Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
Used to, the Samsung based apple stock drives are every bit as equal and even better than sandforce based drives. They also don't slow down with FileVault enabled.

THIS.

Sandforce is a non-starter given what it does to Filevault2.
 
Rip off. Better off getting more SSD directly from Apple upon ordering.

Oh wow, you get a USB enclosure... SOLD! WHo cares.

Today, it may not be a great value proposition.... but knowing that SSD upgrades are available means you can rest assured that you can save some money now and get the 256GB version if it meets your current needs, and upgrade to a 1TB or 2TB SSD in 3 years when they are much bigger and much cheaper.
 
Today, it may not be a great value proposition.... but knowing that SSD upgrades are available means you can rest assured that you can save some money now and get the 256GB version if it meets your current needs, and upgrade to a 1TB or 2TB SSD in 3 years when they are much bigger and much cheaper.

True true!
 
yeah, not really

meh. thats like saying i'm getting a good deal because i bought overpriced ram but i still get to keep my old ram. plus the fact the 256gb custom ssd is pretty much worthless and has no resale value to anyone else.

ehh, not really. Sure, when you take the RAM out of your computer, let's say your ONE computer then sure you don't have any real place to use it, sure you could sell it but that is cumbersome.

With this item, this SSD storage can immediately be used for that same device, external storage, another device, ANYONE'S device, etc. As well, I am certain that one could sell this whole kit with your legacy 256GB SSD and the external drive holder for about 200-250$...this type of SSD over USB 3.0 is silly stupid fast. One could run entire VM's or a server or a unix VM or anything literally off this device. So, if it doesn't has any use, then it can be sold.

So, net net with very little difficulty one could easily be probably out only 250$ for this upgrade.

For me, to have that option and for it's cost to be there or lower in the future is a very nice option indeed.
 
When I am ready to upgrade my 2012 MBP non-Retina to an SSD, I'll just go on Amazon and order an off-the-shelf notebook SSD and slap it in. The prices will be coming down, and I will benefit from the economy of scale.
 
You can predict the future now, can you?

Sure, the market for $1000 laptops will always be bigger than $2000 ones. Not everyone is well off you know. The day apple sells more retina laptops than MBA is when they sell the rMBA at today's price points.
 
It is proprietary.

From Anandtech.



From Notebook Review.

The key point is "Electrically SATA." It is not as if Apple reinvented storage I/O here.

Granted the better statement may be that the bus is not proprietary, but people typically get sloppy when talking about the physical connections and the underlying transport.

And I agree with others here, at this pricing there is little to no incentive to purchasing a drive from OWC. Prices would have to be much lower in my opinion.
 
Last edited:
ehh, not really. Sure, when you take the RAM out of your computer, let's say your ONE computer then sure you don't have any real place to use it, sure you could sell it but that is cumbersome.

With this item, this SSD storage can immediately be used for that same device, external storage, another device, ANYONE'S device, etc. As well, I am certain that one could sell this whole kit with your legacy 256GB SSD and the external drive holder for about 200-250$...this type of SSD over USB 3.0 is silly stupid fast. One could run entire VM's or a server or a unix VM or anything literally off this device. So, if it doesn't has any use, then it can be sold.

So, net net with very little difficulty one could easily be probably out only 250$ for this upgrade.

For me, to have that option and for it's cost to be there or lower in the future is a very nice option indeed.

sorry but what kind of idiot would spend that much on the customized 256gb ssd that ONLY fits in a RMBP when they can get another ssd drive for the same price or even less that would actually be compatible with other computers?

sure you can go on about how fast a usb 3.0 + ssd drive is. that has absolutely nothing to do with the argument. any other decent ssd drive + external usb 3.0 enclosure will also be as fast. the difference is i can use that drive as an internal for any other machine if i ever need to.
 
[...]And I agree with others here, at this pricing there is little to no incentive to purchasing a drive from OWC. Prices would have to be much lower in my opinion.

Eh, it doesn't make sense at first if you're just ordering a rMBP or you're within the 14 day return window and decide you need more space.

OTOH, if you're outside of that window and decide you truly need more internal SSD space, it would probably cost more than $80 to sell your used rMBP and then buy a new one with more space from Apple. Getting the mother of all flash drives included with the OWC solution would be a bonus.
 
Not to mention that if I am not tech savvy myself, I will likely have to pay to have someone install it for me, thus nullifying any potential cost savings.

In short, don't bother.
 
Not to mention that if I am not tech savvy myself, I will likely have to pay to have someone install it for me, thus nullifying any potential cost savings.

In short, don't bother.

Personal preference. In truth, the ifixit guide doesn't look that bad to replace it, certainly no worse than replacing a HDD on the classic models. Probably a half an hour task at worst. The OWC kit even comes with the necessary tools.

I could see some rMBP looking over this option and thoughtfully rubbing their chins in six months or a year from now.
 
clearly

sorry but what kind of idiot would spend that much on the customized 256gb ssd that ONLY fits in a RMBP when they can get another ssd drive for the same price or even less that would actually be compatible with other computers?

sure you can go on about how fast a usb 3.0 + ssd drive is. that has absolutely nothing to do with the argument. any other decent ssd drive + external usb 3.0 enclosure will also be as fast. the difference is i can use that drive as an internal for any other machine if i ever need to.

clearly, you won't be making this upgrade. Fine with that.

Most people who buy an external portable harddrive aren't interested in repurposing that DRIVE part of that external drive or it's fungibility across systems. They are buying a drive for that one purpose. so who cares if the "drive" cant be used internally in other systems.

These SSD's do have a use, currently in other rMBP, which may/will fail at some point - and require replacement. My thinking is that apple will continue to repurpose the form factor across more portable lines going forward. So the device usability will continue.

but yes, a Ford Escort will get one to work just as well as a Ferrari 4556GT.
 
I imagine we will likely see 256GB USB 3.0 OWC enclosed SSD drives popping up for sale...

At the right price this could be a win-win for both buyer and seller.
 
True, but for more money you get to void your warranty and install it yourself, seems like more hassle and more money (literally) than the Apple 512GB SSD Option.
Bingo.

I don't know why people are saying it's all about nuts, bolts, glue and connectors... the ability to physically upgrade the rMBP was never in question when Apple closed it off.

The real change in was making it a high crime just to look inside thereby exempting Apple from every having to touch it again (for free).
 
Sure, the market for $1000 laptops will always be bigger than $2000 ones. Not everyone is well off you know. The day apple sells more retina laptops than MBA is when they sell the rMBA at today's price points.

So you are saying that price is the only determining factor when it comes to sales? The flaw in your argument is that the Air is targeting a totally different consumer than the RMBP. According to your argument, someone who would be inclined to buy a RMBP should buy an Air instead because it's cheaper. Clearly that's not the case.
 
So you are saying that price is the only determining factor when it comes to sales? The flaw in your argument is that the Air is targeting a totally different consumer than the RMBP. According to your argument, someone who would be inclined to buy a RMBP should buy an Air instead because it's cheaper. Clearly that's not the case.

He's saying there's are more people who can spend $1000 than can spend $2200+. Even if someone really wants an rMBP, if they can't afford it, there's a decent change they'll settle for something like the air. And that's the purpose of any flagship product - to attract people to the brand. Most companies know that the top-end models won't break any sales records, but they create enough buzz that they end up getting more buyers for lower-end models.
 
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.