Skip to main content

Model A1502 / 2.4, 2.6, or 2.8 GHz dual-core Intel processor / Released October 2013

552 Questions View all

Looking for an SSD enclosure for MacBook Retina

Hi All,

I bought this SSD reader was told it would work for the hard drive in my macbook but it doesnt work the card does fit in but wont pick up on my laptop - Orico USB 3.0 2.5" External Hard Drive Tool Free 2.5 inch Enclosure

What else is there you can use, the laptop had water damage and finally died on me but i have holiday photos I wanna get off the Hard drive.

I have seen that everyone says you need the OWC Envoy but that was back in 2014. Anything cheaper and better to use now?

Kind Regards,

Ryan

Answered! View the answer I have this problem too

Is this a good question?

Score 2
Add a comment

3 Answers

Chosen Solution

Your case is not designed for the custom blade SSD’s Apple uses, its designed to support a 2.5” SATA drive.

Your MacBook Pro uses a PCIe 2.0 interface using two lanes (x2). You can find out more here: The Ultimate Guide to Apple’s Proprietary SSDs - Generation 3. Here’s another good reference:

Block Image

Here we can see the Orange PCIe/AHCI path uses a different interface than the Red SATA/AHCI pathway.

So the external case needs to have the ability to convert the PCIe/AHCI connection to USB3. I’ve been using the OWC cases (I have four different ones now!) While a bit expensive you can often find them for sale on eBay but you need to make sure you get the right one.

Another source other than OWC which I have not checked out is this one: QNINE - USB3.0 PCIe SSD Enclosure - $116.71 US Which for some reason is more expensive then the OWC - Envoy Pro - $95.75 US

Was this answer helpful?

Score 7

1 Comment:

Good write up!

by

Add a comment

i was told by a worker at OWC it doesnt work well with apple OEM samsung drives, it wont mount.

Was this answer helpful?

Score 0

1 Comment:

Not True!

A generic statement like yours doesn't get into the which case and which SSD.

OWC has created a few different models to cover the different interfaces Apple has used over the years: mSATA, PCIe x2, PCI x4

Again, this is a custom physical interface it is not M.2! And depending on your exact system your options may be limited! Review this great guide The Ultimate Guide to Apple’s Proprietary SSDs for all of the details for your given model.

by

Add a comment

I would recommend Sabrent https://geeklah.com/best-hard-drive-dock.... I bought it for my MacBook PRO and it works well. Additionally, I use this SSD as bootable external drive. Speed of the drive in enclosure is very close to original speed.

Also my friend has this one from Cable Matters https://www.amazon.com/Cable-Matters-Doc.... Quite good.

Was this answer helpful?

Score -2

3 Comments:

Neither of these will support the custom blade SSD (PCIe/AHCI) this system has These are designed to support 2.5" SATA drives.

by

Dimoff you are posting wrong advice.

Cut the self advertising please

by

I'm with the guys above... I'm not allowed to downvote, but that definitely won't work

by

Add a comment

Add your answer

oarsome320 will be eternally grateful.
View Statistics:

Past 24 Hours: 1

Past 7 Days: 12

Past 30 Days: 42

All Time: 23,393