Question about PCIe expansion and logic board flash memory

[Dtanner86]

Hi there. Noob here.

My A1534 Macbook has lost the ability to load the flash memory aka: my hard drive and OS. It's no longer seeing it for some reason. I've gone to the apple store and been quoted a new logic board for ~$500. I'm considering just getting a newer/used macbook. I've noticed a few of the 2015-2017 models have the expansion PCIe slot. I'm hoping to avoid having to toss another macbook over something as simple as a hard drive.

Can I load the OS on the PCIe drive if the flash memory goes out?

 

[Cory Cooper]

Hello and welcome.

You could actually install macOS on an external drive with your current Mac if it is functioning normally outside of the storage issue.

Not sure what you mean by "I've noticed a few of the 2015-2017 models have the expansion PCIe slot."? Can you explain that a bit further?

C