Experience with chinese SSD upgrades for the Mac studio?

[realLucaR]

Hello everyone!

So I picked up an M4 Max Mac Studio at the Apple Store a couple days ago (14C 32C, 36GB, 512GB). That was the only model they had in stock, all the other configurations would take 7 weeks to get here, and by that time I'd be out of business probably 😂

However, the 512GB SSD is a pain in the ass. I cannot even fit my iCloud documents and photos on there. I also have a lot of local data and also some games like AC Shadows which are huge, in total I need at least 3.5TB.

Initially I wanted to buy an SSD from Polysoft, but after seeing the huge delays people are experiencing, I'm not gonna take that gamble.

I've read lots of positive experiences with the 8TB SSDs from FANGYUAN on Aliexpress, but I wanted to ask what I should look out for and whether that is a good idea. After all, we are talking about important data.


Does someone here have some advice on what to do? Should I get and SSD from Aliexpress or order from Polysoft?

Oh and I also have an offer from a local seller for an M4 Max Mac Studio with the 40-Core GPU and 64GB of RAM sealed in box for around 600$ more, would you say it is worth it to return the Mac Studio and upgrade to that one?

 

[MarkC426]

SSD is non-user upgradable….. 🫣
Unless you REALLY know what you’re doing.
Your Apple warranty will be void also.

I personally would avoid a ‘cheap Chinese’ drive, when it sounds like you run a business.

iCloud data is in iCloud, why do you need the local storage.
Backup your data to an external drive instead.

 

[realLucaR]

SSD is non-user upgradable….. 🫣
Unless you REALLY know what you’re doing.
Your Apple warranty will be void also.

I personally would avoid a ‘cheap Chinese’ drive, when it sounds like you run a business.

iCloud data is in iCloud, why do you need the local storage.
Backup your data to an external drive instead.

Well I'm a certified technician, so I would argue that I'm qualified to upgrade the SSD.

My only issue really is really to find a good part where I can be at least somewhat comfortable that it won't die on me tomorrow...

I do run a business, most of my clients work is in iCloud and the internal SSD simultaneously.

External drives are fine generally, but having everything internal is much more convenient you know

I would regularly backup all my files to an external Time Machine though!

 

[MarkC426]

I would have a browse through this thread

Upgrading Mac Studio storage

Hi, just tested yesterday an upgrade of a plain basic MacStudio M1 Max (2022) from 512GB to 4TB. and it works : take off the 512 GB NAND insert in the right order the two 2TB NANDs inside the slots restaure the MacStudio bridgeOS with another Mac and AppleConfigurator et voilà ...

forums.macrumors.com

 

[lixuelai]

Doesn't take an expert to do a SSD upgrade on a Mac Studio or Mini. Also, in the US, the warranty is not voided automatically just because you replaced a part, it has to be shown that the replacement part directly led to the failure.

Apple will obviously have more consistent quality control, so its purely a matter of if you are willing to tolerate the risk or not. That said, plenty of people have had no issues with their upgrades. Between polysoft and aliexpress I doubt there is any difference in quality.