- Upgrade Macbook Pro Retina Ssd
- Can I Upgrade Storage On Macbook Pro Model
- 2017 Macbook Pro Storage Upgrade
- Increase Storage On Macbook Pro
- Macbook Pro 2015 Storage Upgrade
The Macbook Pro is still working as a secondary machine and doesn't crash like it used to now it's not my daily driver. Overall I'd say if you're not ready to move to a new Mac then an SSD upgrade is well worth the investment. If you have an Apple MacBook Pro that could use a little extra kick in the pants, you can upgrade your memory, which some people still call RAM. More memory will let your applications run without needing to access storage for additional information quite so often. MacBook Pro with M1 comes with up to 17 hours of wireless web browsing and an insane 20 hours of video playback. Perhaps the biggest con of the new MacBooks with M1, especially this one geared towards professionals, is that you cannot change or upgrade the RAM because it is integrated into the SoC.
Retina Display MacBook Pro Q&A
Update Published January 28, 2021
All Mac Q&As >>Retina Display MacBook Pro Q&A (Home)
To be notified of new Q&As, sign up for EveryMac.com's bimonthly email list.
If you find this page useful, please Bookmark & Share it. Thank you.
How do you upgrade or replace the storage in the 15-Inch Retina Display MacBook Pro models? Is it even possible?
By default, all 15-Inch Retina Display MacBook Pro models are configured with either 256 GB or 512 GB of SSD storage.
As originally introduced on June 11, 2012, Apple only offered 768 GB of storage for the high-end MacBook Pro 'Core i7' 2.6 15' (Retina). However, as first reported by C|Net, starting on or around August 2, 2012, Apple also added 512 GB and 768 GB storage options for the entry-level model. Via custom configuration, the 'Early 2013' models had 768 GB of storage as a option and all subsequent models have had 1 TB as an option.
Officially, it is not possible for an end user to upgrade the storage in any Retina Display MacBook Pro model after purchase. However, as firstdiscovered by site sponsor Other World Computing, the SSD is installed as a removable module in all of these notebooks, but different lines use different types of proprietary 'blade' SSD modules and it is particularly important to identify the MacBook Pro and the SSD precisely as a result.
Photo Credit: Apple, Inc. (15-Inch Retina Display MacBook Pro)
Identification Help
The 15-Inch Retina Display MacBook Pro models can be quickly identified collectively as they lack an internal optical drive and all earlier 15-Inch MacBook Pro models have one. As of the date last updated (see top), all 15-Inch Retina Display MacBook Pro models also share a unique Model Number -- specifically A1398.
However, as the 'Mid-2012' and 'Early 2013' lines use one SSD, the 'Late 2013' and 'Mid-2014' lines another, and the 'Mid-2015' models yet another, the model number is not precise enough identification for the purpose of upgrading the SSD. For this purpose, it will be necessary to use the external EMC Number or the Model Identifier in software.
As always, EveryMac.com has painstakingly hand documented these details for your convenience:
Retina MacBook Pro | Subfamily | EMC | Model Identifier |
15-Inch | Mid-2012 | ||
15-Inch | Early 2013 | ||
15-Inch (Intg. Graphics) | Late 2013 | ||
15-Inch (Dual Graphics) | Late 2013 | ||
15-Inch (Intg. Graphics) | Mid-2014 | ||
15-Inch (Dual Graphics) | Mid-2014 | ||
15-Inch (Intg. Graphics) | Mid-2015 | ||
15-Inch (Dual Graphics) | Mid-2015 |
EveryMac.com's Ultimate Mac Lookup feature -- as well as the EveryMac app -- additionally can uniquely identify each of the 15-Inch Retina Display MacBook Pro models by their serial numbers.
Upgrade Obstacles & Compatible SSD Details
Apple does not intend for end users to upgrade the SSD in these models themselves. The company even has used uncommon 'pentalobe' screws -- also called five-point Torx screws -- to make the upgrade more difficult. However, access is straightforward with the correct screwdriver, the SSD modules are removable, and Apple has not blocked upgrades in firmware, either. There are two significantly different SSD designs for these models, though.
Specifically, the 'Mid-2012' and 'Early 2013' models use a 6 Gb/s SATA-based SSD whereas the 'Late 2013,'Mid-2014' and 'Mid-2015' models use a PCIe 2.0-based SSD. These SSD modules are neither interchangeable nor backwards compatible with earlier systems.
As a result, third-parties, like site sponsor OWC have released a 6 Gb/s SATA-based SSD upgrade with a compatible connector for the 'Mid-2012' and 'Early 2013' models and another PCIe 2.0-based flash SSD with a compatible connector for the 'Late 2013' and subsequent MacBook Pro models.
By default, from testing the 'Late 2013' and 'Mid-2014' models, OWC discovered that when a 'blade' SSD from a Cylinder Mac Pro is installed in one of these systems, it 'negotiates a x4 PCIe connection versus the stock cards, which negotiate a x2 PCIe connection.' This means that these Retina MacBook Pro provided more than 1200 MB/s drive performance, a huge jump from the standard SSD.
Apple boasts that the 'Mid-2015' systems have 'up to 2.5 times faster flash storage than the previous generation' of 15-Inch MacBook Pro models. In independent testing, OWC confirmed that the stock SSD in these models have read speeds around 2000 MB/s and write speeds around 1200 MB/s. These numbers are in line with Apple's performance claim compared to the SSDs that the company offered with the previous models, but not compared to the maximum speed that the previous systems unofficially can support.
Consequently, all of these models can support larger SSDs than the ones provided by default, but some models can (at least theoretically) support faster SSDs, as well.
OWC additionally sells an Envoy Pro bus-powered external enclosure so the original SSD can be repurposed as an external drive.
Upgrade Video Instructions
The bottom plate of the 15-Inch Retina Display MacBook Pro is held in place with ten screws of differing lengths, but when the bottom of the notebook is removed, it's simply a matter of disconnecting the battery and removing one more screw to pop out the SSD.
OWC provides straightforward upgrade videos for the SSD in each 15-Inch 'Retina Display' MacBook Pro model:
'Mid-2012' and 'Early 2013' 15-Inch MacBook Pro
'Late 2013', 'Mid-2014' & 'Mid-2015' 15-Inch MacBook Pro
How to Install Original SSD in External Case
This video explains how to install the original SSD from your 15-Inch MacBook Pro in OWC's convenient 'Envoy Pro' housing to repurpose it as an external drive:
By watching these videos, you should be able to determine if you feel comfortable performing this upgrade yourself or if you would instead prefer to hire a professional.
SSD Purchase Options
In the US (and many other countries), site sponsor Other World Computer sells the compatible Mercury Aura Pro 6 Gb/s SATA and PCIe-based SSDs as well as compatible external peripherals.
In the UK and Ireland, site sponsor Flexx sells 15' Retina Display MacBook Pro compatible SSDs with free shipping. The company provides flat rate shipping to France, Germany, and Switzerland and inexpensive shipping for all of Europe, too.
In Canada, site sponsor CanadaRAM sells 15' Retina Display MacBook Pro compatible SSDs with guaranteed compatibility, fast shipping, and no customs.
In Australia, site sponsors Macfixit and Upgradeable sell 15' Retina Display MacBook Pro compatible SSDs with fast shipping, a money-back guarantee and more.
In New Zealand, site sponsor Upgradeable New Zealand sells 15' Retina Display MacBook Pro SSDs with fast delivery to all corners of the country, precise compatibility, a lifetime warranty, and a money-back guarantee.
Permalink | E-mail a Friend | Bookmark & Share | Report an Error/Typo
Suggest a New Q&A | Sign Up for Bimonthly Site Update Notices
<< Retina Display MacBook Pro Q&A (Main) | All Mac Q&As
EveryMac.com is provided 'as is' without warranty of any kind whatsoever. EveryMac.com, and the author thereof, shall not be held responsible or liable, under any circumstances, for any damages resulting from the use or inability to use the information within. For complete disclaimer and copyright information please read and understand the Terms of Use and the Privacy Policy before using EveryMac.com. Use of any content or images without expressed permission is not allowed, although links to any page are welcomed and appreciated.
Retina Display MacBook Pro Q&A
Update Published January 28, 2021
All Mac Q&As >>Retina Display MacBook Pro Q&A (Home)
To be notified of new Q&As, sign up for EveryMac.com's bimonthly email list.
If you find this page useful, please Bookmark & Share it. Thank you.
By watching these videos, you should be able to determine if you feel comfortable performing this upgrade yourself or if you would instead prefer to hire a professional.
SSD Purchase Options
In the US (and many other countries), site sponsor Other World Computer sells the compatible Mercury Aura Pro 6 Gb/s SATA and PCIe-based SSDs as well as compatible external peripherals.
In the UK and Ireland, site sponsor Flexx sells 15' Retina Display MacBook Pro compatible SSDs with free shipping. The company provides flat rate shipping to France, Germany, and Switzerland and inexpensive shipping for all of Europe, too.
In Canada, site sponsor CanadaRAM sells 15' Retina Display MacBook Pro compatible SSDs with guaranteed compatibility, fast shipping, and no customs.
In Australia, site sponsors Macfixit and Upgradeable sell 15' Retina Display MacBook Pro compatible SSDs with fast shipping, a money-back guarantee and more.
In New Zealand, site sponsor Upgradeable New Zealand sells 15' Retina Display MacBook Pro SSDs with fast delivery to all corners of the country, precise compatibility, a lifetime warranty, and a money-back guarantee.
Permalink | E-mail a Friend | Bookmark & Share | Report an Error/Typo
Suggest a New Q&A | Sign Up for Bimonthly Site Update Notices
<< Retina Display MacBook Pro Q&A (Main) | All Mac Q&As
EveryMac.com is provided 'as is' without warranty of any kind whatsoever. EveryMac.com, and the author thereof, shall not be held responsible or liable, under any circumstances, for any damages resulting from the use or inability to use the information within. For complete disclaimer and copyright information please read and understand the Terms of Use and the Privacy Policy before using EveryMac.com. Use of any content or images without expressed permission is not allowed, although links to any page are welcomed and appreciated.
Retina Display MacBook Pro Q&A
Update Published January 28, 2021
All Mac Q&As >>Retina Display MacBook Pro Q&A (Home)
To be notified of new Q&As, sign up for EveryMac.com's bimonthly email list.
If you find this page useful, please Bookmark & Share it. Thank you.
How do you upgrade or replace the storage in the 13-Inch Retina Display MacBook Pro models? Is it the same storage and process as the 15-Inch Retina Display MacBook Pro? Is it possible?
By default, 13-Inch Retina Display MacBook Pro models are configured with 128 GB, 256 GB, or 512 GB of SSD storage. Via custom configuration, some models also can, or could, be equipped with as much as 768 GB or 1 TB of SSD storage at the time of purchase.
Officially, it is not possible for an end user to upgrade the storage after purchase. However, as firstreportedby site sponsor Other World Computing, the SSD is installed as a removable module in all of these systems and is fairly straightforward to upgrade.
However, different lines use different proprietary SSD modules and it is important to identify both the MacBook Pro and the SSD module correctly.
Photo Credit: Apple, Inc. (13-Inch Retina Display MacBook Pro)
Identification Help
If you're not sure whether or not you have a 13-Inch Retina Display MacBook Pro or another model, notebooks with different SSDs share the A1425 and A1502Model Numbers.
As a result, the easiest way to identify them uniquely enough for the purpose of determining the correct SSD type is either by external EMC Number or by the Model Identifier in software.
As always, EveryMac.com has carefully hand documented these details for your convenience:
MacBook Pro | Subfamily | EMC | Model Identifier |
13-Inch (Late 2012) | Late 2012 | ||
13-Inch (Early 2013) | Early 2013 | ||
13-Inch (Late 2013) | Late 2013 | ||
13-Inch (Mid-2014) | Mid-2014 | ||
13-Inch (Early 2015) | Early 2015 |
Finally, EveryMac.com's Ultimate Mac Lookup feature -- as well as the EveryMac app -- additionally can uniquely identify all of the Retina Display MacBook Pro models by their serial numbers and other identifiers.
Upgrade Macbook Pro Retina Ssd
Upgrade Obstacles & Compatible SSD Details
Apple does not intend for end users to upgrade the SSD in these models themselves, the company even has used uncommon 'pentalobe' screws -- also called five-point Torx screws -- to discourage access. However, access is straightforward with the correct screwdriver, the SSD is simple to access, and upgrades are not blocked in firmware, either. There are two significantly different SSD designs for these models, though.
There is one 6 Gb/s SATA-based SSD for the 'Late 2012' and 'Early 2013' 13-Inch Retina MacBook Pro models. Unlike the 15-Inch Retina Display MacBook Pro, the SSD in the 'Late 2012' and 'Early 2013' models is mounted in a small 'drive caddy' that can hold a 5 mm or 7 mm tall SSD (or hard drive), in lieu of the small proprietary SSD module that Apple uses.
The proprietary PCIe 2.0-based SSD in the 'Late 2013' and subsequent models is limited to a smaller 'blade' option, though. 3d printer model making software. By default, the 'Late 2013' and 'Mid-2014' models negotiate a x2 PCIe connection, but in testing, OWC discovered that when a 'blade' SSD from a Cylinder Mac Pro was installed in a 'Late 2013' or 'Mid-2014' model, it 'negotiates a x4 PCIe connection versus the stock cards, which negotiate a x2 PCIe connection,' which means that this newly transplanted SSD was substantially faster than the stock one. The 'Early 2015' models support a x4 PCIe connection by default.
Upgrade Instructions
The bottom panel of the 13-Inch Retina Display MacBook Pro is attached with ten screws of differing lengths. After removing the bottom of the notebook, the battery removal process is fairly involved -- with four more screws to unscrew before disconnecting the battery -- but the drive caddy itself is easy to remove.
OWC provides excellent videos to walk one through the entire procedure for all of the 13-Inch 'Retina Display' MacBook Pro models:
'Late 2012' and 'Early 2013' 13-Inch MacBook Pro
'Late 2013', 'Mid-2014' & 'Mid-2015' 13-Inch MacBook Pro
Can I Upgrade Storage On Macbook Pro Model
How to Repurpose Original SSD in External Housing
This video explains how to install the original SSD from your 13-Inch MacBook Pro in OWC's convenient 'Envoy Pro' case to repurpose it as an external drive:
By watching these videos, you should be able to determine if you feel comfortable performing this upgrade yourself or if you would instead prefer to hire a professional.
SSD Purchase Options
In the US (and many other countries), site sponsor Other World Computer sells SSDs compatible with the 'Late 2012' and 'Early 2013' 13' Retina MacBook Pro models as well as 'Late 2013' and subsequent models.
In the UK and Ireland, site sponsor Flexx sells 13' Retina Display MacBook Pro compatible SSDs with free shipping. The company provides flat rate shipping to France, Germany, and Switzerland and inexpensive shipping for all of Europe, too.
In Canada, site sponsor CanadaRAM sells 13' Retina Display MacBook Pro compatible SSDs with guaranteed compatibility, fast shipping, and no customs.
In Australia, site sponsors Macfixit and Upgradeable sell 13' Retina Display MacBook Pro compatible SSDs with fast shipping, a money-back guarantee and more.
In New Zealand, site sponsor Upgradeable New Zealand sells 13' Retina Display MacBook Pro SSDs with fast delivery to all corners of the country, precise compatibility, a lifetime warranty, and a money-back guarantee.
2017 Macbook Pro Storage Upgrade
Permalink | E-mail a Friend | Bookmark & Share | Report an Error/Typo
Suggest a New Q&A | Sign Up for Bimonthly Site Update Notices
Increase Storage On Macbook Pro
<< Retina Display MacBook Pro Q&A (Main) | All Mac Q&As
Macbook Pro 2015 Storage Upgrade
EveryMac.com is provided 'as is' without warranty of any kind whatsoever. EveryMac.com, and the author thereof, shall not be held responsible or liable, under any circumstances, for any damages resulting from the use or inability to use the information within. For complete disclaimer and copyright information please read and understand the Terms of Use and the Privacy Policy before using EveryMac.com. Use of any content or images without expressed permission is not allowed, although links to any page are welcomed and appreciated.
