A lot of chest thumping going on here about Apple's exorbitant prices to upgrade the SSD, so I did a little bit of research. Apple charges about $200 per 512 GB of SSD storage.
In the external SSD space, here are Amazon's prices. To try to keep this comparison as fair as possible, I only picked Thunderbolt 3 SSD's so I can at least have comparable speeds to what I would get if I decided to order from Apple.
OWC: 2 TB Envoy pro Ex @ $480 or $120 per 512 GB (no 500GB optional Amazon 1TB = $300, from the OWC site 480GB ext. SSD = $219) Samsung: X5 portable 2TB external SSD (Thunderbolt 3) @ $700 or $175 per 512 GB (500GB option costs $190) Sabrent: Rocket XTRM 2TB Thundernolt 3 external SSD @550 or $137.50 per 512GB (500GB option costs $250)
In the end you the customer have options and by looking at the prices I see above Apple's offerings are pretty much in line with what others offer.
Except you're not comparing apples to apples. To make the comparison fair you need to compare internal prices:
You can see, Apple's prices for memory are between 4 and 6 times the retail cost. For internal SSDs, about 2.5x the cost. (I subtracted out the cost of the 512GB because you are automatically paying for the base 512GB SSD.) It's interesting that the difference is far higher for RAM vs SSDs but in both cases it's significant.
That was my reply to GeorgeBMac that insists you have to change the logic board or the entire computer if you run out of disk space on your iMac. I'm just presenting here the alternatives valid for the new 2020 27" iMac. Internal SSD's don't fall into the available options (of 2020 27" iMac buyers) so one has to go the external SSD route through Thunderbolt 3 connectors for comparable speed.
In another one of my replies, I did say that for RAM, I'd just accept the base model of 8GB and go with OWC (or the provider of your choosing), so we're in full agreement there.
Nobody in their right mind would replace a logic board because their SSD filled up. Most would just buy a new Mac -- or a Lenovo,
A lot of chest thumping going on here about Apple's exorbitant prices to upgrade the SSD, so I did a little bit of research. Apple charges about $200 per 512 GB of SSD storage.
In the external SSD space, here are Amazon's prices. To try to keep this comparison as fair as possible, I only picked Thunderbolt 3 SSD's so I can at least have comparable speeds to what I would get if I decided to order from Apple.
OWC: 2 TB Envoy pro Ex @ $480 or $120 per 512 GB (no 500GB optional Amazon 1TB = $300, from the OWC site 480GB ext. SSD = $219) Samsung: X5 portable 2TB external SSD (Thunderbolt 3) @ $700 or $175 per 512 GB (500GB option costs $190) Sabrent: Rocket XTRM 2TB Thundernolt 3 external SSD @550 or $137.50 per 512GB (500GB option costs $250)
In the end you the customer have options and by looking at the prices I see above Apple's offerings are pretty much in line with what others offer.
Except you're not comparing apples to apples. To make the comparison fair you need to compare internal prices:
You can see, Apple's prices for memory are between 4 and 6 times the retail cost. For internal SSDs, about 2.5x the cost. (I subtracted out the cost of the 512GB because you are automatically paying for the base 512GB SSD.) It's interesting that the difference is far higher for RAM vs SSDs but in both cases it's significant.
That was my reply to GeorgeBMac that insists you have to change the logic board or the entire computer if you run out of disk space on your iMac. I'm just presenting here the alternatives valid for the new 2020 27" iMac. Internal SSD's don't fall into the available options (of 2020 27" iMac buyers) so one has to go the external SSD route through Thunderbolt 3 connectors for comparable speed.
In another one of my replies, I did say that for RAM, I'd just accept the base model of 8GB and go with OWC (or the provider of your choosing), so we're in full agreement there.
Nobody in their right mind would replace a logic board because their SSD filled up. Most would just buy a new Mac -- or a Lenovo,
Some really funky economics going on here. Instead of offloading some content from an internal to an external drive, you would splurge for a a brand new computer instead? So in your opinion it's economically viable to spend $2500+ to get another new computer with more internal storage instead of $300 to get an external drive? And all that because it's not aesthetically pleasing? Your money, your choice I guess.
A lot of chest thumping going on here about Apple's exorbitant prices to upgrade the SSD, so I did a little bit of research. Apple charges about $200 per 512 GB of SSD storage.
In the external SSD space, here are Amazon's prices. To try to keep this comparison as fair as possible, I only picked Thunderbolt 3 SSD's so I can at least have comparable speeds to what I would get if I decided to order from Apple.
OWC: 2 TB Envoy pro Ex @ $480 or $120 per 512 GB (no 500GB optional Amazon 1TB = $300, from the OWC site 480GB ext. SSD = $219) Samsung: X5 portable 2TB external SSD (Thunderbolt 3) @ $700 or $175 per 512 GB (500GB option costs $190) Sabrent: Rocket XTRM 2TB Thundernolt 3 external SSD @550 or $137.50 per 512GB (500GB option costs $250)
In the end you the customer have options and by looking at the prices I see above Apple's offerings are pretty much in line with what others offer.
Except you're not comparing apples to apples. To make the comparison fair you need to compare internal prices:
You can see, Apple's prices for memory are between 4 and 6 times the retail cost. For internal SSDs, about 2.5x the cost. (I subtracted out the cost of the 512GB because you are automatically paying for the base 512GB SSD.) It's interesting that the difference is far higher for RAM vs SSDs but in both cases it's significant.
That was my reply to GeorgeBMac that insists you have to change the logic board or the entire computer if you run out of disk space on your iMac. I'm just presenting here the alternatives valid for the new 2020 27" iMac. Internal SSD's don't fall into the available options (of 2020 27" iMac buyers) so one has to go the external SSD route through Thunderbolt 3 connectors for comparable speed.
In another one of my replies, I did say that for RAM, I'd just accept the base model of 8GB and go with OWC (or the provider of your choosing), so we're in full agreement there.
Nobody in their right mind would replace a logic board because their SSD filled up. Most would just buy a new Mac -- or a Lenovo,
Some really funky economics going on here. Instead of offloading some content from an internal to an external drive, you would splurge for a a brand new computer instead? So in your opinion it's economically viable to spend $2500+ to get another new computer with more internal storage instead of $300 to get an external drive? And all that because it's not aesthetically pleasing? Your money, your choice I guess.
Why would one invest in a mobile laptop or a super clean looking all-in-one only to hang unnecessary peripherals off it? In the case of the all-in-one, it's no longer an all-in-one and in the case of the mobile laptop, it's not longer a mobile laptop.
Yes, spending $2,500 on a machine that fails in its stated mission is an expensive mistake. It's one that I would not make a second time.
At least for the moment, most all Mac hardware is almost entirely off the shelf components that anybody could throw together.
I dare you to try.
So, by soldering the SSD in, it becomes that much harder for a person to get physical access to that software and ecosystem.
WTF are you smoking?
You really don't think HP has access to those mother boards, CPU's, SSDs, Power supplies, etc.? You know, the ones in the Macs? Are you sure you mean that?
And, if you think its just as easy for a hacker or hobbyist to build a hackintosh from an SSD from a Mac as it is to do the same with iOS from an iPhone, I would say that you probably NEED to smoke something!
At least for the moment, most all Mac hardware is almost entirely off the shelf components that anybody could throw together.
I dare you to try.
So, by soldering the SSD in, it becomes that much harder for a person to get physical access to that software and ecosystem.
WTF are you smoking?
You really don't think HP has access to those mother boards, CPU's, SSDs, Power supplies, etc.? You know, the ones in the Macs? Are you sure you mean that?
And, if you think its just as easy for a hacker or hobbyist to build a hackintosh from an SSD from a Mac as it is to do the same with iOS from an iPhone, I would say that you probably NEED to smoke something!
No kidding.
Apple does not build computers.
It's been many years since Apple built a computer. The only "factory" Apple has these days is doing final component installation (of computers made by other companies, mostly in China) in Cork, Ireland.
At least for the moment, most all Mac hardware is almost entirely off the shelf components that anybody could throw together.
I dare you to try.
So, by soldering the SSD in, it becomes that much harder for a person to get physical access to that software and ecosystem.
WTF are you smoking?
You really don't think HP has access to those mother boards, CPU's, SSDs, Power supplies, etc.? You know, the ones in the Macs? Are you sure you mean that?
Why would HP have access to Apple's motherboards, which it designs? Those aren't off the shelf parts. There are many other components that Apple either engineered or had developed custom for them. Either way, that's besides the point — the Mac is the sum of its parts, which are all carefully chosen and engineered to work to work together as a package. The idea that "anyone" — which I took to mean a hobbyist — could go out and buy these parts at Fry's and put it together is silly. Obviously, companies have emulated Apple's work to various degrees of success.
And, if you think its just as easy for a hacker or hobbyist to build a hackintosh from an SSD from a Mac as it is to do the same with iOS from an iPhone, I would say that you probably NEED to smoke something!
Another stupid choice from the think different verb preachers.
One should pay thousands for a machine that is supposed to last a lot years without any possibility of later upgrades?
Better get used to it. SSD’s are getting soldered in laptops, even none Apple ones. Apple is doing it for security. SSD’s these days last the life of the machine, so there’s less incentive to make them removable.
Apple actually did customers a solid allowing for future processor and memory upgrades.
If you need more storage, buy it up front or plan on expanding with an external solution. The speed of external drives (because of interface improvements) is right up there with internal drives.
This is whining to whine. If this configuration is not right for you, get a Mac Pro.
It seems there’s not a lot stuff on the internet about this, but I did run across one article here:
The engineering reasons for Apple doing this include:
extremely high performance, in terms of read/write speeds;
low power consumption;
very low volume, allowing compact design.
Even if Apple were to mount these memory chips in sockets for ease of replacement, users would find it extremely hard to source compatible components. These aren’t the SSDs available from Amazon for a little over $/€/£ 100 per TB.
Their extreme performance comes from the fact that these soldered-in SSDs don’t use a regular controller chip: that’s one of the functions of the T2.
Interesting that Apple socketed the processor and not the SSD. Does that mean that they expect that there’s a greater chance they’ll need to replace the processor than the SSD chips? My guess is that the processor socket is going to be kept when they change over to ASi.
Folk seem to think that Apple replacing the whole logic board is not environmentally friendly, but of course they don’t know what Apple does with the old logic board, or even if they could do it if the logic board comes back to them with components replaced with bits picked up from Amazon’s bargain bin.
I was thinking the same especially for the Mac Pro, I think Apple is designed it for another decade so therefore a "module" will be essential.
I wish I heard it from the horse's mouth, the justification for why Apple makes these decisions. An interview with an Apple exec that would ask these questions and get straight answers. It would make people feeing less like they're being ripped off when they buy Apple stuff.
Apple could spend the time and effort to explain it, but in the end it would just generate more blog posts on why they’re just plain lying. If folk have already made their decision that Apple is ripping them off then the choice for them is simple: they shouldn’t buy Apple kit. No one’s forcing them to.
Speaking of that, seems all OEM overcharges you with storage, HP charges their 2TB SSD more than Apple.
Sure, you can bought some aftermarket M.2 for the HP to save tons of cash, but can't deny that all OEM drives are "overpriced".
Since the target customer for the Mac Pro isn't individuals, that price may not be an issue. The iMac on the other hand is constantly judged & compared by other PC builders who don't really cares about other OEM desktops out there, which undoubtedly leaves a bad impression out there.
I think Apple is definitely going after for some $$$, let's be honest. Given all the technological Apple has, it's not that hard to allow third-party OEMs build their "flash modules", even if Apple implement a strict standard on security. They didn't do it.
Edit: I did some research and comparing Mac's SSD to other encryption-available M.2 drive, at 2TB the price is fairly competitive. That doesn't include the upgrade kit mentioned above, though.
As for the 256 GB configurations : there are 2 flash nand soldered, 1 on the back side of the logic board, 1 on the front side
As for the 512GB to 2 TB : there are 4 flash nand soldered, 2 on the back side of the logic board, 2 on the front side
As for the 4TB and 8 TB configurations :
- yes there is a flash expansion module, but it contains only HALF of the flash storage
- the other half of storage is still soldered to the logic board.
So for this iMac 27” 5K 2020 :
- all configs from 256GB to 2TB of storage have 100% of their storage soldered
- the 4 TB configuration has 2TB soldered and 2 TB on a separate module (similar to the ones of the iMac Pro and Mac Pro
- the 8 TB configuration has 4TB soldered and 4 TB on a separate module
This iMac has been conceived with limited engineering efforts, so even if there’s plenty, plenty of space, Apple did not choose to offer upgradability ( --fixed two typos in original comment)
I assume this is correct which means there doesn't appear to be a reason to even attempt to use third-party storage since I assume Apple wants identical size storage, which they end up striping to achieve the final size.
Another stupid choice from the think different verb preachers.
One should pay thousands for a machine that is supposed to last a lot years without any possibility of later upgrades?
Not surprised to hear the whiners doing their same old thing. Apple doesn't cater to DIY tinkerers, folks -- they're whole thing is and has been appliance computing, going back to the early bible written for the original Macintosh project. Get over it... Myself, as a long-time developer and pro user, I just configure the machine how I want it at the get-go. My last iMac lasted 8 years before I replaced it. I expect to get similar usage now, with a machine that has 4x the storage of my previous.
Think ahead, or just get a Dell. End your suffering.
You are a sad apologist. Like you, I buy my Macs right the first time. But it's April of 2024 and the Comet Lake iMac I bought in August of 2020 has been giving me problems, and the possibility of its mortality are a little too real Looking at possible replacement options, I find myself (as usual) disgusted by the prices of Apple's storage upgrades. I'm going bite the bullet as I always do, but it occurred to me to take the 4TB drive that I have in my iMac and put it into an eternal enclosure. I guess I can't do that.
What a waste. My $4,0000 machine is dying after only three years and eight months— and I can't even salvage the drive to make the ordeal less painful. In times past, I probably would have laughed at your closing comment about getting a Dell. Not so on this occasion. Nope— tonight it really pissed me off.
Comments
Nobody in their right mind would replace a logic board because their SSD filled up. Most would just buy a new Mac -- or a Lenovo,
Instead of offloading some content from an internal to an external drive, you would splurge for a a brand new computer instead?
So in your opinion it's economically viable to spend $2500+ to get another new computer with more internal storage instead of $300 to get an external drive? And all that because it's not aesthetically pleasing?
Your money, your choice I guess.
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1448945-REG/samsung_mz_76q2t0b_am_2tb_860_qvo_sata.html
This sentence makes absolutely zero sense.
Speaking of that, seems all OEM overcharges you with storage, HP charges their 2TB SSD more than Apple.
Sure, you can bought some aftermarket M.2 for the HP to save tons of cash, but can't deny that all OEM drives are "overpriced".
Since the target customer for the Mac Pro isn't individuals, that price may not be an issue. The iMac on the other hand is constantly judged & compared by other PC builders who don't really cares about other OEM desktops out there, which undoubtedly leaves a bad impression out there.
I think Apple is definitely going after for some $$$, let's be honest. Given all the technological Apple has, it's not that hard to allow third-party OEMs build their "flash modules", even if Apple implement a strict standard on security. They didn't do it.
Edit: I did some research and comparing Mac's SSD to other encryption-available M.2 drive, at 2TB the price is fairly competitive. That doesn't include the upgrade kit mentioned above, though.
--fixed two typos in original comment)
I assume this is correct which means there doesn't appear to be a reason to even attempt to use third-party storage since I assume Apple wants identical size storage, which they end up striping to achieve the final size.
You are a sad apologist. Like you, I buy my Macs right the first time. But it's April of 2024 and the Comet Lake iMac I bought in August of 2020 has been giving me problems, and the possibility of its mortality are a little too real Looking at possible replacement options, I find myself (as usual) disgusted by the prices of Apple's storage upgrades. I'm going bite the bullet as I always do, but it occurred to me to take the 4TB drive that I have in my iMac and put it into an eternal enclosure. I guess I can't do that.
What a waste. My $4,0000 machine is dying after only three years and eight months— and I can't even salvage the drive to make the ordeal less painful. In times past, I probably would have laughed at your closing comment about getting a Dell. Not so on this occasion. Nope— tonight it really pissed me off.