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    mSATA for 2011 MBA

    Discussion in 'Hardware Components and Aftermarket Upgrades' started by F@TMAN, Jul 22, 2011.

  1. F@TMAN

    F@TMAN Notebook Enthusiast

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    Judging by this site, it is possible to upgrade the SSD in 2011 MBA. But, due to the size constraint, I'm curious to know what after-market options are available. Any suggestions? Mthks
     
    F@TMAN, Jul 22, 2011
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  2. Phil

    Phil Retired

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    The drive in the MBA isn't mSATA as far as I know, it uses an Apple proprietary format.

    The only vendor I know of selling upgrades is OWC.

    But keep in mind that their SF1200 product isn't faster than the Samsung SSD that Apple uses and it's very likely to be less reliable.
     
    Phil, Jul 23, 2011
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  3. F@TMAN

    F@TMAN Notebook Enthusiast

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    Any benches?
     
    F@TMAN, Jul 23, 2011
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  4. Phil

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    The OWC SF1200 product performs similar as OCZ Vertex 2, Samsung as Samsung 470.

    Real world benchmarks: Intel SSD 320 (300GB) Review

    The MBA 2010 and 2011 can also use Toshiba drives, which perform similar as Kingston V+ 100 (slightly slower than Samsung and OWC).
     
    Phil, Jul 23, 2011
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  5. F@TMAN

    F@TMAN Notebook Enthusiast

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    thnx Phil!
     
    F@TMAN, Jul 24, 2011
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  6. F@TMAN

    F@TMAN Notebook Enthusiast

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    but how about TRIM? Any benches for MBA SSDs to factor this?
     
    F@TMAN, Jul 24, 2011
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  7. Phil

    Phil Retired

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    TRIM is automatically enabled on the Apple SSDs that come in the Air.

    The Sandforce OWC product has good garbage collection, it doesn't really need TRIM.
     
    Phil, Jul 24, 2011
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  8. F@TMAN

    F@TMAN Notebook Enthusiast

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    Any experience with TRIMing apple SSDs in w7 environment?
     
    F@TMAN, Jul 24, 2011
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  9. Phil

    Phil Retired

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    TRIM works fine in Windows I would expect. No need to do manual TRIM. In the unlikely case TRIM doesn't work it doesn't really matter because GC is good on the Samsung and Toshiba product.
     
    Phil, Jul 24, 2011
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  10. F@TMAN

    F@TMAN Notebook Enthusiast

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    thnx for the reassurance, Phil! =)
     
    F@TMAN, Jul 25, 2011
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  11. Tsunade_Hime

    Tsunade_Hime such bacon. wow

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    The MBA uses mSATA. Being an Apple ASP, I looked through the 2011 MBA Repair Manual and it IS removable AND upgradable, though officially only Apple firmware/branded mSATA SSD is supposed to work. The old 2010 MBA had that mSATA SSD soldered onto the motherboard so you were stuck with what you had.
     
    Tsunade_Hime, Jul 25, 2011
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  12. Phil

    Phil Retired

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    As far as I know it's a not an mSATA form factor.

    OWC Mercury Aura Pro Express SSD Review (240GB) | StorageReview.com

    I think you mean 2009. The 2010 MBA has a replaceable SSD like shown in the link above.
     
    Phil, Jul 25, 2011
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  13. THS

    THS Notebook Consultant

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    Apple always has their own proprietary stuff...
    Another reason to get a PC.
    I'm willing to bet even if one finds an mSATA drive that fits, it won't work lol
     
    THS, Jul 25, 2011
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