You're on the right track doubledee. Buy a cMBP now, but in 4-5 years when it's time to upgrade you might be staring a Windows PC in the face because Apple seems to be moving towards the retina/proprietary storage model.
Who knows what'll happen in 5 years. However if you look at something like the Surface Pro it looks like it's not just Apple that's trending this way (to soldered everything).
Well, this is probably material for yet another thread, but I'll throw it in here...
*Puts on rain gear for blood-bath that will likely ensue...*
I have always said that the hard-drive *is* the computer. And I can't speak for anyone else here, but being on the road, my entire life is on my MacBook...
I realize that I am in the minority, but based on my research, it has always been my understanding that traditional HDD's leave behind a "Magnetic Footprint" that can never truly be erased. This is based on speaking with others, and reading a research paper from some Ph.D. who did actual tests on this.
That being said, whenever I have a HDD that needs to be retired, I always have it destroyed via crushing at a local machine shop.
And, because it seems like over half of the computer advice I get is wrong - and 90%+ if it comes from an Apple Store - I tend to really err on the side of being safe, even if it turns out I was wrong.
Also, like so many things in IT, unless you have a Ph.D. and helped architect the computer chip on your computer, there is an enormous amount of BLIND FAITH in how all of this stuff works?! (For years people though smoking was good for your lungs!! True story!!)
How could anyone here ever truly know what can and cannot happen to the 1's and 0's on that magnetic platter??
So for all of those who tell me, "Just format your HDD and it is safe!", I respond with, "No way!!"
My point?
THIS is why I am so FLIPPED OUT about anyone soldering my HDD to the computer!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Even with FDE, I would never turn over my HDD or laptop with the HDD in it to a computer repair tech, including Apple. NEVER!!!
If that was my only chose for warranty service, I'd take the lose and buy a new laptop.
NOW, I have read in the last few years that "Flash Technology" - which I believe applies to SSD's - is different, and that they can very easily be entirely erased, but I am still skeptical.
Unfortunately, like most things in life, the world did not consult Debbie, and seems to be on its own path... *sigh*
So, since spinning HDD's will soon be obsolete, and since soldered on SSD's may very well be inevitable, I am curious what all of you think about this topic.
And before I shut up, please respect that I am VERY SERIOUS about this topic, and it is not some kid being silly.
I have Business Plans, Business Code, Financials, and Personal Info that can never be replaced and would destroy my life if it ever fell into the wrong hands on my computer.
And while it gets backed up regularly, if someone got a hold of things like all of the code to my new website and business, I would be finished!!
So, while 99.9% of the world may see me as "paranoid", I would say that anyone in a similar situation would see me as being very pragmatic on this topic.
I *love* the idea of a solid-state storage device that is smaller, faster, and more environmentally friendly. But protecting my information - which is a good portion of my life - trumps everything...
Sincerely,
Debbie