I don't think you can do it with base model and you need the Pro chip firstEXCELLENT. Really interested in seeing how this looks like along with possible paths to 8TB
I don't think you can do it with base model and you need the Pro chip firstEXCELLENT. Really interested in seeing how this looks like along with possible paths to 8TB
If it used the same as Mac Studios before they use two of those modules.More importantly the M4 Pro model can support up to 8TB. It clearly cannot be achieved by the same dual NAND setup in the teardowns so far (unless Apple goes out of their way to pay for high density NANDs). The Pro has to have a different layout.
That's my immediate thought, but looking at the teardown, the base M4 is already absolutely packed. It wouldn't surprise me the Pro will have to revert to soldering to save board surface area. But that cannot explain why the base M4 gets a special treatment.If it used the same as Mac Studios before they use two of those modules.
I also have a 2012 i7 mini. Not running at the moment, but still working (except the SD card slot). Best little machine I've ever owned. Maybe the new mini will be the next in that line? The possibility of upgrading the SSD might be a game changer for me. 16 GB RAM is a must, and that has been sorted out now. Don't care about I, anyway.I tip my hat to you. I still have my 2012 i7 Fusion drive Mini that lasted me a solid 10 years and only really started giving me issues last year. I got Apple Silicon after that but that was such a solid computer. I haven’t booted it up in awhile but this new one may make me nostalgic.
It’s still a good thing because it means Apple can repair it without replacing the entire board.It would be a good thing if you could buy upgrade modules like that, but I'm sure Apple has made them custom or "locked down" in some way.
You aren’t going to get it cheap but at least now it can be repaired.Even if you can upgrade it where are you getting an 8 TB drive in that style cheap enough to make it worthwhile?
Upgrading it is secondary to it being able to be repaired.Even if you can upgrade it where are you getting an 8 TB drive in that style cheap enough to make it worthwhile?
Until someone makes a custom one?Exactly if its not "pin compatible" than it is custom and cannot be just swapped out with any NVME...
For the Mac Studio, Apple would usually not sell larger capacity parts, just the same size parts as the original. However, some people were able to acquire larger capacity parts since they are out there. I also think there may have been an oversight in the part ordering process which for a time allowed that too. So the question going forward is how strict Apple will be in enforcing that SSD size rule.Upgrading it is secondary to it being able to be repaired.
I’m sure Apple will happily sell bigger parts as part of their self service repair program.
Like we’ve gotten for the Mac Studio you mean?I guess there will be aftermarket solutions. Back with my MBA 2013 I was able to get an adapter and get unofficial NVMe. Here I guess we’ll end up seeing entire 3P unofficial modules.
Yes, this is the most important thing.Forget upgrade, means your SSD can be swapped to a replacement device if needed I guess. Or if your SSD bites the dust a new one can be fitted.
Yes, this is the most important thing.
Lets hope this doesn’t mean the NAND are QLC and they keep using the more durable TLC NAND.
OWC was one of the first to sell upgrade/replacement NVME for apple’s unique designs in MacBook models in the past. The lack of soldered down modules makes this possible again, at least I believe. It appears will hinge on current engineering attitudes @ AppleUntil someone makes a custom one?
But Tim Cook's cheap might be different from average joe buying computers. Tim order those NAND in huge quantities to reduce cost and the NAND being found in the Macs are the exact NANDs found in iPhones. Which means there are parts sharing inside Apple's own supply chain, and this way will be much cheaper for Tim to source standard SSDs from let's say Samsung, as iPhones ships significantly more than Macs.Whatever costs Apple less is what they are doing
That's the Tim Cook way
It may not be readily "upgradeable", but as we are seeing on the Mac Studio, 3rd party / after market replacements can slowly become available. So it is at least a bit better than direct soldering on the logic board.
True, and that would definitely be cheaper.It’s still a good thing because it means Apple can repair it without replacing the entire board.
It’s still a good thing because it means Apple can repair it without replacing the entire board.
True. But this is (potentially) great news for extending the life of these units down the road when the warranties have expired anyway.Yes and no. It won't work as easy as just swap a new one in, but you can upgrade it if you can find the upgrade modules and want to take the risk to void your warranty.