Apple introduces NVMe support in OS X 10.10.3 update

It’s a subtle change, but it could be pretty neat in the long run.

Last week, Apple’s introduction of its OS X 10.10.3 update also quietly introduced support for the next generation NVM Express (NVMe) interface to SSD Flash drives. These drives can be found on the new Retina display MacBook as well as other units.

The cool cats at AnandTech offered a good description of the AHCI technology, which has resulted in the NVMe technology:

AHCI (Advanced Host Controller Interface) dates back to 2004 and was designed with hard drives in mind. While that doesn’t rule out SSDs, AHCI is more optimized for high latency rotating media than low latency non-volatile storage. As a result AHCI can’t take full advantage of SSDs and since the future is in non-volatile storage (like NAND and MRAM), the industry had to develop a software interface that abolishes the limits of AHCI.

The result is NVMe, short for Non-Volatile Memory Express.

The NVMe protocol shouldn’t be confused with PCIe, the current protocol that connects solid state drives to Apple’s notebooks.

It’s believed that NVMe will allow Apple’s hardware to capitalize on the performance of solid state drives as well as improve battery life with less time spent transferring data. Intel expects NVMe to also be coming to tablets and phones in the near future.

Stay tuned for additional details as they become available.

Via MacRumors and AnandTech