Apple cuts 512GB, 1TB SSD upgrade prices by up to $200 on older Mac models
It appears Apple's push toward an all-flash storage Mac lineup is driving an amortization of SSD costs for the tech giant, as the company recently cut upgrade pricing for 512GB and 1TB modules on older Mac models.
Source: iFixit
Quietly announced through Apple's online storefront, the new pricing nets buyers an up to $100 savings on 512GB configurations and up to $200 for 1TB modules, and appears to have gone into effect shortly after last week's MacBook Pro unveiling.
Previously, Apple charged between $200 to $500 for a 512GB SSD upgrade, depending on Mac model and base configuration, while the 1TB option sold for between $700 and $900. With the updated pricing, shoppers in the market for a MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, Mac mini, iMac or Mac Pro can save up to $200 on custom high capacity configurations. The 2015 MacBook does not benefit from the price drop.
For example, adding a 512GB SSD to Apple's base model 27-inch iMac with Retina 5K display now costs $400, down from $500 prior to the change. The high-end version of that same computer retains a $200 price tag for 512GB of storage, but gets a $100 drop in 1TB SSD pricing to $600.
Similarly, the 21.5-inch iMac with Retina 4K display 512GB SSD configuration drops from $500 to $400. Custom 512GB and 1TB SSD configurations for all Mac Pro models now cost $200 and $600, respectively, down from $300 and $800 prior to last week.
On the MacBook front, upgrade pricing for the configurable version of Apple's 13-inch MacBook Air comes in at $200 for a 512GB SSD, a savings of $100. The MacBook Pro also benefits from lower SSD costs, with legacy 15-inch model upgrades selling for $200 and $600 for 512GB and 1TB, respectively, down from $300 and $800.
Finally, Mac mini upgrade prices drop from $300 and $800 for 512GB and 1TB configurations to a respective $200 and $600.
MacRumors reported on the price change earlier today.
Apple last week updated its flagship MacBook Pro line, an important series in the company's computer lineup. On the top end are completely redesigned 13- and 15-inch models featuring a slim-and-light chassis, reduced internal volume, an all new OLED Touch Bar interface with Touch ID and wide color gamut Retina display. An entry level 13-inch MacBook Pro without Touch Bar also debuted at a more affordable price point. All three notebooks integrate an all-flash storage architecture, with SSD drives ranging from 256GB to a new 2TB option.
To grab the lowest prices on Apple's new MacBook Pro with Touch Bar, as well as older Mac models, see AppleInsider's Mac Price Guide.
Source: iFixit
Quietly announced through Apple's online storefront, the new pricing nets buyers an up to $100 savings on 512GB configurations and up to $200 for 1TB modules, and appears to have gone into effect shortly after last week's MacBook Pro unveiling.
Previously, Apple charged between $200 to $500 for a 512GB SSD upgrade, depending on Mac model and base configuration, while the 1TB option sold for between $700 and $900. With the updated pricing, shoppers in the market for a MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, Mac mini, iMac or Mac Pro can save up to $200 on custom high capacity configurations. The 2015 MacBook does not benefit from the price drop.
For example, adding a 512GB SSD to Apple's base model 27-inch iMac with Retina 5K display now costs $400, down from $500 prior to the change. The high-end version of that same computer retains a $200 price tag for 512GB of storage, but gets a $100 drop in 1TB SSD pricing to $600.
Similarly, the 21.5-inch iMac with Retina 4K display 512GB SSD configuration drops from $500 to $400. Custom 512GB and 1TB SSD configurations for all Mac Pro models now cost $200 and $600, respectively, down from $300 and $800 prior to last week.
On the MacBook front, upgrade pricing for the configurable version of Apple's 13-inch MacBook Air comes in at $200 for a 512GB SSD, a savings of $100. The MacBook Pro also benefits from lower SSD costs, with legacy 15-inch model upgrades selling for $200 and $600 for 512GB and 1TB, respectively, down from $300 and $800.
Finally, Mac mini upgrade prices drop from $300 and $800 for 512GB and 1TB configurations to a respective $200 and $600.
MacRumors reported on the price change earlier today.
Apple last week updated its flagship MacBook Pro line, an important series in the company's computer lineup. On the top end are completely redesigned 13- and 15-inch models featuring a slim-and-light chassis, reduced internal volume, an all new OLED Touch Bar interface with Touch ID and wide color gamut Retina display. An entry level 13-inch MacBook Pro without Touch Bar also debuted at a more affordable price point. All three notebooks integrate an all-flash storage architecture, with SSD drives ranging from 256GB to a new 2TB option.
To grab the lowest prices on Apple's new MacBook Pro with Touch Bar, as well as older Mac models, see AppleInsider's Mac Price Guide.
Comments
Not amortization. More like economies of scale.
For reference, bumping the base 256GB up to 512GB costs $200, and from there to 1TB is another $400. Yes I do know that these are very fast drives, but we also know that as basic naked modules with standard PCIe interfaces their manufacturing process is less expensive than conventional SATA SSD's.
(Apparently I'm willing to be insulted, since I have a new 13" rMBP Touch Bar with 1TB storage on order.)
The accessories and upgrades are often where manufacturers make the best margins. Apple's net margins are 25% so after costs, they make $750 on a $3k MBP, maybe lower as their company net margins are mostly set by iOS devices and Macs are less profitable. If they are making 73% premium on the SSD, charging $1597 for 2TB is where a SATA one on Amazon is $816, they can double the margins on the machine.
I don't think a premium of 28-73% here is excessive, especially the comparisons with SATA drives as these are 5x faster than retail SATA drives. These aren't going to be shipping in as high a volume as SATA drives just now but as more computers change to shipping SSDs internally, they'll switch to PCIe SSDs vs SATA and this will bring the prices down a bit. I reckon people will have a lot less problems with SSD pricing when it's around $0.25/GB. For Apple, I expect that will be 4 years from now.
However I made them it takes just a few minutes, it's blindingly fast as is a restoration if required. I have versions of every boot configuration going back to the day I bought it and playing with the latest developer betas is no sweat as I have clones to revert back to if needed (not that I ever had to). I also have several Windows 10 boot SSDs too (made with WintoUSB) .
The thought of increasing the internal on my New Mac Pro now is an anathema to me, I love the small 256 GB boot disks on modern desktop Macs!