# Transcend JetDrive 855 480GB Review: Compatible Macs, Upgrade Steps, Who Should Skip > 480GB NVMe kit for 2013–2017 MacBook Pro/Air: why macOS 10.13 must come first, capacity pitfalls, and who should skip it. Tags: mac, ssd, nvme, transcend, jetdrive, macbook-pro, macbook-air, upgrade-kit Source: https://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/B07DCJW2QP Article page: https://web-autoai.com/articles/transcend-macssd-480gb-thunderbolt-macbook-pro?lang=en Prices and ratings change over time — check the article page for the current values. --- This article covers the Transcend TS480GJDM855 — Mac-specific 480GB SSD upgrade kit with Thunderbolt case, sold in Japan as トランセンドジャパン Transcend Mac専用SSD 480GB アップグレードキット(Thunderbolt 対応ケース付) MacBook Pro. The series name is JetDrive 855. ## Overview The short answer: this kit is for people who want to keep a supported Mac from around 2013 to 2017 running for a few more years. It carries a 480GB NVMe PCIe Gen3 x4 SSD rated at up to 1,600MB/s read and 1,300MB/s write. If your supported Mac shipped with a 128GB or 256GB SSD and is running out of space, this kit raises both speed and capacity in one step. The box includes two screwdrivers (T5 and P5) and a Thunderbolt-capable aluminum enclosure. The original SSD you remove fits in that enclosure, so it keeps working as an external drive. You don't get that when you buy a bare replacement SSD. Supported systems need macOS 10.13 or later, and the kit only fits certain MacBook Pro (Retina), MacBook Air, Mac mini (Late 2014), and Mac Pro (Late 2013) models. The flip side is that it physically won't fit a Mac that isn't on the list, so it isn't a universal part. It's cheaper than buying a new Mac, but you have to confirm it fits the Mac you own first. This article focuses on those checks and on the places where the swap commonly goes wrong. ## What Changes After the Swap You notice the difference most where the Mac reads a lot from storage: booting, launching apps, and opening photo or video libraries. A Mac whose stock SSD is nearly full often slows down because there is no room left for virtual memory. More capacity alone can help that. On the other hand, the swap does little for work that is limited by the CPU or RAM, such as heavy video exports or keeping dozens of browser tabs open. A new SSD fixes a Mac that storage is holding back. It doesn't turn the whole machine into a new one, and knowing that up front prevents disappointment. Also, 1,600MB/s is only the SSD's own ceiling. Depending on the generation and lane count of the Mac's slot, you may not reach it. On these older Macs the slot usually limits speed first, so comparing this drive with modern Gen4 SSDs isn't very meaningful. ## Compatibility Guide Supported models are listed below. Before buying, check the model name and release period under About This Mac in the Apple menu and match them against this table exactly. | Model | Supported generations | |---|---| | MacBook Pro (Retina) 13-inch | Late 2013 – Early 2015 | | MacBook Pro (Retina) 15-inch | Late 2013 – Mid 2015 | | MacBook Air 11-inch | Mid 2013 – Early 2015 | | MacBook Air 13-inch | Mid 2013 – 2017 | | Mac mini | Late 2014 | | Mac Pro | Late 2013 | You need macOS 10.13 or later, and the timing matters: update to macOS 10.13 or later while the original SSD is still installed. Older Macs need a firmware update to boot from an NVMe SSD, and that firmware comes with the macOS update. If you skip it and swap drives, the Mac may not recognize the new SSD as a startup disk. One detail people miss is that MacBook Pro models from 2016 onward are not supported. The name is the same, but the internals differ, and machines with storage soldered to the board cannot take this kit. Mac mini and Mac Pro upgrades also need a separate Phillips screwdriver in addition to the included T5 and P5 drivers. The form factor needs care too. The data lists M.2 2280, but the SSD slot in the supported Macs uses Apple's proprietary connector. Standard M.2 SSDs for PC builds can't simply be swapped in, and this drive isn't meant for a PC's M.2 slot either. The Thunderbolt enclosure works with Thunderbolt-equipped Macs. If your newer Mac has only USB-C ports, check the product page to confirm the enclosure and any adapter will work together. ## Preparation and Steps The swap itself is just removing screws and exchanging the SSD, but most failures come from poor preparation. Below is one typical sequence. Follow the included manual for the details. 1. Update to macOS 10.13 or later while the original SSD is still installed, so the firmware gets updated 2. Back up the whole original SSD with Time Machine or a similar tool 3. Put the new SSD in the Thunderbolt enclosure, connect it, and move your data (for example with a Disk Utility restore or Migration Assistant) 4. Shut the Mac down completely, open the bottom case, and swap the SSDs 5. Once the Mac boots, put the old SSD in the enclosure and use it as an external drive On laptops, the basics also matter: run the battery down first, discharge static before touching anything, and lay the tiny screws out in order so none go missing. The SSD usually goes in at an angle, then lies flat and is held by a screw. Forcing it can damage the connector, so if it feels wrong, pull it out and check the orientation. ## Product Info When checked in May 2026, the price on Amazon. co. Prices change a lot with the seller, sales, and stock, so check the product page for the current price before buying. | Item | Details | |---|---| | Capacity | 480GB | | Interface | NVMe PCIe Gen3 x4 | | Sequential read | Up to 1,600MB/s | | Sequential write | Up to 1,300MB/s | | TBW (write endurance) | Not disclosed | | Warranty | 5 years | | In the box | SSD, screwdrivers (T5 and P5), Thunderbolt-capable aluminum enclosure, manual | The kit came out around 2018 and sits in the entry-to-midrange tier of Mac upgrade kits. Getting a larger Apple storage configuration after purchase is difficult, so this is one practical way to add NVMe capacity to a supported model. TBW, a rough measure of how much data the drive can write over its life, is not published, so endurance can't be compared by the numbers. Still, the 5-year warranty is long, and typical home use is unlikely to write enough to matter. If you export large amounts of video every day, it's safer to use a separate external drive as scratch space to reduce writes to the internal SSD. ## Comparison with Alternatives People considering this kit usually end up choosing among three options. | Option | Good for | Watch out for | |---|---|---| | This kit (Mac-specific) | Owners of a supported model who want a known-good internal swap | Limited model list; capacity is 480GB | | Generic M.2 NVMe SSD plus adapter | Buyers who want more capacity for less money | Not supported by the maker, so it's at your own risk; you must research compatibility yourself | | Portable external SSD | People who don't want to open the Mac, or plan to replace it soon | Startup disk speed stays the same; one more thing to carry | What this kit offers is a clear, maker-defined list of Macs it fits, plus an enclosure that keeps the original SSD useful. Pairing a generic M.2 SSD with an adapter is a known workaround, but you have to research and deal with compatibility and stability issues yourself. If you'd rather not open the Mac, a portable external SSD for extra data is the easier route. ## Who It's For - **Owners who want to extend a supported Mac's life:** If the stock SSD is 128GB or 256GB and you're short on space or waiting on slow loads, you'll feel the upgrade the most. - **People who keep photo or video libraries on the internal drive:** You gain room, and the old SSD in its enclosure becomes a portable drive, giving you one more drive for moving data around. - **Budget-minded Mac users:** It suits anyone who can't justify a new Mac and is fine with their current CPU. Reusing the removed SSD also saves money. ## Things to Consider The most common mistake is buying for a Mac that isn't supported. Even within MacBook Pro or MacBook Air, a release date six months off can put a model outside the list. MacBook Pro models from 2016 onward are not supported. Always match the model name and release period against the table above. The next most common one is swapping before updating to macOS 10.13 or later. If you don't update before removing the original SSD, the Mac may not boot from the new one and the job stalls. Some major macOS updates that include firmware may also require temporarily putting the original SSD back to complete the update. Keeping the original SSD in its enclosure gives you that option. Capacity also needs thought. 480GB is a big jump from 128GB or 256GB, but on a Mac that shipped with 512GB it is actually less space. macOS and your main apps alone take a good share of it, so it may not be enough if you want a large photo or video library on the internal drive. As a Gen3 x4 NVMe drive, it's slower than current Gen4 SSDs. On these older Macs, though, the slot usually limits speed first, so the gap rarely matters. There's no need to worry that Gen3 is slow, but don't assume you'll always see 1,600MB/s either. Finally, the Amazon listing can have more than one seller. When we checked, a separate retailer (セキュアトレード軽井沢) was selling this Transcend Japan product. Price and accessories can differ by seller, so use the photos and title to confirm the model is TS480GJDM855 and that the kit includes the Thunderbolt enclosure before you buy. ## FAQ **Q. Will it work in my 2017 MacBook Pro? ** A. Supported MacBook Pro models are the 13-inch from Late 2013 to Early 2015 and the 15-inch from Late 2013 to Mid 2015. The MacBook Air 13-inch, however, is supported through the 2017 model. **Q. Can I swap it while running a macOS version older than 10.13? ** A. No. It requires macOS 10.13 or later. Finish the update with the original SSD still installed. **Q. What happens to the original SSD? ** A. It goes into the included Thunderbolt-capable aluminum enclosure and works as an external drive, which is handy for backups or as temporary storage during migration. **Q. Is a regular M.2 SSD the same thing? ** A. The supported Macs use Apple's proprietary SSD slot, so a standard M.2 SSD won't fit as is. Adapters exist, but they aren't supported by the maker and are at your own risk. **Q. How durable is it? ** A. TBW is not disclosed, so endurance can't be compared by the numbers. The warranty is 5 years. ### Product Disclosure (Amazon) - Manufacturer: トランセンドジャパン - Seller: セキュアトレード軽井沢 - Fulfilled by: セキュアトレード軽井沢 - ASIN: B07DCJW2QP - Note: This article covers a manufacturer-made product based on Amazon listing details.