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randomdude83

macrumors member
Original poster
Feb 6, 2022
31
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Surprised no one noticed it...speculation but they sure look like the same PCIX on the Mac pro and the trashcan mac pro.

Screen Shot 2022-03-09 at 12.42.16 AM.png
 
Not sure what those would be. That's the cut away front view.

Front USB-C (or TB4) will be in the lower left, below the cut off.

This is from their video of the fans. You can see both
1646808949075.png

Very shot. Those could be M.2 sockets for the Storage, instead of being soldered to the board. They'd need two for the 1 TB+ configs. Which makes a certain amount of sense considering how widely variable "Studio" configuration orders could get. Soldering the storage to the board on these probably wouldn't make supply chain sense. Compared to more predicable "consumer" options in other Macs.

Apple could also share the storage parts with a future Mac Pro.
 
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Not sure what those would be. That's the cut away front view.

Front USB-C (or TB4) will be in the lower left, below the cut off.

This is from their video of the fans. You can see both
View attachment 1970244
Very shot. Those could be M.2 sockets for the Storage, instead of being soldered to the board. They'd need two for the 1 TB+ configs. Which makes a certain amount of sense considering how widely variable "Studio" configuration orders could get. Soldering the storage to the board on these probably wouldn't make supply chain sense. Compared to more predicable "consumer" options in other Macs.

Apple could also share the storage parts with a future Mac Pro.
Soldering the storage = to meany MB's to make. When you have Soldered / cpus ram.

And with say 512 or even 1TB storage only need 1 card vs maybe 2 higher end configs
 
I’m doubtful considering the lack of any sort of shielding around the power supply. To me that looks like a nasty hazard.
 
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Surprised no one noticed it...speculation but they sure look like the same PCIX on the Mac pro and the trashcan mac pro.

View attachment 1970205

I do agree.
Those should be replaceable NAND boards.

it will definitely not be PCIe SSD like in the 2013 Mac Pro but should be boards with NAND storage like in the iMac Pro, 2019 Mac Pro (and iMac 5k 2020 which has half NAND soldered and half NAND on a daughterbord like theses).
 
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I did notice, and tweeted about it yesterday. I'm 100% sure that these are NAND modules.

Yup, those are definitely right angle, PCB mount, card edge connectors in that photo. Good find!

There's also a PCB standoff and a screw to retain the modules, also slightly visible in that photo.

Wonder how long it will be until OWC will have aftermarket SSD modules available for sale. ?
 
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If it is removable storage then it gives a lot of confidence for long terms owners configuring to M1 Ultra, since the SSD if being soldered is prone to wearing in long term.

So even if it is not readily user accessible, or that the replacement parts aren't generic, at least some 3rd party is going to find ways around this down the years. In fact with the blade-type SSDs Apple used in the retina gen, there are OEM straight out of the same supplied factories in China that you can find on Aliexpress.
 
For those who can wait, might be worth it for iFixit to tear down to see just how inaccessible the storage really is. If you have a warranty issue, you could always swap back the OEM prior to talking to Apple ?‍♂️
This! And it makes them much more desirable after the warranty/AppleCare+ coverage expiration. Plus, you always get some "pulled" SSDs a few years after release from machines that were scrapped for parts.
 
Probably yes.
Anyway if the storage isn't soldered onboard, it would be a great news.
Only if one can source the storage to upgrade.

Can anyone source upgradeable storage for the Mac Pro other than from Apple or OWC?

Also @Menno87 the speeds would probably be slower using the Mac Pro’s storage in the Studio if you could get it to work If user upgradable. Most likely An after-market TB3 caddy would be needed.
 
I could be wrong on that part - Apple don’t want you upgrade anything inside but pay up more at the time of purchase online or store for more storage.

Apple have the buying power to control the hardware.

Only you have the power to buy more storage for the TB4 (Max only backside / Ultra - both sides).
 
Fishrrman absolutely-fearless prediction:
There will be NO "user-upgradeable" storage inside the Mac Studio.
 
I will be waiting for the teardown to confirm if we can bring out own SSD upgrades or not before choosing. I would like to get the 4TB version, but that $1200 upgrade price - oof...
 
I will be waiting for the teardown to confirm if we can bring out own SSD upgrades or not before choosing. I would like to get the 4TB version, but that $1200 upgrade price - oof...
Apple already said it’s not user accessible
 
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