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15-Inch MacBook Pro With Touch Bar Has Non-Removable SSD

Tuesday November 15, 2016 5:54 am PST by Joe Rossignol
While the new entry-level 13-inch MacBook Pro with function keys has a removable SSD, the same cannot be said for the Touch Bar model.

MacRumors reader Jesse D. unscrewed the bottom lid on his new 15-inch MacBook Pro with a Touch Bar and discovered, unlike the 13-inch model sans Touch Bar, there is no cutout in the logic board for removable flash storage. Another reader said the 13-inch model with a Touch Bar also has a non-removable SSD.

macbook_pro_touch_bar_ssd
Given the SSD appears to be permanently soldered to the logic board, users will be unable to upgrade the Touch Bar MacBook Pro's flash storage beyond Apple's 512GB to 2TB built-to-order options on its website at the time of purchase. In other words, the amount of flash storage you choose will be permanent for the life of the notebook.

The discovery also increases the importance of backing up data using Time Machine or a similar solution in case of logic board failure.

These are the first MacBook Pro models to ship with non-removable SSDs, following in the footsteps of the 12-inch MacBook.

The photos also show "pretty large, nearly index finger width gaps" around the battery cells, possibly to keep the MacBook Pro's overall weight lower and to encourage better airflow. The fan placement and internal layout of Touch Bar models is significantly different than the standard function key model.

Official teardowns from the likes of iFixit and OWC should confirm and provide a better look at the non-removable SSDs.

Related Roundup: MacBook Pro
Buyer's Guide: MacBook Pro (Buy Now)
[ 922 comments ]


Top Rated Comments

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yaxomoxay
25 months ago
what a badly designed product. 99% aesthetics, 1% usefulness.
Rating: 137 Votes
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tubeexperience
25 months ago
The new MacBook Pro(s) are throwaway computers.

Is your SSD full and do you want to upgrade? Tough luck: you can't upgrade with a bigger SSD.

Do you want expand the storage with expansion card? Tough luck because new MacBook Pro doesn't have SD slot either.

Did you have your data on the SSD when the logic board failed? Tough luck because you are not getting that data back.
Rating: 110 Votes
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dannys1
25 months ago
It also has the fastest drive in any laptop in the world, but you know - lets rile the forum members a bit more :rolleyes:
Rating: 58 Votes
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tubeexperience
25 months ago

It also has the fastest drive in any laptop in the world, but you know - lets rile the forum members a bit more :rolleyes:


And what good is the "fastest drive" when it's full?
Rating: 52 Votes
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citysnaps
25 months ago

That is disapointing. I wish I had known that before ordering mine.


No worries. Simply cancel your order if that upsets you. Will you do that?
Rating: 43 Votes
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Elijen
25 months ago

Well that's "awesome". And if that SSD dies few weeks after warranty expires?

Don't worry you can always pay $2499 for another device. Problem solved!
Rating: 41 Votes
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ocnitsa
25 months ago
Just plug in an external SSD via dongle via USB-C.
Rating: 40 Votes
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Janichsan
25 months ago

It also has the fastest drive in any laptop in the world, ...

...and the only drive that requires a complete mainboard replacement when it dies.
Rating: 40 Votes
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dsampley
25 months ago
That is disapointing. I wish I had known that before ordering mine.
Rating: 39 Votes
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yaxomoxay
25 months ago

This thread is going to go off the rails... quickly


In all fairness, this product is not ready. I can understand a regular "Macbook" for your average hipster, but this is a "pro" device. You should need no dongle, you should be able to upgrade at least the SSD.
Rating: 35 Votes

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