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Why did Apple provide 128 GB SSD on the MacBook Air?

R

Retina MacBook

macrumors regular
Original poster
Jul 19, 2012
117
0
Strange.

In just 2 days, I filled up my entire SSD. Now it's telling me that my Startup disk is almost full.

Why would Apple even provide us with such small storage? I watch 1080p movies, just like everyone, listen to FLAC, just like everyone and view pictures in RAW, just like photographers do.

This just wouldn't work. And their 512 GB upgrade is expensive too. I'd rather get a Retina-Display MBP.

Why didn't Apple provide the MBA with at least 1TB of SSD? With all the lightning fast stuff and the huge storage?
 
Not everyone stores all their videos, etc. on their internal hard drives. If I didn't have a Windows partition, I could easily get by with the 128GB SSD. SSD is new technology and it is significantly faster than HDDs, which is why it is fairly costs. It is available from third parties for about $1-$1.5/GB now (depending on the manufacturer), though with Apple's proprietary connectors they are still to charge about $2/GB.
 
basesloaded190 said:
Why would anyone buy a computer with 128 GB ssd knowing that they would fill it up so shortly?
Click to expand...

yea, we debated this with my wifes new Air....that said, she only really stores music on it. no videos, pictures, etc...that all goes on an external. So we think the 128 will be fine.

On the other side, my MBP has a 500GB, and I've got about 200GB of photos alone on it; 50GB of music.

But I keep all of my movies on an external.
 
Last edited:
Retina MacBook said:
Strange.

In just 2 days, I filled up my entire SSD. Now it's telling me that my Startup disk is almost full.

Why would Apple even provide us with such small storage? I watch 1080p movies, just like everyone, listen to FLAC, just like everyone and view pictures in RAW, just like photographers do.

This just wouldn't work. And their 512 GB upgrade is expensive too. I'd rather get a Retina-Display MBP.

Why didn't Apple provide the MBA with at least 1TB of SSD? With all the lightning fast stuff and the huge storage?
Click to expand...

The proportion of computer users who watch 1080p video and listen to FLAC music is minimal.

To work with the reduced storage on the MBA I suggest using an external drive for your media files.

1tb Flash storage would be really expensive.

If you'd rather get the retina MBP, by all means get that.
 
I'm on an MBA 128 GB model, and still have 60 gigs left. That's after having all my apps, entire iTunes, Windows 8 in parallels and much more installed. Plenty of space for the everyday user.

If you need a TB of storage and you're not a professional of some sort you're doing something wrong. Clear out your music library - I know some people with 200 GB libraries - there's no way they actually like / listen to all of it.

Clean up your movies. Put them on an external drive - you don't need SSD speeds for that. Same goes for music...
 
bartonlynch said:
Same. I have 80 GB free on mine. I don't expect to use more any time soon.
Click to expand...

For the last 12 months my Apple purchasing policy has been to buy the minimum storage capacity on any device (iPhone, iPad, MacBook Air). I see where Apple is taking us with iCloud and I'm all for it.
 
Retina MacBook said:
Why didn't Apple provide the MBA with at least 1TB of SSD? With all the lightning fast stuff and the huge storage?
Click to expand...

1TB of SSD doesn't exist yet I don't think. Even if it does, expect to pay atleast $1000 for just that amount of memory.
 
May I inquire as to why you have FLACs on the MBA?

First of all the FLAC vs 256 kbps difference isn't noticeable to most people, except in maybe classical music. Unless you're using high-grade audio equipment you won't hear a difference. I have used FLAC and ALAC files on and off, and really it isn't worth it for 99% of people.

If you plan on using the integrated speakers / sound card it's a 100% waste. Even with decent Bose headphones (INB4 Bose vs. Beats flame war) plugged in I rarely hear a difference in FLACs.

Not being rude here - I'm just trying to save you some space :)
 
So you are using pro level formats on a device that isn't targeted for that and you are upset? Most don't store 1080p. Most don't even know what FLAC or lossless is. Most also have no idea what RAW is as well.

You bought the wrong computer for your needs. Do you flip out when buying an iPod shuffle knowing you have a large music collection.
 
I don't really have ears of a dog to distinguish between a FLAC or Apple Lossless song to a 256kbps MP3. :)
 
For me it was either a 2011 13" 256GB vs 2012 13" 128GB model. I have an external TB adapter with a 240GB SSD so I went with the 2012 model. I want to bootcamp as well for gaming so I will just use a larger partition for Windows. Most of my media will be on 32GB/64GB SDHC memory cards when I'm on the road for easy fast access. I think it's doable.

I don't want to stay with the SB/HD3000 if I want to game. Not that IV/HD4000 is that much better, but still.
 
Because the MacBook air isn't designed to handle lots and lots of high quality media files. Thats why they make the MacBook pro. I'm surprised you got a MacBook Air knowing you would be using those types of files often. It also has a significantly weaker processor. And why are you storing all of those files on an internal hard drive? If you really care about the SSD and don't care about spending hundreds of dollars on a large one (and it sounds like you dont) then get yourself a nice big external thunderbolt SSD.

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BigZ9 said:
1TB of SSD doesn't exist yet I don't think. Even if it does, expect to pay atleast $1000 for just that amount of memory.
Click to expand...

OWC now has 960GB SSDs available. But not for the macbook air, and they're over $1k
 
You knew the storage limitations when you bought the thing. The box clearly reads 128GB SSD.

You could have bought the MBA with a 512GB SSD. While pricey, would have given you more storage.
 
I don't know why but you need to learn to adjust, coming from iMac with 1TB I had too.
 
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