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Wow 512GB SSD is so expensive!

K

Kendo

macrumors 68020
Original poster
Apr 4, 2011
2,363
922
I was contemplating between the 128GB and 256GB MacBook Airs. It will most likely be used as a stopgap machine until the new Macbook Pro comes out so I wanted to minimize my loss when it comes time to flip (which will already be minimized due to the Amazon 20% discount).

My main fear was that for the next refresh, 256GB would be the mid-range standard and 512GB would be the new "ultimate." So a $1600 256GB model this year would turn into a $1300 256GB model next year causing prices to tumble further. But I checked some prices for the 512GB SSD on Newegg and they are roughly $800.

Am I right in thinking for the next refresh, Apple might keep the current SSD setup the same? Meaning 128GB for mid-range and 256GB for the high-end? After all, the iMac has kept the same HDD setup for the unibody models since it first released in 2009 (500GB for entry, 1TB for mid-range and high-end).
 
they might as many use external storage anyway and new Thunderbolt drives are coming..
 
I dont think we will be seeing a 512GB ssd option until the generation after the next. The SSD market is very much concerned with storage but speed is the primary motive of development.
 
It makes little sense (unless you have a very specific application) to buy one of these high capacity SSD's right now. They will drop quickly over the next year or two.
 
TheRealDamager said:
It makes little sense (unless you have a very specific application) to buy one of these high capacity SSD's right now. They will drop quickly over the next year or two.
Click to expand...

Drop = yes
Drop quickly = What's your definition of quickly?

The current cost/gig for the OWC MBA specific SSD is $2.08 to $2.87.
 
TheRealDamager said:
You want me to post a source to prove that technology prices drop over time? Really? Seems fairly obvious to me.
Click to expand...

SSD prices have not dropped much in the past year so I think thats why people are questioning you. We know they will drop eventually. But how long?
 
futbalguy said:
SSD prices have not dropped much in the past year so I think thats why people are questioning you. We know they will drop eventually. But how long?
Click to expand...

The didn't drop price this past year but they doubled in performance for close to the same price.

But yeah if you want lots of storage SSD is not the answer now or in the near future
 
futbalguy said:
SSD prices have not dropped much in the past year so I think thats why people are questioning you. We know they will drop eventually. But how long?
Click to expand...

They are dropping gradually. 512GB SSD won't drop from $800 to $100 overnight, it takes time. Before 25nm SSDs, ALL 480/512GB SSDs cost more than $1000, most were ~$1200. Even the Crucial M4 was nearly $900 when it launched a few months ago, and now it's $780. I even remember the Kingston SSD being over $1000 and it's now $840 on NewEgg.

jsolares said:
The didn't drop price this past year but they doubled in performance for close to the same price.
Click to expand...

Don't look at the new SATA 6Gb/s SSDs. Vertex 2 was ~$220 not that long time ago (some time in 2011) and it's now $180. The new SSDs are expensive but everything new is. The older SSDs are still good and have come down in price.
 
Actually I noticed today that the 370 GB at OWC is dropped in the $700's for 2 days only. That's a $300 drop. Now if only the rest would follow.
 
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