Next MacBook Air to Adopt Faster, More Power Efficient SSD?

[seveej]

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I love Apple but am getting royally pissed off with this artificial locking down, especially if I can't even reuse components like a screen.
If I can't afford a bigger spec machine right now, I can't upgrade in the future. Instead, I need to buy a new one
Unless I go MacPro which, let's be honest, hasn't received a lot of Apple's attention in the recent past...

Here's something to consider. Macbooks have an insanely high resell value. Rather than complaining about computers being locked down and unable to upgrade, buy a macbook and use it for 2-3 years and then SELL it rather than upgrading. Then buy a newer generation system. You'll be getting a much faster system anyway.

Case and point. I had a 2000 dollar macbook pro from 2009 and I just sold that thing for 1300 on ebay. 3 years and a loss of only 700 dollars is almost a steal. Put in a couple hundred dollars and I'm picking up a baseline 2011 macbook pro 15.

How's that for upgrade?

I think upgrading MacBooks (of all flavors) is more and more a "sell the old one, pick up a new one and load your data and settings from time machine/cloud" -type of affair.

 

[jonnysods]

Goodness, they are going to make me regret the purchase of my MBP.

 

[frabber]

curious

I am curious as to what they come up with. If I could do java software development on it (not sure if SSD is a fit), I might be interested to buy. Also it will need to have a retina or IPS matte display.

 

[toddybody]

Goodness, they are going to make me regret the purchase of my MBP.

Na You can place a much better SSD in your MBP and rock the house. Cheers mate.

 

[ktappe]

It affects YOU

All of you saying that this change (if true) doesn't affect you are ignoring the idea that the moment your Mac refuses to boot, it does affect you. Your data can be rescued off of a removable drive (regardless of the form factor) if the motherboard or some other component fails. It can't if the storage is soldered on. Imagine a scenario where the Mac gets immersed or is hit by a surge. You want your data back. Even if you don't ever intend to open your Mac and take out the drive, the technicians you take your Mac to do. But their hands are tied if the drive is not removable. "Too bad, you should have had a current backup" is literally all they'll be able to say.

EVERYONE SHOULD DEMAND REMOVABLE DRIVES IN THEIR COMPUTERS.

 

[bpaluzzi]

everyone should demand removable drives in their computers.

someone should demand decaf.

 

[gnasher729]

All of you saying that this change (if true) doesn't affect you are ignoring the idea that the moment your Mac refuses to boot, it does affect you. Your data can be rescued off of a removable drive (regardless of the form factor) if the motherboard or some other component fails. It can't if the storage is soldered on. Imagine a scenario where the Mac gets immersed or is hit by a surge. You want your data back. Even if you don't ever intend to open your Mac and take out the drive, the technicians you take your Mac to do. But their hands are tied if the drive is not removable. "Too bad, you should have had a current backup" is literally all they'll be able to say.

EVERYONE SHOULD DEMAND REMOVABLE DRIVES IN THEIR COMPUTERS.

If the technicians say "Too bad, you should have had a current backup" then yes, that's exactly that. So how does your removable drive help you if your MacBook is stolen and you have no backup? And I suspect that SSDs (semiconductor) might not be happy with a power surge that destroys the motherboard of your Mac. Not having a backup is criminal negligence.

 

[ktappe]

If the technicians say "Too bad, you should have had a current backup" then yes, that's exactly that. So how does your removable drive help you if your MacBook is stolen and you have no backup?

That is one scenario. It is not every scenario. It is a fallacy of logic to say that because a removable SSD won't help in a theft case it can never help in any case. I suggest you re-examine your argument.

I'd further my response by proposing a removable drive helps in more cases than it does not. And it helps in cases where a simple backup does not. I can remove my drive before taking my Mac in for service so that sensitive data is not available to Apple Techs, for example. A Mac without a removable drive is probably not ever going to be permitted for purchase by my employer, a bank that has very strict rules about data security. Apple will lose sales if they follow through on this plan.

 

[AppleScruff1]

Why is not being able to replace the stock drive with an aftermarket drive good for us?

It's hard to tell whether you're serious or being sarcastic.

Apple knows what's best for us, we're not cable of deciding that for ourselves, hence the more control Apple has, the better off we are as consumers. I'm sure Steve has a valid reason with our best interests at heart why the ssd will be soldered to the motherboard. We just don't know or understand what it is because he is so many levels above us it is impossible for us to comprehend. The man bears a heavy burden worrying about mankind and how to improve it.

 

[floobie]

For the intended purpose of the Macbook Air, this makes loads of sense. People don't buy Airs to have a mobile powerhouse or anything. They buy it because it's extremely thin, light, portable, durable, and has excellent battery life... all while still being very snappy and useable for all but the most demanding tasks. The more Apple can improve any of those things (while keeping the price reasonable), the better.

People complaining about an un-upgradeable laptop are people who shouldn't be considering a Macbook Air. They should be looking at a Macbook Pro. Sorta like the name suggests

 

[flynz4]

All of you saying that this change (if true) doesn't affect you are ignoring the idea that the moment your Mac refuses to boot, it does affect you. Your data can be rescued off of a removable drive (regardless of the form factor) if the motherboard or some other component fails. It can't if the storage is soldered on. Imagine a scenario where the Mac gets immersed or is hit by a surge. You want your data back. Even if you don't ever intend to open your Mac and take out the drive, the technicians you take your Mac to do. But their hands are tied if the drive is not removable. "Too bad, you should have had a current backup" is literally all they'll be able to say.

EVERYONE SHOULD DEMAND REMOVABLE DRIVES IN THEIR COMPUTERS.

If you are dependent upon the data on your laptop, desktop, or all of them together... then I recommend that you rethink your backup strategy.

/Jim

 

[bocomoj]

My point is, that in 3 years time, when the soldered SSD starts screwing up and your resell value drops like a stone, I'd rather pick up a new SSD (by which time prices will have dropped considerably) than having to get a whole new laptop.

Personally, I'd resell while still under AppleCare, so that the machine is in perfectly functional condition and fetches the best resale price.

 

[Portaluk]

I don't know anyone that's upgraded anything on their MBs (Pro, Air or otherwise) after their initial purchase.

I have upgraded both the ram and hard disk on my pro from third party sellers.
Apple charges a ridiculous premium to upgrade components on their MBs.

 

[bocomoj]

I don't know anyone that's upgraded anything on their MBs (Pro, Air or otherwise) after their initial purchase.

I can't say the same, particularly with respect to storage. I replaced dead HDDs in my TiBook at least three times (that I can remember) over seven years of "daily driving." But those were mechanical drives with spinning plates and moving heads. Seems to me an SSD drive should last about forever with no moving parts. After all, the copper wiring in my 200 year old house still conducts electricity.

 

[bocomoj]

Just looking at the changing landscape at Apple. Sooner or later there is bound to be major backlash. It also shows how many in the public at large are ignorant and/or unaware of what is going on.

Note: When I say "no one" below, I mean "not nearly enough people to force Apple or any other company to change its methods."

There will be no backlash, major or otherwise.

I created the first web site to ever criticize Apple for engineered obsolescence when the first iMac was released in 1998. No one cared more than a decade ago, and no one cares now. We entered the age of disposable electronics long ago (in technological-years, which are not the same as people-years or even dog-years). No one cares that hardware isn't upgradable. No one cares about waste. No one cares that all these issues could be avoided by simple adoption of a well-reasoned, standards-based approach to hardware development. No. One. Cares. There is nothing to be done but accept it and move on.

Repeat after me: I will buy a new MBA upon release. I will purchase two additional years of AppleCare. I will sell it when AppleCare approaches expiration and buy a new machine.

This is the twenty-first century. Welcome aboard.

 

[calvol]

SSD failure rates are anywhere from 0.5% to 3%, depending on the manufacturer. Removing Intel SSDs from the equation, it looks like the typical industry SSD failure is about 2.4%, so for every 1000 Airs sold, about 24 will fail. I would definitely get AppleCare if indeed the SSDs are soldered in. Maybe this is Apple's strategy to grow revenue from AC repair services.

SSD failure rates:
- Intel 0.59%
- Corsair 2.17%
- Crucial 2.25%
- Kingston 2.39%
- OCZ 2.93%

 

[SilianRail]

SSD failure rates are anywhere from 0.5% to 3%, depending on the manufacturer. Removing Intel SSDs from the equation, it looks like the typical industry SSD failure is about 2.4%, so for every 1000 Airs sold, about 24 will fail. I would definitely get AppleCare if indeed the SSDs are soldered in. Maybe this is Apple's strategy to grow revenue from AC repair services.

SSD failure rates:
- Intel 0.59%
- Corsair 2.17%
- Crucial 2.25%
- Kingston 2.39%
- OCZ 2.93%

Paying $249 to insure something that has a 2.4% chance of failing means the product needs to be worth $10,375 for you to break even.

 

[FasterQuieter]

Let's hope a smaller more power efficient SSD means room and power for backlit keys again. Once you have had them it really is very sad to have to give them up.

 

[melvora]

Here's something to consider. Macbooks have an insanely high resell value. Rather than complaining about computers being locked down and unable to upgrade, buy a macbook and use it for 2-3 years and then SELL it rather than upgrading. Then buy a newer generation system. You'll be getting a much faster system anyway.

Case and point. I had a 2000 dollar macbook pro from 2009 and I just sold that thing for 1300 on ebay. 3 years and a loss of only 700 dollars is almost a steal. Put in a couple hundred dollars and I'm picking up a baseline 2011 macbook pro 15.

How's that for upgrade?

One of the cardinal rules of selling a used laptop/computer is that you always remove your hdd from it because unless you are willing to spend money to have it professionally wiped, anyone determine enough can get to your data. So the easiest thing would be to remove the drive and either sell it without one or buy a new one for it. But with the storage device now soldered on, I would be a lot more reluctant about selling such a laptop because of the security issues involved. How's that for not being naive?

 

[wallysb01]

Paying $249 to insure something that has a 2.4% chance of failing means the product needs to be worth $10,375 for you to break even.

Well, then you have to weigh the real cost. While you might not add up to $10K, there are a number of things that could push the real cost of failure to you above the replacement cost of the computer. This is why (wise) people generally pay a decent percentage of their total computing costs in making sure they have a number of backups.

Now, with the soldered on SSD its not exactly that problem, because you still need back ups. However, many users do have a fair amount of time invested into making their computer theirs, and you've limited the lifespan of the computer, which like it or not, also has value. Sure, many users will dump them before Applecare expires, but many also don't want to go through the hassle of that every <3 years.

You have to think about the marginal cost here. While to some, that marginal $1000 for new computer after selling the old one is worth it, others would much rather spend $100-200 dollars upgrading a few features and keeping it another 2 years. Just depends on how you value various aspects of computers. In the Air Apple has apparently chosen to limit a few of the aspects. Some will not care, others will. Some of those that will, will just be pushed into buying a MBP, like it looks like I will. But Apple will still get my business.

 

[flynz4]

One of the cardinal rules of selling a used laptop/computer is that you always remove your hdd from it because unless you are willing to spend money to have it professionally wiped, anyone determine enough can get to your data. So the easiest thing would be to remove the drive and either sell it without one or buy a new one for it. But with the storage device now soldered on, I would be a lot more reluctant about selling such a laptop because of the security issues involved. How's that for not being naive?

While true for HDD's... it is not necessarily true for SSD's. HDD's require many passes to remove the residual magnetic patterns coarsely distributed over a 2D surface. SSD's store the data in discrete memory cells. When you add in drive encryption... your premise is obsolete. Just killing the encryption key leaves the device essentially uncrackable. The combination of an SSD overwrite and changing the encryption keys is bulletproof.

/Jim

 

[AidenShaw]

it's easier than that

The combination of an SSD overwrite and changing the encryption keys is bulletproof.

/Jim

Just look up '"secure erase" ssd' on your favorite search engine.

This dumps all the data in a single ATA transaction.

(It also restores original performance to drives/operating systems that don't support TRIM - it's a "TRIM entire drive")

 

[SilianRail]

Actually, $10K might be understating what the MBA needs to be worth for Applecare to be cost effective since a 1 year warranty is included and I bet the majority of hardware failures occur in the first year.

 

[flynz4]

Just look up '"secure erase" ssd' on your favorite search engine.

This dumps all the data in a single ATA transaction.

(It also restores original performance to drives/operating systems that don't support TRIM - it's a "TRIM entire drive")

I was actually going to mention "secure erase"... but then I felt that the "tin foil hat" crowd would complain that they don't trust the operation. But of course you are correct.

I suppose a combination of secure erase, changing the full drive encryption keys, and physical overwrite should be fine for anyone... except those rare few who will be abducted by aliens.

/Jim

 

[Heilage]

Just look up '"secure erase" ssd' on your favorite search engine.

This dumps all the data in a single ATA transaction.

(It also restores original performance to drives/operating systems that don't support TRIM - it's a "TRIM entire drive")

See, I've heard both about this, and I don't know which is correct, will it kill the drive or get it back to optimal performance? Do you have any technical articles that can explain this?