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Samsung OEM 512GB SSD versus OWC 480GB option

fskywalker

fskywalker

macrumors 65816
Original poster
Nov 6, 2009
1,223
3
Hi. My rMBP is the basic model (2.3GHZ, 256GB SSD) except from the 16GB memory option. I am planning to buy, most likely in Ebay, the Samsung OEM 512GB SSD drive and use the 256GB unit on an external enclosure through a USB or thunderbolt adapter. I came across this board in Ebay which says it will convert the SSD connection into a standard 2.5 inch SATA connector.

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-...AAAAAAADA4/cycvQXXTcbg/s800/2012-air-logo.jpg

Questions are:

1- Have someone purchase this card (from $20 in Ebay and elsewhere)?
2- What would be a compatible, small case for it?
3- What about a thunderbolt adapter for the SSD?
4- Would the Samsung make more sense than the new OWC 480GB SSD alternative? They are priced about the same ($600 for the Samsung, $580 for the OWC, but know the OWC includes a free coupon for the outside case if purchased before the end of september) but am inclined for the extra 32GB size of the Samsung)

Thanks,

Francisco
 
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As I know, OWC uses Sandforce controller, which will give the fastest read speed in "benchmark", but the write speed is really poor.
For me, I prefer Samsung because it uses the same controller in Samsung SSD series 830. Many users here satisfy with Samsung series 830. Read and write speed are rock solid.
 
I don't know how you find a legitimate source that retails the Apple branded Samsung drives for the rMBP, but I did see this parts seller offering the 512 and 768 models.

Best of luck to you on the ssd purchase.
 
I personally dont like OWC or their overpriced products, nor do I like Sandforce SSDs in a MBP. I would stick with the Samsung, that way if you have to take it in for warranty work, they dont see a 3rd party branded SSD and hassle you.
 
Orlandoech.com said:
I personally dont like OWC or their overpriced products, nor do I like Sandforce SSDs in a MBP. I would stick with the Samsung, that way if you have to take it in for warranty work, they dont see a 3rd party branded SSD and hassle you.
Click to expand...

Samsung SSDs are now a legit upgrade? Meaning, if I take in, I wouldn't to explain why there's a Samsung in there?
 
Ordered OWC option

Thanks for the comments. I finally decided to buy the Owc, it comes with 3 years of warranty versus no warranty on the Ebay Samsung SSD. The owc provided external box will be handy to keep my 256GB unit as an additional storage with USB3.0 speed. Also, if I need to claim warranty can simply swap them before the service request ( won't erase its OS partition so OS will be there )

Regards

Francisco
 
I had both Samsung and OWC. Kept the Samsung and returned the OWC. The Sandforce controller sucks in writing speed.
 

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Itvis really that bad?

It is really that bad? I read it was better than the Samsung on reading and a little slower on writing, but really the difference is significant based on your results.
 
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fskywalker said:
It is really that bad? I read it was better than the Samsung on reading and avlittle slower on writing.
Click to expand...

Lol it's not faster at all and it's insanely overpriced for how "fast" or lack there of it is.

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MaxPower72 said:
I had both Samsung and OWC. Kept the Samsung and returned the OWC. The Sandforce controller sucks in writing speed.
Click to expand...

Sandforce SSDs just do not perform up to spec on Macs for some reason.
 
Have anyone here purchase the Samsung OEM 512 GB drive in Ebay? They ask $599 with free shipping, there are 2-3 sellers, all from China area. Any other suppliers out there?
 
fskywalker said:
Have anyone here purchase the Samsung OEM 512 GB drive in Ebay? They ask $599 with free shipping, there are 2-3 sellers, all from China area. Any other suppliers out there?
Click to expand...

Don't know about ebay, but did you bother looking at the link in post #3? They are advertising OEM samsung drives for the RMBP with a 1 year warranty.


Click here
 
Yes, did saw it, but is $100 higher than the 3 sellers in Ebay for the same drive, but does specifies a wareanty. I e-mail the sellers in Ebay asking for warranty, are still waiting for them to reply.

Regards,

Francisco
 
JGO said:
Don't know about ebay, but did you bother looking at the link in post #3? They are advertising OEM samsung drives for the RMBP with a 1 year warranty.


Click here
Click to expand...

Where did you find these? Are there any other sellers for these? I wasn't able to find even your link with google. The results are swamped with reviews stating you cannot replace the ssd and/or talking about the overpriced owc upgrade..

I went with 256gb for now, but definitely looking for an upgrade later down the road. Do you think prices will come down much in, say, 1-2 years?
 
Stetrain said:
The SSD that shipes in the Retina MBP is basically a Samsung 830 in a blade form factor.
Click to expand...

Good to know. Glad I made I right decision to have Amazon swap my 8-month old 256GB Crucial m4 for a brand new 256GB Samsung 830. I did the read/write tests before/after and I didn't believe it how much faster the Samsung is.
 
ibd said:
Where did you find these? Are there any other sellers for these? I wasn't able to find even your link with google. The results are swamped with reviews stating you cannot replace the ssd and/or talking about the overpriced owc upgrade..
Click to expand...

I found the parts retailer via google. However, instead of purchasing one of these I did a BTO adding the 512gb ssd to the base processor model of rMBP. I do not know anyone who has experience with the retailer, but if you do a search in MacRumors Forums you will find a few references to people buying legacy parts from them. What I don't understand is how retailers are able to get the OEM parts. I assumed that they would only be supplied to Apple. Grey market goods?

I agree with you on OEM vs OWC - I would rather spend a premium price for an OEM Samsung than what OWC is offering.
 
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Samsung it is!!!

I will then return the OWC SSD and buy the Samsung instead, on Ebay can get a 1 year warranty as well.
 
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Samsung OEM 512GB SSD unit ordered!

I have ordered the Samsung OEM through Ebay for $599 shipped, it comes with the removal tools and instructions and OS X Lion pre-installed, so the switch should be relatively easy. The 256GB unit will be installed on an USB3.0 external enclosure I have from my previous 13.3 MBP conversion to SSD.

What software are you guys using to test the SSD speed?
 
Black Magic, app from the APP Store and it's also free.

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fskywalker said:
I will then return the OWC SSD and buy the Samsung instead, on Ebay can get a 1 year warranty as well.
Click to expand...

I was really disappointed at OWC's SSD... but their CS is excellent and they gave me a full refund hassle free.
Now I have 2 Samsung 830 512Gb in my MBP, the one in the Optibay is mounted on the OWC DATA DOUBLER and I can tell you I'm very satisfied by the performance of the 830s.
I will enjoy working with this MBP for a couple of years at least.
 
fskywalker said:
The 256GB unit will be installed on an USB3.0 external enclosure I have from my previous 13.3 MBP conversion to SSD.
Click to expand...

then retina SSD doesn't have a sata connector so I'm 99.9% sure it won't work with your current enclosure. OWC's enclosure is supposed to be available in December for SSDs from the rMBP, AFAIK they are the only one making an enclosure for the retina blade ssd. It will be usb 3 though.

OWC's write speed is disappointing, I was hoping to upgrade my 256 after the enclosure was released with their 480gb drive but it looks like I'll be better off buying an OEM from ifixit or ebay and only get the enclosure from OWC. Although not in stock at the moment ifixit lists the 768gb cheaper than the OWC 480.
 
I have already purchased an adapter that will convert the rMBP connector into a standard 2.5 inch data connector, so that with my case will do the trick!
 
I bought mine in Ebay for $20:
http://item.mobileweb.ebay.com/viewitem?itemId=221127157504&index=0&nav=SEARCH&nid=17473918994
 
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