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MacBook Pro Firmware Update Addresses SATA 3.0 Drive Performance Issues

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Earlier this year, we noted that users of Apple's current MacBook Pro attempting to install third-party 6.0 Gb/s SATA 3.0 solid-state drives had been experiencing performance issues apparently related to interference issues between cables inside the chassis. The issue was said to primarily affect 17-inch models of the MacBook Pro.

mbp lineup early 2011
While Other World Computing (OWC) had developed a cable shielding kit to attempt to address the issue, it now appears that the MacBook Pro EFI Firmware Update 2.2 released yesterday officially addresses the problem. OWC has tested several systems with the update and found a marked improvement in performance.

Our testing has included multiple models of the 2011 MacBook Pro models and using the highest performing OWC Mercury EXTREME Pro 6G and Mercury Electra 6G SSDs. From this testing, we are confident today that Apple has now, by and large, resolved the issues with 6Gb/s drives where issues were being experienced with said drives in the Main Bay/standard drive location.

OWC cautions that the update does not improve performance of 6.0 Gb/s SATA drives used in the MacBook Pro's optical bay.

Related Roundup: MacBook Pro

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