# OWC Aura Pro X2 240GB Review — NVMe SSD Upgrade for MacBook (2026)

The OWC Aura Pro X2 240GB is a purpose-built NVMe SSD that replaces Apple's proprietary internal drive in 2013–2017 MacBooks, delivering PCIe 3.0 speeds in a custom connector form factor.

Quick answer: The OWC Aura Pro X2 240GB is the go-to internal SSD upgrade for 2013–2017 MacBooks that need more space or faster storage. The 3,200 MB/s reads are nearly double the original Apple SSDs in these machines, and the included Envoy Pro enclosure makes the migration process straightforward. The 240 GB capacity is limiting for modern macOS use, and buyers who can afford it should consider the 480 GB or 1 TB variants. But for a budget MacBook storage upgrade, the Aura Pro X2 240GB delivers strong PCIe 3.0 performance, a five-year warranty, and OWC's Mac-specific expertise. Alternatives like the Transcend JetDrive 850 exist, but OWC's ecosystem and support give it the edge.

## Specifications

| Specification | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Capacity | 240 GB |
| Interface | M.2 3.0 x 4 |
| Controller | Silicon Motion SM2262EN |
| Memory type | IMFT TLC |
| DRAM cache | 2 X 256GB |
| Sequential read | 3200 MB/s |
| Sequential write | 2400 MB/s |
| Random read IOPS | 280000 |
| Random write IOPS | 250000 |
| Endurance | 150 TBW |
| MTBF | 2000000 |
| Warranty | 5 years |

## Performance

The OWC Aura Pro X2 240GB is rated at up to 3,200 MB/s sequential reads and 2,400 MB/s sequential writes over its PCIe 3.0 x4 NVMe interface. These are strong numbers for a PCIe 3.0 drive — the interface's theoretical ceiling is roughly 4,000 MB/s, so the Aura Pro X2 uses about 80% of available read bandwidth. The write speed of 2,400 MB/s reflects the 240 GB capacity's limited NAND die count; larger Aura Pro X2 variants reach 2,700 MB/s and higher. The Silicon Motion SM2262EN controller supports advanced SLC caching, which means burst writes are significantly faster than the rated 2,400 MB/s until the cache fills. Independent reviewers testing the Aura Pro X2 in MacBook Pro configurations found real-world file copy speeds that matched the rated specs, with the drive maintaining strong performance during typical macOS workloads. Random 4K performance on the SM2262EN typically reaches 180,000–200,000 IOPS reads and 170,000–190,000 IOPS writes in CrystalDiskMark testing, which translates to snappy application launches and responsive multitasking on macOS. The 7% over-provisioning helps sustain performance as the drive fills — a common issue with consumer SSDs is that write speeds drop sharply past 80% capacity, but the reserved space gives the controller room to manage wear leveling and garbage collection. For a MacBook upgrade, the Aura Pro X2 240GB delivers a dramatic speed improvement over the original Apple SSDs in these machines, which typically topped out around 1,500–2,000 MB/s reads. The drive's thermal profile is also favorable — the SM2262EN runs cooler than competing controllers like the Phison E12, which matters in the thermally constrained MacBook chassis.

## Endurance, TBW & Warranty

OWC backs the Aura Pro X2 240GB with a five-year warranty and a 150 TBW (terabytes written) endurance rating. The 150 TBW on a 240 GB drive is a solid endurance figure — it works out to roughly 82 GB of writes per day over five years, which far exceeds what most MacBook users will generate. For context, a typical macOS installation with regular use generates 10–30 GB of writes per day, meaning the 240 GB Aura Pro X2 should last well beyond its warranty period under normal usage. The 7% over-provisioning further extends the drive's lifespan by giving the controller additional spare blocks for wear leveling and bad block replacement. OWC's warranty support is based in the United States with international shipping options, and the company has a strong reputation for honoring warranty claims in the Mac upgrade community. The five-year warranty matches what established brands like Samsung and Crucial offer on their mainstream NVMe drives, which is notable for a specialty product aimed at a niche market. An MTBF figure is not published by OWC for the Aura Pro X2, which is common for consumer SSDs. The combination of five-year warranty, 150 TBW endurance, and 7% over-provisioning gives the Aura Pro X2 240GB a durability profile that's competitive with mainstream NVMe drives despite its specialty form factor.

## Pros and Cons

**Pros:**

- 3,200 MB/s reads double original Apple SSDs
- SM2262EN controller with 512 MB DRAM
- Envoy Pro enclosure included for migration
- 7% over-provisioning for longevity
- 5-year warranty with 150 TBW endurance
**Cons:**

- 240 GB capacity tight for modern macOS
- Apple proprietary connector — not standard M.2
- Write speeds lower than larger capacities
- Premium pricing compared to standard M.2 drives


## Verdict

The OWC Aura Pro X2 240GB is the go-to internal SSD upgrade for 2013–2017 MacBooks that need more space or faster storage. The 3,200 MB/s reads are nearly double the original Apple SSDs in these machines, and the included Envoy Pro enclosure makes the migration process straightforward. The 240 GB capacity is limiting for modern macOS use, and buyers who can afford it should consider the 480 GB or 1 TB variants. But for a budget MacBook storage upgrade, the Aura Pro X2 240GB delivers strong PCIe 3.0 performance, a five-year warranty, and OWC's Mac-specific expertise. Alternatives like the Transcend JetDrive 850 exist, but OWC's ecosystem and support give it the edge.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### Which Macs are compatible with the OWC Aura Pro X2 240GB?

The Aura Pro X2 uses Apple's proprietary 12+16 pin SSD connector and is compatible with MacBook Pro (Late 2013–Mid 2015), MacBook Air (Mid 2013–Mid 2017), Mac mini (Late 2014), and Mac Pro (Late 2013). It will not fit in MacBook models from 2016 onward, which have soldered storage, or in any standard M.2 slot. Use OWC's online compatibility tool or check your Mac's model identifier before purchasing. The drive supports macOS 10.13 High Sierra and later, which all compatible Mac models can run.

### Does the OWC Aura Pro X2 240GB have DRAM?

Yes, the Aura Pro X2 240GB includes 512 MB of DRAM cache (two 256 MB packages). The DRAM stores the flash translation layer map, reducing latency during random read/write operations and improving sustained performance compared to DRAM-less designs. The Silicon Motion SM2262EN controller leverages the DRAM for its advanced SLC caching and garbage collection operations. This is a genuine advantage for a drive serving as a MacBook's primary storage, where consistent responsiveness matters more than peak sequential speeds.

### Is the 240GB OWC Aura Pro X2 enough for a MacBook?

240 GB works for light to moderate use — macOS itself takes 15–25 GB, and a typical set of applications (browser, office suite, media players) adds another 10–20 GB. That leaves roughly 180–200 GB for documents, photos, and a modest music or video library. For users who store photos and videos externally or use cloud storage, 240 GB is manageable. For video editors, photographers with large RAW libraries, or users with extensive local media collections, the 480 GB or 1 TB variants are significantly more practical. The included Envoy Pro enclosure lets you offload older files to your old drive as an external SSD.

### What is the TBW endurance of the OWC Aura Pro X2 240GB?

OWC rates the Aura Pro X2 240GB at 150 TBW (terabytes written). This is a solid endurance figure for a 240 GB drive — it works out to roughly 82 GB of writes per day over the five-year warranty period. At typical macOS usage of 10–30 GB per day, the drive should last well beyond the warranty period. The 7% over-provisioning extends the effective lifespan further by providing spare blocks for wear leveling. For comparison, the Samsung 970 EVO 250 GB was rated at 150 TBW as well, so the Aura Pro X2's endurance is competitive with mainstream NVMe drives.

### How do I install the OWC Aura Pro X2 in my MacBook?

The installation requires a P5 pentalobe screwdriver (included) to open the MacBook's bottom case, and a T5 Torx screwdriver to remove the existing SSD. OWC includes step-by-step installation guides and videos on their website. The recommended process is to first install the old drive in the included Envoy Pro enclosure, boot from it via USB, clone the old drive to the Aura Pro X2 using macOS Disk Utility or a tool like Carbon Copy Cloner, then swap the drives. The entire process takes 30–60 minutes depending on data size. OWC's support team is available for assistance during installation.

### How does the Aura Pro X2 compare to the Transcend JetDrive 850?

Both are Mac-specific NVMe SSD upgrades with Apple's proprietary connector. The Aura Pro X2 uses the SM2262EN controller with IMFT 3D TLC NAND, while the JetDrive 850 uses a Phison controller with Toshiba BiCS4 3D TLC NAND. Performance is comparable — both deliver roughly 3,000+ MB/s reads and 2,000+ MB/s writes. The Aura Pro X2 includes the Envoy Pro enclosure for drive migration, while the JetDrive 850 does not include an enclosure. Both carry five-year warranties. OWC has stronger brand recognition in the Mac upgrade community in North America, while Transcend is more common in European and Asian markets.

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Last updated: 2026-05-23. Source: https://ssdrive.net/owc-aura-pro-x2-240-gb