Macbook Air 13inch, 2017, 7.2, SSD Upgrade Info Needed

EugW wrote: ↑ https://canadaram.com/ssd_mac10.htm

Thanks, I had come across that site. But I am still not clear, they are selling a 240GB drive for $190 but then I see stuff on Amazon for like $120.

This is where I need more information on, the large gap in prices and if anyone has experience with these drive adapters and what the deal actually is.

Get a Sintech (http://eshop.sintech.cn/index.php?main_ ... ts_id=1139) and an NVMe drive. This will be the most cost-efficient way to upgrade the MacBook's internal storage as long as you are running a High Sierra or newer bootrom and OS.

If you want to stick with an original Apple OEM drive, you can use a 512 GB drive from the Air 11" and 13" (mid-2013 to 2017) and Pro 13" and 15" (late 2013 to early 2015).

audit13 wrote: ↑ Get a Sintech (http://eshop.sintech.cn/index.php?main_ ... ts_id=1139) and an NVMe drive. This will be the most cost-efficient way to upgrade the MacBook's internal storage as long as you are running a High Sierra or newer bootrom and OS.

If you want to stick with an original Apple OEM drive, you can use a 512 GB drive from the Air 11" and 13" (mid-2013 to 2017) and Pro 13" and 15" (late 2013 to early 2015).

Thanks. So that sintech is the adapter? It doesn't even list the 2017 model on it? And then basically any NVMe drive will work? Any recommendations on drive?

She's a light user, nothing crazy intensive on the MacBook. Just needs more storage for photos etc.

iPonik wrote: ↑ Thanks. So that sintech is the adapter? It doesn't even list the 2017 model on it? And then basically any NVMe drive will work? Any recommendations on drive?

She's a light user, nothing crazy intensive on the MacBook. Just needs more storage for photos etc.

Yes, Sintech is the adapter. I have had success using generic adapters from eBay too.

The Air 11" and 13" mid-2013 to 2017 and Pro 13" and 15" from late 2013 to early 2015 use the same SSD.

Before using an NVMe drive, the Air must be running at least a High Sierra bootrom and High Sierra OS.

Be aware that using an NVMe drive will cause the battery to drain faster. Power management works better with Catalina.

Have a look at this thread which has a lot of useful information, including power draw, pros, and cons: https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/up ... e.2034976/

Btw, all non-Apple SSDs for your Air are also NVMe drives. Going with the Sintech and "regular" NVMe allows you to easily reuse the drive in a non-Apple computer.

iPonik wrote: ↑ Got one of these for my mother a while back, however the stock 128GB SSD doesn't cut it anymore. Need to upgrade it to something bigger like a 256.

What are my options as much research is showing lots of results and varying information on these style ssd drives with varying connectors and fitment..

Hoping someone can shed some light and guide me in the right direction.

If she's just backing up photos and whatnot why not just get an external drive or a USB stick?

XtremeModder wrote: ↑ If she's just backing up photos and whatnot why not just get an external drive or a USB stick?

Just another piece of hardware that has to be carried around, plugged in and stored somewhere. I myself to prefer to also have it all straight on the device without any additional external devices required.

iPonik wrote: ↑ Just another piece of hardware that has to be carried around, plugged in and stored somewhere. I myself to prefer to also have it all straight on the device without any additional external devices required.

Sorry to say, it’s a good backup strategy too. Don’t leave on laptop, it can go kaput and you loose everything.

iPonik wrote: ↑ Just another piece of hardware that has to be carried around, plugged in and stored somewhere. I myself to prefer to also have it all straight on the device without any additional external devices required.

It's far cheaper to take pictures and put them on a USB drive when returning home. That's just my advice but if she only wants to up the internal storage then get the adapter and an nvme drive.

I also just got a 128gb MacBook air and may upgrade the storage for my own needs but am debating on that for now.

So which drive is the way to go? Samsung Evo 970 Evo Plus or the WD Black SN750. So many drives.. this is honestly a headache to figure out..

I did order the sintech adapter.

https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B07M7Q21N7/ref ... in_0_title

https://www.amazon.ca/Black-SN750-500GB ... 344&sr=8-7

iPonik wrote: ↑ So which drive is the way to go? Samsung Evo 970 Evo Plus or the WD Black SN750. So many drives.. this is honestly a headache to figure out..

I did order the sintech adapter.

https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B07M7Q21N7/ref ... in_0_title

https://www.amazon.ca/Black-SN750-500GB ... 344&sr=8-7

Don't get the 970 EVO Plus. It will use a significant amount of battery power without any added benefit. Also, it will not be compatible with a MacBook unless it is running the correct firmware.

The Air has and PCIe 2.0 bus with 4 lanes so the bus will limit the performance of the 970. I'd get the WD over the Samsung.

audit13 wrote: ↑ Don't get the 970 EVO Plus. It will use a significant amount of battery power without any added benefit. Also, it will not be compatible with a MacBook unless it is running the correct firmware.

The Air has and PCIe 2.0 bus with 4 lanes so the bus will limit the performance of the 970. I'd get the WD over the Samsung.

A shoot really? Pulled the trigger on the EVO yesterday.. it was a Amazon prime so I can always send it back.

So your thinking replace it with the Wd drive?

iPonik wrote: ↑ A shoot really? Pulled the trigger on the EVO yesterday.. it was a Amazon prime so I can always send it back.

So your thinking replace it with the Wd drive?

If you are able to update the 970 to the latest firmware, you should be okay to use it in your Air. It will use a bit more battery than other drives but, depending on your usage, you may be fine to use it.

There are a few other drives that would be suitable for the Air. The Crucial P2, WD SN550, Adata SX8200Pro, and Sabrent Rocket.

Really high read/write speeds look good in benchmarks but I found that even a lowly HP ex900 performs as well in everyday use as the original SSD that came with the Air.

audit13 wrote: ↑ If you are able to update the 970 to the latest firmware, you should be okay to use it in your Air. It will use a bit more battery than other drives but, depending on your usage, you may be fine to use it.

There are a few other drives that would be suitable for the Air. The Crucial P2, WD SN550, Adata SX8200Pro, and Sabrent Rocket.

Really high read/write speeds look good in benchmarks but I found that even a lowly HP ex900 performs as well in everyday use as the original SSD that came with the Air.

Thanks for the great info. So the macbook from 2017 has still the old PCIe 2.0? Seems strange.. big price difference for example on the WD SN550 and the Evo 970.. I mean if there is no point in having the faster drive and not be able to utilize its benefits whats the point? Or am I missing something here?

iPonik wrote: ↑ Thanks for the great info. So the macbook from 2017 has still the old PCIe 2.0? Seems strange.. big price difference for example on the WD SN550 and the Evo 970.. I mean if there is no point in having the faster drive and not be able to utilize its benefits whats the point? Or am I missing something here?

Only the early 2015 13" Pro, mid-2014 15" Pro, and early 2015 15" Pro have PCIe 3.0 as far as I know.

Yes, there is a big price difference but, if you intend to re-purpose the 970 in another computer that can take advantage of its speed, the 970 is not a bad choice at all.

audit13 wrote: ↑ Only the early 2015 13" Pro, mid-2014 15" Pro, and early 2015 15" Pro have PCIe 3.0 as far as I know.

Yes, there is a big price difference but, if you intend to re-purpose the 970 in another computer that can take advantage of its speed, the 970 is not a bad choice at all.

Not for the time being.. may just return it and pick up one of the other models you listed coupleof posts up.

iPonik wrote: ↑ Not for the time being.. may just return it and pick up one of the other models you listed coupleof posts up.

Check out some of the power consumption charts in this post: https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/up ... e.2034976/

audit13 wrote: ↑ Check out some of the power consumption charts in this post: https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/up ... e.2034976/

wow the EVO is the last on the list.. looks like the Crucial P2 is the winner on that chart unless I’m looking at the wrong thing?

iPonik wrote: ↑ wow the EVO is the last on the list.. looks like the Crucial P2 is the winner on that chart unless I’m looking at the wrong thing?

You are reading it correctly.