How to upgrade a macbook air ssd?

The Aura Pro is your only option: http://eshop.macsales.com/shop/SSD/OWC/
Or do you have a MacBook Air from before 2010 (2008 or 2009 model)?

 

Videos on how to do that: http://eshop.macsales.com/installvideos/macbook_air_2010/

 

Failing being unable to upgrade, you could always move your iTunes and iPhoto library off to an external HD or large USB stick.

 

This would be the more cost effective solution unless you're dead set against needing to carry anything beyond your laptop. (although some USB sticks are very very small)

 

OWC is the ONLY seller of those, and as far as I know, those SSDs can only be bought online, or maybe you find something via your eBay channel.

Or you take a look at this, as it probably can hold your music and/or photos.

 

Uh...

I use iTunes Match and archived many of my older photos using dropbox (without syncing those specific folders to my computer).

Still cheaper than a new SSD, but if you're dead set on it, it's easy to do.

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Yes to the first one.

Yes, streaming will use up 3G if you use it on while not on WiFi.

 

To get to your pictures, right click your "iPhoto Library" file and choose "Show Package Contents"

From there you should see a folder labeled "Masters". This is where your photos are.
All of your photos will be in corresponding folders labeled by the year > month > day.


I would suggest a small 320-500GB USB drive that doesn't require an external power source.
Something like or similar to the WD Passport.
Grab a silver one to more closely match your laptop.

 

It's usually a bad idea to go poking around in the iPhoto database. Unfortunately iPhoto doesn't have the ability to "relocate masters" like can be done in Aperture. I have heard of folks who have moved those "masters" and were able to get iPhoto to find them again. However, it doesn't always work and once you break the database you are in trouble.

Another option may be to create multiple iPhoto libraries, and only keep the ones on the SSD that are most important and move the others to a stick.

If you have Photostream turned on with automatic creation of events, you can fill up your SSD quickly with a bunch of so-so photos. Cleaning out those events is usually a good idea.

 

To the OP:

You can go buy an SSD for your 2010 MBA, but $720 USD for 480GB is pretty steep.

You can also get a portable HDD, you can get a USB3.0 500GB model for ~$60 USD and move your photos and iTunes media to it.

 

Whoa!

DO NOT SCREW AROUND INSIDE THE IPHOTO LIBRARY FOLDER UNLESS YOU KNOW WHAT YOU'RE DOING.

If you'd like to offload the library, copy the entire thing and then open iPhoto holding down Option.

Seriously though, don't screw with the iPhoto library.

 

If you're wanting to upgrade this is precisely what you'll want:

http://eshop.macsales.com/search/MBA2010.240

The bundle kit is $319 for 240 GB PLUS you get an external enclosure, so you can keep the 128 GB for file backup, etc.

I did this for my 2010 11" Air, and from the cloning of my old drive to the new to booting with the new drive installed took a little over an hour, with most of that time used for the clone. Worked like a charm.

I saw you post about buying a new MacBook Air being "only slightly more"...maybe if you went ape and got the 480 GB. 240 has been a beautiful thing, and the little slim 128 GB SSD external is a great bonus.

Good luck on whatever you decide to do.

 

First rule is to backup your library of course

I have never had problems combining multiple iPhoto libraries.
I just recently combined 7 separate libraries, whenever I format my hard drive I'll copy my iPhoto library to storage and date it.
Once I reload iLife, I open iPhoto, File, and Import to Library, point to the folders.
Every photo now in one library.

I'm sure some must have screwed some stuff up before so be careful and backup before doing anything.

 

You don't need to carry all your photos and tunes with you all the time. Offload them onto that external disk, and then carry a 32~64gb usb stick with you in case you need the additional space.

You could even upload your trimmed itunes library onto the stick but I wouldn't recommend leaving it plugged in the whole time especially when you're outside. People get careless. People that are not you. You get careless too.

 

Get a look on eBay, a few apple 256gb for around the £200mark last time I checked

 

in UK...give these guys a go!

to OP

As you're in the UK, give these guys a go http://www.allmacshop.co.uk/category/743/SSD-storage-Internal/

I bought an OWC 240GB SSD from them last month. Worked out cheaper than getting one from the US and paying import duties. And they offer next day delivery and the price has dropped too!

I should also point out, they supply the necessary toolkit to remove the back cover and the SSD included in the price.