undefined | Better HN

0 pointsfavorited1y ago0 comments

The storage is not soldered to the M4 mini SOC.

0 comments

No, it is soldered to the storage module. You have to desolder the flash chips from that module and replace them. You can't just order a bigger storage module from Apple (or anyone else) and plug it in.

josephg1y ago

I don’t think anything is stopping you buying a second hand / 3rd party module online. It just needs to be physically compatible with your particular generation of hardware.

staticfish1y ago

I don't think this is true. If you watch the videos, dosdude1 specifically says he had to order blank NANDs for this process. Then you DFU restore the system from another mac. I have no proof, but I assume part of this DFU restore process is the new NAND chips being hardware paired in some way.

Again I have no proof, but there must be reasons he claims they have to be blank NANDs

1 more reply

Izikiel431y ago

Well, someone has to build the 3rd party module

bitwize1y ago

M4 Macs only accept SSDs of the exact same make and model as the one installed at the factory.

So to expand storage in an M4 Mac, you indeed need to desolder the flash chips and solder in new ones.

llm_nerd1y ago

The video at the base of this thread has iFixIt take the 500GB SSD from one Mac Mini and swap it with the 250GB SSD from another, and both recognized and worked with the replacement.

It is a swappable part. Which means much more attainable servicing for flash failure or exhaustion, and possibly even upgrading storage in the future.

fragmede1y ago

What stops someone from selling replacement cards?

adgjlsfhk11y ago

not wanting extensive interactions with Apple's legal team. Charging $400 for $10 of storage means they have a lot of money to harass you with very well payed lawyers even if you are in the right.

1 more reply

j / k navigate · click thread line to collapse

0 comments

IshKebab1y ago

josephg1y ago

I don’t think anything is stopping you buying a second hand / 3rd party module online. It just needs to be physically compatible with your particular generation of hardware.

staticfish1y ago

Again I have no proof, but there must be reasons he claims they have to be blank NANDs

1 more reply

Izikiel431y ago

Well, someone has to build the 3rd party module

bitwize1y ago

M4 Macs only accept SSDs of the exact same make and model as the one installed at the factory.

So to expand storage in an M4 Mac, you indeed need to desolder the flash chips and solder in new ones.

llm_nerd1y ago

The video at the base of this thread has iFixIt take the 500GB SSD from one Mac Mini and swap it with the 250GB SSD from another, and both recognized and worked with the replacement.

It is a swappable part. Which means much more attainable servicing for flash failure or exhaustion, and possibly even upgrading storage in the future.

fragmede1y ago

What stops someone from selling replacement cards?

adgjlsfhk11y ago

not wanting extensive interactions with Apple's legal team. Charging $400 for $10 of storage means they have a lot of money to harass you with very well payed lawyers even if you are in the right.

1 more reply

j / k navigate · click thread line to collapse