Other World Computing Releases Aftermarket SSD Upgrades for 2012 MacBook Air - MacRumors
Skip to Content

Other World Computing Releases Aftermarket SSD Upgrades for 2012 MacBook Air

by

NewImageAs it has for past versions, Other World Computing has released its aftermarket SSD upgrades for the latest MacBook Air models released last month.

Along with minor upgrades to memory and processor configurations, Apple also included a new SSD connector, likely to accommodate the new 500 MBps SSDs that Apple has built in to the new machines. As a result of this new connector, it took OWC a few weeks to build compatible aftermarket drives.

Other World Computing's Mercury Pro Aura Express drives are available for the 2012 MBA in sizes starting at 120GB at $167.99, running all the way to 480GB for $644.99. These prices are bit cheaper than comparable drives for the 2011 MacBook Air models.

Top Rated Comments

185 months ago
Not OWC's fault Apple have made a simple swap so arduous. They can charge whatever the market will bear. Save your ridicule for Apple.

No, it is nobodies fault.

If you upgrade a MBA with 256GB to 512GB from Apple, you are only paying the difference between 256 and 512. If you buy from OWC, you are buying a whole new blade SSD. Thus paying for the 256 in the MBA and paying 100% for the 512 (480) from OWC.

Again, it is not Apple or OWC's fault. It is just because with Apple you are essential paying for 1 blade SSD and with OWC you are paying for the SSD that comes with the MBA and another SSD from the third party manufacturer. That is just how this works.
Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)
185 months ago
Not OWC's fault Apple have made a simple swap so arduous. They can charge whatever the market will bear. Save your ridicule for Apple.
You would prefer to double the thickness of the Air so a traditional SSD would fit? Or perhaps lower battery life to free up some space?
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
185 months ago
You would prefer to double the thickness of the Air so a traditional SSD would fit? Or perhaps lower battery life to free up some space?
You're thinking of desktop SSDs. mSATA SSDs are roughly the same thickness as the SSD in the Air, and actually have a smaller footprint (about 60% of the size of the Air SSD -- slightly wider and half as long).

And you can get a 256GB model for about $200, versus $320 for the custom OWC SSD.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
185 months ago
I hope these SSDs are as fast as Apple's.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
185 months ago
This reminds me, anyone know if they have Retina MBP SSD upgrades, and if so how much are they?
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
185 months ago
I hope these SSDs are as fast as Apple's.

They are probably faster. Remember Apple doesn't want us to have the fastest of anything. Just look at the average GPU's they install. Nuff said. :D
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

iPhone Handoff iOS 27 Feature

T-Mobile to Charge $5 a Month for iOS 27 iPhone Handoff

Thursday September 10, 2026 3:58 pm PDT by
T-Mobile will charge customers $5 per month to use iPhone Handoff, an e-SIM feature that allows the same phone number to be used on two separate iPhones. iPhone Handoff requires carrier support, and at launch, only T-Mobile users in the U.S. and Deutsche Telekom users in Germany will be able to use it. T-Mobile says customers can use their number across two compatible iPhone models and...
deep black iphone 18 pro

Apple Says iPhone 18 Pro Max Sold in U.S. Differs in One Way

Saturday September 12, 2026 3:27 pm PDT by
As noted by Nicolas Lellouche, who writes for the French tech website Numerama, Apple has updated its tech specs pages for the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max to clarify which models are equipped with its new C2 cellular modem and where. Apple now says the iPhone 18 Pro has a C2 modem worldwide, while the iPhone 18 Pro Max uses the chip in every country except for the U.S. According...
iphone duo

IMAX Reacts to iPhone Duo's 1:1.4 Aspect Ratio Displays

Friday September 11, 2026 4:42 am PDT by
Production theater company IMAX has responded in a mixed way to Apple's embrace of a 1:1.4 aspect ratio on the iPhone Duo's inner and outer displays. The boxier ratio happens to be very close to the classic "full-frame" IMAX 1.43:1 aspect ratio, which comes from the geometry of the company's original 15-perforation/70mm film system. In response to an X post from someone wondering if we'll see...