Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
512gb SSD, a rip off?
- Thread starter Ptdr
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
A GOOD solid state drive like the Intel 520 480GB will run for $700 to $800. Apple's rarely been known to put in inferior components to save a few bucks.
With so many horror stories of budget SSDs failing, I would prefer to stick with a reliable drive even if it is more expensive. I do backup everyday, but I use my machine in a work environment and have already been inconvenienced by my Dell with three hard drive controller failures. For those who don't backup everyday, unlike hard drives where you can tell when they're starting to go and can do a panic backup, SSDs just die all of a sudden.
With so many horror stories of budget SSDs failing, I would prefer to stick with a reliable drive even if it is more expensive. I do backup everyday, but I use my machine in a work environment and have already been inconvenienced by my Dell with three hard drive controller failures. For those who don't backup everyday, unlike hard drives where you can tell when they're starting to go and can do a panic backup, SSDs just die all of a sudden.
I doubt selling base-level SSD drives would be any easier than selling base-level memory modules from MBPros. They do not represent an "upgrade" since everyone already has one if they purchased entry level machines. The only market would be for users who had a defective unit and wanted an exact replacement.
Reuse in external box that OWC sells.
Sell in external box.
Sell flat out.
All three represent something better than nothing.
EDIT: Also if you're replacing a 128 or a 256 with the 512 from OWC, yes people will buy 128 and 256 drives. There are 64GB MBAs and 128GB (for the 256GB resale).
They also just ticked down to this price level quite recently and it's still not across all the models.
Rip off? No.
Worth it? It depends on how much cash you have and how bad you want/need the space, I suppose. For me? No, not worth it considering the planned uses of my MBA.
Worth it? It depends on how much cash you have and how bad you want/need the space, I suppose. For me? No, not worth it considering the planned uses of my MBA.
Given that SSDs are now selling for less than $1 per GB, paying $500 for 256GB is kind of expensive. However, Apple can charge what they want and people will pay since it's the only way to get a 512GB (for now).
512GB SSDs range from $400-$800, which is a bargain considering how much they were a few years ago. But remember that the 128GB SSD price is already "included" so to speak, so you might be shelling out $700 total for the SSD.
You can't jump from 128->512 for $500. You have to go from 256->512, which is already a $300 bump for the 256, so $800 + whatever you value the 128GB to be (in your quote, $200 or $1000 total then).
It totally depends. i7 is essentially useless unless you do something that benefits from extra processing power. 512GB SSD is also useless unless you know you will be using more than 256GB, but IMO it would be a better investment in terms of "future-proofing" (the SSD is upgradeable, though).
Yes. However, right now there are no third party SSDs that are compatible with the new Air (2012 models use a new connector). At least OWC is developing one and you may be able to find replacement SSDs from eBay as well.
I ordered my new Air just a few minutes ago, and thought long and hard about the SSD size.. but finally settled for the 256. I have an iMac with 1Tb and a NAS with 3Tb where I store all my junk (movies, backups and whatnot), so my laptops are usually quite "clean". My old 2010 Air that I'm replacing has 128Gb, and while I have had to clear out some downloads now and then, I can't see myself needing more than 256. The price difference where I live is about $700 to go from 256 to 512, and I just can't justify that cost, especially since it's not my main computer.
I have a feeling I'll update to the 2013 Air when it arrives anyway, I don't think I have time to fill 512Gb until then
I have a feeling I'll update to the 2013 Air when it arrives anyway, I don't think I have time to fill 512Gb until then
SO TRUE. I spilled hot coffe on my 2010 MBP and had to kill to get enough for the most basic 13" MBA. It's crazy going to the MBP forum and seeing all maxed out rMBP being sold out everywhere.
No, no, no
It is marketing.
The price points for Apple products are really smart.
Apple are fiendishly clever at pricing their products, including refurbs.
Got give them begrudging respect for that.
Yes, it is really expensive, yes Apple will make a ton of money from it, but they also know a few things.
1. Extra storage, even a fast SSD, is still extra bulk, cables and clutter. Especially on the 11" MBA it is far better to have everything built in.
2. Many people here don't mind opening up their computers - most people won't. Don't get me wrong, OWC offering an upgrade option is great, but there is still a great deal of faffing around involved with installation.
3. Nothing works better than a complete solution built from the ground up, built to work for sure.
4. Managing things on an external disk when not always connected can be a pain, but if the extra storage is built in, there is no extra time and effort wasted.
This is what Apple is so good at - offering value to the user that costs them very little. And that's why people, even those who don't have thousands of disposable income (like me), are prepared to pay them for it.
David
1. Extra storage, even a fast SSD, is still extra bulk, cables and clutter. Especially on the 11" MBA it is far better to have everything built in.
2. Many people here don't mind opening up their computers - most people won't. Don't get me wrong, OWC offering an upgrade option is great, but there is still a great deal of faffing around involved with installation.
3. Nothing works better than a complete solution built from the ground up, built to work for sure.
4. Managing things on an external disk when not always connected can be a pain, but if the extra storage is built in, there is no extra time and effort wasted.
This is what Apple is so good at - offering value to the user that costs them very little. And that's why people, even those who don't have thousands of disposable income (like me), are prepared to pay them for it.
David