OWC Certifies 480 GB Aftermarket SSD Upgrade for 13-Inch Retina MacBook Pro

[MacRumors]

Earlier this year, Other World Computing (OWC) announced the launch of its 480 GB Mercury Aura Pro solid-state drive for the 15-inch Retina MacBook Pro. Some questioned the cost-effectiveness of pursuing such an upgrade, however, given its $579.99 price tag compared to Apple's $500 charge to boost the standard 256 GB drive to a 512 GB drive, although aftermarket upgrade users can also keep their original drives for external use.

OWC has now announced that it has certified this same Mercury Auro Pro drive for use in the 13-inch Retina MacBook Pro released last week, and Apple's decision to offer a 128 GB drive in the entry-level model may make OWC's offering a more appealing option for those looking to upgrade storage capacity on their machines.

In addition to offering significantly more capacity over the factory base 128GB SSD, the 480GB Mercury Aura Pro offers a $220 savings over the comparable sized 512GB factory capacity upgrade costing $800.

While OWC's aftermarket solid-state drive is currently offered only in 480 GB capacity, the company does note that additional capacities will be coming in November. Apple offers 128 GB, 256 GB, 512 GB, and 768 GB options in the 13-inch Retina MacBook Pro, with all but the lowest capacity available in the 15-inch models.

Article Link: OWC Certifies 480 GB Aftermarket SSD Upgrade for 13-Inch Retina MacBook Pro

[xxgilxx]

Nice...

[skunnykart]

Originally Posted by xxgilxx

Nice...

Not really.
Don't be fooled by the OWCs benchmarks and read/write data.

Swapping out the Samsung 830 for a sandforce controlled OWC SSD is a "downgrade" overall (except more capacity).

Not worth it.
You void your warranty for a SSD that is a poor performer.

If you really need more storage then you're better off getting an external drive via USB 3.0 on the 13inch rMBP.

A 256 Samsung 830 which can be purchased for around $200 housed in a USB 3.0 external enclosure would be better for more capacity than swapping out a good ssd for a poor performer like the OWC ones.

[Jibbajabba]

Originally Posted by skunnykart

Swapping out the Samsung 830 for a sandforce controlled OWC SSD is a "downgrade" overall (except more capacity).

Pretty much - but people usually do that anyway - how many people swap out their stock HDDs in PCs with 7200RPM to get higher capacities ending up with 5400RPM

[skunnykart]

Originally Posted by Jibbajabba

Pretty much - but people usually do that anyway - how many people swap out their stock HDDs in PCs with 7200RPM to get higher capacities ending up with 5400RPM

But the difference between OWC and Samsung is pretty big.
Benchmarks may suggest to you that the difference is negligible but in real life usage the OWC is a really poor performer. When it comes to encryption and working with in-compressible files the OWC is really noticeably slow.

Going from 7200 RPM to 5400 RPM is technically a downgrade but there are enough positives to make a worthwhile "downgrade". With 5400 RPM you can get bigger capacity, and also less noise and vibration which is pretty significant for many noise conscious people.

But going from Samsung 830 to OWC is really not worth it. the negatives significnatly outweighs the positives.

[Tucom]

I personally wouldn't want to open up a glued laptop and risk it's integrity and build quality just to upgrade what can be ordered via Apple's own website.


I'd fear it'd fall apart. Or maybe I'm not clued in on how it's actually put together, and it may be totally harmless?

[dukebound85]

Originally Posted by Tucom

I personally wouldn't want to open up a glued laptop and risk it's integrity and build quality just to upgrade what can be ordered via Apple's own website.


I'd fear it'd fall apart.

its not glued

[iRCL]

More crappy SSDs from OWC. Nice. Search the forums to see the myriad problems with OWC SSDs before buying one

[McGiord]

Originally Posted by iRCL

More crappy SSDs from OWC. Nice. Search the forums to see the myriad problems with OWC SSDs before buying one

Some of the first models they sold were having issues. Nowadays they are good and reliable drives.
They offer good customer service, detailed instruction about how to perform the installation and caters a good service that many of us appreciate.
_________


What entity is certifying these drives?

[everything-i]

Originally Posted by Tucom

I personally wouldn't want to open up a glued laptop and risk it's integrity and build quality just to upgrade what can be ordered via Apple's own website.


I'd fear it'd fall apart. Or maybe I'm not clued in on how it's actually put together, and it may be totally harmless?

Accessing the SSD is no more complex than in the ordinary MBP just a few small screws to remove the bottom cover the SSD can then be easily be swapped out.

NB: Pentalobe screwdriver required for this

[Codyak]

Originally Posted by Tucom

I personally wouldn't want to open up a glued laptop and risk it's integrity and build quality just to upgrade what can be ordered via Apple's own website.


I'd fear it'd fall apart. Or maybe I'm not clued in on how it's actually put together, and it may be totally harmless?

All of five seconds of Google could answer and show it's even easier than replacing it on a standard laptop.

[Naimfan]

Interesting to see if OWC will then assume the voided Apple warranty . . .

Or did OWC receive written authorization from Apple?

[nick_elt]

How did this not make front Page but people getting their smart covers early did?

[Jibbajabba]

Originally Posted by nick_elt

How did this not make front Page but people getting their smart covers early did?

Are you saying you are not excited to see someone else's tracking information :-/

Feck know who decides what's front page material, but decisions really are ....... Odd.

[IGregory]

Originally Posted by nick_elt

How did this not make front Page but people getting their smart covers early did?

Because most of us don't go screwing around with a nicely built machine.

[All Taken]

Originally Posted by Naimfan

Interesting to see if OWC will then assume the voided Apple warranty . . .

Or did OWC receive written authorization from Apple?

The machine warranty is still valid. Any replacement part that is used and not installed by an authorised service provider is not covered so this aftermarket SSD is not covered under Apple warranty but the entire remainder of the machine is. It's that simple and has been clarified several times with apple executive relations.

If a manufacturer can prove the replacement part caused other issues related to warranty service they have a case but otherwise they just provide warranty for everything except that part.

[Naimfan]

Originally Posted by All Taken

The machine warranty is still valid. Any replacement part that is used and not installed by an authorised service provider is not covered so this aftermarket SSD is not covered under Apple warranty but the entire remainder of the machine is. It's that simple and has been clarified several times with apple executive relations.

If a manufacturer can prove the replacement part caused other issues related to warranty service they have a case but otherwise they just provide warranty for everything except that part.

That's incorrect under US law. Apple's warranty disclaims itself (which Apple is within their rights to do) in the event of any "unauthorized modification." Since there are no user-serviceable parts inside a retina (as opposed to the cMBP), Apple can void the warranty of a machine where someone has changed the SSD. No evidence of damage is required. Hence my question of whether OWC has received written authorization from Apple.

[Virtualball]

Yikes, that's a lot of money... A fast 480 GB SSD is $400-500 but those are standard. Hopefully these will go down in price as time goes on

[designgeek]

Originally Posted by Virtualball

Yikes, that's a lot of money... A fast 480 GB SSD is $400-500 but those are standard. Hopefully these will go down in price as time goes on

I used to say this too, but that was years ago and OWC's prices seem to never come down. It probably doesn't help that they have the market cornered.

[Kabeyun]

iRCL's comment notwithstanding, are the OWC drives worth a look? $200 is indeed more money, but that also gets you more storage and the piece of mind of something Apple assembled and warrants. The OWC drive would have to be dramatically better for me to consider it.

[Frign]

OWC is my life support. In many aspects getting parts there can save you lots of money (and time).

[jav6454]

In this day and age, a damn SSD shouldn't cost as much. Just look at Intel's latest 325. It's in the $200 range for a nice beyond 240GB SSD. Apple wants to charge $800 for something Intel barely charges $500. Crazy.

[ikir]

OWC SSD are best quality and support. Great to see they works on 13" retina too. For sure next year I will buy a new notebook and it will be a MacBookPro 13" retina.