Best MacBook Pro SD Card Storage in 2024: EveryMac.com

Apple Silicon MacBook Pro Q&A

Update Published December 9, 2024

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What SD card storage solution is best for the Apple Silicon MacBook Pro? Is this type of storage safe?

The 14-Inch and 16-Inch Apple Silicon MacBook Pro models have internal storage that cannot be upgraded at all after initial system purchase. Compact external storage that connects via Thunderbolt is the best option for performance and capacity alike.

Photo Credit: Apple, Inc. (2021 14-Inch and 16-Inch MacBook Pro Models)

However, another option is to use the SDXC card slot on these models as external storage instead of merely using it to transfer photos or video from a camera or device.

SD cards are not as durable as an internal SSD or a rugged external drive -- and should not be thought of as permanent storage -- but they can be more convenient than physically larger external storage when on the go.

Identification Help (Skip)

Currently, 14-Inch and 16-Inch Apple Silicon MacBook Pro models all have the same SDXC-capable SD card slot, but they do not use the same physical size SD card storage options as some earlier MacBook Pro models. Accordingly, it is important to identify your specific model correctly.

These MacBook Pro models can be best identified by Model Number externally and by Model Identifier in software.

Just as the site has done for decades, EveryMac.com diligently has hand documented all of these details from the hardware itself for your convenience:

MacBook Pro Model	Model No	Model ID
14-Inch "M1 Pro" 8 CPU/14 GPU	A2442	MacBookPro18,3
14-Inch "M1 Pro" 10 CPU/14 GPU	A2442	MacBookPro18,3
14-Inch "M1 Pro" 10 CPU/16 GPU	A2442	MacBookPro18,3
14-Inch "M1 Max" 10 CPU/24 GPU	A2442	MacBookPro18,4
14-Inch "M1 Max" 10 CPU/32 GPU	A2442	MacBookPro18,4
14-Inch "M2 Pro" 10 CPU/16 GPU	A2779	Mac14,9
14-Inch "M2 Pro" 12 CPU/19 GPU	A2779	Mac14,9
14-Inch "M2 Max" 12 CPU/30 GPU	A2779	Mac14,5
14-Inch "M2 Max" 12 CPU/38 GPU	A2779	Mac14,5
14-Inch "M3" 8 CPU/10 GPU	A2918	Mac15,3
14-Inch "M3 Pro" 11 CPU/14 GPU	A2992	Mac15,6
14-Inch "M3 Pro" 12 CPU/18 GPU	A2992	Mac15,6
14-Inch "M3 Max" 14 CPU/30 GPU	A2992	Mac15,10
14-Inch "M3 Max" 16 CPU/40 GPU	A2992	Mac15,8
16-Inch "M1 Pro" 10 CPU/16 GPU	A2485	MacBookPro18,1
16-Inch "M1 Max" 10 CPU/24 GPU	A2485	MacBookPro18,2
16-Inch "M1 Max" 10 CPU/32 GPU	A2485	MacBookPro18,2
16-Inch "M2 Pro" 12 CPU/19 GPU	A2780	Mac14,10
16-Inch "M2 Max" 12 CPU/30 GPU	A2780	Mac14,6
16-Inch "M2 Max" 12 CPU/38 GPU	A2780	Mac14,6
16-Inch "M3 Pro" 12 CPU/18 GPU	A2991	Mac15,7
16-Inch "M3 Max" 14 CPU/30 GPU	A2991	Mac15,11
16-Inch "M3 Max" 16 CPU/40 GPU	A2991	Mac15,9
14-Inch "M4" 10 CPU/10 GPU	A3112	Mac16,1
14-Inch "M4 Pro" 12 CPU/16 GPU	A3401	Mac16,8
14-Inch "M4 Pro" 14 CPU/20 GPU	A3401	Mac16,8
14-Inch "M4 Max" 14 CPU/32 GPU	A3185	Mac16,6
14-Inch "M4 Max" 16 CPU/40 GPU	A3185	Mac16,6
16-Inch "M4 Pro" 14 CPU/20 GPU	A3403	Mac16,7
16-Inch "M4 Max" 14 CPU/32 GPU	A3186	Mac16,5
16-Inch "M4 Max" 16 CPU/40 GPU	A3186	Mac16,5

Additionally, EveryMac.com's Ultimate Mac Lookup feature can identify these notebooks by other information, too.

Best Apple Silicon MacBook Pro SD Card Storage

The best company that produces reliable SD card storage solutions intended for the Apple Silicon MacBook Pro is Transcend.

The company makes other sizes also, so be sure to purchase the JetDrive Lite 330; the one that fits correctly in the 14-Inch and 16-Inch Apple Silicon MacBook Pro.

Transcend JetDrive Lite 330 SD Card Storage
Photo Credit: Transcend Information Inc.

The JetDrive Lite 330 works essentially like an extra small USB stick or a micro version of a vintage floppy disk. Just insert it into the SD Card slot and it appears on the desktop like any other removable storage. It is designed to fit flush with the computer so you don't need to worry about bumping it into anything whether on a desk or in a bag.

Keep in mind that compared to an external SSD, this storage option is relatively expensive, low capacity, and slow, but because it is so small and convenient, it is well worth considering.

Also remember that all storage can fail, whether it is an internal or external SSD or an SD card, but if you stick with a quality company you should be safe. Nevertheless, you still always should backup your data in multiple locations.

SD Card Storage Purchase Options

In the UK and Ireland, site sponsor Flexx sells the full range of Transcend JetDrive Lite cards, including the JetDrive Lite 330 that is compatible with the Apple Silicon MacBook Pro, with free shipping.

Also see: What external storage options are available for the Apple Silicon MacBook Pro? Which is the best?

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