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Can MBA SSD be replaced in a store?

G

Gregabyte

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Aug 9, 2011
8
0
I have a 2011 MBA 13" i7 which I am really enjoying. My only concern is what happens if the SSD fails. Is that something that can be fixed easily in a retail store, or am I going to be without my computer for a few days?

Also, what is the consensus these days on SSD failure? I had heard that they fail more than mechanical HDs (which is why I'm worried about the replacement process)

Gregabyte

Sent from my PC36100 using Tapatalk
 
You can replace the SSD in about 5 minutes if you have a pentalobe screw driver. The Apple store should do it for you while you wait, if it ever becomes an issue...
 
Gregabyte said:
I had heard that they fail more than mechanical HDs (which is why I'm worried about the replacement process)
Click to expand...

That is completely untrue. SSDs are much more reliable than magnetic media. They have no moving parts that can wear out, and thus they typically last longer with a much lower failure rate than magnetic media.

No need to be worried.
 
i was under the impression that the ssd was soldered to the board on the mba?
 
Thanks for the info. Do Apple stores usually keep HDDs and SSDs in stock?

Also, I want to believe that SSDs are perfectly reliable, but the media hype about write limits and wear have me a little worried.

Sent from my PC36100 using Tapatalk
 
Can ssd be upgraded???

I just got a 2010 11 inch with 64 gb ssd. Can it be upgrades to 128???
 
AlphaDogg said:
That is completely untrue. SSDs are much more reliable than magnetic media. They have no moving parts that can wear out, and thus they typically last longer with a much lower failure rate than magnetic media.
Click to expand...
SSD hasn't been in widespread use for that long so can what you say be proven as fact yet? In no way would I defend the reliability of spinning disks over SSD, I'm just curious if thats an actual fact or not.
 
Nychot said:
I just got a 2010 11 inch with 64 gb ssd. Can it be upgrades to 128???
Click to expand...

In addition to the OWC upgrades, you can also often find SSDs on eBay from people who are selling the stock ones from their MacBook Airs.
 
urkel said:
SSD hasn't been in widespread use for that long so can what you say be proven as fact yet? In no way would I defend the reliability of spinning disks over SSD, I'm just curious if thats an actual fact or not.
Click to expand...

Well SSDs do have a limited amount of write cycles, but it will take REALLY long (8 years of normal use?) to deplete the write cycles, especially with newer SSDs that use garbage collection or TRIM, which helps lengthen the life of an SSD.

I've never had a mechanical HDD die before some other part in its computer die. So the longest I've ever used a HDD is probably 6 years. You'll probably be wanting to replace your MacBook Air by the time the SSD dies.

I say their lifespans are probably similar under normal use. (For now, but SSD technology will improve :D)

But, obviously, if you drop your laptop with a HDD writing at 5400 rpm, I could definitely see the consequences... :p
 
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