Retina macbook memory soldered or user replaceable?

The retina pages say "onboard memory" while non-retina is just "memory" -- so most likely soldered on.

 

From the pictures they showed in the keynote it is going to be soldered on....which is a shame.

 

Super disappointed about this. I did not realize any of the macbook had soldered on memory (that seems so stupid) =(. Anyway I ordered my macbook like an hour after they were available (5-7 days to ship). Then i decide to look up on upgrading the ram (after already buying 16GB of DDR3 SODIM for $100) and then I find its not user upgradable.

Then I see on the site it is 7-10 business days to ship now =(. Ok so I call to see if I can just modify the order. Nope... While on the phone I notice now its 2-3 weeks to ship. Oh well Not worth getting the extra ram that i didn't *really* need for 3 week wait. Sucky =(.

 

now this really does change things for me. i was planning on upgrading later. bummer

 

No surprise. Apple has been headed towards a sealed unit for years. It's one way for them to increase profits & reduce customers from mucking up a job they're not qualified to do. Remember no matter how many of us are experienced with an easy job. There are those who screw it up then return it.

 

I wonder how you troubleshoot when you have bad ram, if you can't take the modules out and test them one by one...guess you have to take it to the Apple Store.......$$$....or do it yourself if you know how to solder?

 

You need SMD reworking equipment.

Or simply to put it differently, let's just say you can't do it. You have no idea what memory controllers they use on board or what configuration the memory chips needs to be in.

And where are you gonna buy memory chips anyway?