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Transcend Debuts JetDrive SSD Upgrade Kits Up to 960GB for MacBook Air, Retina Macbook Pro

Power rating for the 720 w/ 960GB:
1.4A@3.3V (4,62W).

Power rating for the original Samsung 256GB in a Mid/Late 2012 15"rMBP:
2.39A@3.3V (7.887W).

--> Transcend SSD has an advantage of 3,3W (41,4%) compared to the original one. Speeds are higher and the chips are even from Samsung as well, so really no reason to complain :D

Edit: Okay - I have to add a few complaints:

  • The Transcend Toolbox (v1.5 - latest on website) does not work for TRIM enabling. It recognized the drive correctly and gave information, but always claimed that TRIM would already be active on the machine, which System information denied. Luckily there are alternatives like Cindoris Trim enabler or the Chameleon SSD optimizer (Trim enabler did the trick for me).
  • I tried to apply a firmware update. Originally my drive came with v20140402 and the newer version is v20140516 (even though I could not find this out from the filename or a possible read me, but only after I restarted into the firmware upgrade tool - please put the firmware rev. somewhere!).
  • The update process seems to be easy, but I had massive problems with my USB3 stick. Disk tool would always say it had to verify the dmg before restoration, but by accepting that it would remove the dmg from source and put the USB stick there (leaving destination empty). Then the verification failed. Once I took that hurdle, I could not get the rMBP to boot at all as long as the USB3 stick was plugged in.
  • With a USB2 stick eventually all went well - only the startup took ages (30-60 seconds before anything happened on screen after I selected the thumb drive as startup disk)! Normally I would expect a small Linux based firmware upgrade system to start up quickly even from a slow USB2 thumb drive... there is definitely room for improvement (for starters some progress indicator would be nice)!

Conclusion: Hardware seems fine, but the software has to be improved.

----------
tivoboy said:
How do we know which model it is on the amazon site? Will the new updated 480GB for the MBPr, be labeled something different from the one that apparently doesn't fit in the 15"?
Click to expand...
It _does_ fit, though not for everyone. I was one of the impatient ones and ordered the "old" 720 for my 15" - and I was lucky :cool:
 
Last edited:
SSD Upgrade for MBPr

Hello,

Been following this thread with considerable interest. I have a 2 year old 15" MBPr with 8GB ram and 240GB SSD. I need to upgrade both the memory and SSD, but realize the memory isn't upgradable. The OEM SSD is good speed wise, I get 400~450Mbps RW rates.

The Transcend JetDrive seems like the ideal upgrade. Will the JetDrive have the speed of the OEM, and what are my chances it won't fit, or should I wait for the Transcend upgraded version that fits all MBPr? Will the upgraded version just be a new PCB that is smaller for fit, but utilizes the same chips & electrical design, or will it be an updated electrical design with newer chips as well?

Thanks for the help,

Mike
 
amazon

seems they have them available on amazon now, but jacked up the price to 399$.. :-(
 
Luniq said:
Indeed, how stupid of them to make it more expensive than the 720...
Click to expand...

while I love your sarcasm, it does seem a bit odd. since it's the same drive- that works and their market pricing of the same drive when it came out was 350$.
 
tivoboy said:
while I love your sarcasm, it does seem a bit odd. since it's the same drive- that works and their market pricing of the same drive when it came out was 350$.
Click to expand...

Well, it's not sarcasm :)

I really find it very sad that they make the 725 more expensive, since it's basically the same drive...
 
understood

Luniq said:
Well, it's not sarcasm :)

I really find it very sad that they make the 725 more expensive, since it's basically the same drive...
Click to expand...

ah, understood..

maybe it's just the amazon coming out of the gates offering. At 400$, I'd probably find a used OWC for now. at 350$ it was a no brainer
 
tivoboy said:
ah, understood..

maybe it's just the amazon coming out of the gates offering. At 400$, I'd probably find a used OWC for now. at 350$ it was a no brainer
Click to expand...

I hope to find the 725 a bit cheaper on the european amazon stores.
 
mawyatt1 said:
Will the JetDrive have the
speed of the OEM
Click to expand...
Yes.

mawyatt1 said:
and what are my chances it won't fit
Click to expand...
Chances are 50-50. The PCB has enough empty space on the end to make it fit with a little rasping (if necessary), though you'd risk warranty.

I would not expect big changes technologically, as this product is relatively new and speed wise close to the maximum possible on that "old" Sata interface.
 
I own a 2012 mid MBPR and I've been following this thread for a few weeks waiting for the 725 to come out, now it seems that the 725 is finally out on Amazon (preorder). Some folks questions the pricing for 725 compared to 720, check this: http://www.amazon.com/Transcend-Jet...s/B00LJO86NE/ref=dpx_acr_txt?showViewpoints=1.

Anyway, today I'm fed up with all the waiting and ordered a 720 960GB with Same Day Delivery on amazon. Will update tonight when I get my hands on the SSD.
 
As an Amazon Associate, MacRumors earns a commission from qualifying purchases made through links in this post.
JYoungYTY said:
I own a 2012 mid MBPR and I've been following this thread for a few weeks waiting for the 725 to come out, now it seems that the 725 is finally out on Amazon (preorder). Some folks questions the pricing for 725 compared to 720, check this: http://www.amazon.com/Transcend-Jet...s/B00LJO86NE/ref=dpx_acr_txt?showViewpoints=1.

Anyway, today I'm fed up with all the waiting and ordered a 720 960GB with Same Day Delivery on amazon. Will update tonight when I get my hands on the SSD.
Click to expand...

Let us know how it goes. I ordered the 720 as well, should be here Thursday. Hopefully it will fit!!
 
As an Amazon Associate, MacRumors earns a commission from qualifying purchases made through links in this post.
tivoboy said:
seems they have them available on amazon now, but jacked up the price to 399$.. :-(
Click to expand...

Luniq said:
Indeed, how stupid of them to make it more expensive than the 720...
Click to expand...

tivoboy said:
while I love your sarcasm, it does seem a bit odd. since it's the same drive- that works and their market pricing of the same drive when it came out was 350$.
Click to expand...

Luniq said:
Well, it's not sarcasm :)

I really find it very sad that they make the 725 more expensive, since it's basically the same drive...
Click to expand...

tivoboy said:
ah, understood..

maybe it's just the amazon coming out of the gates offering. At 400$, I'd probably find a used OWC for now. at 350$ it was a no brainer
Click to expand...

Luniq said:
I hope to find the 725 a bit cheaper on the european amazon stores.
Click to expand...

Hello everyone,
Just to clarify why the 725 series is currently listed at a higher price than the 720 series. The way products are listed on amazon means that we need to offer it at full price before we can discount it to match the pricing of the 720 series. The 725 will be adjusted to be same price as the 720 series very soon. Sorry it's taking so long!
 
TranscendInfo said:
Hello everyone,
Just to clarify why the 725 series is currently listed at a higher price than the 720 series. The way products are listed on amazon means that we need to offer it at full price before we can discount it to match the pricing of the 720 series. The 725 will be adjusted to be same price as the 720 series very soon. Sorry it's taking so long!
Click to expand...

I like Transcend products and have a couple CF USB3 readers and use Transcend memory and have been happy, so I went ahead and ordered the 720 960GB JetDrive for my 2 year old MBPr. Should I have waited for the 725?
 
725 fits perfectly in my MBP Retina, Mid 2012.
It was the simplest upgrade Ive ever done...and all the tools are included.

Beware if you use Office 2011, it will require you to reenter your product key.
 
I ran the JetDrive Toolbox...once installed how do you access it?

JetDrive Toolbox has TRIM enabled, yet System Report shows TRIM is not supported.
 

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