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

[deany]

No, it relates to a known issue with the graphic adapter eventually failing because of a manufacturing fault, and Apple agreed to repair them even if out of warranty. Most failed years ago but mine lasted 5 years. Luckily it broke just before the program ended! The repair invoice (which was voided) was £558. Makes you wonder how much a logic board replacement will cost when it's got a 1TB SSD soldered to it.

Hi
Glad it was FREE these things can be very expensive.
We have two iMacs 21.5" in the office purchaced from apple May 2015.
One of the iMac started switching itself off.
Luckily we had apple care as it needed a new Logic board. It was repaired by the apple 3rd party Certified repairer.
They collected - repaired - and returned
New logic board needed would have cost nearly £600!
Thank goodness we had apple care.
.....

But back on thread if the SSD went out of warrantee as previously stated normally a new SSD would be fine but the new rMBP would make me wonder what to do.... fight my corner and quote UK 6 year 'fit for purpose' rule.
But most countries inc. USA dont have this rule. Not good.
[doublepost=1479258375][/doublepost]If apple are soldering the SSD as well as the memory why not just solder everything to the machine inc. dongles.

 

[Rookbird]

Hey guys, I know this sucks, and it does... But Apple probably wouldn't be able to get higher speeds over 2,000 MBps speeds if you had a separate SSD module... So its speed over userbility there. We know what Apple choose.

You know we all like more speed. Maybe if they would make the upgrades cheaper it wouldn't be so bad. $200 to upgrade from 256 MB to 512 MB? Really?

 

[fallsilent]

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

LOL!!!! You hit the nail on the head. That's hilarious.

 

[1738]

The only people who care about this are the people in the MacRumors forums. I've been using Macs for 10+ years and I've never upgraded my storage on any of them. Get what you need and don't worry about it later, simple as that.

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

 

[saba01]

What order? Do you really think any of these professional complainers was going to actually order a MacBook?

No, I don't but it is fun to read, while waiting on my 15 maxed ...

 

[Soccertess]

So, everyone complaining has, in fact, previously replaced the SSD on their Apple notebooks, right? You're not just whining about the inability to do something you've never previously done, right?

It's a good point. I have once replaced a failed hard drive before on a mac laptop but I also removed the hard drive off two others and have kept the information for archiving purposes (once because my former macbook pro logic board died).

But don't SSD have an even lower failure rate? Even if they do, I hate the idea of losing both logic and hard drive if one of them goes. Anyways, Apple has a history now of reverse course after Taylor Swift and the general public say.. WTF TIM.

Captain Dongle head will reverse course, i'm sure of it.

 

[alvindarkness]

No, it relates to a known issue with the graphic adapter eventually failing because of a manufacturing fault, and Apple agreed to repair them even if out of warranty. Most failed years ago but mine lasted 5 years. Luckily it broke just before the program ended! The repair invoice (which was voided) was £558. Makes you wonder how much a logic board replacement will cost when it's got a 1TB SSD soldered to it.

The history behind that issue isnt as flattering to Apple as it might sound reading your post. Apple refused to acknowledge any issues for as long as possible, and refused to do any free after warranty service until a class action law suit was thrown into their face, after which they did some sums and changed their tune.

Although I must say its great that they extended the replacement program for a year, it was originally supposed to last until Feb this year from memory.

 

[loon3y]

And for everything else, there's a dongle.

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

after dishing out $2600 you want to have a hard drive for it? **** is damn inconvenient.

 

[Capt T]

And what do you do with all the speed when the SSD is full?

Archive the stuff on an external drive that I am not using on a regular basis, just like I do now. Just like the other 'pros' do I work with....

Everyone's workflow is different. I get that...and as others say, if it does not work for you, get something else.

But what I find most interesting is the people who are complaining about the MacBook Pro and having to use dongles and 2TB is not enough space, and the gpu sucks, not enough ram, that don't have a recent MacBook Pro but have an air they need to use dongles with, don't have the 32gb ram option, slower and smaller hard drives ...or the ones that go out and buy a Windows laptop that they can't upgrade the ram any higher than the new MBP, slower than the new MBPs, or better yet will still need a dongle to plug into a monitor.

 

[Lynxpoint]

So, everyone complaining has, in fact, previously replaced the SSD on their Apple notebooks, right? You're not just whining about the inability to do something you've never previously done, right?

I am not complaining about the inability to upgrade the SSD, but I can see why people are concerned.

In a past MBP I first replaced the HD with an SSD for the speed. I then replaced the SSD when it began to fail. It was nice to have the option to extend the life of the machine, and it was also nice to be able to replace a failing component myself.

That said, perhaps the lifespan on these built-in SSDs will exceed the expected life of the machine - by expected I mean what an end-user could get from the machine, not Apple's (much shorter) definition.

It bothers me that these products are designed for forced replacement, either due to failure or forced obsolescence. Its annoying enough when it is one of the cheaper products this tactic is applied to. On higher price point items though, it undermines my confidence to make the purchase.

 

[loon3y]

So, everyone complaining has, in fact, previously replaced the SSD on their Apple notebooks, right? You're not just whining about the inability to do something you've never previously done, right?

I've done it multiple times, My non-computer savvy friends have all done it to either expand their storage or to replace.


You got to be kidding me, just because you are unable to do so doesn't mean others aren't

 

[trifid]

The only people who care about this are the people in the MacRumors forums. I've been using Macs for 10+ years and I've never upgraded my storage on any of them. Get what you need and don't worry about it later, simple as that.

100% wrong, it's common for casual non-macrumors users to upgrade storage, in part due to growing iphoto/photo libraries.

 

[alvindarkness]

So, everyone complaining has, in fact, previously replaced the SSD on their Apple notebooks, right? You're not just whining about the inability to do something you've never previously done, right?

Yes, I replaced the drive in my 2011 MBP twice (not due to failure). Upgraded the RAM once, and will probably now do another upgrade to 16gb to keep it running longer seeing as its still working perfectly well, and nothing new out there really interests me much (referring to both pc and apple products).

But just as importantly, I was able to just pull the SSD out and boot into the same OSX installation on another computer when my 2011 suffered from radeongate (twice). Having multiple ways to access the data is indispensable for me. I know everyone has their own usage cases, and if someone doesnt care about the SSD being soldered on, then all the more power to them.

 

[jyen]

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.

Apple does business in cloud computing, y'know. You can always pay an extra $1-20/month for 50GB-2TB of iCloud storage.

 

[saba01]

I really don't understand the problem here.

If you buy a Mac it's because you want the platform. If you are more concerned about budget, then you buy a PC. If you like tinkering, you buy a PC.

If you survey the general population (not those on a forum), how many people have ever upgraded the hard drive in their laptop (or even desktop), I bet you're looking at a fraction of a percent.

If you're saying upgrade cost is a factor - these aren't regular SATA SSDs. They're PCI-e ones. Chances are, they're based on the 960 Pro line. In the UK, Apple charges £1080 for the 2TB SSD. Want to buy a 2TB PCI-e SSD yourself? £1200. http://www.novatech.co.uk/products/...nal/ssdsolidstate/pciexpress/mz-v6p2t0bw.html

And if you have £2600 to drop on a laptop, and need a bigger SSD, that's hardly going to be a deal breaker. People buying these machines aren't those living on the breadline. And as for the SD card comment - seriously? Who has used an SD card to upgrade their laptops internal storage in the last decade?

Then there's the longitivtiy of these machines. I have a 2011 iMac, which still works great. I'm currently typing on a 2014 MacBook Pro (15") and I see no reason to upgrade anytime soon - they're far from disposable. My parents, who aren't exactly power-users, have been through 3 Windows-based laptops (2 HPs and a Lenovo) in the last 3 years.

As for adapters, it's early days. Remember when we had to use a thunderbolt to firewire connector to support legacy firewire devices? Or DVI/VGA adapters to connect a VGA monitor to a MacBook Pro? We are already seeing USB-c hard drives and peripherals on the market, and when other manufacturers start using USB-c, and it gains mainstream support, that won't be a problem.

Every time there's a change, people moan. Normally, people who the change never affects (hands up anyone here who has complained and has actually bought an upgraded SSD for their current MacBook Pro?). Yes, it means less flexibility when it comes to repairs, but many of the components which fail are removed, reducing the chance of failure (any ex-geniuses here will have lost count of the number of HDD flex cables we used to replace on MBPs).

MacRumours members will moan. iFixit (who make a living selling spares) will say it's terrible. But yet, people will buy it, and reviewers will say it's great. In 3/4 years we will wonder why we ever needed a different cable in a specific port to charge our laptop.

Thanks for this (one person with brains at least)

 

[Sedulous]

Hi
Glad it was FREE these things can be very expensive.
We have two iMacs 21.5" in the office purchaced from apple May 2015.
One of the iMac started switching itself off.
Luckily we had apple care as it needed a new Logic board. It was repaired by the apple 3rd party Certified repairer.
They collected - repaired - and returned
New logic board needed would have cost nearly £600!
Thank goodness we had apple care.
.....

But back on thread if the SSD went out of warrantee as previously stated normally a new SSD would be fine but the new rMBP would make me wonder what to do.... fight my corner and quote UK 6 year 'fit for purpose' rule.
But most countries inc. USA dont have this rule. Not good.
[doublepost=1479258375][/doublepost]If apple are soldering the SSD as well as the memory why not just solder everything to the machine inc. dongles.

What is crazy is that Apple certified repairs don't even fix the logic board. That takes too much time. They throw it out and pop in a new one. So even if a $0.25 capacitor fails, the whole board is junked. It looks like the same will be true with the new logic boards except now all the RAM and SSD (along with the data that would then be unretrievable) goes in the bin with the bad board and the cost to replace will be insane. These are ridiculous compromises for a "pro" machine so that it could be "thinner!™️".

 

[cube]

What is crazy is that Apple certified repairs don't even fix the logic board. That takes too much time. They throw it out and pop in a new one. So even if a $0.25 capacitor fails, the whole board is junked. It looks like the same will be true with the new logic boards except now all the RAM and SSD (along with the data that would then be unretrievable) goes in the bin with the bad board and the cost to replace will be insane. These are ridiculous compromises for a "pro" machine so that it could be "thinner!™️".

I think they return the boards to Apple who refurbishes them, or that is what they do with the 2011's.

 

[tubeexperience]

So, everyone complaining has, in fact, previously replaced the SSD on their Apple notebooks, right? You're not just whining about the inability to do something you've never previously done, right?

YES, I have!

Just because you haven't doesn't mean that others haven't.

 

[Cisco_Kid]

Just cancelled my order

 

[tubeexperience]

The only people who care about this are the people in the MacRumors forums. I've been using Macs for 10+ years and I've never upgraded my storage on any of them. Get what you need and don't worry about it later, simple as that.

You don't get to speak for everyone else.

 

[choreo]

I would expect this from maybe an entry-level throw-away product, but in the past "pro" to me meant swappable components and upgradeable. I always purchased new Apple Pro products every 2-3 years due to architecture innovations/improvements. Now their stance seems to be, if something goes wrong with a component, we will "force" you to send it back to us under warranty, or realize you purchased a high-priced boat anchor if out of warranty. Seems to me that it would cost more to "weld" all these components in than to simply "plug" them in? So, I can only assume this is an attempt to try to "force" purchasing replacements with or without innovations moving forward.

I have several thousand dollars saved up for a new Power Mac Pro and Mac Pro if they ever get back in that business! They already lost my every-two-year Mac Pro upgrades in 2013 wth the "trash can" table ornament.

 

[lcseds]

Something tells me there will be a good supply of these in the refurb store in a few months.

 

[Rayleigh]

thinning business not going to last for ever! jhoney be reasonble man!

 

[Sedulous]

Thanks for this (one person with brains at least)

SO what? Cheers to Apple for offering CTO options that are not uniformly insanely overpriced. Nevermind that in a year the cost of some of those options from Apple will be the same price while dropping substantially in the open market. But that won't matter because MacBook Pro customers don't have that market value option. There is absolutely no reason Apple could not have retained user serviceable memory and storage. Nobody was begging for thinner PRO computers. Nobody wanted a watered-down user experience and getting nickel and dimed to death by dongles, missing cables, etc. Apple is wrong on this design. It is too focused on thin and not focused on PRO.

 

[InfiniteLooper]

"Eff-book Pro" is the correct name now.