OWC launches Aura N internal upgrade SSDs for Macs
Storage and peripheral maker OWC on Tuesday introduced a new Aura N line of internal SSDs, meant specifically for upgrading compatible Macs.
The drives use twin PCIe 3.1 connections, and have write speeds up to 1.1 gigabytes per second. Reads peak at 1.6 gigabytes per second.
Capacities, meanwhile, range up to 1 terabyte. OWC is also promising less heat and power consumption than previous Aura models.
A variety of order options are available depending on the exact Mac a person has. An upgrade kit for 2013-2015 Retina MacBook Pros and 2013-2017 MacBook Airs costs $164.99 for 240 gigabytes, $229.99 for 480 gigabytes, and $299.99 for 1 terabyte. Equivalent prices for a Mac mini kit are $134.99, $179.99, and $259.99.
If they have the necessary equipment, people can alternatively buy drives on their own at costs of $97.99, $159.99 and $229.99.
The drives use twin PCIe 3.1 connections, and have write speeds up to 1.1 gigabytes per second. Reads peak at 1.6 gigabytes per second.
Capacities, meanwhile, range up to 1 terabyte. OWC is also promising less heat and power consumption than previous Aura models.
A variety of order options are available depending on the exact Mac a person has. An upgrade kit for 2013-2015 Retina MacBook Pros and 2013-2017 MacBook Airs costs $164.99 for 240 gigabytes, $229.99 for 480 gigabytes, and $299.99 for 1 terabyte. Equivalent prices for a Mac mini kit are $134.99, $179.99, and $259.99.
If they have the necessary equipment, people can alternatively buy drives on their own at costs of $97.99, $159.99 and $229.99.
Comments
There are a lot of legacy MacBook Air owners who have the base 128GB model, and I'm not sure 1TB was ever even an option (it isn't now.)
Paying $300. to upgrade to 1TB aftermarket doesn't sound so bad. (Apple charges an extra $400. to move a new legacy MBA to 512GB.)
I paid ~120€ for an Intel® 660p 1 TB, and 15€ for the converter. The tools I already had. I have read/write speeds at approx 1300MB/s.
I am interested in putting it into my late 2013 13" MBP.
Source: we bought a few of the adapters to see if it was worth it from a cost to hassle perspective. It isn't.
I've been very, very happy with all OWC gear I've purchased over the years.
It's faster and slightly more expensive.
IMO you're not going to notice the difference unless you're doing the kind of work where a 2013 CPU and GPU is going to be inadequate in the first place.