2014 MacBook Air - Can you upgrade the SSD?

I would expect OWC to be releasing a 2014 MBA SSD upgrade in a few months.

The "2014" speed bump model is nearly identical with the 2013 MBA, as only the CPU changed and battery life due to software enhancements.

http://www.everymac.com/systems/app...-between-macbook-air-early-2014-mid-2013.html

You may want to rethink OWC:

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/1459847/

My experience with an OWC on my 2012 MBA was not pleasant. It's spelled out in couple of threads here. My Transend JetDrive has been flawless however.

Lou

I know you were looking for the 2014 upgrade kit but I just thought I'd share this here...

I just upgraded my daughters 2009 MBA from the ridiculous 4200rpm 120gb HHD it came with to a OWC AuraPro 120gb SSD. Very easy install and the difference is night and day. MUCH faster and runs WAAAAAY cooler. she'll get another couple of years out of the MBA now which is exactly what she wanted, all for about $130.00.

Great little upgrade kit from OWC. I buy a lot from OWC and have never had an issue.

^^^^It's not one isolated incident, it's many. Guess you didn't read the whole thread. Anyway you have been forewarned. I was one the of lucky ones who got his money back. They tried to get a 20% handling charge and return postage, but I put up a fight. I will never buy from them again.

Lou

WeatherguyNH said:

I too have been an OWC customer for many years and have reviewed some of their products for a site I write for form time to time.
Have never had an issue.
Sorry about your experience RONNCO, but sometimes it just goes that way.

I had a 2011 MBA that I sold recently, allowing me to get the new 2014 model.
I was planning on buying the 128GB model looking to upgrade at a later date.
Just wanted to make sure I could.

Thanks

WeatherguyNH

Click to expand...

Actually, it wasn't me that had the poor experience...I always have had great customer service from OWC and have been very happy with their products...

Yes you can upgrade the SSD. It is a PCIe Interface. This is for the 2013 and 2014 MBA. This is also found in the Late 2013 MBP.

The MBA will take 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB. MBP will take 1TB as well as the smaller sizes. The 1TB drive is wider than the others, so it will not fit in an MBA.

Apple uses the following vendors for SSD
Toshiba (slowest)
Sandisk
Samsung (fastest)

I have only seen 512GB made by Samsung. The 128GB and 256GB are from all vendors. If you find a Samsung, that is the one you should get.

2013 Models used to have some Samsung, mostly Sandisk. 2014 Models are mostly Toshiba. In some MBA Benchmarks, the 2014's appear to be slower than the 2013's. This is because of the Toshiba drive.

I have tested all three of them. This is an auction I had for a 512GB (sold). As you can see (the pictures) the speed of the 512GB is over 700MB/s Read/Write
www.ebay.com/itm/331245241395
This is due to the multiple channels. This is why a 256GB runs faster than a 128GB, and a 512GB will beat a 256GB. The 1TB drive scores almost 1000MB R/W.

For more information on the speed of drives compared see this
http://www.macworld.com/article/2150841/lab-tested-new-2014-macbook-air-benchmarks.html

To break down the speed differences with the different drives from that link, you have this:
2013 MBA 128GB 445 MB Write 725 MB Read Samsung SM0128F
2014 MBA 128GB 306 MB Write 620 MB Read Toshiba TS0128F
2013 MBA 256GB 687 MB Write 725 MB Read Samsung SM0256F
2014 MBA 256GB 520 MB Write 676 MB Read Sandisk SD0256F

Hope this information helps. If you are concerned with speed, you can buy a 512GB Samsung for about $400 on eBay, and sell your existing drive for about $1.00 a GB.

You will need the following drivers to remove the case and the drive
Wiha 26764 Amazon B00GY8FEOE
Wiha 26737 Amazon B001ID9NB0