Mac Solid State Drive Review
Fusion Drive vs. SSD vs. HDD lets you compare the three types of hard drives by viewing the price, speed, performance and potential risks while using each. Go and get the right hard drive for your Apple computer, Windows PC or laptop. Let EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard takes care of your lost data on the Fusion Drive, SSD and HDD with the enhanced data recovery capability.
Ocz Vertex
This page offers a detailed comparison of HDD, SSD, and Fusion drive. It also offers a complete data recovery solution for the latest Fusion drives. Check out the detailed information now:
Aimed at multimedia professionals, the CalDigit AV Pro 2 is a well-designed, Mac-formatted external drive that comes in SSD and spinning disk versions, and includes both a USB hub and Thunderbolt. The good choice of a Best Ssd Drive For Macbook Pro 2012 depends on the convenience of use and much other stuff. We have passed our entire journey of shopping, including reviews and online research; so we know the whole online shopping process is working in many different ways. Browse the top-ranked list of Solid State Drives For Mac below along with associated reviews and opinions. Main Results SanDisk - Extreme 500GB External USB 3.1 Gen 2 Type-A/Type-C Portable Solid-State Drive. If Samsung had included an AC jack so that the External SSD X5 would work with Apple's Thunderbolt 1/2/3 adapter, this blazingly fast drive might have garnered 5 stars.
| Workable Solutions | Step-by-step Troubleshooting |
|---|---|
| HDDs | The cheapest, oldest and most common type of drive is the humble HDD..Full steps |
| SSDs | HDDs are increasingly being replaced by SSDs (or solid-state drives)..Full steps |
| Fusion Drive | Fusion Drive is a combination of HDD and SSD technology..Full steps |
| Fusion Drive Recovery | When lost Fusion drive data, run EaseUS recovery software > Scan drive > Restore..Full steps |
It would be easy to think that a hard drive is just a hard drive, but this would be a long way from the truth. There are, in fact, several different types of hard drives, and the one you choose will depend on a number of factors – but ultimately it comes down to balancing size, performance, and price.
HDDs
The cheapest, oldest and most common type of drive is the humble HDD (or hard disk drive). This is a decade-old technology that is still very widely used. Data is stored on rotating platters, which are read from and written to with a magnetic head that moves across the surface of the platter like the arm of a record player. Because of the fact that the disks containing data rotate, and the read/write head moves. HDDs are often referred to as mechanical drives and the fact they have moving parts means that they are audible when in use.
- Advantages: cheap, reliable, high capacities available
- Disadvantages: Slow, risk of physical damage, can be noisy in use
SSDs
HDDs are increasingly being replaced by SSDs (or solid-state drives). These take a number of forms, but they all have one thing in common – no moving parts. SSDs are less prone to damage than standard HDDs because there is no risk of a moving read/write head coming into contact with a disk, but this is not the only advantage of this type of drive. Because they are based on Flash memory, SSDs are also significantly faster than traditional hard drives, making them ideal for tasks that require better performance, such as gaming, CAD and video editing.
This extra speed comes at a cost, though. On a gigabyte for gigabyte basis, an SSD is noticeably more expensive than an HDD, but prices have started to come down significantly in recent years as the storage technology is more widely adopted. SSDs come in a number of physical forms, including those that look like regular hard drives, and those which look more like RAM memory modules. Another important factor to bear in mind is that SSDs do not last as long as traditional HDDs. This is not because they are less reliable, but rather that their very nature means that data can only be written to each section of a disk a limited number of times.
- Advantages: Fast performance, low power consumption, silent operation
- Disadvantages: Higher cost, lower capacities, limited lifespan
Fusion Drive
The final type of drive that we're interested in here is Fusion Drive. As you might guess from the name, this is a combination of HDD and SSD technology. Actually, Fusion Drive is specific to Apple; it is the company's own version of the more generic hybrid drive, but it works in very much the same way. Briefly explained, a Fusion Drive comprises a large capacity HDD and a smaller capacity SSD. For instance, 2019-model iMacs are available with Fusion Drives made up of 3TB HDD storage and 128GB SSD storage – although there are numerous other configurations available, and Fusion Drive is available for other Apple devices. While there are two physical drives making up the Fusion Drive, they appear as a single drive within macOS.
- Advantages: Cheaper than SSDs but faster than HDDs, quiet (although not silent) operation, high capacities available
- Disadvantages: Not the very best performance, can have problems, only available in certain Macs
Fusion Drive Benefits
macOS organizes the content of a Fusion Drive so files that are accessed frequently are stored on the faster SSD to speed up access. This can include documents and other files that are used most regularly, as well as apps and key files relating to the operating system itself. In some senses, a Fusion Drive is like a regular hard drive with an extremely large cache. It brings the speed benefits of installing an SSD at a greatly reduced cost; it gives users the best of both worlds.
It is only really possible to get a Fusion Drive by buying an iMac with one preinstalled. Some people have had success adding one to a Mac that was not originally supplied with one, but this is not something that is guaranteed to work and is a route best avoided.
Fusion Drive is fairly unique, and this means that it can have unique problems. The idea of the drive is that the HDD and SSD components that make it up are supposed to show up in Finder as a single drive, but this does not always happen. It is possible for a Fusion Drive to 'split', meaning that it will appear as two drives instead. Apple is aware that this is something that can happen from time to time, and the company offers a suggestion about how to fix it (https://support.apple.com/en-gb/HT207584) -- however, this problem can also stem from a physical problem with a Fusion Drive, and this can be troublesome and expensive to fix.
For all of their benefits, Fusion Drive suffers from the same problems as HDDs and SSDs when it comes to data loss. No matter what type of drives you using, it is only too easy to accidentally delete a file only to later discover that it was a file you actually needed to keep. Whatever type of drive you have, it is important, to have a backup plan in place. Making regular backups of data is one of the easiest ways to prevent the loss of files. And, of course, Trash gives you something of a safety net, giving you the chance to recover files you have deleted, but what happens if you empty Trash?
This is where the EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard for Mac can help. The software can handle data recovery from HDDs, SSDs and Fusion Drive disks, helping you to get back files you may have thought you had lost forever. It does not matter whether you lost files because of accidental deletion, drive formatting, a virus, or something else, EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard for Mac is probably your best chance of getting back your data (there is also a version available for Windows). The software is available for just $89.95 +VAT, and there is a free trial version available so you can test out its capabilities before you decide to buy.
How to Recover Deleted/Lost Data from Fusion Drive:
Step 1. Select the Fusion Drive where you lost data and files. Click the 'Scan' button.
Step 2. EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard for Mac will immediately scan your Fusion disk and display the scanning results on the left pane.
Step 3. In the scan results, select the file(s) and click the 'Recover Now'button to get them back.
Looking to upgrade your current storage of your MacBook Pro 2012? Then the first thing you need is a compatible SSD storage drive for your MacBook which is a tricky task itself. That is why we have compiled some of the best SSD drives for MacBook Pro 2012 and for older versions below in this publication so you can easily choose the better option for your upgrade.
The thing with MacBooks is that they are very difficult to upgrade if you look at the versions from the last 3 or 4 years and the versions of MacBook from 2012 and back are easily upgradeable. So if you are looking to upgrade your MacBook from the last 3 or 4 years then you should probably look into it first if it is possible or not.
Finding a good SSD drive for your MacBook is a difficult task due to multiple factors in play. The first thing that makes it a little tricky is that the most of the SSD drives are designed to operate on PCs by default and they support Windows OS. For a MacBook you need a certain kind of SSD drive that is either designed for use with MacBooks or is compatible with both Windows OS and Mac OS and that consumes a lot of time.
Since there are so many options available on the market when it comes to SSD drives that finding a good SSD drive for your MacBook can be a difficult task. The wide range of options has it’s benefits but when it comes to an SSD drive for a specific purpose, it is not helping at all because you need a specific type of SSD drive to fulfil your requirement and to look for that specific type of SSD drive within that wide range of options is a difficult and time consuming task. That is why we have shortlisted some options below in this publication that we recommend you have a look at.
If you decide to look for a SSD drive for MacBook Pro on your own then there are few things that you should keep in mind to make a smart decision. Let’s get into that first.
Manufacturer
Since you are looking for a SSD drive for a specific purpose you will come across very few options that will meet the criteria for this specific use. So within those few options there will be SSD drives manufactured by reputable names and some manufacturer will be unheard of. We recommend you go for the reputable manufacturer regardless of the price tag.
Warranty
The next thing that you should look for in a SSD drive for your MacBook Pro is the warranty provided by the manufacture. This is necessary because you will be upgrading your MacBook by yourself or by a professional either way you will be installing something new to the MacBook and you don’t know if all the lights will go green or not. So you need a warranty just in case to back up your purchase so you can have a peace of mind and kind of an insurance that if something goes wrong you can get it fixed or replaced depending on the policy of the manufacturer.
Now let’s start with the SSD drives we have on here for MacBook Pro 2012 and older.
Best SSD Drives For Macbook Pro 2012 & Older (Comparison)
| SSD Drive | Weight |
|---|---|
| Crucial MX500 SSD Drive | 100g |
| Samsung 860 EVO SSD Drive | 86.1g |
| OWC MERCURY EXTREME PRO 6G SSD | 77g |
Crucial MX500 SSD Drive
The first SSD drive we have on here is the MX500 SSD drive produced by Crucial. Crucial is a reliable name when it comes to production of high quality SSD drives. The SSD drive we have in question here is suitable for MacBooks from 2012 and older. This SSD drive is better suited for light work load. The ratings of this SSD drive are high. So how it fared in our review? Let’s find out.
Starting with the design of the MX500 SSD drive and it has a high build quality and it is shock resistant as well so you don’t have to worry about this storage drive getting damaged if it falls. Due to no moving parts like the old HDD the durability of this storage drive has increased. The MX500 SSD drive features SATA III interface. The read speed of the MX500 SSD drive is up to 560MB/s and the write speed of the MX500 SSD drive is up to 510MB/s. the MX500 SSD drive features 3D NAND flash memory technology which allows for this SSD drive to operate efficiently, faster and quieter. The MX500 SSD drive features integrated power loss immunity allowing you to be worry free of your data when the power is cut as it will be there when you power it back up. When it comes to security the MX500 SSD drive features AES 256-bit encryption and it comes with a 5 year limited warranty from the manufacturer.
When it comes to performance the MX500 SSD drive will significantly improve the performance of your MacBook Pro as the older versions did not have SSD drives to begin with. The build quality of this SSD drive is good and it has all the features you can expect or require from a good SSD drive. It is better suited for lighter work load. There have been no reported issues regarding this SSD drive’s performance or build quality.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| SATA III Interface | None That We Could Find |
| AES 256-bit Encryption | |
| 5 Years Limited Warranty |
Conclusion
If you are looking for a SSD drive suitable for MacBook Pro 2012 or older which can handle light work load then MX500 SSD drive by Crucial is a very good option for you.
Samsung 860 EVO SSD Drive
The next SSD drive we have on here is the 860 EVO SSD drive produced by Samsung. Samsung is a well renowned manufacturer of consumer electronics and in recent years they have started to manufacture very good quality storage drives as well. The SSD drive we have on here is compatible with MacBook Pro 2012 and older. This SSD drive is suited for lighter work load as well. The 860 EVO SSD drive has high ratings. How it fared in our review? Let’s find out.
Beginning with the design of the 860 EVO SSD drive and it has a slim design with a very good quality build. The 860 EVO SSD drive is designed to withstand shock as well making this SSD drive a durable one. Gtasks pro 1 3 5 – tasks for google meet the team. The 860 EVO SSD drive has a SATA III interface which is compatible with 6Gb/s, 3Gb/s and 1.5Gb/s SATA interfaces as well. The 860 EVO SSD drive features a 1GB DDR4 SDRAM cache for faster processing. The flash memory on board the 860 EVO SSD drive is the Samsung’s own V-NAND 3-bit memory. The 860 EVO SSD drive is able to reach read speeds of up to 550MB/s and write speeds of up to 520MB/s. When it comes to security, the 860 EVO SSD drive features AES 256-bit encryption to protect your data. The 860 EVO SSD drive comes with a limited 5 year warranty as well.
When it comes to performance the 860 EVO SSD drive will certainly improve the data processing speed of your MacBook Pro and making your MacBook more efficient. The build quality of the 860 EVO SSD drive is very good and it is a lightweight SSD drive as well. The 860 EVO SSD drive is better suited to handle lighter work load. There have been no reported issues regarding the build quality or performance of this SSD drive.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Shock Resistant | None That We Could Find |
| Slim Design | |
| V-NAND 3-bit Flash Memory |
Conclusion
The 860 EVO SSD drive by Samsung provides another good option for a SSD drive compatible to use with MacBook Pro 2012 and older versions which have lighter work load.
OWC MERCURY EXTREME PRO 6G SSD
Imac Solid State Hard Drives
The last SSD drive we have on here is the MERCURY EXTREME PRO 6G SSD drive produced by OWC Digital. OWC Digital is not a widely known manufacturer but it is a reliable name when it comes to SSD drives. This particular SSD drive here is designed specifically for MacBooks and it is the best option in the market for heavy work load on your MacBook. The ratings of this SSD drive are high. So how it fared in our review? Let’s find out.
Let’s start with the design of the MERCURY EXTREME PRO 6G SSD drive and it is a lightweight SSD drive with a good build quality making it a reliable and durable SSD drive for MacBook Pro. The MERCURY EXTREME PRO 6G SSD drive features SATA interface. The read speed of this SSD drive is up to 535MB/s while the write speed of the MERCURY EXTREME PRO 6G SSD drive is up to 435MB/s. The MERCURY EXTREME PRO 6G SSD drive features Tier 1 3D NAND for efficient and high performance result. This SSD drive features 128-bit AES encryption along with block management and wear levelling which makes sure that the data is distributed across the SSD evenly for efficient use and to protect the SSD drive itself.
When it comes to performance the MERCURY EXTREME PRO 6G SSD drive will certainly improve the overall performance of your MacBook. This SSD drive is well suited to handle the heavy work load of tasks such as video editing or gaming. The build quality of this SSD drive is good and there have been no reported issues regarding it’s performance.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| For Heavy Work Load | None That We Could Find |
| Efficient | |
| Durable |
Conclusion
Media player for mkv files mac. If you are looking for a SSD drive that is compatible with MacBook Pro 2012 or older and can handle the heavy work load then MERCURY EXTREME PRO 6G SSD Drive by OWC Digital is a very good option for you.
Conclusion
The SSD drives we have on here for MacBook Pro 2012 and older versions are some of the best on the market right now. If they have any reported issues regarding their performance or build quality they have been mentioned here in this publication. We hope you find this publication useful. Let us know what you think about these SSD drives in the comments below.
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The Mac mini just became better value for money, with Apple quietly doubling the standard storage in its smallest desktop computer. While most of the big Mac attention has been paid to the potent Mac Pro over the past twelve months, Apple’s powerhouse is out of reach of the average user. That’s why improving the value proposition for the Mac mini is arguably far more important.
Despite that, Apple’s Mac mini changes for early 2020 only warranted a footnote in the new MacBook Air announcement. Just as the updated ultraportable notebook now doubles up its minimum storage – going from 128GB to 256GB in the $999 version of the macOS laptop – so too the Mac mini is getting a storage bump.
The $799 Mac mini now comes with 256GB of storage as standard, twice what the old desktop was packing. Step up to the $1,099 version, and you’ll find your Mac mini now has 512GB inside, rather than 256GB. There are bigger options if you open your wallet a little more, of course.
At the top end, all configurations of Mac mini can be had with up to 2TB of SSD storage. That will set you back at least $1,599, the 2TB option being a $800 upgrade on the entry-level computer.
More storage, but the same CPUs
It’s worth noting that, while Apple may have changed the Mac mini’s storage, it hasn’t done the same for the diminutive desktop’s processors. Scrutiny 8 2 4 x 4. They’re still the same 8th generation Intel CPUs. The entry-level model gets a 3.6GHz quad-core Core i3, while there’s a 6-core Core i7 available as an upgrade.
The reality is that, while the new MacBook Air switches to 10th generation Intel silicon, that family of chips aren’t ready with versions suitable for the Mac mini quite yet. Apple skipped the 9th gen chips, and is seemingly holding out for the 10th gen to be available.
Right now, however, the only 10th gen Core chips Intel has on the market are designed for mobile, not desktop. We’re expecting that to change later in 2020, and maybe Apple will even see fit to give us a Mac Pro mini at that point.
Despite the only partial upgrade, it’s tough to argue with the value proposition of the Mac mini. If there’s a reason to hold off and wait out a bigger update, it might be graphics. The Intel UHD Graphics 630 GPU inside the current machine tops out at supporting a single 5120 x 2880 display via Thunderbolt 3. In contrast, the Intel Iris Plus Graphics in the updated MacBook Air can drive a single 6K display at 6016 x 3384 resolution.
