14 DAY TRIAL // Apple has discovered an issue with the solid-state drives in a particular batch of MacBook Air models shipped last year. A firmware update is now available to correct the problem, while users who continue to experience issues will receive a replacement drive.
MacBook Air Flash Storage Firmware Update 1.1 is not your typical maintenance release which you can choose to skip if you don’t feel like installing it. Especially if you don’t want to lose all your photos or your music library.
The good news is that this troubling scenario is not something that users are reporting, but rather something Apple is trying to prevent.
“Apple has discovered that a small percentage of flash storage drives in these MacBook Air models have an issue that may result in data loss,” according to the Cupertino company.
“This update tests your drive and, in the majority of cases, installs new firmware to resolve the issue. If your drive cannot be updated, Apple will replace it, free of charge,” says the Mac maker.
Apple also notes that “This firmware update is recommended for MacBook Air (mid 2012) models.”
So, you know the drill. Head over to the link below and grab the goods, then carefully install the new firmware with your MacBook all charged up (or connected to a power plug), and wait diligently for the process to complete without any interference from you or your cat.
If you’re unsure about your MacBook Air version, simply choose “About This Mac” from the Apple menu in the upper left corner of your desktop, then choose “More Info…” A dialog with a picture of your Mac and its birth date will be shown.
The firmware applies to systems running OS X Lion or Mountain Lion.