Anyone know have the Taobao link of the clone that gilles was talking about? I only found the AliExpress ones
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Upgrading Mac Studio storage
- Thread starter gilles_polysoft
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Not 100% sure what he saw, but theses are the two shops I have seen are definitely selling blank cards:
I have a base model M1 Max Studio just recently got replaced by an M3 Ultra, will repurpose the M1 Max into a headless server role, been pondering about getting the 8TB card from either of these shops. Their price is hilariously cheap, to the point of being suspicious, RMB3750 is only like USD$526.
Has anyone here tried filling an AliExpress SSD all the way to its advertised maximum capacity?
I remember the old “scam memory” devices that would show up as, say, 1TB, but once you passed ~200GB the speed would tank, and around 240GB it would just hit a dead end. Basically they were programmed to report a larger capacity than what was physically there.
If anyone has one of these, have you run a full write test to check? For example:
Curious to know if today’s AliExpress SSDs actually live up to their claimed sizes, or if those “fake capacity” tricks are still floating around.
I remember the old “scam memory” devices that would show up as, say, 1TB, but once you passed ~200GB the speed would tank, and around 240GB it would just hit a dead end. Basically they were programmed to report a larger capacity than what was physically there.
If anyone has one of these, have you run a full write test to check? For example:
- Blackmagic Disk Speed Test (quick, but not full-range)
- AmorphousDiskMark or AJA System Test
- Or even a low-level tool like fio / dd to write sequentially until the drive is full
Curious to know if today’s AliExpress SSDs actually live up to their claimed sizes, or if those “fake capacity” tricks are still floating around.
@Molecular1958 I did try and transfer 1.61TB of movies to this 8TB drive and it held well. The transfer took just over 4 minutes to complete.
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No longer correct. The U.S. de minimis exemption for low-value imports that you are referring to is gone, having been suspended by a presidential executive order signed on July 30, 2025, and taking effect on August 29, 2025. Everything is now subject to import duty, no matter how low the value.
Orders have since been given that US Customs is to detain every package till the proper tariffs are paid.
Are we having fun yet?
No they're not
I guess that's good news for Giles, as people are swooping in and ordering as soon as the product becomes available.
Looks like you're right, back up for order.
Everyone ready to get their orders on time?
Everyone ready to get their orders on time?
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Got my order in. Hoping I caught Batch 5 and will get my drives in early October. 🤞
Not super optimistic though. I got several automated status update emails as soon as the order went through. One said my order was "On Backorder (not paid)" and warned:
But then the payment went through, and now the order detail screen shows "Pré commandé" = "Pre Order."
Maybe it'll arrive by Christmas?
Sooner is better, but I don't mind waiting. This isn't an urgent upgrade need and I'm not comfortable going the Ali Express route.
Not super optimistic though. I got several automated status update emails as soon as the order went through. One said my order was "On Backorder (not paid)" and warned:
But then the payment went through, and now the order detail screen shows "Pré commandé" = "Pre Order."
Maybe it'll arrive by Christmas?
Sooner is better, but I don't mind waiting. This isn't an urgent upgrade need and I'm not comfortable going the Ali Express route.
Pretty confusing when the product page tells you both "delay 2 months" and "delivery 05/10".
Hello all,
I've seen aftermarket upgrades for the Mac studio's SSDs for the first two or three models, but I have yet to see anything on the M4 Max models. Has anyone seen any yet or have a recommendation since apple wants a kidney to upgrade the SSD beyond market prices? I've seen PolySoft has a listing for them on the page but no products as of yet. (Polysoft Link)
I've seen aftermarket upgrades for the Mac studio's SSDs for the first two or three models, but I have yet to see anything on the M4 Max models. Has anyone seen any yet or have a recommendation since apple wants a kidney to upgrade the SSD beyond market prices? I've seen PolySoft has a listing for them on the page but no products as of yet. (Polysoft Link)
I totally get your point — quick shipping is a huge plus, and I’ve ordered plenty from AliExpress too. But personally, I wouldn’t have gone for Polysoft if it wasn’t a trustworthy operation with over 20 years of experience, especially in repairing high-end Apple devices. That kind of track record counts for something — even if the delays are frustrating.
That said, I agree the whole process could be way smoother. Just wish we had more small, reliable EU-based options like this… minus the long wait.
That said, I agree the whole process could be way smoother. Just wish we had more small, reliable EU-based options like this… minus the long wait.
Is AliExpress or PolySoft even an option anymore with the "deMinimus" rule being deleted and all packages now subject to an $800 customs fee?
I don't think that's right. You're not going to be charged 800 dollars - the 800 is the threshold where the tariffs were waived
Duty-free no more: Parcels worth under $800 no longer qualify for a U.S. tariff exemption
Low-value imports no longer are eligible to enter the U.S. duty-free. An order signed by President Donald Trump eliminated a widely used customs exemption for international shipments worth $800 or less as of 12:01 a.m. Eastern time on Friday.
www.mprnews.org
But your point remains - how much is too much, and when does the cost exceed the benefit, especially when the cost of TB5 drives are more affordable.
You are correct; $800 is not the customs duty, it used to be the cut-off for no customs duty.I don't think that's right. You're not going to be charged 800 dollars - the 800 is the threshold where the tariffs were waived
Duty-free no more: Parcels worth under $800 no longer qualify for a U.S. tariff exemption
Low-value imports no longer are eligible to enter the U.S. duty-free. An order signed by President Donald Trump eliminated a widely used customs exemption for international shipments worth $800 or less as of 12:01 a.m. Eastern time on Friday.
So, what WOULD the customs duty be for ordering an 8TB kit directly from China?
French government published this yesterday : https://www.service-public.fr/particuliers/actualites/A18463?lang=en&xtor=EPR-141
What day is it? I'm not kidding. Currently, it's between 30% to 145%.
I'm not sure that any web site has the current information for any class of components on any given day.
That same applies to Alaska, since everything has to be shipped from overseas, Canada, and the rest of the US. At least Alaska servers as a national (US) and international shipping hub.
Good morning, everyone. I've read through the entire discussion, but some things are still unclear to me.
I have a 2022 Mac Studio M1 512GB. If I buy the base 2TB memory size, will I receive just one module? And does the package also include a kit for disassembling and reassembling the computer?
Also, how do I restore the computer afterward? I have a mid-2012 MacBook Pro Retina (the first version without a DVD drive) that has macOS Ventura 13.4.1 installed via OpenCore Legacy Patcher. Can I use it to restore the Mac Studio?
I've seen that the discussion is now shifting towards buying from AliExpress, but the prices look very similar to Polysoft's. Is there another link I'm missing?
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ok, some issues have been clarified by the polysoft pdf
I have a 2022 Mac Studio M1 512GB. If I buy the base 2TB memory size, will I receive just one module? And does the package also include a kit for disassembling and reassembling the computer?
Also, how do I restore the computer afterward? I have a mid-2012 MacBook Pro Retina (the first version without a DVD drive) that has macOS Ventura 13.4.1 installed via OpenCore Legacy Patcher. Can I use it to restore the Mac Studio?
I've seen that the discussion is now shifting towards buying from AliExpress, but the prices look very similar to Polysoft's. Is there another link I'm missing?
Edit:
ok, some issues have been clarified by the polysoft pdf
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All the 2TB configs only use one card, this is how Apple did it and therefore these 3rd party cards have to follow and copy the config.
Depending on where to buy, it may come with some tools or very minimal. But frankly, IMO:
1) if you don't already have a few necessary tools on hand, this card swap task may be too ambitious;
2) and honestly there is no special tool need, all are generic stuff
An OCLP install is supposed to be able to do the DFU restore via Apple Configurator 2 tool. Ideally the OS should match or be newer than the target ipsw, the M1 Max Studio came with Monterey I think that's the furthest back.
Can't comment much on pricing, as I am located in Asia and have access to Taobao. But I can say that the West regardless where you are, there is a markup that is difficult to avoid.