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Wired: Macbook Pro with Retina unfixable

Bateluer

Bateluer

Lifer
http://www.wired.com/gadgetlab/2012/06/macbook-pro-unfixable/

Unfortunately, when packing all those parts inside, Apple used a lot of glue and other techniques, like numerous pentalobe screws, that make upgrades and repairs virtually impossible.

As in the MacBook Air, the notebook’s RAM is soldered to the logic board, so you won’t be able to upgrade or replace it. The SSD also isn’t upgradable at this point. The lithium-polymer battery is also glued in, which makes it difficult to remove without potentially dangerous battery breakage.

snip

The 2011 MacBook Pro — last year’s model — scored a very reasonable 7 out of 10 iFixit repairability score. This year’s MacBook Pro with Retina Display gets iFixit’s lowest score: a 1 out of 10.
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Its a nice machine, but it fits with Apple's design methodology, form first, function second. Hopefully if anything breaks, the buyer is still under warranty, as they'll get a entirely different MBP. If you're not under warranty . . . 3,000 dollar paperweight?
 
If the base $2200 Retina MBP, with 8GB RAM and 256GB SSD, isn't enough for you, spring for the $2999 model that comes with 16GB RAM and a 512GB SSD. $800 to double the RAM and SSD is a bargain, no?
 
If you dropped 3g's on an MBP, I'd hope you'd spend the $2-300 for the extra 2 years of applecare.
 
Saying that the use of pentalobe screws makes it 'virtually impossible' to open is just bad rhetoric. You can get a pentalobe screwdriver from iFixit for like $7. So, no it isn't virtually impossible, it is $7 impossible. If you happen to have $8, and the knowledge of how to turn a screw driver then guess what? That sucker is open.

The RAM is soldered, that does suck, but it comes with 8GB base, and you can up it to 16GB for $200. They use DDR3L (1.35v) which is about $120 for 16GB, so they are charging a premium for it, but name me a big OEM that doesn't. The SSD is removable, therefore it is replaceable... oh wait, that's right, it is impossible to open the bottom unless you have the super-secret screwdriver. OWC released aftermarket SSDs for the 2010/2011 Airs, no reason why they won't do the same for the 2012 Airs and Pro.
 
TheStu said:
Saying that the use of pentalobe screws makes it 'virtually impossible' to open is just bad rhetoric. You can get a pentalobe screwdriver from iFixit for like $7. So, no it isn't virtually impossible, it is $7 impossible. If you happen to have $8, and the knowledge of how to turn a screw driver then guess what? That sucker is open.

The RAM is soldered, that does suck, but it comes with 8GB base, and you can up it to 16GB for $200. They use DDR3L (1.35v) which is about $120 for 16GB, so they are charging a premium for it, but name me a big OEM that doesn't. The SSD is removable, therefore it is replaceable... oh wait, that's right, it is impossible to open the bottom unless you have the super-secret screwdriver. OWC released aftermarket SSDs for the 2010/2011 Airs, no reason why they won't do the same for the 2012 Airs and Pro.
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I must hear more about OWC. Who are they and, link?
 
I do find this something of a turn-off, but to some extent I can't blame Apple for using proprietary technology, including solderered-in RAM and SSD, if that's what they have to do to achieve their performance and packaging goals. Given the specs of the Retina machines I would be more concerned with serviceability than upgradability, and I would expect that routine service will still be possible at the Apple store.
 
Bateluer said:
http://www.wired.com/gadgetlab/2012/06/macbook-pro-unfixable/
Its a nice machine, but it fits with Apple's design methodology, form first, function second.
Click to expand...

lol, the retina MBP is an engineering marvel. The fact that it functions at all in that form is an impressive achievement. What about other manufacturers going for form over function? Asus transformer tablet that's all aluminum? At least Apple was smart enough to do a plastic window on their iPads.
 
I guess I don't get all the complaining about the certain limitations of the RMBP. It's a matter of deciding what you need and it's exactly why there's still the option of the regular MBP.
 
TuxDave said:
Meh.... just wait. I'm sure OEMs will follow too.
Click to expand...

In the race to the thinnest, lightest devices, yep. Integrated components, soldered & glued together, saving as much space as possible.

Thoughts on a future where no PCs, tablets, or phones are user serviceable at all?
 
TheStu said:
Saying that the use of pentalobe screws makes it 'virtually impossible' to open is just bad rhetoric. You can get a pentalobe screwdriver from iFixit for like $7. So, no it isn't virtually impossible, it is $7 impossible. If you happen to have $8, and the knowledge of how to turn a screw driver then guess what? That sucker is open.
Click to expand...

Those pentalobe screwdrivers are trash .. stripped 2 of my MBA screws...luckily apple replaced them for free and got them out with the proper pentalobe 😀
 
Bateluer said:
In the race to the thinnest, lightest devices, yep. Integrated components, soldered & glued together, saving as much space as possible.

Thoughts on a future where no PCs, tablets, or phones are user serviceable at all?
Click to expand...

We are rapidly approaching (and for the vast majority of people have passed) the point of 'good enough'. The stock specs on the Retina Pro is there and beyond for many people, even the ones that would buy it. The same even goes for the MacBook Air at 4GB RAM.

I don't think we will see a point anytime soon of when NOTHING is user-serviceable. But I think that the vast majority of the devices will be. How many of the popular tablets even have user replaceable batteries? I think that the Nook can have its' back removed, but past that...
 
Bateluer said:
http://www.wired.com/gadgetlab/2012/06/macbook-pro-unfixable/

Its a nice machine, but it fits with Apple's design methodology, form first, function second. Hopefully if anything breaks, the buyer is still under warranty, as they'll get a entirely different MBP. If you're not under warranty . . . 3,000 dollar paperweight?
Click to expand...

In fairness there is no other portable computer on the market that rivals the function of the Retina MBP. I would also expect that, like other Apple laptops, its build quality is fantastic, and that it will in fact hold up better over time than nearly all of its competitors. Obviously you're free to spend your money wherever you want, in any case.
 
TheStu said:
Saying that the use of pentalobe screws makes it 'virtually impossible' to open is just bad rhetoric. You can get a pentalobe screwdriver from iFixit for like $7. So, no it isn't virtually impossible, it is $7 impossible. If you happen to have $8, and the knowledge of how to turn a screw driver then guess what? That sucker is open.

The RAM is soldered, that does suck, but it comes with 8GB base, and you can up it to 16GB for $200. They use DDR3L (1.35v) which is about $120 for 16GB, so they are charging a premium for it, but name me a big OEM that doesn't. The SSD is removable, therefore it is replaceable... oh wait, that's right, it is impossible to open the bottom unless you have the super-secret screwdriver. OWC released aftermarket SSDs for the 2010/2011 Airs, no reason why they won't do the same for the 2012 Airs and Pro.
Click to expand...

yea i hate articles like this, link bait journalism.
 
Wow seriously OP, you post everything negative about Apple you can find, and everything positive about Android. I can see you "try" to make your tone sound decent, but you're attempting every possible attack against Apple.
 
DLeRium said:
Wow seriously OP, you post everything negative about Apple you can find, and everything positive about Android. I can see you "try" to make your tone sound decent, but you're attempting every possible attack against Apple.
Click to expand...

The RMBP doesn't even have an optical drive. Fail. 🙂
 
I can see both sides of the fence on this one.

One one hand, it really offends me as a geek that I can't replace anything on it. I'm sure OWC & Runco will come out with SSD replacements, but unless they are cheaper, what's the point? According to reviews, the Apple SSD's are already hitting 500 MB/s. But if you spill a drink on it or break the screen, it looks like you're hosed to the tune of $2100.

On the other hand, it's an appliance - basically a giant iPhone. "Just works". No parts rattling arround inside, nothing to mess with. I'm sure they will be hugely popular. I'd love one myself if I had two grand (well, three with what I want) lying around. Plus with Thunderbolt, you have massive support for add-ons, which is awesome.

I bet the iMacs will be the next ones to suffer this fate...3/4" thick, Retina screen, everything soldered in.
 
ViviTheMage said:
Those pentalobe screwdrivers are trash .. stripped 2 of my MBA screws...luckily apple replaced them for free and got them out with the proper pentalobe 😀
Click to expand...

Also the pentalobe driver is different for iphone/MBP, maybe MBA too, so that might have been the problem.
 
Honestly, the only thing they are mad about is the inability to replace RAM. If 8GB isn't enough, order 16GB. They are also complaining that the loss of the optical drive means no more optibay HDDs. Too bad? But it's not like previously you could replace the CPU, GPU, Hard drive, and screen and that's been taken away from you. It's whining!
 
Got to play with one of these yesterday. Holy hell. It is so thin and lighter than you think it will be and the display is gorgeous. It is just a shame 90% of what you see on it is pixelated because it was made for display sizes much much smaller.

My only complaints is that it is very expensive and a laptop. Give me that amount of power and feature set on an iMac and I'll buy it asap.
 
dagamer34 said:
Honestly, the only thing they are mad about is the inability to replace RAM. If 8GB isn't enough, order 16GB. They are also complaining that the loss of the optical drive means no more optibay HDDs. Too bad? But it's not like previously you could replace the CPU, GPU, Hard drive, and screen and that's been taken away from you. It's whining!
Click to expand...

Exactly. There is really nothing to complain about with the new RMBP. Apple just knocked it out of the park, again. The thing is just about perfect.

Complaining about ram is just stupid. If you think you'll need more ram, get the 16GB option and STFU.
 
JackBurton said:
Exactly. There is really nothing to complain about with the new RMBP. Apple just knocked it out of the park, again. The thing is just about perfect.

Complaining about ram is just stupid. If you think you'll need more ram, get the 16GB option and STFU.
Click to expand...

I'll be damned if I pay the crAPPLE TAX on RAM!!! That is their counter argument. 16GB of RAM that the new Macs use is $120, so they are being charged $200. And if anything goes wrong with it, the warranty covers it.
 
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