Uh-oh; A brave French startup takes on Apple with cheap, expandable storage for the Mac Studio, but installing it will permanently void your warranty
- Polysoft offers SSD upgrades for Mac Studio at significantly lower prices
- StudioDrive has surge protection and durable components
- Offered in 2TB, 4TB and 8TB capacities, shipping next year
Apple introduced the Mac Studio in 2022 with the M1 chip, followed by the M2 model in 2023, and while these compact powerhouses have been praised for their performance, buyers have rightly raised concerns about the limited base SSD configurations and lack of post-purchase upgrade options.
External USB-C or Thunderbolt SSDs are a common solution for users looking for extra storage space, but they don’t match the speed and convenience of internal storage solutions.
To bridge this gap, French company Polysoft has created the first publicly available SSD upgrade solution for Apple Silicon devices. Offered at a fraction of Apple’s prices, these SSD modules are the result of an extensive reverse-engineering process.
Better than Apple
Unlike SSDs used in PCs, Apple’s storage modules are difficult to replicate due to their integration with the M1 and M2 chips, where the storage controller resides.
Polysoft’s efforts include detailed disassembly, component analysis and redesign, culminating in the StudioDrive SSD that will be launched next year after a successful Kickstarter campaign.
Polysoft claims that its SSDs not only replicate Apple’s modules, but improve on them.
A key difference is the addition of “RIROP” (Rossmann Is Right Overvoltage Protection), a protection inspired by Louis Rossmann’s work in hardware reliability. This feature reportedly protects against power surges, reducing the risk of catastrophic data loss due to hardware failure.
The StudioDrive product line supports both M1 and M2 Mac Studio models. It includes blank boards for enthusiasts and preconfigured options in 2TB, 4TB, and 8TB capacities. Polysoft says the modules use high-performance Kioxia and Hynix TLC NANDs, which offer performance and durability comparable to Apple’s original storage solutions. The drives are backed by a five-year warranty and have a lifespan of up to 14,000 TBW.
Prices start at €399 ($419) for 2TB, €799 ($839) for 4TB and €1,099 ($1,155) for 8TB. While these upgrades will undoubtedly be seen as an affordable and welcome solution by many Mac Studio owners, users should be aware that installing third-party storage will void Apple’s warranty.