The internal flash storage of the 2012 Retina MacBook Pro is fast. But what if you could replace it with something faster? Other World Computing has a compatible upgrade: The Aura Pro 6G SSD.
Intech's QuickBench - The Custom Sequential Test (1GB, 5 cycles) gives a quick snapshot of the large block transfer speed. (HIGHEST number means the FASTEST in megabytes per second.)
We also ran the small random transfer test where we average 5 cycles of a mixture of 4K to 1024K blocks. (HIGHEST number means the FASTEST in megabytes per second.)
AJA System Test is useful to measure the speed of HD Video playback and capture. Settings were 4.0GB Test File Size, 2048x1556 10-bit RGB Video Frame Size, file system cache disabled. (HIGHEST number means the FASTEST in megabytes per second.)
GRAPH LEGEND
RMBP 15 Aura Pro = 480GB OWC Aura Pro 6G Solid State Drive for 2012 Retina MBP
RMBP 15 factory = 512GB Apple factory flash module for 2012 Retina MBP 15"
RMBP 13 factory = 512GB Apple factory flash module for 2012 Retina MBP 13"
TEST MULE: 'mid 2012' Retina MacBook Pro 2.7GHz Quad-Core i7, 16G RAM, NVIDIA GeForce GT 650M GPU
WHAT DID WE LEARN?
The OWC Aura Pro 6G SSD is faster than the factory flash storage -- especially in the case of large sequential WRITEs and small random READs.
The Aura Pro also has the advantage of being SandForce based which includes block management and wear leveling, read disturb management. recycling, ECC protection, and redundant array of independent silicon elements.
It's very easy to install.
Whether you want to increase your speed or capacity or both, the OWC Aura Pro is an upgrade that the Retina MacBook Pro owner should keep in mind.
WHAT DO YOU DO WITH YOUR OLD RETINA MACBOOK PRO FLASH STORAGE?
You can install it in the OWC Envoy Pro 6G USB 3.0 enclosure ($80). It will transfer an very close to the same speed -- up to 430MB/s when connected to the Retina Macbook Pro, according to our testing.
Feedback or comments? Email
Also, you can follow me on Twitter @barefeats
