I think most consumers would happily pay a bit extra for these controllers if it meant that they could manually upgrade their SSDs. I can’t help but have the feeling that it’s also quite convenient for Apple that all this stuff is effectively non-replaceable / upgradable.

I don’t think the benefits are the same as with their RAM being part of their SoC, as that gives them real speed improvements, right?

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JumpCrisscross 21 hours ago | parent | next [-]

> it’s also quite convenient for Apple that all this stuff is effectively non-replaceable / upgradable

On the other hand, I’m happily banging away on my ca. 2020 M1 MacBook Pro. It just got a warranty service, free to me, that replaced the screen. It will probably get replaced around 2030. That simply isn’t the norm with the alternatives.

The hypothesis that this is self serving isn’t supported by the evidence. Instead it’s more parsimonious to conclude that this is Apple being Apple with pushing design to the limit when it comes to executing a vision. User-upgradable parts have not been part of that vision since Jobs returned.

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klrefg 19 hours ago | parent | next [-]

> User-upgradable parts have not been part of that vision since Jobs returned.

Macs were quite repairable and most parts were replaceable until ~2012. So it’s hard to blame Jobs for that.

	▲	JumpCrisscross 17 hours ago \| parent [-]
		> Macs were quite repairable and most parts were replaceable until ~2012. So it’s hard to blame Jobs for that Not "blaming" because I'm not convinced it's the wrong move. Soldering memory directly onto the logic board has advantages relative to a fully-encapsulated drive. Apple learned this, in part, from designing the iPhone. And Jobs always had this penchant for pushing design to its limits even when it sacrifices conventional (and in some cases, probably necessary) functional requirements. What I am convinced about is the lunacy of the planned-obsolescence argument. The longevity of Apple's products simply doesn't support it.

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kalleboo 19 hours ago | parent | prev | next [-]

> User-upgradable parts have not been part of that vision since Jobs returned

Steve Jobs literally got up on stage and proudly showed off the PowerMac G3 with a side door you could hinge down to open up the machine as it was running.

It was once Jony Ive got more power that everything went to pot. The first Macs with soldered-in storage were released after Jobs' death.

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lm411 19 hours ago | parent | prev [-]

I've had good luck with AppleCare and warranty service, and most of my Macbook's have lasted well.

On the other hand my sons 2021 Mac Mini M1 with an estimated < 20% writes remaining on the SSD is not looking very cool. In fact, rather disappointing and the computer will be junk soon due to the SSD only.

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floydnoel a day ago | parent | prev | next [-]

I disagree. I think 90% or more wouldn't care.

	▲	Barbing 21 hours ago \| parent \| next [-]
		Indeed, > manually upgrade or “average Apple customer”, pick one btw something beautiful about the YouTube videos of shops in China doing those SSD deletes with the power tools
	▲	ascorbic 20 hours ago \| parent \| prev [-]
		I'd be amazed if even 1% care

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seviu 18 hours ago | parent | prev [-]

They could easily give us a system that can be easily upgraded. At least the SSD.

And I would inmediately put an order for a 256GB Mac Studio with 1TB SSD, if I were to know that SSD can be upgraded later on. I dont even mind if I have to buy premium SSD upgrades from Apple.

But locking the system in and knowing the decision is final? No thanks. And no way I am shelling 18k or whatever outrageous sum they ask for 8 extra TB.

It might be they are leaving money off the table with their greed.