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Touch Bar MacBook Pro Q&A
Update Published December 13, 2021
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What SSD storage options are available for the "Touch Bar" MacBook Pro models? Is it even possible to upgrade the storage?
Officially, Apple notes that the storage is "onboard" in all "Touch Bar" MacBook Pro models, regardless of size, which boded poorly for the possibility of future upgrades.
As documented by site sponsor OWC, regardless of generation, all 13-Inch, 15-Inch, and 16-Inch models with the "Touch Bar" functionality do, in fact, have the SSD soldered in place which makes them impossible to upgrade after purchase.
However, in an unexpected surprise that is contrary to Apple's official documentation, the entry-level 13-Inch "Late 2016" and "Mid-2017" models without the Touch Bar actually do have the SSD mounted on a small proprietary module. These notebooks share the A1708 model number.
Photo Credit: OWC (13" non-Touch Bar MacBook Pro SSD Module)
Accordingly, it is possible to upgrade the SSD in these entryl-evel models, just no other ones.
How to Upgrade 13-Inch non-Touch Bar MacBook Pro SSD (A1708)
More recently, site sponsor OWC has followed up its initial discovery with the OWC Aura Pro NT, which provides the storage upgrade and tools necessary to swap out the SSD in the entry-level 13-Inch "Late 2016" and "Mid-2017" models without the Touch Bar.
These video instructions provide a walkthrough of the straightforward process:
It is a shame that other "Touch Bar" MacBook Pro models cannot be upgraded in the same way.
Original "Touch Bar" MacBook Pro SSD Upgrade Options
At the time of original system purchase, these were the SSD upgrade options that were available. To reiterate, with the exception of the entry-level 13-Inch "Late 2016" and "Mid-2017" models without the Touch Bar, these models cannot be upgraded later.
"Late 2016" MacBook Pro SSD Upgrade Options
"Late 2016" MacBook Pro |
Standard Storage |
Upgrade Options |
Upgrade Price |
13-Inch |
256 GB |
512 GB |
US$200 |
13-Inch (Touch Bar) |
256 GB |
1 TB |
US$400 |
15-Inch (Touch Bar) |
256 GB |
512 GB 1 TB |
US$200 US$400 |
"Mid-2017" MacBook Pro SSD Upgrade Options
"Mid-2017" MacBook Pro |
Standard Storage |
Upgrade Options |
Upgrade Price |
13-Inch |
128 GB |
256 GB |
US$200 |
13-Inch (Touch Bar) |
256 GB |
512 GB |
US$200 |
15-Inch (Touch Bar) |
256 GB |
512 GB 1 TB |
US$200 US$400 |
"Mid-2018" MacBook Pro SSD Upgrade Options
"Mid-2018" MacBook Pro |
Standard Storage |
Upgrade Options |
Upgrade Price |
13-Inch (Touch Bar) |
256 GB |
512 GB |
US$200 |
15-Inch (Touch Bar) |
256 GB |
512 GB 1 TB |
US$200 US$400 |
"2019" MacBook Pro SSD Upgrade Options
"2019" MacBook Pro |
Standard Storage |
Upgrade Options |
Upgrade Price |
13-Inch (Touch Bar) |
256 GB |
512 GB |
US$200 |
13-Inch (Touch Bar, 2 TB 3) |
128 GB |
256 GB |
US$200 |
15-Inch (Touch Bar) |
256 GB |
512 GB 1 TB |
US$200 US$400 |
16-Inch |
512 GB |
1 TB |
US$200 |
"2020" MacBook Pro SSD Upgrade Options
"2020" MacBook Pro |
Standard Storage |
Upgrade Options |
Upgrade Price |
13-Inch (2 TB 3) |
256 GB |
512 GB |
US$200 |
13-Inch (4 TB 3) |
512 GB |
1 TB |
US$200 |
If having the option to upgrade the internal storage after purchase is very important to you, you might prefer to purchase an earlier 13-Inch or 15-Inch "Retina Display" MacBook Pro because they all have upgradable storage and are available at even lower prices on the used market.
Of course, external storage upgrades are available for the "Touch Bar" MacBook Pro lineup, as well.
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