Chosen Solution
I wanted to buy a MacBook Pro for editing 4k content and saw some MacBooks pros can have their ram and storage upgraded. I want to know if there is a RETINA model that can have its RAM and SSD upgraded?
On the 2012-15, the RAM is soldered but the SSD is a custom nonstandard drive that is moodular - depending on the year, it’s either AHCI or NVMe - the 2014/15 is NVMe and the 2012/13 is AHCI. This link provides all of the information you could need to figure it out. On the 2016-present, both the SSD and RAM are soldered :-(. In addition to that, tied to the T2 chip so even if you were able to solder new chips on it would need to be re-paired. Get the 2014/15 rMBP if you must have a Retina - the RAM is soldered on them but if you put 16GB in the search term (or specs), that eliminates the 2012/13 8GB machines that are stuck there 100% of the time and pretty much gets rid of 90% of the custom 2013 machines someone paid extra when it was new - 90% of the 2012’s I see are 8GB systems. The other problem is on the 2012-14, there are a lot of machines with a bad AG coating that may or may not impact the machine. I’d stay away from those, as the problem spreads even if it stops at the corner for a while since it’s a cancer once it starts. Eventually you’re looking at a $550 display to fix the issue unless you can strip it off of the display without inflicting additional damage. If you want it just because, please take a look at the 2012 non-Retina machines first before buying one of these Retinas. I get it - I wanted one myself but once I really thought about it I decided on a 2012 13” and to be honest, it’s older but I’m much happier with my choice since it’s almost as good and I can get any freaking SSD I want instead of paying a lot for an Apple specific one. Even if you have to find a AG 15” ‘12 (1680x1050 HR panel), you’ll still likely be happier with that then a Retina model. They aren’t bad machines, but IMO the battery servicing requirements, soldered RAM and $$$ SSDs (you really want at least 512GB) along with the cost of a factory 16/512 machine make it harder to justify unless you need it. Yes, you can make a 16/512 out of a 16/256 configuration, but you’ll likely spend about as much beefing up one of those then you would finding a nice condition 16/512. The 16/512 factory machines are typically better treated then 16/256 machines because there’s more of a monetary pain to damaging a 16/512 over a 16/256 which was cheaper new and has worse resale down the road.
