD himself or herself.
Photo Credit: Apple, Inc. (Left - 11' MacBook Air, Right - 13' MacBook Air)
Identification Help
As these MacBook Air models share Model Numbers with other lines, so this identifier is not suitable for the purpose of upgrading the SSD.
However, these models can be readily identified externally via EMC Number and in software by Model Identifier.
To locate the model identifier in software, select 'About This Mac' under the Apple Menu on your computer and click the 'More Info...' button. If the iMac is running OS X 10.7 'Lion' or later, you will need to click the 'System Report' button after clicking 'More Info...' as well. As always, EveryMac.com has carefully hand documented each EMC number and model identifier for your convenience.
The identifiers for each of these MacBook Air models follow:
MacBook Air | Subfamily | Model ID | EMC |
Mid-2013 | |||
Mid-2013 | |||
Mid-2013 | |||
Mid-2013 | |||
Early 2014 | |||
Early 2014 | |||
Early 2014 | |||
Early 2014 | |||
Early 2015 | |||
Early 2015 | |||
Early 2015 | |||
Early 2015 | |||
Early 2015 | |||
2017 | |||
2017 |
EveryMac.com's Ultimate Mac Lookup feature -- as well as the EveryMac app -- also can uniquely identify these models by their Serial Number, which is listed on the underside near the EMC number and within the operating system alongside the model identifier. More details about specific identifiers are provided in EveryMac.com's extensive Mac Identification section.
SSD Storage Details
As first reported by AnandTech, the 'Mid-2013' MacBook Air models all use a PCIe-based SSD rather than a SATA-connected one like earlier SSD-equipped MacBook Air models. The 'Early 2014' MacBook Air models are practically identical to their predecessors and use the exact same internal storage.
More specifically, AnandTech shared that the SSD in these lines use a custom Apple design with a 'PCIe 2.0 x2 interface, capable of a theoretical maximum of 1 GB/s in each direction.'
The 11-Inch 'Early 2015' MacBook Air models (MacBookAir7,1) also use the same PCIe 2.0 x2 interface, but as documented by site sponsor OWC, the 13-Inch 'Early 2015' and '2017' models (MacBookAir7,2), on the other hand, have a faster PCIe 2.0 x4 interface and provide significantly faster drive speeds as a result.
Storage Installation Instructions
Apple has used less common 'Pentalobe' or 'Five Point Torx' screws to make access more difficult, but with the correct screwdriver, upgrading the SSD is a straightforward procedure.
Site sponsor Other World Computing has helpful videos that covers upgrading the storage in these models, too:
11-Inch MacBook Air (Mid-2013 - Early 2015)
13-Inch MacBook Air (Mid-2013 - 2017)
This video covers how to install the original PCIe SSD from your MacBook Air in OWC's convenient 'Envoy Pro' external case to repurpose it as an external drive:
By watching the videos for the MacBook Air above, you should be able to determine if you feel comfortable performing this upgrade yourself or if you would instead prefer to hire a professional.
SSD Purchase Options
In the US (and many other countries), site sponsor Other World Computing sells compatible SSDs as well as other upgrades for MacBook Air models.
In the UK and Ireland, site sponsor Flexx sells MacBook Air compatible SSDs with free shipping. The company provides flat rate shipping to France, Germany, and Switzerland and inexpensive shipping for all of Europe, too.
Macbook Pro Drive Upgrade
In Canada, site sponsor CanadaRAM sells MacBook Air SSDs with guaranteed compatibility, fast shipping, and no customs duties to worry about.
The 11-Inch 'Early 2015' MacBook Air models (MacBookAir7,1) also use the same PCIe 2.0 x2 interface, but as documented by site sponsor OWC, the 13-Inch 'Early 2015' and '2017' models (MacBookAir7,2), on the other hand, have a faster PCIe 2.0 x4 interface and provide significantly faster drive speeds as a result.
Storage Installation Instructions
Apple has used less common 'Pentalobe' or 'Five Point Torx' screws to make access more difficult, but with the correct screwdriver, upgrading the SSD is a straightforward procedure.
Site sponsor Other World Computing has helpful videos that covers upgrading the storage in these models, too:
11-Inch MacBook Air (Mid-2013 - Early 2015)
13-Inch MacBook Air (Mid-2013 - 2017)
This video covers how to install the original PCIe SSD from your MacBook Air in OWC's convenient 'Envoy Pro' external case to repurpose it as an external drive:
By watching the videos for the MacBook Air above, you should be able to determine if you feel comfortable performing this upgrade yourself or if you would instead prefer to hire a professional.
SSD Purchase Options
In the US (and many other countries), site sponsor Other World Computing sells compatible SSDs as well as other upgrades for MacBook Air models.
In the UK and Ireland, site sponsor Flexx sells MacBook Air compatible SSDs with free shipping. The company provides flat rate shipping to France, Germany, and Switzerland and inexpensive shipping for all of Europe, too.
Macbook Pro Drive Upgrade
In Canada, site sponsor CanadaRAM sells MacBook Air SSDs with guaranteed compatibility, fast shipping, and no customs duties to worry about.
In Australia, site sponsors Macfixit and Upgradeable sell MacBook Air compatible SSDs with fast shipping, a money-back guarantee and more.
In New Zealand, site sponsor Upgradeable New Zealand sells MacBook Air SSDs with fast delivery to all corners of the country, precise compatibility, a lifetime warranty, and a money-back guarantee.
Also see:
- How do you replace or upgrade the hard drive in the original, 'Late 2008' and 'Mid-2009' MacBook Air models? Can you swap the hard drive for an SSD?
- How do you replace or upgrade the storage in the 'Late 2010' and 'Mid-2011' MacBook Air models? Is it even possible?
- How do you replace or upgrade the storage in the 'Mid-2012' MacBook Air models? Is it even possible?
- Which SD Card Slot storage solution is best for the MacBook Air? Which models are compatible? Is this kind of storage safe?
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Summary :
Macbook Hard Drive Replacement
SSDs are very affordable nowadays. If your Mac isn't too old and ready to retire, this upgrade is a good move. Don't worry if you don't know how to finish MacBook Pro SSD upgrade; I will give you a tutorial to show you how to do.
With the maturity of SSD technology and the reduction in price, a lot of Mac users plan to upgrade Mac with SSD. After the upgrade, both the speed and performance of Mac will be improved a lot.
Do You Really Need to Upgrade Mac with SSD
Replacing your old hard drive with a new SSD is actually an easy and quick way to boost speed and performance. Yet, the Mac SSD upgrade is not always necessary.
How to confirm whether you need to conduct MacBook pro hard drive upgrade?
- Firstly, you should figure out what are you usually using the Mac for. If you only do some simple works like look up information on the internet and word processing on Mac, the traditional HDD is enough.
- Secondly, if you only want to speed up your Mac, please try clearing junk files. This may help a lot in speed increase.
When Is the MacBook Pro SSD Replacement Necessary
If you come across the following sings on your Mac, it means that you really need to upgrade the MacBook with a new SSD:
- Slow startup every time when you power on Mac
- Sluggish performance in many apps (such as PS)
- Sudden system crash now and then
- File permission errors without any signals
How to Upgrade MacBook Pro SSD
Step 1: choose a proper SSD.
What you should take into consideration?
- The reliability
- The read/write speed
- The memory (SLC, MLC, or TLC)
- The capacity: keep a balance between capacity and price
Step 2: prepare necessary stuff.
What are needed during Mac SSD upgrade?
- A SATA-to-USB cable or dock
- A small screwdriver used to open Mac cover
- A Torx head screwdriver used to disassemble the old hard drive
Step 3: format the SSD.
- Connect the new SSD to your Mac via the cable or dock you prepared.
- Open Disk Utility the way you like.
- Choose View and Show All Devices in order.
- Select the new SSD from the left sidebar.
- Click on the Erase button.
- Change the settings if you need.
Step 4: copy the hard drive of your Mac to the SSD.
Step 5: remove the hard drive.
- Shut down your Mac.
- Remove the screws with the small screwdriver you have prepared (put the screws together into a container so you won't lose any of them).
- Take the cover off and release the static electricity by touching the metal part.
- Unscrew the two black screws on the plastic bracket securing the hard drive. Then, remove the bracket and the hard drive.
- Swing the connector to disconnect the SATA ribbon attached to one end.
- Remove the four Torx screws on the hard drive with the Torx head screwdriver you prepared.
Step 6: install the SSD.
- Put back the four torx screws you have removed from the old hard drive.
- Attach the SATA ribbon to the new SSD you prepared gently.
- Put the SSD to the same place as the old hard drive.
- Attach the bracket.
- Attach the back cover and screw in the ten tiny screws.
- Turn on your Mac to enjoy it.
That's how to finish the MacBook pro hard drive upgrade.
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A1278 Macbook Pro Hard Drive Upgrade
Top Reasons for Upgrading Mac with SSD
Macbook Pro 2019 Upgrade Hard Drive
Actually, there are mainly 4 reasons to explain why you should upgrade the Mac old hard drive with a new SSD.
- Obviously, the SSD is much faster than the HDD.
- Besides, the SSD uses less power than the HDD.
- Next, the SSD is more resistant to drops and bumps than the HDD.
- Finally, the SSD often has a longer service life than the HDD.