Discover the world of SSD Hard Drives for Mac. Compare models and options for the office or home and shop online. MacBook Pro (Retina, 13-inch, Late 2012 - 2015). See full list on macbookproslow.com. If you really want a super-fast external hard drive for your Mac, then the Samsung T3 SSD is easily one of the best. As it uses a solid state drive, the read and write speeds of this drive are.

1. Best External Solid State Drive
2. Solid State Drive Review

When most of us think of where our Macs store data, we are used to saying “the hard drive”. But the truth is, not all drives are physically spinning HDDs anymore, and the Solid State Drive (or SSD) is becoming an increasingly common upgrade for MacBook Pros of all ages.

Because SSDs have a number of advantages compared to HDDs, they are more speedy, reliable and quieter — yes, you won’t hear the click sound from a spinning hard drive. However, SSDs are also a little bit expensive than HDDs though the price difference is diminishing.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through picking the best SSD drive to upgrade your MacBook Pro’s old hard drive or existing SSD and point out how we chose the favorite products along the way.

Quick Summary

Need a brief summary of our top picks? Here’s the best SSD replacement for your MacBook Pro depending on your specific needs.

• For general users who want a quality, affordable SSD, you won’t go wrong with Crucial MX500 — which has exemplary read and write speeds, with awesome energy-saving features that will keep your MacBook from overheating or using up excessive amounts of battery.
• For those of you who want to shop an SSD from a reputable brand, get SanDisk Ultra 3D — which will be able to keep up with your work all day, every day with all-around improvements to your booting, loading, and processing times.
• For power users who want a drive that’s durable and built to last, pick up Samsung 860 PRO — which allows you to make the most of every gigabyte, and meet your need with a great warranty and optimized processing technology.

Who Should Get This?

It’s a digital world, and we all like to have the shiniest gadgets on the market. But do you really need to install a new internal flash storage and dump the old hard disk drive? Well, it all depends and here are our suggestions.

You should consider upgrading your MacBook Pro with an SSD if:​

• You work with large files regularly.
• Your MacBook starts up very slow or performs sluggishly in general. This is common for old MacBook Pros such as 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012 models.
• The internal hard disk drive is showing its age and might die out any day. Here’s a guide that shows how to determine if it’s failing.
• You often use resource-intensive apps such as Adobe Photoshop for photo editing, or Premiere Pro for video editing, etc.
• You need the greater reliability of file storage or want to minimize negative experiences with overheating and potential damage.
• You want to upgrade your MacBook without purchasing an entirely new machine.

You may NOT need an SSD replacement if…

• You mainly use the Internet and document editing functions on your Mac and do not make use of heavier applications.
• You use your Mac fairly carefully or do not keep important or sensitive files on the drive.
• You are using a new MacBook (with Retina display), because “removing the SSD is possible, although it’s not an easy job. For starters, the bottom aluminum side is harder to remove. Then, the SSD is kept in place under the speaker module and has a very strong tape covering the interface port.” as pointed out in BGR.

Internal SSD Upgrade for MacBook Pro: What to Consider?

Capacity

When making a purchase, you may find yourself willing to compromise on storage capacity because of the cost compared to an HDD. Don’t do this! Because storage capacity is a key factor that determines how much use you get out of your new drive, and as computers progress, you’re going to want to have the space to keep up. Additionally, using external drives can slow down your Mac, so it’s best to splurge for extra space now rather than regret it later.

Reading and Writing Speed

Best External Solid State Drive

Every disk drive is rated with a certain set of speed that describes how fast it can read and write files. The range of a good product usually stays between 500MB/s and 550MB/s. The higher these numbers are, the better. Please note that the advertised numbers are not representative of real-world conditions though, in which you’ll probably experience speed about two-thirds of those rated.

Memory Type – MLC and SLC

SSDs have two types of memory: multi-level cell and single-level cell. The first is cheaper to make and stores more information, but the later has a lower rate of error. However, some SSDs come with error-correcting features to minimize this difference, so it’s up to you to decide which best fits your needs.

Reliability

While judging a book by its cover is generally frowned upon, when it comes to flash storage, it’s perfectly acceptable to judge performance and reliability from the brand name alone. Well-known companies usually have good reputations for reliability and quality control of their products, and you’ll want that name-brand security when it comes to something as critical to daily functions.

Best SSD for MacBook Pro (Internal Upgrade): Our Picks

Note that the SSD drives we recommend below are rated based on our own opinions and preferences. They are by no means made in this order.

1. Crucial MX500 250GB 3D NAND SATA 2.5 Inch Internal SSD

If you are on a budget and need dependability and security for your data, this drive from Crucial fits the bill. Its energy efficient features will protect your MacBook from overheating or draining of the battery. This is an SSD that should meet most users’ needs. In our opinion, 250 GB is the best choice, but you may also choose a larger one such as 2TB.

• Pros: It has four different capacities available for you to choose from. The drive is speedy as it’s rated for read and write speed of 560MB/sec and 510 MB/sec respectively. Also, the drive includes energy adaptive features to prevent overheating and excessive battery use — this is especially helpful if you’re still using an old MacBook with a battery under fairly poor conditions.
• Cons: It’s not the fastest drive on the market and some users may need a spacer to make this fit correctly inside their MacBook.

2. SanDisk Ultra 3D NAND 500GB Internal SSD

SanDisk is a world-famous storage solution provider that offers many types of products especially memory cards, flash drives, etc. If you’re a photographer, chances are you’re using or have used an SD card manufactured by SanDisk. What you may not know is that the company also offers solid state drives. If you need a drive that will perform well under pressure, then Ultra 3D NAND SATA III from SanDisk can definitely fill that need. With lightning-fast read and write speeds, improved startups, and shorter loading times all around, this drive will keep up with you throughout a busy working day.

• Pros: It’s very fast as rated at 560 MB/sec in reading and 530 MB/sec in writing. The drive also comes with specialized caching methods to enhance performance while maintaining a cool and quiet operation. Plus, there are a variety of available storage capacities to choose.
• Cons: It doesn’t come with a cloning software which means you need to take some time to transfer the data from the old drive to the new one.

3. Samsung 860 PRO V-NAND 1TB SSD

Boasting a 5-year warranty, cloning software, and a respected name, it’s hard to know where to start with this Samsung drive’s best attributes. You’ll benefit from increased speeds for loading applications and saving files, as well as a variety of options for storage capacity to meet your specific needs.

• Pros: It’s extremely dependable and known for use among heavy users, will work efficiently with your MacBook (reads 560 MB/sec, writes 530 MB/sec), and includes an outstanding warranty. Also, it uses 3D V-NAND to increase speed and rated for 150 terabytes written — more than enough to outlast your MacBook Pro itself.
• Cons: Some users reported that they had problems with the built-in data migration software.

Useful Tips and Resources

Whenever you consider making any significant changes to your MacBook Pro, it’s always a good practice to make sure you have a recent backup of all the important files. See this Apple guide for different ways to back up a Mac machine. Therefore, when it comes to replacing your Mac’s internal hard drive with a new SSD, you’ll want to make sure that everything is backed up properly in case any potential risk.

The SSD installation process is fairly simple to computer geeks, but general users may find it challenging. That’s why this guide from CNET is worth checking out, it features a step by step tutorial on how to upgrade the internal drive and walks you through the precautions and help you stay on your feet.

Using a MacBook Pro with Retina display (most models after the year 2013)? These Macs don’t officially support being taken apart so you should consider carefully whether or not you want to go through with it. However, if you do decide to take a look under the hood, LaptopMag has a great tutorial on how to do so without jeopardizing your Retina MacBook in the process.

Also, if you decide to replace the old drive and install a new SSD all by yourself (aka, DIY), make sure you get the right screwdrivers ready as you need them to open the bottom case of your MacBook Pro. The RION Pentalobe 6 Pentalobe 5 Phillips Tri-wing Screwdrivers is a great choice.

Final Words

It may seem like SSDs have been slow to take off, but they really are the drives for many laptop computers in the future. They’re generally faster, more durable, and more efficient than any similar-sized HDD, and you can count on them to store your files and applications safely.

If you’ve decided to make the internal SSD upgrade for your Mac, tell us what your experience was like. We’d love to hear which drive you chose and how your MacBook Pro functioned afterward.

When you have a lot of things to store on your Mac, you probably would look forward to a reliable storage disk. While in the past, disk drive Disks (HDDs) have been the norm, they’re now being replaced by Solid State Disk drives (SSDs), and this is often for so many good reasons.

These SSD’s are faster to repeat data from and save to SSDs than HDDs. If you wish a drive that will not be crushing any time soon, then you better get a solid-state drive. SSD’s are a feasible way to get your hands on ultimate speed, the flow of functionality, and streaming speed.

Also, these SSD’s help in running the applications that others cannot support such seamlessly.

In this article, you’ll find details on all the aspects of SSD that you wished to understand before choosing a tough drive.

There are many available SSDs within the market but not all are worthy enough. The one that wins the tag of the best overall SSD is the newest Samsung 860 EVO 500GB Internal SSD. It proudly features the Original V-Nand Technology along with magnified read-write speeds, Stable encryption, Warranty, and compatibility that make it the best among many.

Best SSD For MacBook Pro

Without any further delay, let’s dig deep into our selected SSDs for today’s article. If you are in a hurry and are not having enough time to read the article thoroughly, or if you wish to settle on the most suitable SSD for you with an affordable price tag and features, here is the comparison table to facilitate your visit.

Let’s move to the detailed review section of these products!

1.) Samsung 860 EVO 500GB Internal SSD

When we talk about surface appliances, the primary name that comes in mind is Samsung, the name that is enough for your satisfaction. If you are searching for the best performing SATA SSD on the market, this new Samsung 860 Evo drive is what you ought to be watching.

If you’re employing a traditional disc drive, definitely consider upgrading to an SSD just like the 860 Evo because it’ll offer an enormous upgrade in every aspect from reading/writing speeds to quicker access times.

Solid State Drive Review

Features:

Original V-Nand Technology:

The 860 EVO SSD offers the best performance for every day as it is providing large-sized 4K videos and 3D data utilized by the most recent applications.

Magnified Read-Write Speeds:

This Samsung SSD can back-to-back read and write on high levels of up to 550MB/s and 520MB/s individually.

Stable Encryption:

Your data is saved in this SSD by its selective security options, including AES 256-bit hardware-based encryption compliant with TCG Opal and IEEE 1670.

Warranty and Compatibility:

It offers a 5-year limited warranty which is enough for customer satisfaction, it’s compatible with Windows, Vista, XP, MAC OSX, and Linux.

• Significant power savings
• Five-year warranty
• Very fast
• Strong Performance
• Class-Leading Endurance
• Name Recognition and Reliability

Verdict:

2.) Crucial MX500 1TB Internal SSD

Every time you switch on your computer, you’re using majorly your storage drive. It holds all of your unique files and it loads and stores almost everything your system does. Upgrade with the Crucial MX500 ITB as not only this drive is cheaper than others, but also is compatible.

This Crucial MX500 1TB SSD drives throughput speeds and hardly slows down. Thus, it is one amongst the best-value SATA drives available for upgrading the storage in a mainstream PC, and it earns our Editors’ Choice award also.

Features:

Fly Through Everything You Do:

It can sequential reads speedily and writes up to 560/510 MB/s and random reads and writes up to 95k/90k on all file types which is that the best writing and reading speed as compare to other SSD in the market.

Enjoyable Productivity:

This MX500 SSD is crucial as it is armed with Micron’s newest NAND technology, and it’s the 850 EVO squarely in its vision.

Better Storage Capacity:

You can easily store up to 2TB of knowledge. Save vast amounts of photos, music, and videos easily and securely. With fast access to your media, creations, and styles, you’re able to share your life at the speed.

• Mainstream performance
• Competitive pricing
• Five-year warranty
• Long endurance rating
• Low cost per gigabyte.
• Available in 2.5-inch or M.2 SATA versions.
• Capacity options from 250GB to 2TB.

• A bit slower than the larger capacities
• The design could use a makeover

Verdict:

3.) SanDisk X400 SATA SSD

SanDisk’s X400 is that the successor to its X300s series and is aimed towards the corporate or the mainstream market segments. It is serving well than both previous drives because it has the 256-bit AES encryption of the S version of the X300 inbuilt as standard.

Features:

Frame:

The exterior of the X400, however, is fairly simplistic fashionable and manufactured from plastic and aluminum. There’s a branding sticker on the front with SanDisk’s logo and also the model name.

Reliable and Durable:

Approachable, reliable, and low power for the way consumers work. It offers great Ultra-durable systems with high-grade endurance.

TCG Opal 2.0 Support:

It means interoperability with leading industry security ISVs application. SanDisk’s 2nd generation TLC flash node works to maximize reliability and energy efficiency so the X400 uses minimal power, making it ideal to be used in an exceedingly mobile setting. Means better performance for professionals and enthusiasts.

• High performance
• Excellent pricing
• High sequential writing speed
• Offering 1TB of storage in a single-sided M.2 card

Verdict:

4.) Samsung SSD 860 PRO 2TB SSD

Today we’re staring at the new 860 EVO to determine how Samsung improved on the world’s best-selling SSD. Samsung wants to leverage that proven formula with the new EVO series so it can hold tight to its dominant and profitable leadership position.

Samsung changes its pricing when competitors march on, and therefore, the company always releases a faster model when others get too near matching its performance.

Features:

Enhanced Performance:

The 860 PRO performs at consecutive, read advanced to 560 MB/s with the function of newly V-NAND and a refined controller, delivering back-to-back write quickens to 530 MB/s.

Superior Endurance:

Under heavy workloads, endurance is everything. Your data is safe up to 4K videos and 3D data with its newest applications, up to 10.7x higher than the previous 850 PRO. The most recent V-NAND technology provides you with the best device by a 5-year or up to 4,800 TBW limited warranty.

Smart Compatibility:

Now, with this Samsung 860 PRO SSD, you can get faster and smoother communication with any of your host system. The pure ECC* algorithm and a brand new JMX controller produce higher speeds, and also the improved line-up trim enhances Linux empathy.

• Small, but noticeable speed increases
• Quadrupled endurance
• Strong performance
• Class-leading endurance
• Name recognition and reliability
• Excellent reliability

• High cost per gigabyte.
• SATA 3 protocol limits maximum potential

Verdict:

5.) OWC 1.0TB Mercury Electra 6G SSD

This PCB SATA SSD comes with the capacity of 1TB, while that isn’t that spectacular anymore, it was quite a feat. In this technology age, this SSD introduces Ultra HD (4K) video that media creators are demanding with higher storage capacity as well as high-speed storage. These users are willing to pay a premium for top capacity, high-speed storage because when engaged on large media projects, time is money.

Specifications:

The OWC Mercury Electra MAX 6G maybe a 7mm 2.5″ form factor SATA 6Gb/s SSD and is accessible during a capacity of 2TB. This SSD can easily read up to 490MB/s and writes for up to 471MB/s while holding a great 3-years warranty.

Features:

High-Performance Internal Storage:

OWC SSDs are not having any moving or removable parts, offering a quiet, cool, highly rugged storage solution that also offers a near-immediate system response.

Packaging and Components:

The packaging is simplistic and follows an identical color scheme because of the SSD itself. Within the blister packaging, we will see the SSD, both front, and back. You will notice a full-size 2.5mm spacer on top of the drive itself.

• 30-Day reimbursement guarantee.
• Perfect for everyday computing
• Latest flash NAND technology
• Global wear leveling data distribution
• Static data refresh management
• M.A.R.T and TRIM command support

Verdict:

6.) Crucial MX500 250GB 3D Internal SSD

Crucial is maintaining the MX500 as a solid, fast, reliable, easy to put in, and speedy choice to your regular old mechanical drives. All of this is provided with responsibility and delivered by the Crucial that provides quality no less than other big names of the industry.

Features:

Best Performing with 64-Layers:

Micron made changes to the new 64-layer memory that improves both performance and price. The new second-gen die is physically 30% smaller than the primary generation that permits the corporate to yield more die per wafer, which reduces the cost.

M.2 or 2.5-Inch, all Told the Capacities:

This 500GB SSD unit comes with the 2.5-inch drive form factor, which suggests it fits in a very standard laptop drive bay (for notebooks that also use full-size drives), or mostly in any desktop chassis.

You can also choose the much smaller M.2 version, which resembles a stick of gum and attaches on to the motherboard (assuming the motherboard is recent enough to own an M.2 connector).

• Start your system in seconds
• Easy installation
• 5-year limited warranty
• Excellent performance for a SATA SSD.
• Available in M.2 SATA versions
• Capacity options from 250GB to 2TB

Verdict:

7.) SanDisk Ultra 3D NAND 500GB Internal SSD

The SanDisk Ultra 3D could be a new SSD providing maximum in performing scale as its main application is overall upgraded from an HDD-based system to solid-state technology for faster boot-up times and speedier overall performance.

Features:

Accelerate your PC with up to 560MB/s:

You can get up to 560MB/s back-to-back reading speeds (550MB/s for 250GB) for faster boot-up and better overall system performance. Now you can install and run applications like games, videos, and photos in a minute so you can spend more time doing, and less time waiting.

Faster Burst Speeds with Ncache™ 2.0 Technology:

Performance opts to be impressive by writing everything into the drive’s high-speed buffer before conveying it to the flash array. This innovative architecture enables faster burst speeds.

Advanced 3D NAND Technology:

This new powerful technology enhances drive longevity for even greater trust-ability and lower power usage for longer notebook battery life.

• Easy installation
• Excellent performance for a SATA SSD.
• Available in 2.5-inch or M.2 SATA versions.
• Capacity options from 250GB to 2TB.

Verdict:

Contents

• 1 Best SSD For MacBook Pro