rMBP: upgrading SSD to OWC

walkie · Feb 4, 2013, 10:00 AM

Hi all, I would like to know if anyone who bought a rMBP and upgraded to OWC SSD has noticed any difference in speed?, how about reliability?, I would be interested if I ever run out of enough space on my rMBP.
Thanks.

vatter69 · Feb 4, 2013, 10:08 AM

Same here, also shipping to international and how possible warranties are handled.

Orlandoech.com · Feb 4, 2013, 10:13 AM

Well here is some info;

rMBP SSD is made by Samsung with a Samsung SSD Controller which has proved reliable, fast and stable. OWC uses SandForce Controllers which although good, have issues with Macs for some reason.

rw3 · Feb 4, 2013, 10:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Orlandoech.com

Well here is some info;

rMBP SSD is made by Samsung with a Samsung SSD Controller which has proved reliable, fast and stable. OWC uses SandForce Controllers which although good, have issues with Macs for some reason.

SandForce controllers have issues no matter the computer they are installed in....

Also, rMBP's are now coming with a version of the SanDisk Ultra Plus with the Marvell controller. I've seen a few in customer rMBP's...

Orlandoech.com · Feb 4, 2013, 10:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rw3

SandForce controllers have issues no matter the computer they are installed in....

Also, rMBP's are now coming with a version of the SanDisk Ultra Plus with the Marvell controller. I've seen a few in customer rMBP's...

Really? Have pics?

Ive pulled the SSD out of an easy 10 rMBPs both 13" and 15" and only seen Samsung.

rw3 · Feb 4, 2013, 10:25 AM

No pics....but trust me, I've opened about 10x more than that and they are starting to be a good mixture of the SanDisk and Samsung. Apple is truly trying to sever ties with Samsung in all ways possible. I haven't seen Samsung RAM in a new machine in a while. A lot of Hynix and Elpida....

I have a refurb coming in for a customer, so I will see if it has a SanDisk, if I does, I'll remove the bottom case and snap a few pics.

Orlandoech.com · Feb 4, 2013, 10:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rw3

No pics....but trust me, I've opened about 10x more than that and they are starting to be a good mixture of the SanDisk and Samsung. Apple is truly trying to sever ties with Samsung in all ways possible. I haven't seen Samsung RAM in a new machine in a while. A lot of Hynix and Elpida....

I have a refurb coming in for a customer, so I will see if it has a SanDisk, if I does, I'll remove the bottom case and snap a few pics.

Awesome! Its not that I dont believe you, I just wanna see lol.

I know Apple hates Samsung. I only see Hynix and Elpida RAM too.

robvas · Feb 4, 2013, 11:15 AM

You'll see them advertised faster in benchmarks but they should be slower with incompressible data, like any Sandforce drive.

walkie · Feb 4, 2013, 11:49 AM

Thanks for your comments, so in few words OWC is not as fast as advertised according with your experience, then it seems it's better to find a Retina Samsung OEM SSD.

KPOM · Feb 4, 2013, 12:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rw3

SandForce controllers have issues no matter the computer they are installed in....

Also, rMBP's are now coming with a version of the SanDisk Ultra Plus with the Marvell controller. I've seen a few in customer rMBP's...

Interesting. I wonder how the SandDisk performs. I haven't used an SSD with the Marvell controller before.

Orlandoech.com · Feb 4, 2013, 12:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by walkie

Thanks for your comments, so in few words OWC is not as fast as advertised according with your experience, then it seems it's better to find a Retina Samsung OEM SSD.

I think so yes. I also think OWC is overpriced due to the fact the slap a "MAC Compatible" label on their products.

robvas · Feb 4, 2013, 12:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Orlandoech.com

I think so yes. I also think OWC is overpriced due to the fact the slap a "MAC Compatible" label on their products.

They're first (and sometimes the only) to market with a lot of products, so they charge a premium.

vatter69 · Feb 4, 2013, 12:59 PM

Where would you get that tho? As far as i understand, OWC is the only company selling Retina-SSDs right?

Quote:

Originally Posted by walkie

Thanks for your comments, so in few words OWC is not as fast as advertised according with your experience, then it seems it's better to find a Retina Samsung OEM SSD.

walkie · Feb 4, 2013, 01:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vatter69

Where would you get that tho? As far as i understand, OWC is the only company selling Retina-SSDs right?

You can buy it here http://www.yourmacstore.com/apple-sa...etina-display/, they'll soon have more to sell, also eBay is a good place to find some.

robvas · Feb 4, 2013, 01:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vatter69

Where would you get that tho? As far as i understand, OWC is the only company selling Retina-SSDs right?

You can buy a used OEM Retina SSD from someone who has upgraded theirs.

vatter69 · Feb 4, 2013, 01:16 PM

Thanks for the link. Seems no 256 Gb version as of yet.

walkie · Feb 4, 2013, 01:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Orlandoech.com

I think so yes. I also think OWC is overpriced due to the fact the slap a "MAC Compatible" label on their products.

I haven't seen yet the typical post: "I made the SSD upgrade with OWC on a retina MBP and couldn't be happier..."

Orlandoech.com · Feb 4, 2013, 01:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by walkie

I haven't seen yet the typical post: "I made the SSD upgrade with OWC on a retina MBP and couldn't be happier..."

Nor have I.

robvas · Feb 4, 2013, 01:22 PM

I'm wondering if someone will come out with an adapter to fit a regular SSD (maybe with the case removed) in the SSD location in the 13" rMPB

walkie · Feb 4, 2013, 01:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vatter69

Thanks for the link. Seems no 256 Gb version as of yet.

Look at this link from eBay: http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_odkw...etina&_sacat=0, watch out for scalpers.

Orlandoech.com · Feb 4, 2013, 01:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by robvas

I'm wondering if someone will come out with an adapter to fit a regular SSD (maybe with the case removed) in the SSD location in the 13" rMPB

No shiz... that would be fantabulous but I have a 15" rMBP lol.

kgallag1 · Feb 4, 2013, 02:22 PM

I upgraded my RMBP with the OWC 480 gig disk. Works like a charm. Never bothered with benchmarks (frankly don't really care if I get 450 or 460MBPs), but it's snappy, given me no problems and works like a charm, so I "couldn't be happier"

walkie · Feb 4, 2013, 02:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kgallag1

I upgraded my RMBP with the OWC 480 gig disk. Works like a charm. Never bothered with benchmarks (frankly don't really care if I get 450 or 460MBPs), but it's snappy, given me no problems and works like a charm, so I "couldn't be happier"

Nice to read from your own experience!, now we have our first happy user

, the good thing about OWC upgrade is the toolbox, the case for the remaining SSD and the 3-year warranty.

kgallag1 · Feb 4, 2013, 02:44 PM

I also love the Envoy Pro. Compact, easy to carry around, and REALLY nice build quality! When you screw it together, it's practically airtight. All aluminium too. All in all, it was worth the $600 or so I spent.

robvas · Feb 4, 2013, 02:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kgallag1

I also love the Envoy Pro. Compact, easy to carry around, and REALLY nice build quality! When you screw it together, it's practically airtight. All aluminium too. All in all, it was worth the $600 or so I spent.

Only bad thing about it is you need to peel the rubber feet off the bottom to access the screws. Most users won't be taking it apart so that's not a big deal.

Feb 4, 2013, 10:00 AM	#1
walkie macrumors regular Join Date: Feb 2010	rMBP: upgrading SSD to OWC Hi all, I would like to know if anyone who bought a rMBP and upgraded to OWC SSD has noticed any difference in speed?, how about reliability?, I would be interested if I ever run out of enough space on my rMBP. Thanks.
	0

Feb 4, 2013, 10:13 AM	#3
Orlandoech.com macrumors 68020 Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Salt Lake City, UT	Well here is some info; rMBP SSD is made by Samsung with a Samsung SSD Controller which has proved reliable, fast and stable. OWC uses SandForce Controllers which although good, have issues with Macs for some reason. __________________ GUIDE: SSD Tweaking GUIDE: DIY Fusion Drive SSD Benchmark Comparison USB3 HDD vs SSD
	0

Feb 4, 2013, 10:25 AM	#6
rw3 macrumors 6502a Join Date: May 2008 Location: DFW, TX	No pics....but trust me, I've opened about 10x more than that and they are starting to be a good mixture of the SanDisk and Samsung. Apple is truly trying to sever ties with Samsung in all ways possible. I haven't seen Samsung RAM in a new machine in a while. A lot of Hynix and Elpida.... I have a refurb coming in for a customer, so I will see if it has a SanDisk, if I does, I'll remove the bottom case and snap a few pics. __________________ 2012 iMac 27"\|i7 3.4GHz\|32GB\|768GB • MacBook Pro Retina\|i7 2.7GHz\|16GB\|768GB • White iPhone 5 \|64GB • ATV3 x3 ACMT, ACSP
	1

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Feb 4, 2013, 10:08 AM	#2
vatter69 macrumors regular Join Date: Feb 2013	Same here, also shipping to international and how possible warranties are handled.
	0

Feb 4, 2013, 11:15 AM	#8
robvas macrumors 65816 Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: USA	You'll see them advertised faster in benchmarks but they should be slower with incompressible data, like any Sandforce drive.
	0

Feb 4, 2013, 11:49 AM	#9
walkie Thread Starter macrumors regular Join Date: Feb 2010	Thanks for your comments, so in few words OWC is not as fast as advertised according with your experience, then it seems it's better to find a Retina Samsung OEM SSD.
	0

Feb 4, 2013, 01:16 PM	#16
vatter69 macrumors regular Join Date: Feb 2013	Thanks for the link. Seems no 256 Gb version as of yet.
	0

Feb 4, 2013, 01:22 PM	#19
robvas macrumors 65816 Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: USA	I'm wondering if someone will come out with an adapter to fit a regular SSD (maybe with the case removed) in the SSD location in the 13" rMPB
	0

Feb 4, 2013, 02:22 PM	#22
kgallag1 macrumors member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Dorval, Quebec	I upgraded my RMBP with the OWC 480 gig disk. Works like a charm. Never bothered with benchmarks (frankly don't really care if I get 450 or 460MBPs), but it's snappy, given me no problems and works like a charm, so I "couldn't be happier"
	0

Feb 4, 2013, 02:44 PM	#24
kgallag1 macrumors member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Dorval, Quebec	I also love the Envoy Pro. Compact, easy to carry around, and REALLY nice build quality! When you screw it together, it's practically airtight. All aluminium too. All in all, it was worth the $600 or so I spent.
	0