New MacBook Pros Max Out at 16GB RAM Due to Battery Life Concerns

[MacRumors]

Despite featuring more energy efficient Skylake processors, faster SSDs, better GPUs, and new thermal architecture, Apple's revamped MacBook Pros continue to max out at 16GB RAM.

Many customers have been wondering why Apple didn't bump up the maximum RAM to 32GB, including MacRumors reader David, who emailed Apple to ask and got an explanation from marketing chief Phil Schiller. According to Schiller, more than 16GB RAM would consume too much power and have a negative impact on battery life.

Question from David: The lack of a 32GB BTO option for the new MBPs raised some eyebrows and caused some concerns (me included). Does ~3GBps bandwidth to the SSD make this a moot issue? I.e. memory paging on a 16GB system is so fast that 32GB is not a significant improvement?

Schiller's answer: Thank you for the email. It is a good question. To put more than 16GB of fast RAM into a notebook design at this time would require a memory system that consumes much more power and wouldn't be efficient enough for a notebook. I hope you check out this new generation MacBook Pro, it really is an incredible system.

While most average customers likely couldn't utilize 32GB RAM, the MacBook Pro is aimed at professionals who need more computing power and who may occasionally feel the constraints of being limited to 16GB RAM. There will undoubtedly be customers who are disappointed that Apple has not offered a choice between better performance and battery life.

For the 2016 MacBook Pro, Apple was able to reach "all-day battery life," which equates to 10 hours of wireless web use or iTunes movie playback. That's an hour improvement over the previous generation in the 15-inch machine, and a small step back in the 13-inch machine.

While none of Apple's portable machines offer more than 16GB RAM, 32GB of RAM is a high-end custom upgrade option in the 27-inch iMac.

Update: Apple provided a bit more detail to Dan Frakes of The Wirecutter, noting that Apple elected to use LPDDR3 RAM, which is limited to 16 GB per chip, due to its performance/energy ratio. A reddit commenter notes that Intel's Skylake chips do not support the faster and more efficient LPDDR4 standard.

Article Link: New MacBook Pros Max Out at 16GB RAM Due to Battery Life Concerns

 

[rizzo41999]

I thought people don't mind charging their devices everyday? Delusional explanations recently

 

[cppguy]

That's ridiculous. They should just give the option anyway, at our own risk. Most of us are connected to an outlet 99.99% of the time.

 

[Quu]

Ridiculous and false reasoning. Had they used LPDDR4 instead of LPDDR3 they could have stuck 32GB in that machine at an even lower voltage level.

EDIT:// Also Samsung is selling LPDD4x a new off-shoot which goes down to 0.6v (compared to 1.2v of LPDDR3 and 1.1v of LPDDR4). They definitely could have got some from Samsung but chose not to.

The CPU used in these computers supports both DDR3 and DDR4 and the Samsung LPDDR4x is materially identical to LPDDR4 in compatibility, it just lowers I/O voltage.

 

[opfreak]

ddr4 uses less power...

but apple has the courage to over charge its best costumers.

 

[Stella]

Don't make the freaking machine so thin... allow a slighter larger battery!

Another consequence of Apple compromising functionality over Form.

 

[xkam1x]

Looks like I am sticking to 2012 rMBP for now. Was really hoping for 32GB RAM, although it ticks all other boxes but can't justify £3300 for a laptop....

 

[Born Again]

So how is the battery life?

Did they make the battery smaller?

 

[citysnaps]

That's ridiculous. They should just give the option anyway, at our own risk. Most of us are connected to an outlet 99.99% of the time.

Most of us? Essentially 100% of the time?

Are you serious? Perhaps you should only speak for yourself.

 

[bluefabian]

This shouldn't be called Pro machine then.

Sorry. Apple you have confused direction.

 

[dumastudetto]

Good answer. 99% of all users value battery life over masses of unnecessary RAM that macOS really doesn't need. I'm glad Apple remains focused on the important things.

 

[kaneda]

Just wait another 3 years. You will get your 32GB.

 

[Maleption]

My current 16GB is good for daily use. But when I want to test something in Windows Server with BootCamp/Parallels, I really want 32GB ram.

 

[karmstrong75]

I don't want to take away from the important of battery life. HOWEVER, is the MacBook Pro not designed for the Pro? Graphics Arts perhaps engineering etc. In those circumstances memory is important. Dell, HP, and others are offering not only 32GB of ram but XEON processors for an engineering grade laptop. While I agree Apple has superior quality if they can't continue to perform in the pro market then they are out. I'm disappointed in the update. I really had high hopes this year for the Macbook Pro.

Apple seems to be in this middle ground between Pro and Consumer. Not really consumer but not really Pro. What gives Apple?

 

[TheHateMachine]

Hahahahahaha, only the best experience is crafted at apple.

 

[discounteggroll]

I remember the days when "Pro" was used in the apple product line to actually mean something

 

[karlwig]

Well, these kinds of stupid trade offs is what happens when you go for thinner, thinner, thinner. But they could surely include a 32 GB option anyway, for those who think it's more important than battery.

 

[pcmacgamer]

"Pro" machines don't skimp on ram

 

[needfx]

they should have removed the battery

 

[soupcan]

THEN PUT IN A BIGGER BATTERY YOU NUGGET.

 

[doelcm82]

I remember when I thought 10MB ram was a lot. Heck, I remember when I thought 64K was a lot.

Carl Sagan as a kid: "Look at those stars, Becky. There must be hundreds of them."

 

[Floris]

"wouldn't be efficient enough for a notebook. "

THEN WHY IS IT SOLD AS A PRO LAPTOP IF IT IS A NOTEBOOK ?
Why sell a 64bit hardware machine with 64bit *nix powered OS, if you can't put in 64bit stuff?


For Steves sake.

 

[sbailey4]

Good answer. 99% of all users value battery life over masses of unnecessary RAM that macOS really doesn't need. I'm glad Apple remains focused on the important things.

I know because the availability of a power outlet within the 10hr work day is pretty much non-existent these days.

 

[ThaRuler]

Guys, let us vote with our wallets and not buy this garbage. I for one, will look elsewhere.

 

[ondre]

they should have removed the battery

You might be on to something here.