Teardown Reveals New MacBook Pro Without Touch Bar Has Removable SSD

[MacRumors]

The new entry-level 13-inch MacBook Pro without a Touch Bar has only been available for a day and just made its way into Apple retail stores, but OWC has already managed to take apart one of the machines to get a glimpse inside.

The teardown is still underway, but OWC can confirm that the new MacBook Pro has a removable SSD, meaning it is replaceable and can potentially be upgraded after purchase. Previous MacBook Pro models have also featured a removable SSD, but the MacBook SSD is soldered to the logic board, so it was unclear if the new MacBook Pro would continue to offer a removable SSD due to its thinner body.

OWC has noted a number of other observations about the new MacBook Pro:

- Solid State Drive module is removable
- Bottom was more difficult to remove than previous generations, but it was not glued
- Speaker module needs to be removed to pull SSD back
- SSD had very strong tape covering the interface port
- Laptop automatically turns on when you open it regardless of pressing power button

OWC's discoveries only apply to the 13-inch MacBook Pro without a Touch Bar. It's likely models with a Touch Bar have a similar build, but the internal hardware is different because it incorporates a new component. We'll need to wait a few more weeks to see what's inside the higher-end 13 and 15-inch MacBook Pro machines, as they won't be available until mid-November.

Article Link: Teardown Reveals New MacBook Pro Without Touch Bar Has Removable SSD

 

[blacktape242]

SHOCKING! something not glued or screwed or welded on!

 

[Max Portakabin]

SHOCKING! something not glued or screwed or welded on!

It's only because they sniffed all the glue before deciding on prices.

 

[blacktape242]

It's only because they sniffed all the glue before deciding on prices.

WAKKA WAKKA!

 

[timcook_boyfriend]

larger disk capacity to buy new macbook cheaper. better idea.

 

[Internet Enzyme]

"Laptop automatically turns on when you open it regardless of pressing power button". That's actually pretty cool. That type of stuff is what Apple was good at back in the good ole jobs era

 

[Kagio]

We can say all we want but I think we have to agree: THAT. LOOKS. GORGEOUS.

 

[SteveJobs2.0]

Now THIS changes everything!

 

[RevToTheRedline]

Umm, the SSD has always replaceable, it is on my Mid 2015 too, I wouldn't want to though its already faster than any replacement option.

 

[Junipr]

Removable SSD hidden under the speaker and strong tape?! Now that's courage and innovation my a$$

 

[blacktape242]

larger disk capacity to buy new macbook cheaper. better idea.

Im by no means trying to troll, but your sentence doesn't make sense. maybe its missing a " , " ?

 

[macs4nw]

With a $600 Apple upgrade premium to go from 256GB to 1TB of storage, this could save a bit of scratch for DIYers.

 

[scottish]

Umm, the SSD has always replaceable, it is on my Mid 2015 too, I wouldn't want to though its already faster than any replacement option.

Yes but many probably expected it not to be replaceable this time.

 

[RevToTheRedline]

Seriously, someone ask me why everyone is impressed by this? The SSD has always been removable in models that use one.

 

[Macneck]

Removable, but a master in neurosurgery is advised

 

[oldmacs]

Thank god. Shame the Ram isn't.

Another positive - is the battery possibly no longer glued in?

 

[RevToTheRedline]

Yes but many probably expected it not to be replaceable this time.

Oh, makes sense I guess.

 

[Pootmatoot]

When has the MacBook Pro not had a replaceable drive? They're rarely *user* replaceable... too much junk and glues and tapes... but technically replaceable.

 

[chriscrowlee]

From Apple's order site on the one WITH Touch Bar "Please note that the memory is built into the computer. If you think you’ll need additional memory, it’s important to upgrade at the time of purchase."

 

[SBlue1]

Wow, this could make up for the lost SD card slot in which you could have upgraded with a big SD drive.

 

[RevToTheRedline]

Thank god. Shame the Ram isn't.

Another positive - is the battery possibly no longer glued in?

I think the gluing of the battery in modern devices is a safety thing, Apple isnt the only one that does it in devices that dont have a typical user replaceable battery. There is always gonna be a slight bit of tolerance in where the battery sits, along with the ribbon cable usually associated with it, you want little stress on it all.

 

[swester]

With a $600 Apple upgrade premium to go from 256GB to 1TB of storage, this could save a bit of scratch for DIYers.

Not really - it isn't a standard SSD drive, it's one of those oddly-shaped ones. OWC currently sells the 1TB upgrade for $600, so no real cost savings. In the future, though, it could be useful.

 

[SBlue1]

Now what about the RAM?

 

[Danindub]

Interesting. Looks like 13" entry is significantly different from the one with touchbar... According to Apple website, that one has two fans...

 

[anthorumor]

Nice. Reminds me of the days when RAM, HDD and even CD Drive were replaceable.