Apple Seemingly Unable to Recover Data From 2018 MacBook Pro With Touch Bar When Logic Board Fails

[ChrisMoBro]

This is so dumb. Why release models with 4TBs of storage? Such a high amount of storage will only be used by professionals and not having this safety net just so they can never use Hey Siri is a sign of how dumb Apple are. I can't wait to see how they **** up the Mac Pro.

 

[ChrisA]

IN real life I wonder how many times a Mac fails whether is no backup. It seems that threethigs would have to happen at the same time bforethere is a problem
The mac fails,

1. The mac fails,
2. the users does not have a backup method in place and in use
3. the user has data he cares about.

Don't overlook #3, most users now don't make stuff, they are media consumers so there is nothing to loose for most users. Of those who do write papers or edit video they mostly do backup their data.


Apple may have discovered that data recovery is something they don't need to do and that the VERY FEW who need it can afford to pay a 3rd party to unsolder the chips.

Actually unsoldering is not hard f you have a hot air re-work station.. It really isn't. So removing the chips is not an impossible option. After all how often do all there things above happen on the same day?

I think it is wrong to say the data can not be recovered. A skilled tech. could do it by moving the chips to another logic board.

 

[redheeler]

Apple introduces a feature on Macs which is very similar to iOS, and MacRumors forum users still manage to scream and cry.

There are plenty of us here who don't want to see the Mac turning into a high-end iPad. Macs and iOS devices are two separate platforms, and that's exactly how they should remain.

 

[erichui84]

1. When Apple adopted the NVM Express standard, many people thought it would bring the ability to easily upgrade or repair Mac laptops with industry standard NVMe SSD blades. But Apple chose to adopt the open NVMe standard just so they could use it in their proprietary soldered SSDs. Is that ethical?

2. When looking at the prices of SSD storage options for the new MacBook Pros on Apple's website, it appears that instead of charging the difference between the base storage capacity and the higher capacity, they are charging full price for the higher storage option while ignoring the existing storage. For example, when upgrading from 512 GB to 1 TB, it looks like they charge full price for the entire 1 TB rather than the price difference between the 512 GB SSD and the 1 TB SSD. Why is that?

They are running a business not a charity. If you think they are too expensive then don’t buy the product simple as that. It’s not point to complain. If something doesn’t suit your needs whether it is price or features, just don’t buy it, then if things aren’t selling then Apple would adjust their pricing just like any other companies out there.

 

[Kaibelf]

I find it hard to believe Apple would have done this just for the sake of having the T2 chip and "Hey Siri". I get that a customer's data is not Apple's responsibility, but if there is no recovery option then this is very bad.

Aside from the "back up your data" option that has been drilled into everyone for the past 30 years you mean?

 

[noraa]

Honestly, if you're not backing your data up, I don't have a lot of sympathy if your computer dies and you can't get the data off. Apple has made backing up so damn easy since Time Machine was released NINE years ago (OS X Leopard) that there really no excuse to not backing up. While it would have been nice to keep the port, I get why it was removed - providing direct access to the SSD's in that capacity would kind of defeat the purpose of the increased security of the T2 chip.

 

[AtomicGrog]

This is so dumb. Why release models with 4TBs of storage? Such a high amount of storage will only be used by professionals and not having this safety net just so they can never use Hey Siri is a sign of how dumb Apple are. I can't wait to see how they **** up the Mac Pro.

Shouldn't the same professionals also have a backup strategy for their very important data? I get that it's less than idea to have logic board and storage all in one, but this isnt so different to having a failed SSD or even HDD... something can fail and you should have a backup.

 

[pat500000]

Did Apple even think this through before they did oh yeah they did

Even if they use “logic” pro....they have no logic.
[doublepost=1532314368][/doublepost]

Apple in the Tim Cook era: Half a step forwards, three steps back.

More like broken legs.

 

[noraa]

If your logic board is dead you can remove your hard disk and access all the data.

It’s very different.

If you have a backup, it simply doesn't matter whether that data recovery port is there or not - and there is simply no excuse to not have at least a Time Machine backup if not a bootable backup.

The bigger issue is that the SSDs aren't removable - but I feel that ship has passed, at least with the current Apple.

 

[Kaibelf]

Hey Tim... here is how being clean and green works
1. Upgrade, so instead of throwing away everything you upgrade the RAM and SSD, this is NOT possible with Apple
2. Repair , so instead of throwing away everything you replace just the faulty bits , this is NOT possible with Apple

Apples "green" credentials are now
Throw it away.

Actually, you turn it in and they recycle the whole thing, and support the machine for many MANY years. I still have a 2008 iMac running on my mother's desk right now that works just fine. I don't get why people complain about this. You know what you're getting with Apple and this pattern is NOT new, and you also know that your machine doesn't magically stop working when a new processor hits the market.

 

[M2M]

People love to whine. How hard is it to make backups for ****s sake? Apple has to engineer a port specifically so that your ass can be covered when you’re too lazy to make and maintain a backup when options like time machine exist and are so easy? Come on whiners.

Removable hard disk would be what Apple should do.

 

[TheHammer]

Except that Apple has also end-of-lifed time capsule, so things are going to be quite interesting going forward...

Time machine can be used with practically any external HDD. This changes little

 

[zorinlynx]

Is it wrong that I already assumed that data would be hard to recover from modern Macs if the logic board fails, especially when using Filevault, and that if I sent my Mac in for service that I'd tell them to just put a fresh MacOS image on it because I'd rather restore my data from my back up than have them poking around in my stuff or inadvertently keep a copy of it?

Use Time Machine, people. If you use it correctly, your laptop can get thrown into a wood chipper and you'll still have all your data.

 

[Dustonfoster]

I think I’m done with Apple Computers.. frustrating because I’m a big fan of the ecosystem but so many things are just turning me away.

I understand USB C is the future, but that future isn’t here yet. A 2016 MBP will probably be obsolete before USB C is mainstream.

If TV’s & Monitors had USB C display input then that would be really cool!

I also understand other companies are soldering the RAM on the board for cost savings & space saving but the SSD is just silly.

I know these are my feelings but I’m sure others feel the same, I don’t want to carry around ****in’ dongles!! MB’s have an amazing battery life so I don’t (before I sold my MB) need to bring a bag with a charger anymore, however one is now needed to do EVERYDAY simple tasks since I need to carry around dongles.

 

[Baymowe335]

That also makes no sense. If you have backups the data can just be stolen from the backup. There is no security advantage to eliminating the port.

There is always a security advantage to limiting ways someone can access data, even if it’s encrypted. I think a port where data can be extracted is less secure than no port and no way of accessing it...lol.

It’s my responsibility to backup my data and keep it safe. If I lose my laptop, I don’t want port access.

 

[ProphetX]

If you’re not backing up important data (securely) you’re doing life wrong. If true i can see this being a great security feature.

 

[luvbug]

People love to whine. How hard is it to make backups for ****s sake? Apple has to engineer a port specifically so that your ass can be covered when you’re too lazy to make and maintain a backup when options like time machine exist and are so easy? Come on whiners.

Not to mention the port on the older T1-based logic boards represents another possible attack vector for someone trying to hack the system.

 

[weup togo]

So we have an article based on assertions and assumptions and no actual confirmation.

MR, given the site’s propensity for latching onto even the most minor things, is this article just a way to drum up traffic?

What part of "rumors" do you not understand?

 

[Tech198]

This just emphasis users should start backing up... if they haven't done already.

I was gotta put this down to one (Secure enclave) that is now used as well for TouchID on Mac's. For some reason, i really don't think usres should be trusting Apple as a "service" to migrate their data, because when it comes to sometuing taken away, (like on these latest Mac's), people get upset..

On the other hand, how many years have we all been saying "Back up"

I can see a day, Apple's removing pieces of a jigsaw, piece by piece, until the user is backed into a tight little corner.. where they will have just one choice only.

 

[pat500000]

I think I’m done with Apple Computers.. frustrating because I’m a big fan of the ecosystem but so many things are just turning me away.

I understand USB C is the future, but that future isn’t here yet. A 2016 MBP will probably be obsolete before USB C is mainstream.

If TV’s & Monitors had USB C display input then that would be really cool!

I also understand other companies are soldering the RAM on the board for cost savings & space saving but the SSD is just silly.

I know these are my feelings but I’m sure others feel the same, I don’t want to carry around ****in’ dongles!! MB’s have an amazing battery life so I don’t (before I sold my MB) need to bring a bag with a charger anymore, however one is now needed to do EVERYDAY simple tasks since I need to carry around dongles.

I hear you. Not everything from apple is bad, but computers are so bad that yeah...i’m with you.

 

[SRLMJ23]

Apple is really mucking things up with these new MacBook Pro’s! I was going to get a 15”/2.9GHz-6 Core i9/32GB RAM/1TB SSD but between the throttling issue(s) and now this data recovery issue, along with the question of if the keyboard is truly fixed (which will take a couple months at the very least to find out) I cannot drop $3,900 on a machine with this many issues.

I will wait a while and see how these machines hold up, and see if Apple releases a firmware update or something else to address the throttling/thermal issues.

I am still fine with my mint condition 2015 MacBook Pro I am using right now!

PS: Also with the issue about certain pro level software not being optimized for the current CPU’s. People are even claiming macOS is not optimized for the 6 core i7/i9, which I do not believe, but there is just too much negative crap going on surrounding these MacBook Pros to buy right now!



 

[George Dawes]

i usually email myself any important stuff that way i can pick it up anywhere on any device

oh and there's icloud of course too

the thing that worries me about backup to externals is they're all hd based too ... my lacie 6tb is wheezing like an asthmatic now...

 

[LovingTeddy]

Yeah, I didn’t say it did. Seems better if you can’t get a copy of it.

I personally would prefer it this way and just make backups like a normal person if my data were so important.

If someone can access your computer, they can access your data. Regardless if they remove one port or not.

The move just make repairs even more painful and lots of angry customers in the event of hardware failure.

But what do I care, MacBooks are the last thing i would consider when i purchase a new computer. Lots of other good PCs out there with removable storage options (like M.2 SSD or traditional SATA based SSD).

 

[VictorTango777]

It’s my responsibility to backup my data and keep it safe. If I lose my laptop, I don’t want port access.

If you’re not backing up important data (securely) you’re doing life wrong. If true i can see this being a great security feature.

You can't always assume that a full backup was taken right before the laptop failed. You can't always assume that no data has changed between the time of the last backup and the time the laptop failed. You can't always assume that you will have your backup device (local network, external drive, internet backup, etc) on you at all times.

I can already predict the next response: "Well, something is better than nothing..."

 

[RumorConsumer]

If someone can access your computer, they can access your data. Regardless if they remove one port or not.

The move just make repairs even more painful and lots of angry customers in the event of hardware failure.

But what do I care, MacBooks are the last thing i would consider when i purchase a new computer. Lots of other good PCs out there with removable storage options (like M.2 SSD or traditional SATA based SSD).

Also not true #encryption