OWC Aura Pro Express 6Gb SATA SSD at 480GB

Other World Computing (OWC) confirmed at Macworld its OWC Mercury Aura Pro Express 6G SSD is available in a 480GB model size for the latest Apple MacBook Air 11.1" and 13.3" models which incorporate 6Gb/s data rate capabilities.

The Mercury Aura Pro Express 480GB model combines SandForce technologies and Tier 1/Grade A Toggle Synchronous NAND to deliver data rates up to 3x faster than factory 3Gb/s options and up to 8x the storage capacity of the factory’s base 64GB SSD model.
 
Performance Upgrade for MacBook Air
Joining two previously released Mercury Aura Pro Express 6G capacity models-120GB and 240GB-the new 6Gb/s SATA Revision 3.0 480GB model continues OWC’s position as an factory SSD options for the MacBook Air models. They are also available in capacities up to 480GB. OWC offers an online guide to assist consumers in selecting the correct Mercury Aura Pro Express SSD for any of Apple’s MacBook Air models from 2008 to current.

OWC 6G SSD Unlocks MacBook Air Performance
The Mercury Aura Pro Express 6G offers the MacBook Air owners an SSD upgrade path that delivers higher performance, functionality, and reliability over the factory installed SSD. Because it is SATA Revision 3.0 (6Gb/s) compatible, it can take advantage of the MacBook Air’s faster processors and built-in 6Gb/s SATA data bus to deliver peak, sustained data rates over 500MB/s, versus the factory installed SSDs, which are limited by SATA Revision 2.0 (3Gb/s) capability.

No Slow-down with Repeated Use
While ordinary SSDs initially offer fast read/write performance, they experience significant write speed degradation over repeated usage. Independent simulation tests conducted by drive performance experts like MacPerformanceGuide confirm OWC Mercury SSD’s efficient Block Management and Wear Leveling technologies are able to eliminate virtually any reduction in data transfer speeds over heavy, long-term usage without dependency on less-than-effective OS TRIM management.

"Our initial 120GB and 240GB 6G models were wildly successful as they enabled current model MacBook Air owners to experience the true capabilities of their machine," said Larry O’Connor, Founder and CEO, Other World Computing. "However, we continually received requests to duplicate the 480GB capacity offered in our 3G SSD line for the MacBook Air. Our new 6G 480GB model truly enables owners of 6G capable MacBook Air machines to have the best of both worlds: highest capacity and highest performance versus factory options."

Pricing, Availability
Compatible with current 11.1" and 13.3" MacBook Air models, the Mercury Aura Pro Express 6G 480GB model has a MSRP of $1,149.00 and is available from OWC. All Mercury Aura Pro Express 6G models include 7 percent over provisioning, Toggle Synchronous NAND, and a three-year warranty.