Probably uses the internal T2 chip to do a crypto handshake and if it fails the SSD is rejected.
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Mac Studio Storage Not User-Upgradeable Due to Software Block [Updated]
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Gee, there is zero reason to call this a "block".
For all we know, the Mac expects the data to be striped like on a RAID 0 and it just needs to be configured properly. There's a million possible reasons for it not to boot.
Sure, it wouldn't be surprising if Apple blocks it, but it just drives me insane that people jump to click-bait conclusions with insufficient evidence. That's why we can't have civil debate anymore.
For all we know, the Mac expects the data to be striped like on a RAID 0 and it just needs to be configured properly. There's a million possible reasons for it not to boot.
Sure, it wouldn't be surprising if Apple blocks it, but it just drives me insane that people jump to click-bait conclusions with insufficient evidence. That's why we can't have civil debate anymore.
swingerofbirch
macrumors 68040
I did this so long ago that I could be misremembering, but I thought I just took off the shelf HDDs that I assume were FAT-32 and seated them in the MBP and booted holding command-R and was able to format them in HFS from there. Again, I could be wrong because this was so long ago. They wouldn't have been completely wiped as they would have come formatted for Windows, but there wouldn't have been any EFI partition either. I can't think how else I would have formatted them and have no memory of doing anything other than that.
But by all accounts this thing is not easy to open. So anyone that is savy enough to google the "how to" and watch and YouTube vidoes and follow directions to accomplish that task..........will know enough to unplug the devcie from a power source before tinkering with it....
Right...Apple has never allowed user upgrades to tohter devices as you menetioned. They intentially sodered things intot he logic baord so they could not be upgraded.
So why not do the same with the Mac Studio? Maybe there is an upgrade kit coming for an additional cost of course.
While I know you're mostly making a joke, but it's a fat chance they'll sell that to customers. That power supply was completely exposed in the video. No way they want users getting near that pile of dangerousness.
Max Tech was acting like he stumbled on the holy grail claiming it was upgradable without verifying first. Luke is is definitely upping his game on the content.
I get your point and can see the danger in that. But wouln't most people who could figure out how to open the Mac studio also know enough to unplug it first? I mean anyone savy enough to do their own upgrades knows the first step it to unplug it.....
Boooo. Well, he needs to try with DFU mode first. At least it bodes well for ASi Mac Pro.
He has owned and reviewed and purchased used T2 equipped MacBook Pros.
He has I think an iMac Pro with the T2 as the main editing machine.
He has a few videos on flipping and repairing older MacBooks.
Out of those he must have done cloning OS back and forth involving T1/2 and APFS.
He defo knew about the necessity of DFU and Apple Configurator concerning these socketed SSDs.
All that money for this and you can't jack it up more, pathetic!
THIS is why I still love and use my mid-2010 27" iMac. Yes, it's a slower computer, sure. But already upgraded to SSD a few years ago, maxed out RAM. Ports galore.
(Can't upgrade my aunts 24" 2013 iMac due to soldered HD, she accidentally updated the OS to Catalina and my God it is barely usable. I have to get back there to wipe it out and downgrade the OS, it was far more fast and stable compared to now....which feels like this ancient 2006 laptop PC I have running Windows 10. ?
THIS is why I still love and use my mid-2010 27" iMac. Yes, it's a slower computer, sure. But already upgraded to SSD a few years ago, maxed out RAM. Ports galore.
(Can't upgrade my aunts 24" 2013 iMac due to soldered HD, she accidentally updated the OS to Catalina and my God it is barely usable. I have to get back there to wipe it out and downgrade the OS, it was far more fast and stable compared to now....which feels like this ancient 2006 laptop PC I have running Windows 10. ?
Guess how will he get to reinstall that wiped SSD when it is put back to the original Studio. In fact he should have shown us if doing so will give blinking SOS or not.
Actually, this wouldn't work either. M1 (and T2) Macs always encrypt the internal disk, even if you aren't using FileVault. The key to unlock the disk is stored in the Secure Enclave. The disk would just have gibberish data when swapping them.
So even though the disk was wiped, its partition/volume layout is still encrypted and the other Mac wouldn't know how to read the disk. Would be interesting to see if using System Configurator/DFU restore would fix this issue.
If that's the case, what's up with MacRumor's journalism lately? Seems like they've been quick to jump onto a claim without verifying the facts first. Last week, a story was published stating that the Studio Display's power cord wasn't detachable (based on a single claim made on Twitter), and spread FUD. It was later discovered that it is in fact detachable and removed the story. Now this?
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I don’t understand the outrage. Apple informs users upfront that the storage is not upgradeable.
Yes, so glad the SSD is upgradable in the minis. Oh, wait...
This was easily one of the worst videos I've seen Luke put out. I follow his channel as I find a lot of his simple repair work videos fun to watch during lunch breaks, and he's rather charismatic, but it honestly felt like a truly half-hearted effort.
I wouldn't be surprised if Apple had a means to block upgrade options like this, but the way it was presented in the video was absolutely misleading at best and outright disingenuous at worst. But as others have said, if it boosts his viewership by adding fuel to the drama fire, he'll go about it. Especially if through his inane muddling he somehow bricked a $4000+ machine; gotta make up that loss somehow, right?
Oh wait, if it's in the return window, he could get away with a quick return saying the machine was defective. Rather scummy.
I wouldn't be surprised if Apple had a means to block upgrade options like this, but the way it was presented in the video was absolutely misleading at best and outright disingenuous at worst. But as others have said, if it boosts his viewership by adding fuel to the drama fire, he'll go about it. Especially if through his inane muddling he somehow bricked a $4000+ machine; gotta make up that loss somehow, right?
Oh wait, if it's in the return window, he could get away with a quick return saying the machine was defective. Rather scummy.
I was kinda shocked already seeing Luke Miani doesn't seem to have basic knowledge about how Apple's SSDs work since the days of T2. Now I am even more shocked seeing Macrumors jumping on this nonsense and spreading it.
I suggest taking a look at the service manual of the 2019 Mac Pro. Changing or upgrading the flash modules requires the machine to be restored using Apple Configurator. The same needs to be done with the Mac Studio.
The reason should be obvious. The flash modules are hardware encrypted and since the keys of the machines are different, one Mac cannot read the flash module of another Mac.
In addition to that, Apple Silicon Macs have the large majority of their low-level firmware stored right on their SSDs. That means if the Mac cannot read the flash module, it is bricked and can't start up, which is why you will see the SOS light.
To fix it, you simply need to run an IPSW restore through DFU mode using Apple Configurator 2. This should bring the Mac Studio with exchanged flash modules back to life with no issues.
I suggest taking a look at the service manual of the 2019 Mac Pro. Changing or upgrading the flash modules requires the machine to be restored using Apple Configurator. The same needs to be done with the Mac Studio.
The reason should be obvious. The flash modules are hardware encrypted and since the keys of the machines are different, one Mac cannot read the flash module of another Mac.
In addition to that, Apple Silicon Macs have the large majority of their low-level firmware stored right on their SSDs. That means if the Mac cannot read the flash module, it is bricked and can't start up, which is why you will see the SOS light.
To fix it, you simply need to run an IPSW restore through DFU mode using Apple Configurator 2. This should bring the Mac Studio with exchanged flash modules back to life with no issues.
Apple's crowing about caring about the environment - while pulling stunts like this - is really starting to grate. If you consider the argument of having a separate display and desktop meaning the display will last through more than one machine, there's some validity. But with the Studio Display having its own processor now, I'm starting to think it will age faster than, say, the Thunderbolt Display did. All flies in the face of not wanting to add to waste.