Best Internal Ssd for Macbook Pro – When your old MacBook Pro runs slow or starts to act up like freezing up randomly, it’s better to watch out as there could be something wrong with the hard drive.
In my case, I’ve personally experienced internal hard drive crash with my mid-2012 MacBook Pro.
Fortunately, you don’t need to abandon your old Mac and get a new one. Replacing the internal hard drive with a solid-state drive has been a great way to boost your Mac performance while spending less.
However, choosing the best MacBook Pro SSD isn’t an easy task because there are so many factors you may want to consider.
Plus, the installation process could easily go wrong if you don’t know what you are doing. Anyway, I hope this guide above has given you some useful directions.
ROUND UP
Also, don’t underestimate the SSD installation part as it could be quite time-consuming if you don’t have the right tools at hand.
1.LaCie LAC9000298
Pros & Cons
- Shock, drops up to 4 feet, dust and water resistant for all-terrain use
- For Mac compatibility this Hard Drive requires reformatting. Refer to Application Guide for more details
- Password protection built in
- Uses USB 3.0 which is up to 4 times faster than USB 2.0 (USB 2.0 compatible)
- Includes 1-month complimentary membership to Adobe Creative Cloud All Apps Plan. Must redeem by January 31, 2020
2.SanDisk 1TB
Pros & Cons
- Save time storing and transferring data with powerful NVMe solid state performance featuring up to 2000MB/s read/write speeds. (Requires compatible devices capable of reaching such speed. Based on internal testing; Performance may be lower depending on host device, interface, usage conditions and other factors. 1MB=1,000,000 bytes.)
- A forged aluminum chassis acts as a heatsink to deliver higher sustained speeds in a portable drive that’s tough enough to take on any adventure.
- Travel worry-free with a 5-year limited manufacturer warranty(1) and a forged aluminum chassis-silicon shell combo that offers a premium feel and added protection.
- Up to 2-meter drop protection and IP55 water and dust resistance(3), and a handy carabineer loop for securing your drive all deliver extra peace of mind when you’re out in the world.
- Help keep private content private with the included password protection featuring 256‐bit AES hardware encryption.(2)
- Compatible devices: Desktop and Laptop
3.SAMSUNG T7
Pros & Cons
- PORTABLE STORAGE: The light, pocket-sized Portable SSD T7 delivers fast speeds with easy and reliable data storage for transferring large files, including crucial business documents, games, or movies
- TRANSFER IN A FLASH: Transfer massive files within seconds with the incredible speed of USB 3.2 Gen 2; Embedded PCIe NVMe technology delivers blazing fast sequential read/write speeds of up to 1,050/1,000 MB/s*, respectively, making the T7 2x as fast as the previous T5 model**
- BUILT STRONG AND SECURE: Unlike HDDs, the Portable SSD T7 has no moving parts so it's more resistant to shock; Plus, its solid aluminum unibody construction adds further protection, keeping your data safe from falls of up to 6 ft*** and is backed by a 3-year limited warranty****
- RELIABLE THERMAL SOLUTION: The T7’s advanced thermal solution uses the Dynamic Thermal Guard to withstand and control heat, so the portable SSD stays at an optimal temperature even at fast speeds*****
- SLEEK AND COMPACT: Roughly the size of a credit card and only weighing 2 oz, the T7 fits comfortably in the palm of your hand and is light enough to take your files on the go
- FIND YOUR BEST FIT: Pick a color from classic gray to striking blue and red, and choose from three capacities to fit what your lifestyle demands: 500 GB, 1TB, or 2TB
- SIMPLE SETUP: The T7 comes embedded with software to help you set up a password to get the latest firmware updates for your PC, Mac, or Android devices;* You can also download the mobile app for Android smartphones and tablets******
4.Crucial X8 1TB
Pros & Cons
- Incredible performance with read speeds up to 1050 MB/s
- Works with Windows, Mac, iPad Pro, Chromebook, Android, Linux, PS4, and Xbox One with USB-C 3.1 Gen2 and USB-A connectors
- Beautiful and durable design, featuring an anodized aluminum unibody core. Drop proof up to 7.5 feet. Extreme-temperature, shock, and vibration proof
- Backed by Micron, one of the largest manufacturers of flash storage in the world
5.Transcend 480GB
Pros & Cons
- Compatible with MacBook Air 11" & 13" (Mid 2013 – 2017), MacBook Pro Retina 13" & 15" (Late 2013 – mid 2015), Mac Mini (Late 2014), and Mac Pro (Late 2013)
- Up to 1, 600 MB/s Read; 1, 400 MB/s write
- Jetdrive 850 NVMe PCIe Gen3 x4 SSD inside a Thunderbolt enclosure
- Installation tools included
- Compatible with devices running macOS high Sierra (10.13) or later
6.Owc 1.0TB Aura
Pros & Cons
- The ultimate storage upgrade
7.Western Digital
Pros & Cons
- Product 1: Conquer tough workloads with enterprise-grade WD Gold HDDs. Available in 1TB to 14TB* capacities. | *As used for storage capacity, one terabyte (TB) = one trillion bytes. Total accessible capacity varies depending on operating environment.
- Product 1: Enhanced reliability with up to 2.5M hours MTBF
- Product 1: Specifically designed for use in enterprise-grade data centers and storage systems
- Product 1: Improve performance with our vibration protection technology
- Product 2: An industry leading 1.75M hours mean time to failure (MTTF) (1) and up to 600 terabytes written (TBW) (2) for enhanced reliability. | (1) MTTF = Mean Time To Failure based on internal testing using Telcordia stress part testing. (2) TBW (terabytes written) values calculated using JEDEC client workload (JESD219) and vary by product capacity
- Product 2: WD F.I.T. Lab certification for compatibility with a wide range of computers.
- Product 2: 5-year manufacturer's limited warranty
- Product 2: Free downloadable software to monitor the status of your drive and clone a drive, or backup your data
8.MCE Technologies
Pros & Cons
- All-in-one flash drive upgrade solution means you have everything you need to get the job done quickly and correctly. Compatible with all Mac OS 10.7 (Lion) through Mac OS 10.14.x (Mojave)
- Highest-performance drive ever created for your MacBook Pro (540MB/s Read, 520MB/s Write) that is able to keep up with the way you work.
- Highest-capacity flash drive with a full 2TB of usable capacity so you can work the way you want to without tethering external drives.
- All necessary tools (Pentalobe screwdriver and Torx T5 screwdriver) are included and the illustrated installation guide make installation of your new, faster, higher capacity drive a breeze. Includes cloning software pre-loaded on the SSD allowing you to clone your original drive to a USB drive and then boot up from the USB drive and clone that back to the new SSD installed in your MacBook Pro! You can also install a new macOS onto the new drive and restore from Time Machine or from scratch.
- COMPATIBILITY: This internal SSD Upgrade is compatible with the 13" and 15" MacBook Pro with Retina display from Mid 2012, Late 2012, and Early 2013. To check your model, go to the Apple menu at the upper left of your display and click on "About This Mac". The next window that appears will indicate your model of MacBook Pro. Make sure that it says either "Mid 2012", "Late 2012", or "Early 2013". If you need any assistance in identifying your machine, contact us and we will assist you!
9.Fledging 2TB
Pros & Cons
- [Turbocharged Performance] Using the latest in PCIe NVMe interface technology, reach speeds of up to 3100 MB/s read and 2700 MB/s write with virtually no speed drop offs regardless of capacity used. Up to twice the speeds of the original drive.
- [Innovative Technology] Whether you are a gamer, creator, or a student, our drives are designed for the highest deliverable speeds at optimal temperatures. Keeping the Mac you love running faster, longer, and cooler than before.
- [Everything You Need] Pre-loaded with High Sierra, this is the only drive on the market with all the tools and instructions needed to quickly and easily install your new drive and safely transfer your data without having to visit a repair shop, buy more tools, or follow complex online instructions. You can also upgrade to your OS of choice after the initial installation.
- [Peace of Mind] 3-year limited warranty and help from real people. For any problem, big or small, our team is available to get your machine back up and running. As with any SSD upgrade, there might be some challenges, but we’re here to help.
- [Compatibility] Our drives are compatible with Macbooks, Macs, and iMacs from 2010-2019. Please match your device’s EMC to the compatibility chart in the description below to see if this drive is the right fit for you.
10.MacBook Pro
Pros & Cons
- Designed ONLY to be compatible with
- It is made of high quality materials.Hard plastic material is 100% high-quality, durable and eco-friendly.Exquisite finish plastic hard shell case protects your MacBook from scrapes and scratches.
- Easy snap-on installation. No tools and fuss to put on and remove.
- Not easily broke:The case is made from polycarbonate material, slim, light weight and seamless, which is very flexible and durable, not esaily broken.
- Available colors to choose from:You can choose from various fashionable colors for your MacBook.1000+ amazing colors available.
- IMPORTANT: PLEASE READ PRODUCT DESCRIPTION BEFORE PURCHASING!!
Best Internal Ssd for Macbook Pro – BUYER’S GUIDE
Budget
Although the price of SSD has been falling, the range still varies a lot. For example, the cheapest SSDs cost more than a hundred US Dollars while the most expensive ones are priced at over $1000 which could allow you to buy a new Mac machine.
So, the first thing is to ask yourself — how much can I afford to get an SSD for my MacBook? For example, between $100 and $150, or around $200, etc.
Note: a cheaper SSD does not mean it’s not good, there are many other factors such as drive size, the brand, etc. that affect the price.
Storage Capacity
The volume of an SSD is one of the most important factors you should consider. At this moment, it’s not common to see SSDs available for sale that is less than 500GB in size. In other words, 500GB is almost the base capacity you could choose from most manufacturers.
This is because smaller drivers are often slower and more expensive considering the cost per gigabyte. Also, as camera technology improves, photos and videos often have much larger file sizes.
If you are used to syncing these files with your Mac, the chances are that your Mac will be filled up much faster than ever before. So, consider a 750GB or 1TB if you have a need for large storage.
You could consider 4TB, but in my opinion, it is an overkill, and a 4TB SSD is usually way more expensive.
Performance
There is a saying in the storage world that even the worst SSD is miles ahead of an HDD in terms of speed. But not all SSDs are made equal. Drives with larger capacities tend to be faster in writing and reading, thanks to an SSD’s speed advantage that comes from parallelization.
But the difference wouldn’t be night and day.
For most MacBook Pro users, a cheaper yet high-capacity SSD is enough to meet your daily computing needs.
For those of you who make a living in fields like design, development, or workstation, etc. that requires a MacBook Pro to move large files and handle request very quickly, then consider a high-budget, high-performance SSD.
Brand
Buying an SSD is a big investment, and it’s serious business as the drive carries all your personal or business data.
You don’t want to get an SSD that is insecure, defective or from a manufacturer that doesn’t offer quality customer service.
That’s why choosing a brand is important.
In general, I buy products from brands that are trustworthy like Apple, Samsung, Crucial, SanDisk, etc. For SSD manufacturers, another factor why brand matters is that quality and warranty.
For example, during my research, I know Samsung makes its own SSD controllers, memory, and firmware, which gave me confidence that the company is capable of designing and putting together the entire SSD from start to end.
Also, brands like Crucial and Samsung all offer 3-5 year warranty for their SSDs…another bonus.
Compatibility
Not all Macs support SSD upgrade and not all SSDs fit into the Mac model you own. For example, the most recent MacBooks are all with SSDs and they are blazing fast and based on 4-channel PCIe interface (Source: 9to5mac), there is no need to upgrade unless you have particular reasons.
If you are using a Retina MacBook Pro or Air that was made mid-2013 or later, it’s almost impossible to upgrade the hard drive because PCIe-based SSDs don’t use standard connectors.
Even if your Mac like MacBook Pro/Air prior to 2013 is able for SSD upgrade, you should be careful because MacBooks don’t use standard SSD designs and MBPs and Airs share different types with each other.
Fortunately, MacBook Pros from 2012 and before are compatible with 2.5-inch SATA drives which most SSD manufacturers provide.
WRAP UP
Are you still using an old 2012 MacBook Pro? Yep, that’s my model (mid-2012). I love my MacBook, but well, when it’s starting to show its age, it’s not that speedy anymore.
Fortunately, there is a quick way to increase the performance of an old Mac — upgrading the internal hard drive to SSD (solid-state drive).
If you are like me, who still loves the old MacBook and yet to decide to invest in a new yet pricey MacBook, then this guide is for you.
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