Flash Storage vs SSD

Question

Level 1

48 points

Flash Storage vs SSD

So, from what I understand, in principle, the Flash Storage have the same software-hardware of the SSD Storage (Solid State Disk).

Both of them do not use mechanical components, both of them are fast, both of them are small, etc.

But specifically, I read that there are still differences between Flash Storage vs SSD Storage.

The Flash Storage are smaller than SSD Storage, are even faster, for example, are essential to the macbook pro and air that use the retina technology, and thanks to them that only some apps work as Power Nap, etc..

Is this true? what other differences are between Flash Storage and SSD storage?

thanks

MacBook Pro with Retina display, OS X Mountain Lion (10.8.2)

Posted on Jan 16, 2013 11:32 AM

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Answer 1

fabio168 Author

Level 1

48 points

Jan 16, 2013 2:17 PM in response to Kappy

Can you please, very please, post two pictures on how a Flash Storage integrated on a motherboard, and another picture of how a SSD is just plug on a motherboard.

thank you so much, so I can see from real the difference of connection.

I am a person that like to go deep in research and discuss with other people.

thank you again

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Answer 2

Kniste

Level 1

8 points

Jun 1, 2017 8:00 AM in response to webbadger

I do not know if this helps: It would appear that apple has returned to the late 80ies. These were the days when you bought your box and you kept it till it died. I just bought my 2.7gig MacBook pro. the connection for the drive is flash and not SSD. This means that the max upgrade is 256gb flash from apple. I could return it, but the next pro is 40% more, for that you get a SSD connection.

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Answer 3

Kappy

Level 10

361,741 points

Jan 16, 2013 11:37 AM in response to fabio168

Flash storage in a Mac refers to storage that is integral with the motherboard. An SSD is flash storage put into an enclosure so that the device can replace an actual HDD. Both devices are more or less identical except for the physical connection. Flash storage may be faster than some SSDs, but not all.

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Answer 4

fabio168 Author

Level 1

48 points

Jan 16, 2013 11:45 AM in response to Kappy

Thank you Kappy,

one question, if the Flash Storage are an integral part of the motherboard, means that once you buy a MacBook Pro Retina with a Flash Storage of (example) 256GB, later on in the future, it can not be upgrade to a 512GB, since they are integrated with the motherboard?

Viceversa the regular SSD of 128GB can be upgrade to 256GB or 512GB anytime I want?

Thanks

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Answer 5

Kappy

Level 10

361,741 points

Jan 16, 2013 12:05 PM in response to fabio168

Yes, that's correct. Unless the flash drive is implemented as a device that is plugged onto the motherboard - a daughterboard - it cannot be removed and replaced. It would not be upgradeable. That's the case, I believe, in the 21" iMacs and may be true of the 13" Retinas and is true of the 11" MBAs.

Because SSDs simply connect like any other HDD, they can be removed and changed at will.

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Answer 6

Kappy

Level 10

361,741 points

Jan 16, 2013 3:07 PM in response to fabio168

And SSD above. Physical dimensions are that of a notebook drive.

Above is an example of an internal flash drive. Different models may have different appearances.

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Answer 7

Courcoul

Level 6

18,558 points

Jan 16, 2013 3:21 PM in response to Kappy

The bottom device is what a Retina may carry as solid state storage. OWC makes it for those who scrimped when they purchased their Retinas, only to discover they couldn't live in 128GB.

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Answer 8

FaroMedi

Level 1

0 points

Jul 21, 2015 10:10 PM in response to fabio168

Flash storge is the same SSD

apple called flash storge

samsung abd other companies called SSD

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Answer 9

Nov 3, 2015 2:18 PM in response to Kappy

Sorry, still headscratcher for me.

I'm right now trying to decide buying between the following two specs:

(1) PRODUCT DETAILS:

MACBOOK PRO RETINA

MGXG2LL/A

2.8 GHZ

INTEL CORE i7 ( CRYSTALWELL)

Hard drive: 1TB FS

Memory: 16 GB

15.4INCH

RETINA DISPLAY

WEBCAM

BLUETOOTH

MAC OS X

(2) PRODUCT INFORMATION:

Model Apple MGXG2LL MacBooK Pro Quad Core i7 | 2.8GHZ |16GB, 1TB SSD | 15.4-Inch

RAM 16 GB

I want speed, which I understand 'FS' has. Can one categorically tell if (2) which says '1TB SSD' is also a Flash Storage?

Secondly, the two seem identical same specs item, so why is (2) about 7% costlier than (1) both being sold by same website shop? They've not responded to these my two questions, I suspect they aren't competent to answer.

Thanks.

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