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Dogfish 256GB SSD Solid State Drive for MacBook Air 2012: A Comprehensive Review
If you’re still holding onto your trusty MacBook Air 2012 (A1465 EMC 2558 or A1466 EMC 2559), you’re probably aware that its original SSD might be showing its age. Enter the Dogfish 256GB SSD Solid State Drive, a cost-effective upgrade designed to breathe new life into your aging device. With blazing-fast speeds, a generous 256GB storage capacity, and macOS pre-installed, this SSD promises to transform your MacBook Air into a faster, more efficient machine. But does it live up to the hype? Let’s dive into the details.
Pros and Cons: What Customers Are Saying
Performance and Speed
One of the standout features of the Dogfish SSD is its impressive performance. Customers have reported noticeable improvements in boot times, application launches, and overall system responsiveness. One reviewer noted, “It works, and I managed to install Catalina, and it is indeed faster than the original Apple SSD.” The SSD boasts read speeds of up to 550MB/s and write speeds of up to 520MB/s, making it a significant upgrade over traditional hard drives.
However, some users have mentioned that the SSD feels “a little slower” compared to the original Apple SSD. While this might be subjective, it’s worth considering if you’re looking for top-tier performance.
Ease of Installation
The Dogfish SSD comes with all the necessary tools for installation, which has been a pleasant surprise for many customers. One reviewer praised the packaging, saying, “The packaging was great. It includes the tools to remove the back of the Mac Air.” Additionally, the pre-installed macOS eliminates the hassle of setting up the operating system from scratch. “A pleasant surprise was the Mac OS was preloaded! So you install it, and you are ready to work,” shared another satisfied customer.
That said, some users have encountered issues with the included tools. One reviewer warned, “The strength of the included tools is insufficient, and the screws couldn’t be removed before the tools became unusable.” If you’re planning to install the SSD yourself, it might be wise to have your own tools on hand.
Compatibility and Pre-Installed OS
The Dogfish SSD is specifically designed for MacBook Air 2012 models, ensuring seamless compatibility. One customer confirmed, “The MacBook Air was exactly as specified by the seller in terms of model and year.” The pre-installed macOS High Sierra is a double-edged sword. While it simplifies the setup process, some users have raised concerns about security. “The drive comes with High Sierra pre-installed (user account and all), as indicated, which is… well, something to consider,” noted a reviewer. Additionally, the presence of a mysterious MS-DOS partition has left some users puzzled.
Durability and Longevity
The Dogfish SSD is built with advanced technology, including TRIM, S.M.A.R.T, and LDPC ECC, ensuring stable and long-lasting performance. However, one reviewer pointed out a potential issue: “System Report shows that TRIM is not switched on by default (and may as well not be supported, despite the specs mentioning that it is).” This could impact the SSD’s lifespan, especially for users who frequently write and delete large files.
Customer Support and Warranty
Dogfish offers a 5-year warranty and lifetime technical support, which has been a major selling point for many customers. One reviewer shared, “The seller was attentive and refunded the customs fee without me asking. It arrived on time, and everything was perfect.” This level of customer service adds significant value to the product.
Final Verdict: Is the Dogfish 256GB SSD Worth It?
The Dogfish 256GB SSD Solid State Drive is a solid choice for MacBook Air 2012 users looking to extend the life of their device. Its impressive performance, ease of installation, and generous storage capacity make it a cost-effective upgrade. However, potential buyers should be aware of the pre-installed OS security concerns, the occasional need for additional tools, and the TRIM support issue.
If you’re willing to overlook these minor drawbacks, the Dogfish SSD offers excellent value for money. It’s a reliable solution for breathing new life into your MacBook Air, ensuring it remains a functional and efficient machine for years to come.
Rating: 4/5
Specification Dogfish 256GB SSD Solid State Drive for MacBook Air 2012 A1465 (EMC 2558), A1466 (EMC 2559) Large Capacity Upgrade (256GB) (OS Pre-Installed):
Comments from Amazon:
O MacBook Air era exatamente o especificado pelo vendedor no modelo e ano . Entreguei para um técnico fazer a substituição e funcionou. Parece um pouco mais lento
Gran sorpresa. Desconocia que hubiera unidades ya montadas, siempre adquiria las piezas por separado pero daban muchos problemas de montaje y tamaño. Sin embargo este producto facilita la sustitucion del disco original ya que son elevadamente caros y dificiles de conseguir. Muy buen producto. Recomendado.
Tentative review: + It works, and I managed to install Catalina and it is indeed faster than the original Apple SSD. - The drive comes with High Sierra pre-installed (user account and all), as indicated, which is.. well, something to consider. If that doesn't already give you security concerns, there is also a dodgy MS-DOS partition on the drive for unknown reasons (which also gives you a 'Windows' boot option when booting with the option-key pressed). - Still, more problematic is that System Report shows that TRIM is not switched on by default (and may as well not be supported, despite the specs mentioning that it is). It is possible to 'trimforce enable' after disabling SIP, but who is to tell this actually works properly. This may reduce the lifespan of the SSD drastically, depending on what you do. Conclusion: if you wish to extend the life of MacBook Air - Apple in its heyday really - for another three years or so, without too much hassle, then this may very well be a good investment. It is indeed still a fine piece of equipment, but perhaps don't use it for online banking. And yeah, OWC can't be bothered any longer, so here we are with yankuan2000/TC Dogfish. At least they have a website, which is more than can be said of most Chinese brands here on Amazon.
付属工具の強度が不足していて、ネジを全て外す前に使用不可な状態に… 自前で工具を用意する必要がありますので注意してください⚠️ 今週中には使い始められると思っていただけにガッカリです。
Vendedor atencioso, me estornou valor cobrado na alfândega sem eu pedir, chegou no prazo e meio tudo certinho. Recomendo. Obrigada!
The packaging was great. it includes the tools to remove the back of the Mac Air. A pleasant surprise was the Mac OS was preloaded! So you install it and you are ready to work. I fully recommend it!