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M1 Mac RAM and SSD Upgrades Found to Be Possible After Purchase

ajfahey said:
How many people even know what MCM, let alone what μ-BGA stands for?
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Not many know what a Multi-Chip-Module and a microBall Grid Array is. I know what they are, obviously, and worked with them for decades, including taking them off and adding them back to boards... I would in NO way attempt to make this happen. Generally even with experience, uBGAs are very much a pain in the ass to rework. Taking them off, not a problem. Getting them on and all the balls aligned and soldered correctly, much harder. Just not worth the risk, even if the machine didn't work, doesn't really seem worth the effort.

MAYBE if you had nothing to lose, already had the replacement parts, the technical ability to do it, and the equipment needed; then it might be worth a shot. The ½ dozen people who fit this description, good for them.
 
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Did it occur that the rest of us can take them to those people to have it done?

That YouTube guy I posted, TronicsFix, does it all the time and is doing on things like consoles that cost a lot less than Apple products. It can’t be that much of a problem if he’ll do it for a device worth $200.
 
I won't say that's user upgradable, but its feasible with the right equipment and skills. its just BGA solder balls. I'm not saying it is trivial, but people have been hacking/modding devices with similar component mounting for years.

The only real difference is how small the solder balls are and no doubt how difficult they are to line up - but presumably once a precision jig of some sort is reverse engineered it will be a lot easier.

But yes, this would be more newsworthy if it enabled a 32 GB RAM upgrade.
 
ahh, not good news!
TC is in a huge tissy today frantically texting every Cupertino tech slave to prevent this from the next issue of macooks-

thats it!
call these MACOOKs!

an encased laptop that cannot be open, repaired or anything!
the Macook Pro has only 1 usb c slot while the macook air has no slots at all
he dont care if ya cant charge the macook air,
they probably charged enough to acquire this model, he thinks!
 
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robotica said:
Yeah but there is a huge difference in a factory doing it with automation and doing it yourself.
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Sure, that's why I said...

I won't say that's user upgradable, but its feasible with the right equipment and skills. its just BGA solder balls. I'm not saying it is trivial, but people have been hacking/modding devices with similar component mounting for years.
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sw1tcher said:
Well, of course.

Just like how Apple could have not soldered the memory or storage on prior generations of iMacs and notebooks, but they chose not to because it's more profitable for them to sell the memory and storage upgrades. It also shortens the useful life of the machine by preventing people from doing user upgrades and repairs.

Everything Apple does revolves around their bottom line.
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But then apple shouts from the rooftops about their ' wonderful environmental policies' !
 
This is not new. You can get this done to your iPhone (and many other devices) in China. They remove the storage and replace it.
 
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MacRumors said:


Technicians in China have reportedly succeeded in upgrading the memory and storage of the M1 chip, suggesting that Apple's integrated custom silicon for the Mac may be more flexible than previously thought.

new-m1-chip.jpg

Reports of maintenance technicians being able to expand the memory and storage of M1 Macs began circulating on Chinese social media over the weekend, but now international reports have started to clarify the situation.

Technicians in Guangzhou, China have discovered that it is possible to detach the RAM from the M1 chip and its nearby SSD module and replace them with larger capacity components, which are correctly recognized by macOS, without breaking the device.

m1-chip-upgrade-ram.jpg

As proof, a large number of images showing the process of a base model M1 MacBook Air with 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage being upgraded to 16GB of RAM and 1TB of storage, and this change being correctly shown in macOS Big Sur, have been shared online.

The RAM and SSD components on Apple's M1 Macs are soldered in place, making the procedure extremely challenging, and there is reportedly a high chance of failure. This invasive unofficial upgrade also undoubtedly breaches Apple's warranty.

m1-chip-upgrade-ram-ssd.jpg

Apple has made it increasingly challenging for users to upgrade their own Macs over the years, and it was thought that the M1 Mac represented a final solidification of this move, with all of the M1 Mac's computing components being heavily physically integrated. The possibility of upgrading the memory and storage of M1 Macs, albeit in an invasive and risky procedure, therefore seems to be a significant discovery.

m1-chip-upgrade-ssd.jpg

Due to the difficulty of upgrading the RAM or SSD, almost all M1 owners will likely still have to rely on the memory and storage configuration that they chose at the point of purchase, with upgrades being confined to a minority of enthusiasts, although it has been suggested that M1 Mac memory and storage upgrades in Asia will be available through unofficial channels.

M1 Mac owners may be keen to see if the process behind these upgrades is refined over time and becomes a more viable option.

Article Link: M1 Mac RAM and SSD Upgrades Found to Be Possible After Purchase
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This is an interesting development. I had previously thought that the M1 was a System On a Chip, including the RAM. This also illustrates why we need right to repair laws.
 
Apple will never allow anybody to simply upgrade RAM or replace battery. That era is long gone. We're back to slavery mode.
 
Bah, humbug. If Apple offers an M-series processor with more RAM and SSD storage than currently available, I'll happily pay a premium for it. 32GB and 2TB would be fine for me. I know Apple is a greedy company, so I expect them to charge extra for whatever they offer. Not a biggie. One would think Apple would try to increase desktop and laptop market share but they don't seem to care as long as they're making plenty of profit. That's a shame.
 
gnasher729 said:
We haven't heard from that one in quite a while, so most likely nothing is actually wrong.
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It appeared to be related to certain Intel apps using Rosetta 2, causing high memory usage, as far as I can tell.
 
So they have at least not fused the chip to be untouchable. So it does not have proper hardware protection to be "safe'.
But I guess you can upgrade the M1 to a space shuttle, even if you only keep one of the surface mounted resistors.
 
haven't read the entire thread. What would interest me is if it could be upgraded past the 2TB max from Apple. There are some third parties that do this with Retina MacBook Pros on eBay. While I might not have the tools or the patience to attempt this, if one were available for a reasonable price, I might consider it.
 
_penguinman_ said:
The main reason for modularity, hence the inclusion for industry standard sockets (DIMM slots, M2 slots, PCIE slots, etc) is not just for upgradibility! Its for forcing PC manufacturers to compete with each other. Creating an open and fair market for pc components.

They charge exorbitant prices for upgrading their hardware, and let me tell you about a little secret: Apple uses the same memory chip like what everybody is using! Its either from Micron or Samsung. the same industry standard chips using industry standard connections.

An open and modular PC ensures that prices are kept in check. This is basic economics.

Apple charges an additional $800 for 2TB of ssd upgrade. Dont want to pay for Apple's horrendous SSD prices? just buy a Samsung 970 Evo Plus for $320. Dont want to pay for that? Just buy an Adata 8200 pro for $265.

But wait there's more:
https://twitter.com/x/status/1204902786015494144

Apple apparently uses the cheapest and slowest Memory chip they could find and then slapping a 3-4x mark-up sticker on it.
  • A 768GB RAM upgrade package for the mac pro costs a whooping $10,000!!!! It even goes to $14,000 if you want 128GBx6 modules!
  • For the same 768GB(64x12) capacity, a RAM package from Samsung would only cost you $4400!! (might even be cheaper if you buy other brands.)
  • And you know whats even funnier? The Samsung memory module has lower latency (CL19) than the crap that Apple uses (CL22).
  • The third party RAM is cheaper and better in every conceivable way.
Industry standards is a win for the customers

The problem is, Apple keeps on pretending that somehow they are "special". Special hardware that command a special price, preying on people who aren't familiar with PC technology. While in reality they use the same industry standard components as everybody else. (industry standards? WTH are those? never heard of 'em.)

The point of security is also a misplaced one, you know you can use encryption right? you can have security AND modularity at the same time. *cough industry standards cough*

I'm a long time mac fan, but you know you can still be a fan of them and be critical of their business practices at the same time right?
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A nice write up but i'm still not bothered about modularity as it doesn't apply to any other more expensive electrical device I own - so I don't think I should demand it does just because it's a computer. If you don't like it, don't buy it, simple. There are many many benefits to an all in one soldered device as well - the Mac Pro is one thing but I don't want an iMac or a MacBook to become modular again.
 
For me this news would be interesting, if these guys could upgrade the RAM to let's say 32 GB (or more) and that would than be the proof, if the actual M1 SoC/logic board/whatever can support more that 16 GB of RAM or not.
 
walnuts said:
I thought the SSD couldn't be replaced in the post-T2 Mac era due to the security lockout. So are they saying that with the switch from Intel to M1, that security feature is removed? I guess there could be made easier somehow with the M1 performing the T2's former functions.
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In all the T2 Macs besides the Mac Pro, the SSD is soldered to the board. There's just no provided facility to change it.

In the 2019 Mac Pro the SSD's are on separate boards, and can be purchases as a customer upgrade after purchase. It does require a second Mac to re-bless the system so the new SSD boards are paired to the T2 on the mainboard.

So there's nothing inherently impossible about it because of the T2 specifically, it's just not a supported change for anything but the high end pro machines.
 
opeter said:
For me this news would be interesting, if these guys could upgrade the RAM to let's say 32 GB (or more) and that would than be the proof, if the actual M1 SoC/logic board/whatever can support more that 16 GB of RAM or not.
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The required chips don't exist to do a 32 GB upgrade even if it were possible. There are LPDDR4X RAM chips that could upgrade the M1 to 24 GB though. That would be an interesting experiment.
 
jdb8167 said:
The required chips don't exist to do a 32 GB upgrade even if it were possible. There are LPDDR4X RAM chips that could upgrade the M1 to 24 GB though. That would be an interesting experiment.
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Interesting. Can you please tell me, what type of memory is used for example in the Microsoft Surface 4 laptops? Because there is at least one option for 32 GB LPDDR4X RAM... But maybe they are using different kind of "packages"...

www.microsoft.com

Buy Surface Laptop 4 (Specs, Ports, Price, 13.5" or 15") - Microsoft Store

Buy the Surface Laptop 4 from Microsoft Store. Select the ultraportable 13.5" or 15" touchscreen with Intel® Core™ i5 or i7, or AMD Ryzen™ 5 or 7 processor. Free standard shipping. Free returns.
www.microsoft.com

yG5HQs8.jpg
 
opeter said:
Interesting. Can you please tell me, what type of memory is used for example in the Microsoft Surface 4 laptops? Because there is at least one option for 32 GB LPDDR4X RAM... But maybe they are using different kind of "packages"...

www.microsoft.com

Buy Surface Laptop 4 (Specs, Ports, Price, 13.5" or 15") - Microsoft Store

Buy the Surface Laptop 4 from Microsoft Store. Select the ultraportable 13.5" or 15" touchscreen with Intel® Core™ i5 or i7, or AMD Ryzen™ 5 or 7 processor. Free standard shipping. Free returns.
www.microsoft.com

yG5HQs8.jpg
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Hmm, not sure. Maybe they are using four 8GB chips instead of two like the M1. Or maybe someone besides Samsung makes them? Good catch.

The Samsung product selector only shows up to 96 Gb (note that is Giga-bits not bytes which is 12 GBytes and when doubled becomes 24 GB).

Edit: Microsoft doesn't seem to specify the speed of the LPDDR4X either. That also might make a difference though I didn't have any luck searching.
 
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