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which SD card should I get?

macairnyc

macairnyc

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Jan 13, 2018
18
3
I have a early 2014 macbook air 13" 8/256 and have run out of storage. I love it, and have been trying to solve this by sourcing a different SSD, but haven't come to a solution. Therefore, I'm willing to just buy an SD card (128GB) to temporarily solve my problem and want to know which brand and type you would recommend. I will probably just move photos and music onto the SD. thanks
 
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your sd-card-slot is limited to usb2.0 (480mbit/s = 60MB/s) speeds and uhs-2 type cards - so no need to get a really fast card, unless you want to futureproof it. afaik it should read uhs3 cards fine, though. be aware that while card manufacturers often boast about a very high speed, it‘s often, if ever, only achieved at peak levels.

i‘d stick with known brands, like sandisk an lexar. i‘ve made good experiences with transcend, and i‘ve seen a few samsung ones die (as things made by samsung usually do). i‘ve also had one sandisk just die on me, so be sure to make a backup. but thats true for all hard-disks and chip-based media, that they can more or less die on you anytime without advanced notice.
 
Unami said:
your sd-card-slot is limited to usb2.0 (480mbit/s = 60MB/s) speeds and uhs-2 type cards - so no need to get a really fast card, unless you want to futureproof it. afaik it should read uhs3 cards fine, though. be aware that while card manufacturers often boast about a very high speed, it‘s often, if ever, only achieved at peak levels.

i‘d stick with known brands, like sandisk an lexar. i‘ve made good experiences with transcend, and i‘ve seen a few samsung ones die (as things made by samsung usually do). i‘ve also had one sandisk just die on me, so be sure to make a backup. but thats true for all hard-disks and chip-based media, that they can more or less die on you anytime without advanced notice.
Click to expand...


about my mac/system report says USB 3.0
 
You don't mention if you will be keeping this SD card "permanently" inserted or just when you need to. If permanent the something to consider...

I don't recall off-hand, but that model MBA may not have a "deep" SD card slot. That means any standard sized SD card will stick out from the body of the MBA when it is inserted in the slot. That's not good if the MBA will be transported. If your MBA has a shallow slot, I'd recommend getting one of those microSD card adapters made specifically for the shallow SD card slot, and buying a fast Lexar or Sandisk microSD. I bought one for my wife's 13" MBA and it works very well.
 
sracer said:
You don't mention if you will be keeping this SD card "permanently" inserted or just when you need to. If permanent the something to consider...

I don't recall off-hand, but that model MBA may not have a "deep" SD card slot. That means any standard sized SD card will stick out from the body of the MBA when it is inserted in the slot. That's not good if the MBA will be transported. If your MBA has a shallow slot, I'd recommend getting one of those microSD card adapters made specifically for the shallow SD card slot, and buying a fast Lexar or Sandisk microSD. I bought one for my wife's 13" MBA and it works very well.
Click to expand...
[doublepost=1534516168][/doublepost]As I do not use the SD card slot at all, I would be using it as more or less expanded permanent storage. Is there a way for me to determine whether or not it is a deep slot, or whether or not I need to use a micro SSD in it's own adapter? System info describes it as:
vendor ID 0x5ac
product ID 0x8406
revision 3.00
serial number 820
Also, I've been looking at Transcend Jetdrive 130, which looks to be full size, and they look to insert flush with the body. What are the advantages of the full size over the micro, or vice versa? The micro SSDs seem to be less expensive. Maybe as a newer technology, it's better/more efficient. I guess I'm more concerned about longevity (# of times it can be rewritten).
Is there a preference for one over the other?
 
macairnyc said:
I have a early 2014 macbook air 13" 8/256 and have run out of storage. I love it, and have been trying to solve this by sourcing a different SSD, but haven't come to a solution. Therefore, I'm willing to just buy an SD card (128GB) to temporarily solve my problem and want to know which brand and type you would recommend. I will probably just move photos and music onto the SD. thanks
Click to expand...

Thumbnail size USB alternative: SanDisk Ultra Fit 128GB USB 3.0 Flash Drive - SDCZ43-128G-Gam46
Protrudes perhaps 1/8". Comes in 256GB as well @ only US$60.
 
Last edited:
canuckRus said:
Thumbnail size USB alternative: SanDisk Ultra Fit 128GB USB 3.0 Flash Drive - SDCZ43-128G-Gam46
Protrudes perhaps 1/8". Comes in 256GB as well @ only US$60.
Click to expand...

I have no understanding about the relative speeds of USB 3.0 vs SD (or even the different flavors of SD card). I use 1 USB port for a mouse and the other for phone syncing, but would consider giving up one USB if the speed (looking at images or accessing files) was as fast as an SD card. I guess having USB 3.0 is better than USB 2.0, but I don't know which would be better for my storage/access needs. Do SD cards have varying access rates? I guess it's about what you want to spend for speed (kinda like cars), but for me it's mostly about storing photos, older sketchup files, voice memos, and music I don't need to access that often. If it's not for gaming (or other higher speed access needs), what would be my best choice?
 
macairnyc said:
[doublepost=1534516168][/doublepost]As I do not use the SD card slot at all, I would be using it as more or less expanded permanent storage. Is there a way for me to determine whether or not it is a deep slot, or whether or not I need to use a micro SSD in it's own adapter? System info describes it as:
vendor ID 0x5ac
product ID 0x8406
revision 3.00
serial number 820
Also, I've been looking at Transcend Jetdrive 130, which looks to be full size, and they look to insert flush with the body. What are the advantages of the full size over the micro, or vice versa? The micro SSDs seem to be less expensive. Maybe as a newer technology, it's better/more efficient. I guess I'm more concerned about longevity (# of times it can be rewritten).
Is there a preference for one over the other?
Click to expand...
Looks like all 13" Macbook Airs between 2010 and 2015 have that shallow SD card slot.
This is an example of adapter that I'm talking about (and the one that I bought for my wife's MBA:
https://www.amazon.com/MicroSD-lycantant-MacBooks-Raspberry-Adafruit/dp/B01MT980QC/
61VK1CeTczL._SL1000_.jpg
 
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sracer said:
Looks like all 13" Macbook Airs between 2010 and 2015 have that shallow SD card slot.
This is an example of adapter that I'm talking about (and the one that I bought for my wife's MBA:
https://www.amazon.com/MicroSD-lycantant-MacBooks-Raspberry-Adafruit/dp/B01MT980QC/
View attachment 776451
Click to expand...
[doublepost=1534522410][/doublepost]Looking at that link, it only supports up to 64GB, and 128 is the smallest I'm considering. It also says for Macbook - not Macbook Air, so I'm assuming your wife has a Macbook (or Pro), and those have a shallower bay, but that Macbook Airs are deeper.

In addition, looking at this:
https://www.amazon.com/aluminum-mic...534521945&sr=1-1&keywords=nifty+minidrive+air

it appears to be an adapter/holder for a micro SD, that is the same size as a non micro SD, and says it sits flush, so I question why you say "all 13" Macbook Airs between 2010 and 2015 have that shallow SD card slot." Where did you get that information?

If you're right I need something different than i thought, and definitely an adapter and a micro SD,
 
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canuckRus said:
Thumbnail size USB alternative: SanDisk Ultra Fit 128GB USB 3.0 Flash Drive - SDCZ43-128G-Gam46
Protrudes perhaps 1/8". Comes in 256GB as well @ only US$60.
Click to expand...

After reading more reviews of the SanDisk USB drive you mention above, I learn that they are MUCH faster than an SD card. It seems that some have issues with the 256GB version overheating. 128GB, not so much. There is a newer 3.1 version, still under $30 for 128GB.

SanDisk 128GB Ultra Fit USB 3.1 Flash Drive - SDCZ430-128G-G46

For my use, where it's largely for expanded (SSD is full) storage, and not frequent transfer of files, it seems like this should work for me.

Can anyone tell me if leaving this USB drive in all the time will cause my battery to drain faster? My Macbook air is running on AC adapter 95% of the time, so maybe not an issue?

I was hoping to receive more feedback from others who have had to add storage to their maxed out 128/256GB macbook airs - whether SD, USB, larger replacement internal SSD, or external drives. Must be the end of August.
 
I have a Nifty Drive adapter for my 2013 MBA. I originally had a 64GB SanDisk micro SD card. I now have a 200GB SanDisk. I tried the Lexar 200GB card and it corrupted. The replacement corrupted too. Went with SanDisk and had no issues.
 
ftaok said:
I have a Nifty Drive adapter for my 2013 MBA. I originally had a 64GB SanDisk micro SD card. I now have a 200GB SanDisk. I tried the Lexar 200GB card and it corrupted. The replacement corrupted too. Went with SanDisk and had no issues.
Click to expand...

Okay. A few questions.
Did you do this to expand storage, or for ease of transferring files (photos from camera, movies, etc.)/
How slow or fast does your micro SD read and write? Is that a concern to you?
 
macairnyc said:
Okay. A few questions.
Did you do this to expand storage, or for ease of transferring files (photos from camera, movies, etc.)/
How slow or fast does your micro SD read and write? Is that a concern to you?
Click to expand...
It was for expanded storage. I have a 256GB MBA, and my Photos library was getting too big. So the nifty drive was to offload my iTunes library onto.

Because it's just for the iTunes library, the speed is mostly irrelevant. I don't notice the speed at all, good or bad.

ADD - The advertised read speeds are 90 MB/sec. No idea the write speeds
 
ftaok said:
It was for expanded storage. I have a 256GB MBA, and my Photos library was getting too big. So the nifty drive was to offload my iTunes library onto.

Because it's just for the iTunes library, the speed is mostly irrelevant. I don't notice the speed at all, good or bad.

ADD - The advertised read speeds are 90 MB/sec. No idea the write speeds
Click to expand...


So I now have a Sandisk 200GB micro SD card. I'm backing up my SSD prior to transferring files to this new micro SD card. Do you know whether I need to format it first? Which format should I use? I'm running OSX 10.9.5
 
macairnyc said:
So I now have a Sandisk 200GB micro SD card. I'm backing up my SSD prior to transferring files to this new micro SD card. Do you know whether I need to format it first? Which format should I use? I'm running OSX 10.9.5
Click to expand...

I'm not sure if this is required, but I formatted as MacOS. Not sure if I chose "journaled" or not.

I wanted to be able to have my Time Capsule automatically back up my system, which includes the microSD card, so that's why I chose MacOS format.

I think it's probably faster than FAT32 or ExFAT as well.

EDIT - I guess if you ever wanted to plug it into a WindowsPC to transfer files, then you might want to go with FAT32 or ExFAT. For me, that wasn't a concern.
 
macairnyc said:
Thanks, but if I'm only going to use this on a Mac, then format to Mac OS journaled extended? Is this any faster or slower in terms of read/write than ExFAT?
Click to expand...
I would say that if you're only ever going to use it on the Mac, then pick one of the MacOS formats. Even if the speeds are similar, I would guess that the MacOS formats would be more reliable on a Mac.

No reason not to use the Mac format.
 
ftaok said:
I have a Nifty Drive adapter for my 2013 MBA. I originally had a 64GB SanDisk micro SD card. I now have a 200GB SanDisk. I tried the Lexar 200GB card and it corrupted. The replacement corrupted too. Went with SanDisk and had no issues.
Click to expand...

This is what I have done. Found a used Nifty mini drive for my 200GB Sandisk micro SD card. All is well. So far I've only moved 6GB from my SSD on to the micro SD. Glad to no longer be getting annoying prompts that I'm out of storage space.

I'd like to know which file(s) that comprise my iTunes library I should move to this new storage to free up space on my SSD. In my "House" I'm seeing: Music/iTunes/iTunes Music/folders with individual artists.
Do I just drag/copy 'iTunes Music' onto the micro SD, and then trash the one on the SSD? My iTunes Music folder is 64GB.

Similarly, my iPhotos libarary (53GB) could also move off the SSD, though I do use that more frequently, and wonder if having that stored on the Sandisk would make it a lot slower to access/search.

thanks for everyone's assistance.
 
macairnyc said:
This is what I have done. Found a used Nifty mini drive for my 200GB Sandisk micro SD card. All is well. So far I've only moved 6GB from my SSD on to the micro SD. Glad to no longer be getting annoying prompts that I'm out of storage space.

I'd like to know which file(s) that comprise my iTunes library I should move to this new storage to free up space on my SSD. In my "House" I'm seeing: Music/iTunes/iTunes Music/folders with individual artists.
Do I just drag/copy 'iTunes Music' onto the micro SD, and then trash the one on the SSD? My iTunes Music folder is 64GB.

Similarly, my iPhotos libarary (53GB) could also move off the SSD, though I do use that more frequently, and wonder if having that stored on the Sandisk would make it a lot slower to access/search.

thanks for everyone's assistance.
Click to expand...
Not sure why, but the iTunes library is not a drag and drop deal. Don't just drag it from the House drive to the Nifty drive. It won't work properly.

It's been a while since I've done it, but here are some recent links that describe the process.

https://www.imore.com/how-move-your-itunes-library-external-hard-drive
https://appleinsider.com/articles/1...ving-your-itunes-library-to-an-external-drive

Good luck
 
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