Most Macs now feature solid-state drives (SSDs), which are known to have many benefits over mechanical hard drives. Although SSDs are less prone to failure, it doesn’t mean they can never run into an issue. Like any other technology, SSDs can also fall into trouble, primarily due to their age and sudden power surge.
This blog will explain common problems and preventive measures to take care of your MacBook’s SSD proactively.
Keep reading to know:
What exactly is an SSD Drive?
SSD is a storage type that, unlike hard disk drives (HDDs), uses integrated circuit assemblies and non-volatile memory chips to store data. HDD designs include spinning disks and movable read/write heads, while SSDs have no moving parts.
SSDs on MacBooks provide many irresistible benefits that improve users’ overall experience. For example, an SSD can process data much faster because of the lack of moving parts.
The Problems with SSD on MacBooks
Every component in every laptop works together to make the device run smoothly and give the expected performance. This dependency can also lead to problems. Regarding Macs, SSDs and PMICs (Power Management Integrated Circuits) also depend on each other, and the problem in one component can affect the other.
Here is how PMICs can affect SSDs on MacBooks:
Proximity between PMICs and cooling system
PMICs reside near the cooling system in MacBook Air devices. PMICs and the cooling system are connected for power and thermal management.
PMICs generate heat while running different components of the MacBook. If the cooling system is not able to dissipate the heat effectively, it can create thermal stress on the SSD. Prolonged exposure to thermal stress reduces the drive’s performance and lifespan.
In addition, if PMICs continue working at a higher internal temperature, they will become less efficient, negatively affecting SSD performance and reliability.
The delicate balance between power rails
MacBooks use PMICs to transform a 12-volt power rail to a 2.5-volt design to ensure efficient power delivery to the SSD and other components. This conversion is crucial to ensure the SSD receives the low voltage to operate without damage.
Poorly designed or stressed PMICs can lead to voltage fluctuation, resulting in SSD instability, data corruption, and errors during read/write operations.
Moisture and corrosion
When your MacBook is exposed to a humid environment, it can accumulate moisture and dust on SSD chips. This ultimately results in corrosion around the 12-volt point, further leading to irreparable damages like short circuits.
Taking care of SSD on MacBooks
Fortunately, you can prevent any potential issue with your SSD by following the tips discussed below:
Update SSD firmware: Firmware is the software that prevents viruses and bugs and ensures the smooth functionality of your computing devices. An SSD also requires firmware, which needs to be updated regularly. This helps maintain the performance of the SSD and your MacBook.
Don’t defrag SSD: Defragmentation is not required for an SSD. We use defragmentation to improve the performance of magnetic HDDs by replacing files with physically contiguous data into a single file. This is required because the disk’s head can access contiguous data faster than non-contiguous data. But SSDs don’t have a moving part. So they don’t require defragmentation. In fact, defragmentation can slow down the speed and decrease the life expectancy of SSDs.
Move the cache folder to RAM: Moving the cache to a RAM Disk speeds up your Mac’s performance and reduces the risks of wear and tear. As a result, this step may extend the lifespan of your SSD.
Don’t fill the SSD: Filling it to its full capacity may negatively impact its performance, especially writing speed. The drive can easily write to empty cells when there is free space. But when the drive is full, the SSD must find empty or partially filled blocks, move that information into a cache, and then write to the drive. To avoid this delay, it’s best to have up to 15% of your drive space free to balance the performance and space utilization.
Disable hibernation: Enabling hibernation can shorten the life of your SSD because hibernation consumes more power than simply shutting down your MacBook. When it starts from hibernation, it loads everything from the SSD.
Thorough cleaning and drying: Periodically cleaning and drying your SSD chips is recommended. Over time, SSD chips may accumulate dust and debris, which can cause wear and tear if overlooked. But you cannot just clean it with water or a damp cloth. At 73Inc, we have the right cleaning solutions and tools to carefully clean and dry SSD chips on your MacBook. So, let professionals handle this intricate cleaning.
Giving professional care to your SSD
As you see, an SSD is susceptible to many problems. Given that SSD is an important component and plays a crucial role in your Mac’s performance, giving it the right care is important.
At 73inc, we have experience and expertise working with SSD on all Mac models. So, you can trust our MacBook technicians, whether it’s an issue related to SSDs or anything else. Contact us to know how we can help you.
