M2 Macs...SSD on Motherboard

[Randy B. Singer]

So, this is going to blow some people's minds. But I just learned that the SSD's in all of Apple's M2-based Macs aren't part of the SOC, they are actually soldered to the motherboard!

https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/Macbook+Air+(M2+2022)+Logic+Board+and+Chip+Identification/151816

https://www.pcmag.com/news/teardown-confirms-m2-macbook-air-contains-slower-ssd

https://www.techpowerup.com/ssd-specs/apple-macbook-air-m2-256-gb.d1412

None of the Apple news sites mentioned this when the M2 was released.

SSD's still aren't nominally replaceable or upgradeable. It's just an interesting, and unexpected, change from the M1.

 

[pigoo3]

Thanks Randy.

Just to add a bit of confusion to the topic. The SSD's used in the 1st & 2nd generation Apple Silicon Mac Studio's are removable blade SSD's.

Unlike earlier Apple Intel computers with blade SSD's (some iMac's, and some notebook computers)...where the blade SSD could be removed and replaced/upgraded...this doesn't seem to be the case with the Mac Studio.

The difference (Intel vs. Apple silicon blade SSD's)...Apple incorporated the "SSD Controller" onto chips external to the blade SSD...rather on the blade SSD itself (as it was previously).

Thus from what I'm reading...the blade SSD in a Mac Studio can be removed...but this doesn't help...since there's no work around yet for the different SSD controller location.

How to Replace/Upgrade Mac Studio SSD (2022/2023): EveryMac.com

How to replace or upgrade the Mac Studio internal SSD storage (A2615, 2022; A2091, 2023).

everymac.com

It does appear (according to the Apple document linked below)...that the SSD's in the new 2023 Apple Silicon Mac Pro are still replaceable/upgradeable as well:

Install or replace SSD modules in your Mac Pro (2023) - Apple Support

Learn how to install SSD modules in your Mac Pro and how to use Apple Configurator to set them up for your Mac.

support.apple.com

- Nick

 

[Randy B. Singer]

Unlike earlier Apple Intel computers with blade SSD's (some iMac's, and some notebook computers)...where the blade SSD could be removed and replaced/upgraded...this doesn't seem to be the case with the Mac Studio.

In fact, the SSD controller is in the SOC itself! Which is one of the reasons that I'm so surprised that Apple moved the SSD from the SOC.

It does appear (according to the Apple document linked below)...that the SSD's in the new 2023 Apple Silicon Mac Pro are still replaceable/upgradeable as well:

Install or replace SSD modules in your Mac Pro (2023) - Apple Support

Learn how to install SSD modules in your Mac Pro and how to use Apple Configurator to set them up for your Mac.

support.apple.com

I came across that while I was researching the SSD situation with the M2. That really surprised me because all of the Macintosh media and authorities are going around saying that the SSD in the Mac Pro can't be upgraded.

I also note that the M2 SOC, in photos, still seems to have two locations on the top layer where SSD chips can be soldered-in.

Curiouser and curiouser.

 

[pigoo3]

My guess with the 2023 Apple Silicon Mac Pro. I don't think the logic board was a complete redesign from the previous model 2019 Mac Pro. Thus maybe Apple retained how the SSD worked with the 2019 Mac Pro...and only redesigned the logic board area where the Apple SoC replaces the Intel CPU.

For sure Apple was feeling the pressure to get an Apple silicon Mac Pro released (after multiple years of delay behind the other Apple silicon Mac's). Maybe Apple did a minimal logic board redesign for the 2023 Apple silicon Mac Pro...just to get that puppy out the door. Lol

Nick

 

[MacInWin]

SSD's still aren't nominally replaceable or upgradeable. It's just an interesting, and unexpected, change from the M1.

Randy, this is not really new. I saw a video when the first M1 came out that showed the memory chips right next to the CPU chips. One video actually was an attempt to remove the memory to see if it could be upgraded, but in the process of the removal the tech destroyed the entire board, so the result was that it COULD be done, MAYBE, but not very easy and certainly well beyond just having something to remove the solder connections correctly. I'll see if I can find that video again and post it here.

 

[MacInWin]

Couldn't find the original, but did find this: Engineers Sneakily Upgrade Apple M1 Mac Mini With More Storage, RAM

That's from back in 2021.