Mac Compatible Solid-State Hard Drives
Flash memory SSD drives for the Macintosh aren't the future of disk storage. They're here today, and all currently manufactured SSD's in 2012 are now FASTER than the fastest spinning platter drives available! The performance benefits of running your Mac on a Solid-State disk are dramatic and real. Starting up your computer, launching apps, installing programs and updates on an SSD happens in typically a fourth the time. Until you experience the delicious speed of solid-state storage, you just don't know how swift and smooth your Mac experience could be.Best SSD's For Mac : Top Performing Drives
These 2.5" SATA III interface drives feature the latest controller chips and flash memory from Intel, Indilinx, Marvell and others. (However, the SATA II value 320 Intel drive continues to be an excellent option for Apple users.) In benchmark after benchmark, OCZ's latest Vertex 3 is usually at the top of the pack for BOTH overall Read speeds AND smooth Write Performance. The higer-end Sandforce controller chipset in the Vertex 3 makes it one of the fastest SSD drives as we head into 2012. Apple has only started to incorporate SATA III controllers in it's most recent Macs, but even if your Mac has SATA II - you'll be glad you opted for backward compatible SATA III model now when you migrate your SSD into your _next_ Mac.| Screaming FAST SSD | New Intel 510 Series | SATA 3 6GBps Interface |
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Rip Snortin' Vertex 3 Peak Benchmarks 
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Intel's Fastest SSD Ever SATA III Interface 
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SATA III SSD Fast Reads Up To 355MB/s 
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Apple SSD Build-To-Order vs DIY Upgrades
You can upgrade an existing Mac to a solid-state drive - or configure new MacBooks with a Build-To-Order SSD option at the Apple Online Store.
with it's price competitive 3rd-party sellers.
As solid-state hard disk drive performance rapidly evolves, flash disks now outpace even the highest performing mechanical spinning platter drives. In 2011 in particular, SSD cost per gigabyte fell significantly. Soon, even the 3 Gigabit transfer rates of the current SATA II interface spec that Apple uses will become a bottle-neck. SSDs are getting THAT fast!
Older MacBook, iMac, Mac mini Solid State Drives
In some 2-4 year old Macs such as the early generations of Intel based White MacBook and Mac mini computers - Apple used a slower SATA I speed 1.5 Gigabit controller chipset. For these, you may not need a bleeding edge SSD. Most SSD's made currently are SATA II - but backwards compatibility insures they'll work fine on older SATA I computers. SATA III SSD's are now hitting the market, although Apple has yet to implement SATA III controllers.Low-Cost Bargain SSD Deals
| OCZ Agility 3 Sandforce Chipset |
128GB SSD Value Performance |
Sweet-Spot Size + Speed |
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Value Agility Drive High-Read Speeds 
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NEW - OCZ Octane SSD Reads Over 500MB/s 
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Corsair Value Series Fast Sandforce Controller 
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Macintosh OS X Compatible SSD Hard Drives
OSX runs quite well on current SSDs. Its file system's block size matches well with solid-state technology and doesn't present many of the problems aging Windows XP users experience having to tweak drive and system configurations to optimize performance. As OS X advances, and flash memory SSD drives become standard equipment and not just a luxury SSD build-to-order option from Apple, further refinements to optimize OSX for SSD storage will be present in OSX 10.6 and beyond.Format The Solid State Disk For Apple First!
Prepare a solid-state drive for Apple computers by partitioning and formatting the drive first. On an Intel Mac, use Disk Utility to insure you're PARTITIONING the SSD with a GUID Partition Map so that the Solid-State drive is bootable!When upgrading an SSD in G5 and lesser Macs, you want the default HFS Partition type and Mac OS Extended (Journaled). Either way you've GOT TO REFORMAT THE SSD for OS X from it's original out-of-the-box PC disk format to the one that's appropriate to booting up on your Mac's processor.
Easy DIY Flash Drive Upgradable Macs
Many Mac models present fairly simple SSD installation. Step-by-Step take-apart instructions and the right tools can help: www.ifixit.com as well as these Other World Computing Videos have a wealth of tips for proper disassembly of your Mac, installing a solid-state drive replacement and re-assembly. For SSD upgrades to models with 3.5" drive bays like a Mac Pro tower or G5-Intel iMac, the ICY DOCK 2.5" to 3.5" SSD & SATA Hard Drive Converter-AdapterConvert your 2.5" SATA SSD to standard 3.5" mounts w/an ICY DOCK
5 Second Drop-In, Snap-Shut Drive Install
Hard Drive Replacement Services For Apple Computers
Some Apple computer models - particularly recent Aluminum iMacs, older G4 iBooks, and early MacBook Pro laptops prior to the Unibody models are VERY-VERY difficult to dissassemble. You need specific tools and nerves of steel to take them apart - and are best left to professional bench techs. Some laptop models have to literally be GUTTED to get to the hard drive and swap a flash drive into, and may involve up to a 100 tiny screws or more. It's too easy to KILL your computer with a slip of the screwdriver: Leave it to qualified Mac service folk who know what they're doing.SSD For Mac Performance Leaps In 2011
2011 is the year solid-state drives are poised to overtake computer storage standard. Now easily surpassing ANY of even the top performing spinning platter hard drives available - they really deserve a place on your tech radar. Apple continues to expand it's SSD offerings as a Build-To-Order option in most of it's laptop and desktop computers - and should be something you seriously consider on your NEXT MAC PURCHASE if you're not up for DIY Do-It-Yourself drive upgrades.A BTO SSD upgrade may seem a stiff price, but if you factor in the price premium for labor you might pay to have a retail SSD you bought installed and your data transferred onto it - Apple's Build-To-Order SSD's are actually quite competitive. For small or big business users where time is money, ordering a Mac with an SSD is such a significant productivity enhancer, it's really a no-brainer to getting your Mac work done faster, smoother and more efficiently.
What is a SSD or Solid State Drive?
An SSD or Solid State Drive is a direct replacement for the hard disk in your computer, whether it is a standard stand alone computer, notebook, netbook or latptop. They can also be used as an external hard disk that you connect externally to any type of computer that you might have.Solid State High Speed Disk Drives
All conventional hard disks have moving parts that make them susceptible to damage when they are knocked - especially if they are in use. SSDs don't have the problem as they have no moving parts. They operate silently - with no drive bearings or motor to wear out or get noisier over time. Built entirely from sold-state flash memory, they contain modules similar to the computer memory in your Mac desktop or MacBook. The difference is the kind of memory in SSDs: Any information is retained even when the power is turned off, unlike normal computer memory. Because of this, they are less fragile and much better suited to mobile computer applications. SSDs are just inherently more robust in any computing environment whether internal or external.This new breed of hard disk, the Solid-State Drive or SSD is just another form of data storage device, but it is different in that it uses ultra high performance solid-state NAND Flash memory chips to store your Apple computer's data. Think of it as a very large USB stick that is so large it can actually replace the hard disk in your Macintosh computer without slower mechanical and moving parts prone to failure. SSD's are shock-resistant, silent, and FAST!!!
Apple SSD Compatibility
The majority of SSD's now support the widely used 3.Gbps SATA II specification hard disk interface used in all recent laptop or desktop Apple computers. SSDs are platform-neutral: When properly formatted on any modern operating system - Windows, Linux, OS X - simply sees it as a 'hard drive'. Thus it can very easily be used to replace your Mac's original hard disk for OSX computing applications. Backward compatibility of the spec insures that older Macs that had SATA I 1.5Gbps controllers will still recognize it, and operate without a hitch at slighly lower peak Read/Write rates.Mac SSD Drive Prices
Currently SSDs are still somewhat more expensive, hovering around $2-3 per Gigabyte. They may seem pricey when compared with standard computer hard disks now hitting up to 2 Terabyte capacities. But the reality is many Mac users simply never come close to filling up the large drives now standard in most Apple computers. Current SSD capacities are typically in the 64GB to 256GB range - cost between $150 to $600. Only those users with huge video and media files truly NEED a fraction of the space Terabyte spinning platter drives now offer. Out of the box, a new Mac typically only uses about 40Gb for OSX and the bundled Mac and iLife applications. For the majority of Mac users, a 128gb SSD may be all they may need for years to come. You can always plug in an external USB or FireWire Mac compatible backup drive for more storage.The Future Is Flash Disks!
Solid State drives are taking over as the new standard hard disks for personal computers. Fortunately, cheap SSD drives are already becoming available. SSD prices are now drifting near $2 per Gigabyte. For more on Mac compatible Solid-State drives, their history and other details check out Wikipedia for a full technical description of how SSD drives operate.Especially if you are experiencing problems with your MacBook, Mac mini or iMac's original hard drive - or running out of storage capacity - consider breathing new life and performance by replacing it with an ultra-fast Mac compatible SSD. You'll be glad you did!
