Upgrading SSD in Late 2013 15" Macbook Pro

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Level 1

43 points

Upgrading SSD in Late 2013 15" Macbook Pro

Need to upgrade the SSD in my late 2013 Macbook Pro. Currently 1 TB and FULL! Would like to max the HD to 4TB if possible (based on my specs) Contacted apple support but they could not tell me how high I could go (2TB, 3TB, 4?). Lots of info online and some of it conflicting. Have read that upgrading ssd in late 2013 is much more complex than previous years? Does anyone have experience with this? Would also like recommendations on the type of SSD to buy...Link would be great. Do I/Should I/Can I upgrade the memory to aid the larger HD? Any advice is appreciated. Will I be able to simply reinstall OS and data from my last time machine backup (on an external drobo nas) to the new HD? Thanks in advance!

Here are my specs:

Macbook Pro late 2013 - 15"

OS High Sierra

10.13.6 (17G65)

Processor: 2.6 GHz Intel Core i7

Memory: 16 GB 1600 MHz DDR3

Graphics:

NVIDIA GeForce GT 750M 2048 MB

Intel Iris Pro 1536 MB

APPLE SSD SM1024F:

Capacity: 1 TB (1,000,555,581,440 bytes)

Model: APPLE SSD SM1024F

Macbook Model:

A1398 (EMC 2745)

MacBook Pro with Retina display

Posted on Aug 28, 2018 8:55 AM

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Answer 1

Courcoul

Level 6

18,684 points

Aug 28, 2018 10:47 AM in response to CCAPPL

Yours belongs to the family of the last upgradeable MBPs. As posted by Allan Other World Computing offers the only alternative to upgrading the internal 'chiclet' that serves as a drive. Since you are already at High Sierra and the storage formatted at APFS, you can opt for their 2TB Aura Pro option, and that is the absolute ceiling for those devices unless somebody comes up with something bigger. Alas, since all these models are now discontinued and the newer ones are a sealed one-piece unupgradeable unit, the potential marketplace for third-party providers is shrinking and there's no incentive anymore.

Pros for the Aura Pro: it's available as the ONLY option.

Cons: Price, a weird device that the system doesn't handle too well (check the tech specs), ONLY works inside the Mac, cannot be used on an external enclosure (their Envoy Pro enclosure only works with the original Apple 'chiclet'), the Aura Pro ONLY works with APFS, meaning High Sierra and successors.

So you see what's involved: https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/MacBook+Pro+15-Inch+Retina+Display+Late+2013+SSD+Re placement/23431

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Answer 2

leroydouglas

Level 10

199,374 points

Aug 28, 2018 11:00 AM in response to CCAPPL

Here are my specs:

Macbook Pro late 2013 - 15"

I see that Aura does sell a 4TB (new) https://eshop.macsales.com/item/OWC/SSDA13MP4.0K/

but I wasn't sure if it would work in my machine? Thoughts?

You do not have a Mac Pro. No it will not work.

OWC SSD Kits For MacBook Pro Retina Display 2012 - 2013

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Answer 3

Aug 28, 2018 8:59 AM in response to CCAPPL

Try SSD Upgrade Kits for MacBook Pro Retina Display 2013-2015

Their technical support is excellent.

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Answer 4

leroydouglas

Level 10

199,374 points

Aug 28, 2018 9:05 AM in response to CCAPPL

You are going to be limited to what third party vendors are offering for PCIe solid-state drive replacements.

2TB might be the top end.

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Answer 5

CCAPPL Author

Level 1

43 points

Aug 28, 2018 10:53 AM in response to Courcoul

Thank you @Courcol very helpful response! I can probably get through another couple years with 2 TB. Kind of nice that they include the enclosure for the original ssd. I see that Aura does sell a 4TB (new) https://eshop.macsales.com/item/OWC/SSDA13MP4.0K/

but I wasn't sure if it would work in my machine? Thoughts?

Finally, do you know if all I would need is my time machine backup to restore things after the changeout? Or, do you know of good instructions for the restore process. Fixit only gives instructions on the change from one SSD to another.

P.S. Disappointing that future models won't allow DIY upgrades - too expensive to keep buying these things every couple of years! They aren't cheap like windows machines. I guess I'd better get my electronic hoarding under control! 😁

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Answer 6

leroydouglas

Level 10

199,374 points

Aug 28, 2018 11:18 AM in response to CCAPPL

CCAPPL wrote:

I'm confused @leroydouglas. Not sure what you mean by, "You do not have a Mac Pro"?

I have MacBook Pro Retina, 15-inch, Late 2013

Thanks.

Ok—

A Mac Pro (Desktop) is quit different than a MacBook Pro (Notebook)

You can see all the differences here: