Apple reduces flash memory from 1TB Fusion Drive to 24GB

Apple has reduced the flash memory in the Fusion Drives with a storage capacity of 1TB from 128GB to 24GB. This is apparent from the specification page of the new iMac models. It is unknown why Apple made the change.

The change is visible on a page that appears when assembling a new iMac, the option ‘How much storage capacity do you need?’ at the Fusion Drive information. The variants with 2TB or 3TB have 128GB of fast flash memory.

Those who equip their iMac with 32GB of RAM are now recommended by Apple to choose at least a Fusion Drive with 2TB or 3TB for the best performance. Although Apple doesn’t mention it, that’s likely due to the smaller flash capacity of the 1TB model. Since this disk only has 24GB of flash memory, the entire working memory cannot be transferred to the flash memory of the disk when the iMac is put into sleep mode. That could mean it takes a long time to wake the Mac from sleep.

Website 9to5mac discovered the change, which appears to apply to all iMacs. Apple supplies a traditional HDD in the cheapest configurations. The Fusion Drive with storage capacity of 1TB has an additional cost of 120 euros. The 2TB model costs 360 euros extra. In the 27 “iMacs, you can opt for the variant with 3TB storage capacity for 480 euros.