And this may be (is?) true for a large number of users. I just don't understand the logic behind making it difficult to upgrade anything.
It's a matter of what sells.
Apple machines are often purchased because they look stylish.
Apple has chosen to get to the "stylish" by making them thinner, lighter, etc.
The removal of slots, removable covers, etc has enabled them to save space. It's a means to an end, not the end game itself. Given that few people use them, they were likely seen as a worthy trade-off. For most users, i'm inclined to agree - hardware progress has slowed down a heap in recent years, as pe rmy previous post.
The removal of the optical drive has enabled them to be thinner and lighter than others who haven't had the balls to draw the line in the sand and say "no more optical".
Putting slots in a machine that perhaps 2-3% of their userbase will ever make use of is a waste of time, money and space.
Unfortunately, yes - if you're in that 2-3% of users (and I am myself) you will be upset.
At the moment your choice (for aftermarket RAM upgrades at least) is a Mac Mini, 27" iMac, Classic MBP or Mac Pro.
Yes, the Mac Pro is well overdue for an update. Again, it is a very small segment of apple's sales....
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The argument that "you hardly ever need it" make the omission of the drive even more onerous, cuz then you have to buy one just to use a couple of times a year.
That 30 dollars is sure going to break the bank.