Anand, since your review and starting about a week or two ago, Apple expanded the built-to-order options on the base retina model so that the drive can be changed to the 512 GB SSD (or the 768 GB drive). The upgrade to the bigger drive costs $500 ($1000 for the 768 GB version) but at least now the base model can be ordered with bigger drives now.
Is LSI/Sandforce better at supporting partners in designing their own implementations than, say, Marvell? Do they offer better firmware support?
I guess in this specific case OWC has a long track record of using Sandforce, but I wonder if there's a market in special designs using other hardware.
If I actually wanted an external SSD ( I don't). Then I can buy a top-of-the-line 2.5" Vertex 4 256GB for $190. Or some cheaper 2.5" 256GB SSD. Stick it in a cheap USB3 enclosure. The cost of that (plus Apple 512GB upgrade) isn't significantly more than the OWC after September. Since 79+60$ = $140. If paying for that enclosure.
This product doesn't seem to help anyone who will be buying these machines in the long-term. Why would I want to replace the stock SSD with an inferior one that costs more money, slows down the whole system (since disabling filevault is just plain daft), and no free choice of manufacturer(s)? There is no competition here.
For christ's sake, we need an mSTATA PCB adaptor. That allows us to purchase from any mSATA SSD manufacturers. A small circuit board with a couple of connectors on either side. Now that would be something quite simple. Perfect for upgrading to 512Gb and larger when mSATA drives come out in larger capacities. We just want to buy the same SSD drives that are being made for the PC market. Fair competition and lower prices. So let's fix the REAL problem, which is the proprietary Apple PCB connector. And encourage other companies (not OWC) to correct that.
Unless the option of removing the 256 GB SSD from the rmbp saves you less than 80$ that OWC saves you money. And selling the one you have gives you somewhat of an advantage. The math is:
(price of default SSD + 500$) = price of Apple 512GB SSD > OWC SSD price and OWC SSD price - what_you_get_for_vanilla_apple_SSD < 500$
Either way you make money.
And i haven't mention the fact that paying apple 500$ only gets you 256 GB more while the OWC one gets you 512 GB more for only 80$ on top.
Well you should definitely buy it then if you make money either way. Its making you money... Either way paying another $580 is going to be a sure profit-maker.
Oh wait! I forgot that I just spent over $2000 on a brand new laptop. Which was why I could only afford the 256GB in the first place. Oh well.
To be sure, the only way to save money (that isn't utter nonsense) would be just to stick with the 256GB model. Then in about 1-2 years time buy a larger SSD when the prices come down. Now that won't happen if OWC are the only people who are ever making these things, right? Get it?
We’ve updated our terms. By continuing to use the site and/or by logging into your account, you agree to the Site’s updated Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Facebook
Twitter
RSS
12 Comments
Back to Article
JMS3072 - Tuesday, August 14, 2012 - link
Actually, as of a few days ago, Apple has been allowing RAM and SSD upgrades on the base model.ddarko - Tuesday, August 14, 2012 - link
Anand, since your review and starting about a week or two ago, Apple expanded the built-to-order options on the base retina model so that the drive can be changed to the 512 GB SSD (or the 768 GB drive). The upgrade to the bigger drive costs $500 ($1000 for the 768 GB version) but at least now the base model can be ordered with bigger drives now.hormel - Tuesday, August 14, 2012 - link
How is the user supposed to change the SSD out? The MBPr is glued up tighter than a drum.ImSpartacus - Tuesday, August 14, 2012 - link
Take off the back and unplug it. The SSD is physically proprietary, but I don't think it's 'glued up'.hormel - Tuesday, August 14, 2012 - link
http://cnettv.cnet.com/cracking-open-macbook-pro-r...I guess it is possible, but you'll need to buy a special screw driver.
ImSpartacus - Tuesday, August 14, 2012 - link
Oh, you were talking about the screws? Yeah, those are a bit of a pain.I heard 'glued up' and thought about the battery, which IS glued up tighter than a drum.
darwinosx - Thursday, December 6, 2012 - link
A Google search would have cleared that up in 2 seconds.MartinT - Tuesday, August 14, 2012 - link
Is LSI/Sandforce better at supporting partners in designing their own implementations than, say, Marvell? Do they offer better firmware support?I guess in this specific case OWC has a long track record of using Sandforce, but I wonder if there's a market in special designs using other hardware.
macuser2134 - Tuesday, August 14, 2012 - link
If I actually wanted an external SSD ( I don't). Then I can buy a top-of-the-line 2.5" Vertex 4 256GB for $190. Or some cheaper 2.5" 256GB SSD. Stick it in a cheap USB3 enclosure. The cost of that (plus Apple 512GB upgrade) isn't significantly more than the OWC after September. Since 79+60$ = $140. If paying for that enclosure.This product doesn't seem to help anyone who will be buying these machines in the long-term. Why would I want to replace the stock SSD with an inferior one that costs more money, slows down the whole system (since disabling filevault is just plain daft), and no free choice of manufacturer(s)? There is no competition here.
For christ's sake, we need an mSTATA PCB adaptor. That allows us to purchase from any mSATA SSD manufacturers. A small circuit board with a couple of connectors on either side. Now that would be something quite simple. Perfect for upgrading to 512Gb and larger when mSATA drives come out in larger capacities. We just want to buy the same SSD drives that are being made for the PC market. Fair competition and lower prices. So let's fix the REAL problem, which is the proprietary Apple PCB connector. And encourage other companies (not OWC) to correct that.
LauRoman - Tuesday, August 14, 2012 - link
Unless the option of removing the 256 GB SSD from the rmbp saves you less than 80$ that OWC saves you money. And selling the one you have gives you somewhat of an advantage. The math is:(price of default SSD + 500$) = price of Apple 512GB SSD > OWC SSD price
and
OWC SSD price - what_you_get_for_vanilla_apple_SSD < 500$
Either way you make money.
And i haven't mention the fact that paying apple 500$ only gets you 256 GB more while the OWC one gets you 512 GB more for only 80$ on top.
macuser2134 - Tuesday, August 14, 2012 - link
Well you should definitely buy it then if you make money either way. Its making you money... Either way paying another $580 is going to be a sure profit-maker.Oh wait! I forgot that I just spent over $2000 on a brand new laptop. Which was why I could only afford the 256GB in the first place. Oh well.
To be sure, the only way to save money (that isn't utter nonsense) would be just to stick with the 256GB model. Then in about 1-2 years time buy a larger SSD when the prices come down. Now that won't happen if OWC are the only people who are ever making these things, right? Get it?
vbmluis - Wednesday, August 15, 2012 - link
For 79.99$ you get a 256GB SSD