Using SSD / SSD Image from one Air to Another

[XAKEP]

Hi guys I have a question.

Can I use SSD with OS installed from one MacBook Air and use it on Another Macbook air by cloning SSD and putting on another computer or by simply removing SSD from one system and installing in to another.

Here is what I am trying to do.

I have a MacBook with bad SSD. I want to get new SSD and install OS on it using clone image from other system. Will this work ?

I already tried using my MacBook Pro, and it didn't work. I mean it's pro vs Air that's why may be ? But bottom line Pro SSD installed in Air wouldn't boot. How about air to air, will it work ? OR I'll need to erase and reinstall OS no matter what.

Thank you !

 

[dudeman509]

Probably will work fine provided they're of the same generation (same hardware).

 

[rgd1101]

Unless it does what MS does, checking for mobo for licensing

 

[XAKEP]

Well there is no licensing with Apple. You kinda Buy hardware and MacOS comes with it ,,,,, like there are no keys or anything. I wonder what software available for mac I can use to do cloning ....may be some linux based programs.

 

[BadAsAl]

Here is what I would do. Take SSD you want to use on MacBook air and put it in a USB enclosure. Attach to MacBook Air and hit power. Hit and hold the Option key as soon as you hear the chime. You should be presented with some icons that say Macintosh HD and one of them should be orange with the USB symbol on it. Select it and hit enter. If it boots normally then the drive is okay.

Now what we need to know is the model of the MacBook Air. Easiest way to find out it take the serial number on the bottom of the MacBook Air and look it up at everymac.com using the Lookup link on the bar at the top. It will tell you year and Order Number. The Order Number will allow me to lookup all the specs and then can further advise.

 

[BadAsAl]

Macs are very easy to clone. I use SuperDuper, it's easy and free to use. You can boot a Mac normally and clone to any attached drive. You can boot a USB drive and then clone that to the drive inside the Mac without having to take it out. One of the nicest things about Mac actually.

 

[XAKEP]

Here is what I would do. Take SSD you want to use on MacBook air and put it in a USB enclosure. Attach to MacBook Air and hit power. Hit and hold the Option key as soon as you hear the chime. You should be presented with some icons that say Macintosh HD and one of them should be orange with the USB symbol on it. Select it and hit enter. If it boots normally then the drive is okay.

Now what we need to know is the model of the MacBook Air. Easiest way to find out it take the serial number on the bottom of the MacBook Air and look it up at everymac.com using the Lookup link on the bar at the top. It will tell you year and Order Number. The Order Number will allow me to lookup all the specs and then can further advise.

Here is what I've gotten from this:



MacBook Air "Core i5" 1.3 13" (Mid-2013) 1.3 GHz Core i5 (I5-4250U)

Intro. June 10, 2013 Disc. April 29, 2014
Order MD760LL/A* Model A1466 (EMC 2632)
Family Mid-2013 ID MacBookAir6,2
RAM 4 GB VRAM 1.5 GB
Storage 128 GB, 256 GB SSD Optical None*
Complete MacBook Air "Core i5" 1.3 13" (Mid-2013) Specs

 

[BadAsAl]

That MacBook Air has a PCIe based SSD and not a SATA one. Not sure what the type of SSD you have from the MacBook Pro, but it would have to be the same type if it is to work in the Air. If you have a model number of either the MacBook Pro the SSD came from or of the actual SSD I can take a look to see what type it is.

I have not done any work on these types of Macs so I don't have experience to share unfortunately. I don't even know if there is a way to put an Apple PCIe based SSD in a USB enclosure.