Teardown Reveals New MacBook Pro Without Touch Bar Has Removable SSD

[Appleaker]

Because apple need to sell this notebook for $500 more.

Actually it is likely because of:
- It has the design of the MBP.
- If they had it in all colors, it wouldn't make sense for the MBP not to have those colors.
- It has a fan, which goes against the ideology behind the 12" MacBook.

I still think they should have included it in the 'MacBook' line.

 

[JTToft]

Wait. is the 15'' replaceable too?

- We don't know yet. But based on the pictures and graphics Apple showed at the event, only the 13" without Touch Bar has a replaceable SSD.

 

[thermodynamic]

- Solid State Drive module is removable

If the firmware lacks Apple's signature, forget about TRIM and other drive life-extending features.

- Bottom was more difficult to remove than previous generations, but it was not glued

But it's more difficult to remove. Despite using off-the-shelf hardware they loathe it when the customer dares to save a buck rather than giving it to Apple. Dell, HP, et al, are nowhere near this greedy and petty.

- Speaker module needs to be removed to pull SSD back

Not unlike when they had cables going over the SuperDrive so customers couldn't remove the drive to put in a second HDD bay (without voiding warranty)...

- SSD had very strong tape covering the interface port

Ditto

- Laptop automatically turns on when you open it regardless of pressing power button

Oh, that's charming. One slip of the case and there's a big-ass short circuit.

And Apple claims it has better engineers?! Well, based on underpowered PSU bricks (so they get scalding hot under load and even needing the battery to prevent current-related CPU throttling), load temps getting to 95C or higher, etc, they've not had good engineers since at least 2009.

 

[solipsism]

With a $600 Apple upgrade premium to go from 256GB to 1TB of storage, this could save a bit of scratch for DIYers.

Who offers a compatible SSD that's as fast?

It's $650 for the one OWC offers and I'm under the impression that performance is worse. Plus, we don't yet know if the electrical signaling has changed again. They haven't altered it since 2013 after two previous designs for the PCI-based SSD so I doubt they have again, but we don't know.

• https://eshop.macsales.com/shop/ssd/owc/macbook-pro-retina-display/2013-2014-2015

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- We don't know yet. But based on the pictures and graphics Apple showed at the event, only the 13" without Touch Bar has a replaceable SSD.

The 12" MacBook is the only traditional PC they've sold with the NAND soldered to the logic board. Since this 13" entry-level MBP uses the PCI connector, I think we can infer that the others will also be removable.

• https://www.ifixit.com/Teardown/Retina+MacBook+2016+Teardown/62149

 

[JTToft]

The 12" MacBook is the only traditional PC they've sold with the NAND soldered to the logic board. Since this 13" entry-level MBP uses the PCI connector, I think we can infer that the others will also be removable.

- It sure doesn't look like it on the pictures. But one can hope.

 

[jerryk]

Does it really matter that the SSD is removable?

The 2015 Macbook pros have this same type of memory. But the module is proprietary. And you cannot buy the Apple modules except for as an authorized repair shop,or from someone that pulled one from an existing system.

OWC has their variant's of the module, but they perform at less than 1/3 of the performance of the Apple modules (0.5 vs 1.5 GB/sec).

With the 2016 MBPs the SSDs are even faster, 3.0 GB/sec. So the potential gap between and OWC module and the Apple SSD is 6 times.

 

[JTToft]

Does it really matter that the SSD is removable?

- It does provide some flexibility especially in the event of a hardware malfunction. But for upgrades, there wasn't really any good options for previous models, and I doubt there will be this time around. Still, an imperfect option is better than no option at all.

 

[macs4nw]

Who offers a compatible SSD that's as fast?

It's $650 for the one OWC offers and I'm under the impression that performance is worse. Plus, we don't yet know if the electrical signaling has changed again. They haven't altered it since 2013 after two previous designs for the PCI-based SSD so I doubt they have again, but we don't know.

• https://eshop.macsales.com/shop/ssd/owc/macbook-pro-retina-display/2013-2014-2015

The OWC link you provided shows m.2 SSD storage for late 2013-2015 rMBPs, while the preliminary OWC teardown of the late 2016 entry-level MBP shows a different form factor SSD used, possibly proprietary, so until knock-offs of these are coming to market from third party sources, my original point is moot.

A small performance hit would be a trade-off for a lower price, an individual choice.

 

[JTToft]

The OWC link you provided shows m.2 SSD storage for late 2013-2015 rMBPs, while the preliminary OWC teardown of the late 2016 entry-level MBP shows a different form factor SSD used, possibly proprietary, so until knock-offs of these are coming to market from third party sources, my original point is moot.

A small performance hit would be a trade-off for a lower price, an individual choice.

- Though the OWC options for previous models are right now actually more expensive than 2016 upgrade prices from Apple. I doubt that will change when 2016 third party upgrades are introduced probably 2 or 3 years from now.

 

[tom vilsack]

Clearly all you complainers have never owned or taken apart an ibook to replace the hard drive!

 

[solipsism]

Clearly all you complainers have never owned or taken apart an ibook to replace the hard drive!

Oh yeah, with the HDD and RAM both requiring the removable of the keyboard to access the components from the top. Yeah, that was a PITA.

 

[jasonsmith_88]

And Apple claims it has better engineers?! [...] they've not had good engineers since at least 2009.

Oh please. They built Pro level machines thinner than the previous generation Air, and you think they don't have good engineers? Get off your high horse. Everyone on this forum is hating on Apple because they wanted <<insert removed port here>> or <<insert missing processor buzzword of the day>> or <<insert desired price here>>. Those things have nothing to do with engineering, it's all direction. The engineers did what they were told and produced machines that are ****ing amazing. They just aren't what the people on this forum wanted. I love what's coming out of Microsoft, but those devices still aren't anywhere near the build quality of what Apple can produce.

 

[eebrown]

After reading lots of these comments since that lame keynote: guys, make me CEO of Apple and I promise, within 1 year, everyone will be happy!

We will all have thicker (yes, you read that right) MacBooks with useful ports, magsafe and sd-card slots. They'll have powerful gpus and 64gb ram for those who need it. And hey, we'll throw in a extension cable and make the Apple logo glow again.

We'll make a new Thunderbolt display and new Mac Pros and iMacs for you to connect them with. iPhones will lose the lightning port, because who needs that when there's usb-c and we'll include 2 of those on every Mac, just in case if you ever need one next to usb-a. Most importantly, we'll keep the prices lower so people can actually buy them. Less money but more volume is I believe better than less volume with more money.

But seriously, how freaking hard can it be to just give your customers what they'll actually want. Just for once don't be so extremely cheap. It's not like you're close to bankruptcy.

You have my vote as next CEO of apple.

 

[eebrown]

Well, what do I do now. My 2012 Macbook air is my main computer. Just can not justify the new pricing. Getting a refurb is one possibility, extending my use of Mac's for a few more years. But the in your face greed of the new pricing is just not acceptable.

I also need a new phone, but if I can't stay in the Apple system an iPhone is out of the question.

Depending on your phone needs your looking around a grand for a iPhone 7, they really are getting very over priced with all their products.
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Same here. I thought about it for some time now. I bit the bullet today. Sold my 2013 MBA and purchased a Razer Blade Stealth (late 2016) with the Razer Core. Nice deal since Razer throws in a Kabuto and a Orochi Mouse for free right now.

Apple pricing is simply not affordable for me anymore. For some GPU power you need to shell out at least 2.5k€ here

On the phone side I will stick with my iP6 till next year. Then see what Google's second gen phone will look like.

I now am on a 2-3 cycle with my phone because of pricing and the minimal upgrade of the 7, earlier this year I bought a HP laptop, maybe next year I start my move away from the apple ecosystem.

 

[fourthtunz]

Who offers a compatible SSD that's as fast?

It's $650 for the one OWC offers and I'm under the impression that performance is worse. Plus, we don't yet know if the electrical signaling has changed again. They haven't altered it since 2013 after two previous designs for the PCI-based SSD so I doubt they have again, but we don't know.

• https://eshop.macsales.com/shop/ssd/owc/macbook-pro-retina-display/2013-2014-2015

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The 12" MacBook is the only traditional PC they've sold with the NAND soldered to the logic board. Since this 13" entry-level MBP uses the PCI connector, I think we can infer that the others will also be removable.

• https://www.ifixit.com/Teardown/Retina+MacBook+2016+Teardown/62149

I just replaced the boot drive in my 2012 15" MBP with a 960 GB SAndisk ultra 2 SSD drive and it was only $208
although in the last week it went up to $287..anyhow I love Apple but their prices verge on gouging.
If they make a mac thats not user upgradeable and at the same time offer ram or SSD's at triple prices
I don't think thats reasonable.
Apple is reaping what its sowed with the last 4 years of misguidance and if you ask me the trend continues.
No they're not doomed but as far as the mac line goes, Tim doesn't have a clue.

 

[pcmacgamer]

Big deal! Ifixit still rates all these new laptops terribly. Impossible to upgrade anything in these just so Apple can make more money and force people to pay large fees/upgrade.

 

[Tech198]

It's only because they sniffed all the glue before deciding on prices.

lol.. so that's how employees celebrate..

"- Laptop automatically turns on when you open it regardless of pressing power button"

Seriously ? so what's the "power" button for then?

 

[Internet Enzyme]

The MacBook has basically become a 15" iPhone with keyboard. You have no choice but to use Touch ID for security if the laptop is always on.

You can still turn the computer off.

 

[RamGuy]

Who is this "sorce" you're talking about ?

I'm referring to the site / source that Macrumours is using for their article? If you go to the link;
http://blog.macsales.com/38440-ssd-in-late-2016-entry-level-macbook-pro-removable

You can read the following statement;

• Memory – This machine uses DDR3 vs DDR4 in the machines with Touch Bar.

- You can count on Apple's specifications on that. I don't see anywhere they mention a soldered SSD.

That's funny, it clearly states on-board aka soldered when I go to Apple.com?

 

[SuprUsrStan]

I'm referring to the site / source that Macrumours is using for their article? If you go to the link;
http://blog.macsales.com/38440-ssd-in-late-2016-entry-level-macbook-pro-removable

You can read the following statement;

• Memory – This machine uses DDR3 vs DDR4 in the machines with Touch Bar.

That's funny, it clearly states on-board aka soldered when I go to Apple.com?

Nah, "On Board" just means on the computer in apple's terminology.

When you look at the non Touch ID 13" rMBP and the base $2000 (2015) rMBP 15", they both claim "On Board" as well

http://www.apple.com/macbook-pro/specs-2015/

 

[pjarvi]

The OWC link you provided shows m.2 SSD storage for late 2013-2015 rMBPs, while the preliminary OWC teardown of the late 2016 entry-level MBP shows a different form factor SSD used, possibly proprietary, so until knock-offs of these are coming to market from third party sources, my original point is moot....

The M.2 standard encompasses 4 widths and 8 lengths, we will need measurements of what is in the new laptops to know if what Apple put it really is properietary. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M.2#Form_factors_and_keying

 

[GeneralChang]

Oh thank heavens! It was probably too much to hope for replaceable RAM, but I'll take a large, super fast SSD with macOS's RAM switching. That makes limited RAM stretch quite a long ways.

 

[Unzyme]

I have a MacBook Pro 17" (late 2011), and if the Geekbench benchmark points are to be believed, my 5-year-old laptop is still very much a viable option to last year's model (MPB 2015), and quite possibly even the new MBP 2016.
http://browser.primatelabs.com/mac-benchmarks

I have replaced the original hard drive with an SSD drive of 1TB, and also switched the DVD drive to a 1TB hard drive, so I have 2 terabytes of hard disk space. The price of a 2TB IDE SSD is +1200 € on top of the base price of the new MBP. 16 Gigs of RAM also seems quite unbelievable, considering that's the maximum on my 2011 MBP. The speedy SSD on the new model might make up for the low RAM capacity, though.

I play quite a lot of games on my MBP, so a dedicated GPU is a must. Choosing the best GPU, 16 gigs of RAM and 2TB of storage, the 15" MacBook Pro 2016 costs 5099 euros. My current laptop cost about 3000 euros 5 years ago. And in some ways, it's still better than the latest model (more ports, bigger screen, interchangeable parts).

In five years, Apple has failed to design a computer that I would actually want to buy.

The trouble is, I love MacOS, and that's really the only reason I haven't switched back to a PC.

I haven't had any trouble carrying my 17" around. I don't need a lighter laptop. Just the same size with more processing power, upgradability and a retina display. That's not too much asked, now is it?

 

[KAZphoto]

I can't upvote your comment any more than +1. Yes Yes Yes to the max.

I can only image the direction Apple would be under most mac rumors forum members here, especially considering size and weight. What rad uses would everyone have come up with keeping computers thick and heavy? Battery power and a million ports? I wouldn't be surprised here if people still want a VGA port built in.

What were the complainers expecting with the release? A fatter MacBook with 20 ports and interchangeable batteries? What you are looking for is a Windows PC...

 

[alex0002]

If the firmware lacks Apple's signature, forget about TRIM and other drive life-extending features.

I'd expect trimforce would still be an option for third party SSD vendors.

That assumes someone decides to makes an SSD that fits those machines.