Can't upgrade SSD in new Airs?

[Bob Coxner]

http://9to5mac.com/2011/07/20/new-apple-hardware-what-you-need-to-know/#more-84174

•Based on the description from Apple ”And because we place the flash chips directly on the logic board, they take up much less space — about 90 percent less, in fact.” , it sounds like the SSD is probably no longer upgradable via OWC and others (thanks commenter)

 

[KPOM]

If history is any guide, iFixit will be out there with a teardown in a few days once they can get their hands on one. If they did solder the SSD, perhaps it was to make room for the Thunderbolt adapter. The chip takes up a lot of room, and there were no outward changes to the design. They also crammed the backlight for the keyboard back in there (adding a whopping 1.6 ounces to the weight).

 

[timoroso]

Upgrading vs. repairing

I think it is useful to make a distinction between soldered-on and detachable. Although upgradeability matters to me too, I am mostly worried about the SSD breaking down after a couple of years of use and being unable to replace it, having to buy a another new (expensive) computer as a replacement. Applecare is no solution for me, it is too expensive and only covers three years -- I am hoping to get four or five out of this one with all that it costs. I want to be able to trust Apple to have the ability to replace the SSD if it breaks without having to replace the whole logic board.

That damn thing is so light it is not really useful as a paperweight either if it becomes unusable.