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Dilemma: Base model Retina MBP only 256gb SSD

OWC 480GB swap from MBA?

I have the highest-end 2011 MBA 13". I installed a 480GB SSD from OWC in order to fit all my data into the MBA. I am generally happy with it, except for the constant fan noise. All things being equal, I guess I would look at upgrading to a 2012 MBA / 2Ghz i7 / 8GB / 512GB SSD...but then I looked at the 2.3GHZ MBPR and I have one issue which is that there is no BTO or config for 512GB as the OP notes.

So...do we think the OWC SSD's from the MBA's will fit in the MBPR? One option would be for me to just swap the SSD from my MBA (though it's probably less fast than the OEM SSD Apple sells....). There is no chance I will buy the 2.6Ghz MBPR config, it's way too expensive.
 
mickliq said:
I have the highest-end 2011 MBA 13". I installed a 480GB SSD from OWC in order to fit all my data into the MBA. I am generally happy with it, except for the constant fan noise. All things being equal, I guess I would look at upgrading to a 2012 MBA / 2Ghz i7 / 8GB / 512GB SSD...but then I looked at the 2.3GHZ MBPR and I have one issue which is that there is no BTO or config for 512GB as the OP notes.

So...do we think the OWC SSD's from the MBA's will fit in the MBPR? One option would be for me to just swap the SSD from my MBA (though it's probably less fast than the OEM SSD Apple sells....). There is no chance I will buy the 2.6Ghz MBPR config, it's way too expensive.
Click to expand...

Highly unlikely that Would work.
 
mickliq said:
I have the highest-end 2011 MBA 13". I installed a 480GB SSD from OWC in order to fit all my data into the MBA. I am generally happy with it, except for the constant fan noise. All things being equal, I guess I would look at upgrading to a 2012 MBA / 2Ghz i7 / 8GB / 512GB SSD...but then I looked at the 2.3GHZ MBPR and I have one issue which is that there is no BTO or config for 512GB as the OP notes.

So...do we think the OWC SSD's from the MBA's will fit in the MBPR? One option would be for me to just swap the SSD from my MBA (though it's probably less fast than the OEM SSD Apple sells....). There is no chance I will buy the 2.6Ghz MBPR config, it's way too expensive.
Click to expand...

I chatted with OWC - here's their reply:

"Retina's SSD might be built in and non-removable"

Seems other threads are saying they are replaceable but are proprietary - so OWC may eventually have a solution, but the MBA aftermarket SSD isn't one of them :(
 
I see alot of people saying that paying $600 (an arm and 2 legs) for an extra 256/512 mb of space now is the smart option, rather than buying a currently available third party replacement drive that may or may not fit the RMBP.

I myself would love a larger drive (1TB please), but I had no problem purchasing the base model with 256mb ssd.

Why? Because that 256 can last me *long enough* for third party manufacturers to figure out apple's new configuration for the blade drives, and start manufacturing new hard drives. And as long as this takes them, that entire time ssd prices will be *going down*.

If I find in a year that I need a bigger drive, I'm sure I'll be able to buy a bigger drive from a third party that's specifically made for the RMBP, and it will be far more cost effective than shelling out now.

And until then, I'll be picking up a 1TB external that will run off USB3 to hold me through.

256GB is a bit of a bummer at this point, but it's no big deal in the long run, and it should be big enough to work with for as long as it takes for the third party industry to advance.
 
jcpb said:
No need to wait.

Picture of SSDs used in last year's MBA (left) and ASUS Zenbook Prime (right)

Picture of internal MBP with Retina

The SSD 'blade' is in the middle, below the logic board.

Replacement options won't be cheap, but at a minimum the SSD is replaceable.
Click to expand...

Even if it is replaceable, you would have to buy an entirely new ssd correct? It's not like the original apple one and additional 3rd party blades would both fit inside the laptop correct? So isn't it the case that you are paying more than it would cost to just get the upgrade in the first place from apple? Plus it doesn't seem like anyone sells 512gb or 728gb ssd. The most seems like you could get is 480gb. Is this correct? I'm also trying to figure out if I should get the higher end retina mb pro or just go with the lower one. My current MacBook is a 2009 with a hard disk. It's about half full (150gb). I do have portable hard drives that I could store extra stuff on but that is somewhat inconvenient in some cases (always having to worry about space and transferring things back to the portable hard drive). Basically it seems like the best deal, to avoid this problem, is to pay for the higher end mb pro with its 512gb ssd since no one else seems to have any ssd's that are that size (and compatible with the retina mb pro or mb air) let alone for $600.
 
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lazer155 said:
Even if it is replaceable, you would use to buy an entirely new ssd correct? It's not like the original apple one and additional 3rd party blades would both fit inside the laptop correct? So isn't it the case that you are paying more than it would cost to just get the upgrade in the first place from apple? Plus it doesn't seem like anyone sells 512gb or 728gb ssd. The most seems like you could get is 480gb. Is this correct? I'm also trying to figure out if I should get the higher end retina mb pro or just go with the lower one. My current MacBook is a 2009 with a hard disk. It's about half full (150gb). I do have portable hard drives that I could store extra stuff on but that is somewhat inconvenient in some cases (always having to worry about space and transferring things back to the portable hard drive). Basically it seems like the best deal, to avoid this problem, is to pay for the higher end mb pro with its 512gb ssd since no one else seems to have any ssd's that are that size (and compatible with the retina mb pro or mb air) let alone for $600.
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It's so hard to decide
 
lazer155 said:
Basically it seems like the best deal, to avoid this problem, is to pay for the higher end mb pro with its 512gb ssd since no one else seems to have any ssd's that are that size (and compatible with the retina mb pro or mb air) let alone for $600.
Click to expand...

After reading all the threads and debates here about the SSD option, I seem to come to the same conclusion too it's a "better" deal to pay $500(!) more to get the 768GB option since the "cheapest" third-party SSD for 500GB is already $795.

I know it's hard to decide, but while I've been "deciding" in the past few hours, I have seen the shipping date go from 1 week to 3 weeks, sigh..:(
 
MacRumoren said:
After reading all the threads and debates here about the SSD option, I seem to come to the same conclusion too it's a "better" deal to pay $500(!) more to get the 768GB option since the "cheapest" third-party SSD for 500GB is already $795.

I know it's hard to decide, but while I've been "deciding" in the past few hours, I have seen the shipping date go from 1 week to 3 weeks, sigh..:(
Click to expand...

:,(
 
MacRumoren said:
After reading all the threads and debates here about the SSD option, I seem to come to the same conclusion too it's a "better" deal to pay $500(!) more to get the 768GB option since the "cheapest" third-party SSD for 500GB is already $795.

I know it's hard to decide, but while I've been "deciding" in the past few hours, I have seen the shipping date go from 1 week to 3 weeks, sigh..:(
Click to expand...

Are you planning on fully upgrading it then to 768gb? I think that 512gb would be okay for me personally. With that much space, I won't have to move things to and from my external hard drives too often so it won't be as much of a problem.
 
MacRumoren said:
Could someone explains to me the logic of "foolish to bank on an upgrade that may not happen... may end up being nearly as expensive as buying it from the start"?

For example, even if a user-replaceable 750GB SSD drive costs more (at $1000) than the $500 that Apple asks for, I would only have to spend $750 or $1000.. more (or whatever price an after-market stick of 750GB SSD would cost) instead of spending another $2-3k next year to get a 2013 MBP that has 750GB SSD.

Not to mention if I purchased an after-market 750GB SSD for let's say $1000, I will end up with an additional 500GB stock SSD that I could for other purposes, which means the "real cost" of new 750GB SSD is actually less than the $1000 "price"? Am I making sense?
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Your math doesn't make any sense. Are you forgetting that when you spend $2-3K to buy a new Mac the next year, you still have your old Mac that you can *probably* sell for $1K?
 
Everyone here must have lots of extra cash. If 250 GB isn't enough, why spend $400 just to upgrade the SSD. It's crazy. Just wait for the next spec bump. The new MBP Retina isn't a "must have" laptop like everyone was expecting, so the wait shouldn't be too hard, and hopefully they'll iron out a lot of the wrinkles with the notebook. This is their first experiment, so they haven't nailed it yet. The technology isn't good enough (we need cheaper components) and the Retina is basically a novelty at this point... I'd wait for the next spec bump
 
currently on a desktop but i do want to mention that for those of us that have VMware, space get eat up with multiple VMs, snapshots, etc. So there -is- a need for >256GB of space.

guspasho said:
How much do you use now? What do you use it for? And what are you going to do to handle it? I planned on filling close to 256 if not more with music and videos for iTunes, and this machine was going to be my iTunes server, among other things. Are you going to keep an external around? How would that work, anyway?
Click to expand...
 
css136 said:
Everyone here must have lots of extra cash. If 250 GB isn't enough, why spend $400 just to upgrade the SSD. It's crazy. Just wait for the next spec bump. The new MBP Retina isn't a "must have" laptop like everyone was expecting, so the wait shouldn't be too hard, and hopefully they'll iron out a lot of the wrinkles with the notebook. This is their first experiment, so they haven't nailed it yet. The technology isn't good enough (we need cheaper components) and the Retina is basically a novelty at this point... I'd wait for the next spec bump
Click to expand...

Finally, the sound of reason amidst all the insanity :)
 
css136 said:
Everyone here must have lots of extra cash. If 250 GB isn't enough, why spend $400 just to upgrade the SSD. It's crazy. Just wait for the next spec bump. The new MBP Retina isn't a "must have" laptop like everyone was expecting, so the wait shouldn't be too hard, and hopefully they'll iron out a lot of the wrinkles with the notebook. This is their first experiment, so they haven't nailed it yet. The technology isn't good enough (we need cheaper components) and the Retina is basically a novelty at this point... I'd wait for the next spec bump
Click to expand...
Then keep waiting, because there is always something better in the future, amirite?
 
Most of my current HD (2008 macbook) is full with music (110GB)...Yes I love music

My solution has been to move my entire music library to google music. There is a limit but it is something ridiculous like 150 GB, and it is completely free.

I am planning on using my old macbook as a primary means of updating my ipod and managing my music via iTunes. Then primarily using google music on my new macbook pro. Already stream it all on my Galaxy Nexus and it works great.

If you have an old computer this method will alleviate many of your storage problems. Also there are programs with google music desktop integration so that you don't have to go to your browser to listen to music.

Also I would get a usb 3.0 external HD for all your movies and simply transfer the ones you no longer use every month. Or as others have mentioned you can use iCloud but the storage options are limited GB wise and overpriced.
 
I was sad at first as well, but the truth is that I can't fit my Aperture library on the Mac either way, especially now that it supports AVCHD import. My library is over 1 GB, so no way to hold it on any laptop.

On the other hand, once I have the Aperture library on an external drive, 256 GB is plenty.
 
macbook123 said:
I was sad at first as well, but the truth is that I can't fit my Aperture library on the Mac either way, especially now that it supports AVCHD import. My library is over 1 GB, so no way to hold it on any laptop.

On the other hand, once I have the Aperture library on an external drive, 256 GB is plenty.
Click to expand...

Did you mean 1 TB?
 
bought the base retina mbp and I upgraded the ram instead to 16.

as others have stated sooner or later 3rd party companies will figure out apple's design and work on getting their own to match. The more companies that make it the better for consumers cause more choices and less $$ out of our pocket, not exactly going to happen in the next 4-6 months but sooner than later it will.

in the mean time going to pick up maybe 1 or 1.5 TB external on amazon that should keep me happy in the mean time! :D
 
pHeNom said:
bought the base retina mbp and I upgraded the ram instead to 16.

as others have stated sooner or later 3rd party companies will figure out apple's design and work on getting their own to match. The more companies that make it the better for consumers cause more choices and less $$ out of our pocket, not exactly going to happen in the next 4-6 months but sooner than later it will.

in the mean time going to pick up maybe 1 or 1.5 TB external on amazon that should keep me happy in the mean time! :D
Click to expand...

When do you expect the RMBP to be in?
 
It's crazy to buy a laptop that is ALREADY too small for your storage needs. Are you planning on not needing ANY additional local storage over the next few years? Or maybe you're the type of person who buys a new laptop every year? To me, it just doesn't make sense. I have cloud storage, I have 3TB NAS at home, I have basically unlimited remote storage at university.. These are NOT the same as local storage and are actually way more inconvenient
 
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