Before buying a new Mac in 2024: Storage upgrade options explained

Summary

In this video, the creator highlights the high costs of Apple’s storage and memory upgrades, advising viewers to avoid Apple's pricey options. Instead, they recommend purchasing a separate, fast NVMe SSD for expanded storage, which offers great speed and backup advantages at a fraction of the price. After upgrading the memory to at least 16GB, users can save money by sticking with the base storage option and using the external SSD for heavy tasks, ensuring fast performance without being locked into Apple’s expensive upgrades.

Takeaways

• 😀 If you are tech-savvy, terms like NVMe M.2 PCI Express and USB 3.2 Gen 2 might be familiar, but if not, this video will help you save money on a Mac purchase in 2024.
• 😀 Apple products often have a built-in 'tax' for upgrades like storage and memory, which can be costly due to their non-upgradable nature.
• 😀 It is recommended to upgrade to at least 16GB of RAM when purchasing any Apple Mac in 2024 as 8GB will likely not be enough for everyday use.
• 😀 Apple’s memory options are not upgradable, meaning what you buy in 2024 is what you’ll be stuck with for the life of the device.
• 😀 Apple charges high prices for storage upgrades, and it's better to stick with the base storage option (256GB or 512GB) and find alternative solutions for additional storage.
• 😀 NVMe external SSD drives are a great alternative to Apple's internal storage options, offering speeds up to 5,000 MB/s, making them nearly as fast as the internal storage of Macs.
• 😀 Buying an external NVMe SSD can save you hundreds of dollars compared to Apple's overpriced internal storage upgrades.
• 😀 External NVMe drives are easy to use, with simple enclosures that let you store large files and transfer them at blazing speeds.
• 😀 One benefit of external drives is data security; if there’s a power surge, the data on an external drive is safer than data on the soldered internal drive.
• 😀 The recommended workflow is to use the base storage for everyday applications and store larger files or backups on an external NVMe SSD.
• 😀 The video suggests avoiding the costly storage upgrades from Apple and opting for a 16GB RAM configuration and an affordable external NVMe drive for a faster, more cost-effective solution.

Q & A

What is the main topic of the video?

The main topic of the video is about the 'Apple Storage scam' and 'Apple memory scam,' focusing on the price gouging related to storage and memory upgrades in Apple Mac computers in 2024.

Why does the creator refer to Apple's storage and memory upgrades as a 'scam'?

The creator calls it a scam because Apple charges a premium for storage and memory upgrades that are hardwired or soldered directly onto the motherboard, which means they cannot be upgraded later, making users stuck with the initial configuration.

What is the recommended memory upgrade for an Apple Mac in 2024?

The creator recommends upgrading to at least 16GB of RAM in 2024. This is because 8GB is no longer sufficient for most modern workflows, especially with multiple apps running simultaneously.

What does the creator mean by 'Apple tax'?

The 'Apple tax' refers to the additional cost that users pay for Apple products, especially due to the lack of upgradeability, as many components are soldered directly onto the motherboard, which restricts future upgrades.

What type of storage does the creator suggest for Apple Mac computers?

The creator suggests purchasing the base level storage for your Mac (such as 256GB or 512GB), and then using an external NVMe SSD drive for additional storage. This solution is faster and more economical than upgrading the internal storage.

Why does the creator recommend using an external NVMe SSD instead of Apple's storage upgrade?

The external NVMe SSD is recommended because it offers speeds nearly as fast as the soldered internal storage, is much cheaper, and is more convenient as it can be used across different devices. It also provides an easy way to back up your data.

What is the speed of the NVMe SSD mentioned in the video?

The NVMe SSD mentioned in the video offers speeds of up to 5,000 megabytes per second, which is significantly faster than traditional USB backup drives.

What is the advantage of using an NVMe SSD for workflow tasks?

The advantage is the high-speed data transfer, which allows for efficient workflows. The SSD is fast enough to edit files directly off the drive, making it a reliable and quick storage solution for tasks like video editing.

What is the 'Apple Storage' issue related to the video?

The 'Apple Storage' issue refers to the inflated prices for internal storage upgrades on Apple Macs. Since the storage is soldered onto the motherboard, it cannot be upgraded later, which makes users pay higher prices upfront.

How can someone protect their data from a potential power surge on their Mac?

By using an external storage device like the NVMe SSD, you can protect your data. If the internal storage is damaged due to a power surge, your data on the external drive will remain intact.