Macbook Air '11 SSD upgrade

docentore

Hi there,

I'm fresh owner of Macbook Air and I think I was living under stone for the last few years. I'm loving it.

Only thing that bothers me is space - 128gb isn't much. External hdd (traditional 2.5") isn't perfect either.

What users of those usually do? Do you know any other place to get 256gb or bigger apart from ebay?

1ZRed

docentore wrote: »

Hi there,

I'm fresh owner of Macbook Air and I think I was living under stone for the last few years. I'm loving it.

Only thing that bothers me is space - 128gb isn't much. External hdd (traditional 2.5") isn't perfect either.

What users of those usually do? Do you know any other place to get 256gb or bigger apart from ebay?

I think it's very difficult to upgrade the SSD in the air because it's soldered on to the motherboard. Its not impossible though.

As far as getting the specific SSD, I wouldn't know where but it will be very expensive and tricky to get.

Sad Professor

The SSD isn't soldered, just the RAM. You can get an upgrade kit from OWC. I'm not sure if it's compatible with the latest Airs, though.

http://eshop.macsales.com/shop/SSD/OWC/Aura_Pro_Express

Keep in mind, the SSD isn't considered user-replaceable, so you might be endangering your warranty by carrying out this replacement.

docentore

Sad Professor wrote: »

The SSD isn't soldered, just the RAM. You can get an upgrade kit from OWC. I'm not sure if it's compatible with the latest Airs, though.

http://eshop.macsales.com/shop/SSD/OWC/Aura_Pro_Express

Keep in mind, the SSD isn't considered user-replaceable, so you might be endangering your warranty by carrying out this replacement.

I had a look at OWC - fast but expensive stuff, maybe next month. And it seems that it is compatible with '11

RAM is soldered, but SSD isn't, one screw holds it.

Thanks for advice

Sean Quagmire

congrats on the mba.

OP, have you considered a wireless hardrive to keep in your house?

Apple time capsules look great and I am tempted by one myself (although I am leaning towards installing a 500gb SSD myself). But if you are stuck for hd space this could be ideal. As far as i know you can even access it from anywhere provided it is set up right. it wont be as fast as your internal SSD.

docentore

Sean Quagmire wrote: »

congrats on the mba.

OP, have you considered a wireless hardrive to keep in your house?

Apple time capsules look great and I am tempted by one myself (although I am leaning towards installing a 500gb SSD myself). But if you are stuck for hd space this could be ideal. As far as i know you can even access it from anywhere provided it is set up right. it wont be as fast as your internal SSD.

I have HTPC which I could use as server, it is quite low powered. I'm also waiting on the Raspberry to arrive, I could build even lower powered wireless NAS.

hmmm, decisions. I think I will stick to the 128gb for the time being and wait for the bigger to drop down in price

Sean Quagmire

docentore wrote: »

I have HTPC which I could use as server,

How does this appear in your finder window? just curious. I assume anyone in the house can add files to it from various PCs etc?

docentore

Sean Quagmire wrote: »

How does this appear in your finder window? just curious. I assume anyone in the house can add files to it from various PCs etc?

I haven't it setup for Mac yet. Before I used windows and Linux pc's with ftp or smb protocols. I assume I could find some addon for the XBMC to share using whatever is best in OsX world (I'm still learning here)

bertie4evr

I have an Airport Extreme with an external drive connected to it. All my Time MAchine backups, music and photos live on there.

Matt Bauer

What about getting an inexpensive USB portable hard drive? Something like this:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Buffalo-Ministation-500GB-Portable-Drive/dp/B004KSRM0Y/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1340963926&sr=8-1

I find them very handy because they don't even require a power adapter. And faster (and cheaper!) than most network drives!

docentore

Matt Bauer wrote: »

What about getting an inexpensive USB portable hard drive? Something like this:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Buffalo-Ministation-500GB-Portable-Drive/dp/B004KSRM0Y/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1340963926&sr=8-1

I find them very handy because they don't even require a power adapter. And faster (and cheaper!) than most network drives!

Nah, swapped the air for 13" mpro with ssd, going to replace dvd drive with sata hdd. This will suit me better. Thanks for all suggestions