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Help needed with new used MacBook Air

1036 Views 13 Replies 4 Participants Last post by  pm-r, 
frantastic
My old 2013 MacBook Air died and I purchased a used 2017 MacBook Air. Unfortunately, it doesn't have enough memory on it for me to restore all of the files from my old laptop. I decided to buy a hard drive on Amazon that looked like it was a match. Upon reading the user manual, I need my new laptop to be running OS High Sierra, Mojave or Catalina. My laptop is currently using Monterey. I found a free app Disk Maker X 9 for Catalina, but I'm not sure if I want to go ahead with loading Catalina on my machine.

Should I go ahead with loading this older OS to get more memory, or should I return the HD and get one that works with Monterey (is this possible?)? Or should I just keep my photos and extra files on an external drive? I really want to have everything in one place, but I'm not a tech head and trying to figure this stuff out is hurting my brain.

I would greatly appreciate any advice. Thank you.
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pm-r
frantastic said:
Should I go ahead with loading this older OS to get more memory, or should I return the HD and get one that works with Monterey (is this possible?)?
Click to expand...
I have never heard of such a restriction regarding a hard drive but you don't mention what model make or any details as to which one you bought. But most importantly you should know that installing a newer or different MacOS version will NOT increase the MacBook Air storage capacity, for that you need a larger compatible Drive, or at least an additional external drive or drives.

You could check here which is a very reliable Mac supplier if your model is supported which it appears to be:
eshop.macsales.com

SSD Upgrade Kits for MacBook Air 2013 - 2017

Upgrade your 2013-2017 MacBook Air hard drive to an SSD for 16x the capacity and 5.8x faster speeds of the original drive. Kit includes all tools needed.
eshop.macsales.com eshop.macsales.com

Or even any of their external drives, preferably external solid-state drives if you need to go with the external drive route.

For other details about the 2017 MacBook Air, check the specs and details here:

MacBook Air "Core i5" 1.8 13" (2017*) Specs (13-inch, 2017**, MQD32LL/A*, MacBookAir7,2, A1466, 3178): EveryMac.com

Technical specifications for the MacBook Air "Core i5" 1.8 13" (2017*). Dates sold, processor type, memory info, hard drive details, price and more.
everymac.com everymac.com

PS: welcome to ehMac.ca forums, and I'm just a bit curious and wondering why your 2013 MacBook Air apparently just died as you stated as it should have a fair bit of life left in it still even if it is getting on in age.



- Patrick
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frantastic
Thank you for the welcome. I apologize if I have not used the proper terminology. I am learning as I go. ;-) Thank you for your patience. I've provided a screenshot of About This Mac hoping that will help.

This is what I bought, assuming that it was compatible. The description said it would work with High Sierra or "newer", but the user manual specifies High Sierra, Mojave or Catalina. I'm really afraid to install it because of this. https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B08P2KQLCW?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details&th=1.

I checked out the site that you mentioned. Thank you. I only know my Mac by the model A1466, but I see that model number there. I must also mention that I don't have a lot of money to work with. Limited budget. I do have someone with the tools so I could just order the SSD if I was to order from these guys.

My 2013 wouldn't start up on the first day of my 5 week holiday in Grenada. I actually found a reputable Mac repair guy and he thought he had it going again, but when we tried it together, it wouldn't start up or even recognize the hard disk. Also, the trackpad on the 2013 is stuck and I have to use a mouse. I was quite excited about getting newer laptop.

I just had a thought. Maybe the user manual was written when the latest version WAS Catalina and this SSD IS compatible...

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pm-r
frantastic said:
I checked out the site that you mentioned. Thank you. I only know my Mac by the model A1466, but I see that model number there. I must also mention that I don't have a lot of money to work with. Limited budget. I do have someone with the tools so I could just order the SSD if I was to order from these guys.
Click to expand...
I would certainly give preference to purchasing any drive at Mac sales as they will guarantee Mac compatibility and besides their price for an equivalent size bare SSD drive is a fair bit less than the one at Amazon, which doesn't even really guarantee any Mac compatibility.

Formatting a new Drive using anything from High Sierra (10.13) and later can sometimes be a PITA and I wouldn't think that you would want to make things any more difficult than they already can be.

It's nice that you have a knowledgeable Mac Tech that can help you and they probably have some good advice for you that you might want to really consider. Don't be afraid to ask them for some advice.

Good luck.

EDIT:
I just came across this page that supplies the hard drive you found on Amazon, and the more I read, even if true, the more I would avoid them and any hassles they might entail. If in doubt, maybe give Macsales.com a call and get them to answer any questions you might have regarding any replacement or additional drives they sell for that MacBook Air of yours.
INDMEM DMPG3N SSD Use Guidelines for MacBook Air, MacBook Pro

INDMEM NVMe PCIe SSD Use Guidelines for MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, iMac, Mac Pro, Mac Mini

How to create a bootable installer for macOS How to install macOS High Sierra How to install macOS Mojave How to install macOS Catalina How to install macOS from internet recovery How to install macOS system How to format ssd for Macbook How to make usb drive installer for mac How to use indmem...
www.indmem-global.com




- Patrick
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Macfury
If you are trying to install the new NVME in a Macbook with Monterey, it should already have installed the firmware required to update the MacBook. You shouldn't have to do a retro install of Catalina to get it to recognize the new NVME,
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frantastic
Okay. Now you're talkin'. Thanks. I'm relieved. I will proceed to install my new "NVMe" (definitely had to google that one).
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frantastic
pm-r said:
I just came across this page that supplies the hard drive you found on Amazon, and the more I read, even if true, the more I would avoid them and any hassles they might entail. If in doubt, maybe give Macsales.com a call and get them to answer any questions you might have regarding any replacement or additional drives they sell for that MacBook Air of yours.
INDMEM DMPG3N SSD Use Guidelines for MacBook Air, MacBook Pro

INDMEM NVMe PCIe SSD Use Guidelines for MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, iMac, Mac Pro, Mac Mini

How to create a bootable installer for macOS How to install macOS High Sierra How to install macOS Mojave How to install macOS Catalina How to install macOS from internet recovery How to install macOS system How to format ssd for Macbook How to make usb drive installer for mac How to use indmem...
www.indmem-global.com

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Click to expand...
Well, I knew when I started reading the user manual that I at least wasn't dealing with a company whose first language is English. Not politically correct, but you know what I mean. I hear what you're saying, but I'm going to go with the cheaper option: to keep the SSD I ordered. With Macsales I'd have to pay more for less storage and then pay shipping on top of that. I could pick it up an hour away in Missisauga, but my car takes diesel and that certainly wouldn't save me any money ;-). F**k inflation.
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Macfury
The Canadian guys will sell you that same connector, made in the same factory in the same country under a different brand name — at three times the price.
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frantastic
Macfury said:
The Canadian guys will sell you that same connector, made in the same factory in the same country under a different brand name — at three times the price.
Click to expand...
I’m of the same opinion.

SSD install went off without a hitch. So glad I did it myself. It was easy, except for those misleading instructions in the user manual. I should’ve ignored the manual entirely. The YouTube video I ended up using was clear, straightforward and by a gal to boot. No pun intended. 😉
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Macfury
frantastic said:
SSD install went off without a hitch. So glad I did it myself. It was easy, except for those misleading instructions in the user manual. I should’ve ignored the manual entirely. The YouTube video I ended up using was clear, straightforward and by a gal to boot. No pun intended. 😉
Click to expand...

Glad to hear the install went well! I have done some pretty complex Apple surgery with a YouTube video in front of me.
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oldmachead
Glad to hear that you are making progress with resolving the issues faced with the MBA 2017. Just to add a note that my wife's MBA 2012 is running beautifully after some TLC from MacDoc (now OtherWorldComputing Canada) - a new battery and new hard drive (yup, both died) for a reasonable cost and the machine is still in business. In my opinion the guys at OWC (previously MacDoc) do a fine job of fixing Mac problems. I've had many machines repaired/upgraded by them and am a satisfied customer. Still curious to know what happened to your older (2013) MBA. Do share when you have a spare moment.
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pm-r
oldmachead said:
my wife's MBA 2012 is running beautifully after some TLC from MacDoc (now OtherWorldComputing Canada)
Click to expand...

Speaking of MacDoc, whatever happened to him and his posts on this forums???

I enjoyed his posts and reading of his various travels and adventures Down Under but they just suddenly just disappeared some time ago.



- Patrick
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oldmachead
pm-r said:
Speaking of MacDoc, whatever happened to him and his posts on this forums???

I enjoyed his posts and reading of his various travels and adventures Down Under but they just suddenly just disappeared some time ago.



- Patrick
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Click to expand...

He took off for Australia ... sold the MacDoc business to OWC Canada. The head of OWC used to be the CPUSed guy many years back (if you remember them).
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pm-r
oldmachead said:
He took off for Australia ... sold the MacDoc business to OWC Canada.
Click to expand...

I hope he's okay down there as I say I miss some of his forum posts and pictures of his antics and travels in Aussie land.


It's hard to keep track of some old members when they don't post to any of the forums anymore.

And no, I didn't even realize that about the head of OWC and I don't think I ever gave it a thought that they might be the same person.



- Patrick
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