15-Inch MacBook Pro With Touch Bar Has Non-Removable SSD

[MacRumors]

While the new entry-level 13-inch MacBook Pro with function keys has a removable SSD, the same cannot be said for the Touch Bar model.

MacRumors reader Jesse D. unscrewed the bottom lid on his new 15-inch MacBook Pro with a Touch Bar and discovered, unlike the 13-inch model sans Touch Bar, there is no cutout in the logic board for removable flash storage. Another reader said the 13-inch model with a Touch Bar also has a non-removable SSD.

Given the SSD appears to be permanently soldered to the logic board, users will be unable to upgrade the Touch Bar MacBook Pro's flash storage beyond Apple's 512GB to 2TB built-to-order options on its website at the time of purchase. In other words, the amount of flash storage you choose will be permanent for the life of the notebook.

The discovery also increases the importance of backing up data using Time Machine or a similar solution in case of logic board failure.

These are the first MacBook Pro models to ship with non-removable SSDs, following in the footsteps of the 12-inch MacBook.

The photos also show "pretty large, nearly index finger width gaps" around the battery cells, possibly to keep the MacBook Pro's overall weight lower and to encourage better airflow. The fan placement and internal layout of Touch Bar models is significantly different than the standard function key model.

Official teardowns from the likes of iFixit and OWC should confirm and provide a better look at the non-removable SSDs.

Article Link: 15-Inch MacBook Pro With Touch Bar Has Non-Removable SSD

 

[tubeexperience]

The new MacBook Pro(s) are throwaway computers.

Is your SSD full and do you want to upgrade? Tough luck: you can't upgrade with a bigger SSD.

Do you want expand the storage with expansion card? Tough luck because new MacBook Pro doesn't have SD slot either.

Did you have your data on the SSD when the logic board failed? Tough luck because you are not getting that data back.

 

[dsampley]

That is disapointing. I wish I had known that before ordering mine.

 

[PackFan]

Boo!!!

 

[yaxomoxay]

what a badly designed product. 99% aesthetics, 1% usefulness.

 

[HoosBruce]

Glad I got the non-TB version

 

[ocnitsa]

Just plug in an external SSD via dongle via USB-C.

 

[egraphixstudios]

If your SSD is full, tough luck:

You can't upgrade with a bigger SSD.

No. You use one of those dongles that you placed somewhere safely that you haven't loss yet. and plug in a usb external disk drive. unless you already have a usb c disk then plug n play.

 

[dannys1]

It also has the fastest drive in any laptop in the world, but you know - lets rile the forum members a bit more

 

[mixel]

This isn't going to go down well at all. :/

.. And rightly so.. For a change?

 

[magicschoolbus]

These things are all over the place in reviews, how they are made, geek bench scores, etc..

Can we just go back to the classic design with modern hardware and updated screens please?

 

[ocnitsa]

Maybe a third party vendor could design a big dock with eGPU, SSD, RAM upgrade, and full array of USB-A and sd slots.

 

[citysnaps]

That is disapointing. I wish I had known that before ordering mine.

No worries. Simply cancel your order if that upsets you. Will you do that?

 

[liberte1776]

HOW STUPID APPLE! PLANNED OBSOLESCENCE! I WILL WAIT UNTIL APPLE BRINGS BACK SOCKETED RAM AND REMOVABLE SSDs!

 

[AngerDanger]

I foresee USB-C powered soldering guns becoming popular…

 

[AyeGear]

And for everything else, there's a dongle.

Plug it in, attach a USB and what do we have? Moar storage

 

[69Mustang]

This thread is going to go off the rails... quickly

 

[pushingrobot]

Darn, great battery life in the recent reviews had finally warmed me to the new 15". Now... nope.

 

[tubeexperience]

It also has the fastest drive in any laptop in the world, but you know - lets rile the forum members a bit more

And what good is the "fastest drive" when it's full?

 

[DoctorKrabs]

I just happened to buy a used 2009 MacBook Pro as my first Mac this week. I already have an 8GB RAM upgrade and second storage caddy to replace the optical drive. It's funny that my 7 year old machine is being used as a new one for me thanks to its upgrades.

Imagine these 2016 MacBooks in 7 years.

 

[BootsWalking]

Might have trouble getting this through airport security - the innards look like a bomb on an x-ray.

 

[avanpelt]

I thought the SSDs in MBPs had been non-removable for a while now. I guess I misunderstood.

 

[macduke]

That's what you get for spending more!

When will the bad news end with this device?

 

[Hanzu Lao]

Well that's "awesome". And if that SSD dies few weeks after warranty expires?

 

[robotica]

Come on....