Earlier this year, Other World Computing (OWC) announced the launch of its 480 GB Mercury Aura Pro solid-state drive for the 15-inch Retina MacBook Pro. Some questioned the cost-effectiveness of pursuing such an upgrade, however, given its $579.99 price tag compared to Apple's $500 charge to boost the standard 256 GB drive to a 512 GB drive, although aftermarket upgrade users can also keep their original drives for external use.

owc retina macbook pro ssds
OWC has now announced that it has certified this same Mercury Auro Pro drive for use in the 13-inch Retina MacBook Pro released last week, and Apple's decision to offer a 128 GB drive in the entry-level model may make OWC's offering a more appealing option for those looking to upgrade storage capacity on their machines.

In addition to offering significantly more capacity over the factory base 128GB SSD, the 480GB Mercury Aura Pro offers a $220 savings over the comparable sized 512GB factory capacity upgrade costing $800.

While OWC's aftermarket solid-state drive is currently offered only in 480 GB capacity, the company does note that additional capacities will be coming in November. Apple offers 128 GB, 256 GB, 512 GB, and 768 GB options in the 13-inch Retina MacBook Pro, with all but the lowest capacity available in the 15-inch models.

Related Roundup: 13" MacBook Pro
Buyer's Guide: 13" MacBook Pro (Caution)
Related Forum: MacBook Pro

Top Rated Comments

scottsjack Avatar
scottsjack
134 months ago
Well if it's ios = front Page it seems these days

Macs = wherever

You got that right. It's "iOStoysRumors.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
nick_elt Avatar
nick_elt
134 months ago
Are you saying you are not excited to see someone else's tracking information :-/

Feck know who decides what's front page material, but decisions really are ....... Odd.

Well if it's ios = front Page it seems these days

Macs = wherever
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
dukebound85 Avatar
dukebound85
134 months ago
I personally wouldn't want to open up a glued laptop and risk it's integrity and build quality just to upgrade what can be ordered via Apple's own website.


I'd fear it'd fall apart.

its not glued
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Virtualball Avatar
Virtualball
134 months ago
Yikes, that's a lot of money... A fast 480 GB SSD is $400-500 but those are standard. Hopefully these will go down in price as time goes on :o
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
All Taken Avatar
All Taken
134 months ago
Interesting to see if OWC will then assume the voided Apple warranty . . . :rolleyes:

Or did OWC receive written authorization from Apple?

The machine warranty is still valid. Any replacement part that is used and not installed by an authorised service provider is not covered so this aftermarket SSD is not covered under Apple warranty but the entire remainder of the machine is. It's that simple and has been clarified several times with apple executive relations.

If a manufacturer can prove the replacement part caused other issues related to warranty service they have a case but otherwise they just provide warranty for everything except that part.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Jibbajabba Avatar
Jibbajabba
134 months ago
How did this not make front Page but people getting their smart covers early did?

Are you saying you are not excited to see someone else's tracking information :-/

Feck know who decides what's front page material, but decisions really are ....... Odd.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
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