Earlier this month, Apple gave a very thoughtful gift to all its budget-conscious fans. The brand unveiled its most affordable laptop, the MacBook Neo, and it soon got the entire tech world talking. The laptop was introduced for Rs 69,900, which is the lowest ever for any Apple laptop. However, it also comes with a few tradeoffs and one of the biggest ones is the storage which is 256GB in the base variant. Now, Apple hasn’t really given us a way to upgrade the storage on the Neo. But a modder from China has already made it possible. Read on to know how.
SurveyAlso read: Apple MacBook Neo in Digit Test Labs: For the first time Mac users
A MacBook Neo with 1TB storage?
The MacBook Neo does not use a traditional removable SSD. Instead, its storage is part of the logic board, tightly integrated with the A18 Pro chip. This means you cannot simply swap drives like on older laptops. The only way forward is to physically replace the NAND chip. And the aforementioned modder did exactly that.
Known as DirectorFeng, the modder (who is a professional technician) shared a video of the entire process on his channel, where he carefully dismantled the laptop to reach the logic board. Once inside, things get highly technical. He removed protective layers and connectors to expose the storage module, then applied controlled heat to soften the adhesive holding the chip in place.
After lifting the original 256GB NAND, the board was treated with flux to prepare it for the new component. And then, it was time for the star of the show. The 1TB NAND chip was positioned with precision onto the board. The installation also requires careful reheating so the solder connections can settle properly.
It works, but it is not for everyone
It is worth mentioning that this is not something you can just try at home. It needs specialised tools and a steady hand, as even a minor error can permanently damage the logic board. So unless you are a professional like DirectorFeng, we would advise against trying this technique out yourself.
Now, back to the video. Once the hardware work was complete, the job was only half done. The system needed to recognise the new storage. To make that happen, the modified MacBook Neo was connected to another Mac and macOS was reinstalled. This step confirmed whether the firmware could detect the upgraded chip.
The result was a success and the video ends with the system booting normally and showing 1TB of storage. Before sealing the laptop, the technician reinforced the new chip with adhesive and used controlled heat to stabilise the installation. The final product looked and functioned like a factory unit, just with significantly more storage.
Now, we all know that Apple makes such DIY upgrades extremely difficult by design. While this experiment proves that even though it is technically possible, it is just not practical for most users. The cost of tools, expertise, and risk involved can easily outweigh the price advantage of buying the base model. Still, it is a fascinating look at what is possible when someone experienced and qualified enough decides to take up a challenge.
Also read: MacBook Neo 2 to come with touchscreen display? Here’s what we know
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Divyanshi Sharma
Divyanshi Sharma is a media and communications professional with over 8 years of experience in the industry. With a strong background in tech journalism, she has covered everything from the latest gadgets to gaming trends and brings a sharp editorial lens to every story. She holds a master’s diploma in mass communication and a bachelor’s degree in English literature. Her love for writing and gaming began early—often skipping classes to try out the latest titles—which naturally evolved into a career at the intersection of technology and storytelling. When she’s not working, you’ll likely find her exploring virtual worlds on her console or PC, or testing out a new laptop she managed to get her hands on. View Full Profile
