Mac hardware
We help to solve your hardware hassles, from interrupted upgrades to running diagnostics
Quick-fire questions
How to replace the SSD in a MacBook Pro 2017 13in?
> Provided the MBP has no Touch Bar and only two Thunderbolt ports, its SSD isn’t soldered in. However, this is an expensive custom part. There are affordable third-party adaptors and substitutes available, but yours might also be eligible for a free replacement SSD from Apple. See bit.ly/mac371mbpssdservice.
Why won’t my Mac Pro 5,1 update its firmware?
> While ‘cheese grater’ Mac Pros with suitable graphics cards can be upgraded to Mojave, getting their firmware to update requires that they’re first updated to High Sierra before going further, according to Apple at bit.ly/mac371mojavemacpro . This is a tricky issue best raised in a specialist online discussion group.
Thunderbolt ports on M1 Macs aren’t full Thunderbolt 4, but confusingly do have full support for USB4.