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Reason for soldered CPU's in Macbooks (Pros)?
- Thread starter Jazwire
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miles01110
macrumors Core
It makes a cheaper, smaller laptop. A socket takes up space and costs money.
Do any laptops use a socketed mobile CPU, or are the only socketed ones desktop CPUs?
Do any laptops use a socketed mobile CPU, or are the only socketed ones desktop CPUs?
Most current PC laptops have upgradeable mobile cpus. ( http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&SubCategory=759&name=Mobile-CPU-Store )
My wife has a 18 month old Dual core Gateway with a 1.86 ghz cpu that I poped in a 2.5 ghz cpu in last month.
(The 17" Gateway was 1/2 the price of my 15" Mac, so sorry its not a cost issue.)
In fact I think it would be cheaper to not solder each cpu, than to drop it in a ZIF socket.
My wife has a 18 month old Dual core Gateway with a 1.86 ghz cpu that I poped in a 2.5 ghz cpu in last month.
(The 17" Gateway was 1/2 the price of my 15" Mac, so sorry its not a cost issue.)
In fact I think it would be cheaper to not solder each cpu, than to drop it in a ZIF socket.
miles01110
macrumors Core
I don't think so, actually. ZIF connectors are usually thru-hole. Thru-hole soldering is a lot more expensive than a surface mount BGA.
The vast majority of laptops in the world allow you to upgrade. Macs dont for a very good reason: The design of Macs is as tight as you can get, and anything that adds space is taken out. Dell ships 14 laptop models and each model allows both multiple cpus and often different sockets (the studio line can take a core 2 or a I5). Therefore they have space built into the design.
The solder the CPU mostly due to space and cost. Soldering keeps the costs down and space to a minimum. Most important of all, they keep curious hands from fittling around with the mac and damage it. Changing a CPU is not a simple task and require skilled hands. You can mess up a computer very good if the task is not performed correctly.
ryannazaretian
macrumors 6502a
I say it's due to space. The case is cramped as it is. Imagine adding a 1/4" thick piece of plastic between the logic board and the CPU. The whole case would have to be lifted up, or else Apple would have to do some nifty case work.