Mac Studio Teardown Indicates That SSD Storage May Be Upgradeable

[MacRumors]

The Mac Studio's SSD storage is not soldered in place and could be upgradeable, according to a teardown performed by YouTube channel Max Tech.

Image via Max Tech​

In a detailed teardown video of the new Mac Studio, Max Tech revealed that the Mac Studio's SSD storage is located in two slots, and is relatively easy to remove or replace since it is not soldered down. The individual SSDs can be swapped between the two slots and appear to be modular.

On its website, Apple claims that the Mac Studio's SSD storage is "not user accessible" and encourages users to configure the device with enough storage at the point of purchase. This is likely because the internals of the Mac Studio remain difficult to access from the outside. The rubber ring on the base of the machine has to be removed to reveal four screws that provide a way to open the device, but once inside, the SSD storage is fairly easy to access and remove.

Max Tech suggested that Apple could offer SSD storage upgrades at a later date, similar to how it introduced a kit to upgrade the Mac Pro's storage in mid-2020, but the easy access could be intended for use in repairs only, enabling repair technicians to remove and replace SSDs more conveniently.

The SSD storage in Apple's other custom silicon-based Macs, such as the MacBook Pro, MacBook Air, and Mac mini, is soldered in place and cannot be easily upgraded, but some skilled technicians have attempted to do so.

Article Link: Mac Studio Teardown Indicates That SSD Storage May Be Upgradeable

 

[HappyDude20]

I find it funny when I first read this that I considered it to be Good News,

But really
It’s just the way it should have always been.

 

[alexe]

Great news.

But in general, I don't quite understand the fuss around user-upgradability. Why do storage and memory need to be upgradable? Just buy as much as you need over the machine's lifetime right away. Think you will need 32 GB memory in the future instead of 16 GB? Then just get 32 GB memory now. Think you will eventually need 4 TB storage instead of 2 TB? Then just get 4 TB now.

A machine that is good enough at the time when you buy it will also be good enough five years later.

Eventually after some years, the CPU becomes the bottle neck, and since that is not really replaceable anyway, whenever that point comes, you will need an entirely new machine anyway, not just a memory or storage upgrade.

 

[multipasser]

But didnt he say the pins were different from a normal SSD card? OWC will make an upgrade.
Wonder is the price difference will be huge.

 

[Bug-Creator]

Lets just say it is replaceable (when it breaks), doubtfull you we will see a meaningfull way to upgrade.

 

[ct2k7]

But didnt he say the pins were different from a normal SSD card? OWC will make an upgrade.
Wonder is the price difference will be huge.

I guess it might be similar to the Mac Pro, in which only Apple provides primary system storage upgrades

 

[azentropy]

Unfortunately it looks like Apple used proprietary modules. So while there may be upgrades in the future like the Mac Pro listed in the article, they will probably only come from Apple and still be pretty pricey.

 

[HappyDude20]

Unfortunately it looks like Apple used proprietary modules. So while there may be upgrades in the future like the Mac Pro listed in the article, they will probably only come from Apple and still be pretty pricey.

Not great news.

 

[4087258]

A desktop machine build for studio work must not have a soldered SSD; it will degrade much faster at such intense use.

 

[alpi123]

Great news.

But in general, I don't quite understand the fuss around user-upgradability. Why do storage and memory need to be upgradable? Just buy as much as you need right away. Think you will need 32 GB memory in the future instead of 16 GB? Then just get 32 GB memory now. Think you will eventually need 4 TB storage instead of 2 TB. Then just get 4 TB now.

The thing is, people usually don't know how much storage they would need, especially considering the Mac Studio will last them 3-4 years and more. There's a 95% chance you'll find yourself needing more space in the future, and although cloud and external drives exist, nothing beats the ease of use and speed of internal storage.

 

[LeeW]

Unfortunately it looks like Apple used proprietary modules.

Of course, they did, Apple wouldn't have it any other way these days. Upgradeability with the price only Apple can do it.

 

[djcerla]

More for replacing than for upgrading.

 

[alexe]

The thing is, people usually don't know how much storage they would need, especially considering the Mac Studio will last them 3-4 years and more. There's a 95% chance you'll find yourself needing more space in the future, and although cloud and external drives exist, nothing beats the ease of use and speed of internal storage.

But we've all been using computers before and have experienced how our storage needs grow over time. Can people seriously not anticipate their needs a mere 3-4 years into the future? Is there really THAT much uncertainty?

I can tell you right now that I will need more than 4 TB of storage over the lifetime of my new MacBook Pro M1 Max, so it was clear I had to go for 8 TB.

 

[ct2k7]

But we've all been using computers before and have experienced how our storage needs grow over time. Can people seriously not anticipate their needs a mere 3-4 into the future? Is there really THAT much uncertainty?

I can tell you right away that I will need more than 4 TB of storage over the lifetime of my MacBook Pro, so it was clear I had to go for 8 TB.

I think it might be different for studios and pros, who tend to use external storage.

 

[fastboyakina]

That looks like a 2230 SSD

 

[opeter]

I can tell you right away that I will need more than 4 TB of storage over the lifetime of my MacBook Pro, so it was clear I had to go for 8 TB.

Good for you, if you know how much you need in the future.

If I need more storage, I open up the computer and replace the old drive. There are also options for external drives, but I rather have the OS and applications on the internal.

 

[alexe]

I think it might be different for studios and pros, who tend to use external storage.

A bit off-topic, but nah, pros want internal storage wherever possible, because it's way, way faster. The only reason to go for external storage is to save money, which is not the main concern for pros (or if it is, you're an aspiring pro at best).

 

[ThomasJL]

On its website, Apple claims that the Mac Studio's SSD storage is "not user accessible" and encourages users to configure the device with enough storage at the point of purchase. This is likely because the internals of the Mac Studio remain difficult to access from the outside. The rubber ring on the base of the machine has to be removed to reveal four screws that provide a way to open the device, but once inside, the SSD storage is fairly easy to access and remove.

Tim Crook wants to maximize profits, and that is probably why the Mac Studio was designed intentionally so that the SSD is difficult to access. Either Cook is so out of touch, or he outright doesn't care that many Mac users are on a tight budget and would like to get a Mac for a lower price now and upgrade the SSD and RAM and a later date when they can afford it.

 

[ilikewhey]

Great news.

But in general, I don't quite understand the fuss around user-upgradability. Why do storage and memory need to be upgradable? Just buy as much as you need over the machine's lifetime right away. Think you will need 32 GB memory in the future instead of 16 GB? Then just get 32 GB memory now. Think you will eventually need 4 TB storage instead of 2 TB. Then just get 4 TB now.

A machine that is good enough at the time when you buy it will also be good enough five years later.

Eventually after some years, the CPU becomes the bottle neck, and since that is not really replaceable anyway, whenever that point comes, you will need an entirely new machine anyway, not just a memory or storage upgrade.

because storage and ram gets cheaper as time goes on, 32gb today is the same price as 16gb a year or two ago. also it gives users options to just add more ram when they realized whatever new tasks they wanted to do requires it, instead of going out there to buy a new computer. the same is even more true for storage.

cpu is not much of a bottleneck unless you are running high intensive tasks all the time, a base i3 4 core from years ago is still relevant today for mundane task, this isn't the same as previous core 2 duo or bulldozer generation.

 

[ct2k7]

A bit off-topic, but nah, pros want internal storage wherever possible, because it's way, way faster. The only reason to go for external storage is to save money, which is not the main concern for pros (or if it is, you're an aspiring pro at best).

ah ok - I stand corrected

 

[B4U]

Great news.

But in general, I don't quite understand the fuss around user-upgradability. Why do storage and memory need to be upgradable? Just buy as much as you need over the machine's lifetime right away. Think you will need 32 GB memory in the future instead of 16 GB? Then just get 32 GB memory now. Think you will eventually need 4 TB storage instead of 2 TB. Then just get 4 TB now.

A machine that is good enough at the time when you buy it will also be good enough five years later.

Eventually after some years, the CPU becomes the bottle neck, and since that is not really replaceable anyway, whenever that point comes, you will need an entirely new machine anyway, not just a memory or storage upgrade.

That would not be a problem for anyone with an unlimited amount of disposable income.
Have you noticed the price of the component keeps going down while the capacity went up?
Have you also notice the same dollar amount worth less as time progresses?

 

[alexe]

Good for you, if you know how much you need in the future.

If I need more storage, I open up the computer and replace the old drive. There are also options for external drives, but I rather have the OS and applications on the internal.

Yeah, totally makes sense, but I just wonder why that option is worth so much. Just get more storage right away. It's not like you're gonna use your machine for 20 years. You're gonna buy a new computer after 5-7 years anyway, and for that time, storage needs aren't thaaaat uncertain.

 

[alexe]

That would not be a problem for anyone with an unlimited amount of disposable income.
Have you noticed the price of the component keeps going down while the capacity went up?
Have you also notice the same dollar amount worth less as time progresses?

Yeah that's a fair point of course. But how much are prices for fast internal SSD storage really going to go down over the next 3-4 years? Yes, you are right in principle, but how big is the difference really. And yes, I could invest these 1000 dollars in stocks now instead of getting more storage, and then in 3 years when I need more storage it might already have become 2000 dollars.

I like your signature, by the way.

 

[Bokito]

[...] I don't quite understand the fuss around user-upgradability. Why do storage and memory need to be upgradable? Just buy as much as you need over the machine's lifetime right away. Think you will need 32 GB memory in the future instead of 16 GB? Then just get 32 GB memory now. Think you will eventually need 4 TB storage instead of 2 TB. Then just get 4 TB now.

3th-party SSDs and memory and just as good and sometimes even better than the ones Apple delivers for 50% of the price. Apple doesn't deliver something special though. Besides that those requirements change quicker than CPU, GPU and especially connections ports. By the time you need 128 GB RAM or 8 TB storage other vendors have it for 1/10th the price Apple is selling it now and the SSD might even be faster.

 

[kennerpl]

Great news.

But in general, I don't quite understand the fuss around user-upgradability. Why do storage and memory need to be upgradable? Just buy as much as you need over the machine's lifetime right away. Think you will need 32 GB memory in the future instead of 16 GB? Then just get 32 GB memory now. Think you will eventually need 4 TB storage instead of 2 TB? Then just get 4 TB now.

A machine that is good enough at the time when you buy it will also be good enough five years later.

Eventually after some years, the CPU becomes the bottle neck, and since that is not really replaceable anyway, whenever that point comes, you will need an entirely new machine anyway, not just a memory or storage upgrade.

Yeah, but when your computer runs out of warranty and your SSD or RAM dies, just buy a new computer, right?