MacBook Pro Firmware Update Addresses SATA 3.0 Drive Performance Issues - MacRumors
Skip to Content

MacBook Pro Firmware Update Addresses SATA 3.0 Drive Performance Issues

by

Earlier this year, we noted that users of Apple's current MacBook Pro attempting to install third-party 6.0 Gb/s SATA 3.0 solid-state drives had been experiencing performance issues apparently related to interference issues between cables inside the chassis. The issue was said to primarily affect 17-inch models of the MacBook Pro.

mbp lineup early 2011
While Other World Computing (OWC) had developed a cable shielding kit to attempt to address the issue, it now appears that the MacBook Pro EFI Firmware Update 2.2 released yesterday officially addresses the problem. OWC has tested several systems with the update and found a marked improvement in performance.

Our testing has included multiple models of the 2011 MacBook Pro models and using the highest performing OWC Mercury EXTREME Pro 6G and Mercury Electra 6G SSDs. From this testing, we are confident today that Apple has now, by and large, resolved the issues with 6Gb/s drives where issues were being experienced with said drives in the Main Bay/standard drive location.

OWC cautions that the update does not improve performance of 6.0 Gb/s SATA drives used in the MacBook Pro's optical bay.

Related Roundup: MacBook Pro

Popular Stories

Apple iCloud Plus expansion hero

iCloud+ Now Includes Apple TV, Apple Arcade, and Curated Apple Music Stations in Over 100 Countries

Tuesday September 15, 2026 1:43 am PDT by
Apple today announced a new subscription initiative that turns paid iCloud+ subscriptions into a broader services bundle in more than 100 countries. In select countries, Apple says every paid iCloud+ plan, including the cheapest 50GB tier, now includes Apple TV and Apple Arcade "at no additional cost," while family sharing extends the storage, TV and Arcade access to up to five people....
Read Full Article • 111 comments
Everything New Your iPhone Can Do on iOS 27 Feature 1

50 New Things Your iPhone Can Do in iOS 27 - Out Now!

Monday September 14, 2026 10:48 pm PDT by
Apple released iOS 27 this week, and despite the company's focus this year on refining its flagship operating system and nixing bugs, there are still many additional features to explore, not least of which is Apple's new context-aware Siri, re-tooled for the generative AI era. Which iPhones Support Every iOS 27 Feature? This year's major iPhone software update isn't all about AI, though,...
Read Full Article • 50 comments
iOS 27 Icon iPhone

iOS 27 Available Now With These 8 New Features

Monday September 14, 2026 9:00 am PDT by
Update — 10 a.m. Pacific Time: Apple has released iOS 27. During its iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone Duo event last week, Apple announced that iOS 27 will be released widely on Monday, September 14. iOS 27 should be available around 10 a.m. Pacific Time / 1 p.m. Eastern Time today via the Settings app, under General → Software Update. Below, we have highlighted eight new features and...
Read Full Article • 111 comments