Is the SSD upgradeable?

[jav6454]

Also wrong. It's not using PCIe x1 but a standard SATA II interface to connect to the NVidia chipset. See this thread for details.

Wrong again.

Click Me

Refer to step 8 picture #2

Note - Looks like, doesn't mean or imply it is. In this case, iFixit already said, mini PCIe.

 

[ct2k7]

It's taken us 2 pages to verify what's already been stated?

 

[jav6454]

It's taken us 2 pages to verify what's already been stated?

Some people got it wrong. But as per the thread title, it was stated, that if you can find a similar part with a mini-PCIe x1 interface, then yes, it's replaceable.

 

[ct2k7]

Some people got it wrong. But as per the thread title, it was stated, that if you can find a similar part with a mini-PCIe x1 interface, then yes, it's replaceable.

True. At the moment, I can't find one that fits it exactly.

 

[zartemis]

Note - Looks like, doesn't mean or imply it is. In this case, iFixit already said, mini PCIe.

Did they give reasons for calling it a mini PCIe? The site I posted earlier goes into detail on why they don't consider it a mini PCIe card.

E.g., one of the several points mentioned is:

"The connector is split with six pins on one card edge and 12 on the other. A one-sided version thus has 18 pins (plus ground) while a two-sided variant has 36 pins. For comparison, Mini PCIe is a two-sided card edge with 8 pins and then 18 pins, for a total of 52 pins."

and

"The SSD is a SATA device on the AHCI lines. While it’s possible that Apple could have designed an internal SATA controller and be presenting it on a PCIe lane, it’s much more likely that it’s really using SATA over the new connector described above. Since SATA needs just 5 or 6 pins plus ground (4x data and 3.3 volts and 5 volts of power), there are plenty of connectors for it....If the MacBook Air had used a PCI Express-based SSD like the Fusion-IO or OCZ models, it really would have been a revolutionary move. But booting a computer from a device like this would have been challenging, requiring revisions to the EFI firmware, drivers, and Mac OS X itself. Therefore, it is not surprising to see a SATA connection used instead."

I'm wondering how iFixit backs up their claim it is mini PCIe -- do they?

 

[diddl14]

Wrong again.

Click Me

Refer to step 8 picture #2

Note - Looks like, doesn't mean or imply it is. In this case, iFixit already said, mini PCIe.

Well, I clicked it and found a statement about a "Mini PCI Express Form Factor". The term "form factor" is typically used to describe the size of a PCB, not necessarily all its electrical and signaling attributes. The Apple flash board definitely has a different form factor than Mini PCI Express. And as mentioned, also the connector has substantial less pins than Mini PCI Express.

So with all respect for iFixIt, I wouldn't take their statement as conclusive nor final. Until someone takes a closer look at the actual signals on the connector, we can all continue to happily speculate on what it might be. Fact is that the Apple System Profiler shows the flash drive as an SATA device connected to the NVidia AHCI controller. So based on this, I would conclude that the flash-board electrical interface is SATA. Unless the Apple Hardware Profiler shows again incorrect information, like it does with TRIM...

Right?

 

[GoCubsGo]

Some people got it wrong. But as per the thread title, it was stated, that if you can find a similar part with a mini-PCIe x1 interface, then yes, it's replaceable.

But you're going to have a hard time finding one that fits.

 

[diddl14]

The site I posted earlier goes into detail on why they don't consider it a mini PCIe card.

Thx for pointing out this analysis. Makes absolute sense what Stephen came up with. Guess its only matter of time before 3rd party vendors start offering flash-drive upgrades? Especially if Apple adopts the same "standard" into future MacBooks and iMacs.

 

[Kenrik]

I would say that just because it's the only one like it right now doesn't mean it will not become a third-party market option later. Look at Runcore, PhotoFast, and others. The LIF SATA-II was almost a proprietary type solution... at least it was only used by Apple but others made SSDs that were faster and had more storage than the stock SSD even.

Since it's "plugged in" to a proprietary port, and not soldered to the board, leaves the option for expansion by third-party vendors later. The thing is Jobs made it sound like this MBA is the future of all of the Mac notebooks. I suspect probably other Macs will get NAND Flash even if it's just the main storage holding OS X and apps. That makes more sense for the bigger thicker Mac notebooks to give them both 2.5" SATA drives for file storage and NAND Flash for OS and apps giving it extremely fast startup, app opening, and etc.

If Apple does use this tech in other Macs, it's almost guaranteed that third-party suppliers will make them and sell upgrades.

Now, with the RAM situation, it's soldered to the board, and without an expensive robotic arm in a research or factory environment that isn't upgradeable at all for the common consumer.

I would tell people to upgrade the RAM to 4 GB no matter which other options they want. While I fully believe 2 GB RAM is sufficient in OS X for the current situation and majority of owners, to future proof the machine 4 GB RAM is very necessary. Right now it's necessary for those who want Windows, but apps will require more RAM, and Lion will probably require 4 GB by itself, and the RAM is shared as VRAM for the Nvidia 320m.

At least one person in this thread actually knows what he's talking about.. I was about to write this same post but you saved me the work. thanks!

Runcore will have one... just wait.

 

[acb2m]

Can anyone give a best guess of how long a 256gb drive might last with 4gb of memory? I've read that there is a finite read/write cycle for these drives. Will it be noticeably slower in say 4 years?