Why are newer MacBook Pros not upgradeable

[PKBeam]

personally I wouldn't call a company greedy to no end because I'd want a new laptop in 202X... it might not be the same thing but I can't imagine that people got so mad when manufacturers started soldering CPU/GPU in laptops. in fact I'm more likely to upgrade because the CPU is bottlenecking me, as opposed to not enough RAM.

 

[MacDawg]

I wonder why nobody ever noticed this before and created a thread about it?

 

[T'hain Esh Kelch]

Now with the Retina MacBook Pro, neither the SSD nor the RAM is serviceable.

Neither seems much defensible.

Well, both are...

You get 8+ GB RAM on all the newest machines, which should be suitable for the vast majority of users for years to come. Mavericks and newer version of OSX has excellent memory management, and if you really need more than that, then you are a definitely in a minority and you then have the choice to pay for more.

Regarding storage space (Which *is* upgradeable, but I'll take your bait), more and more of it is going to the cloud anyway, and even if you need the space, you can still pay for it. Expensive yes, but you also get the fastest I/O on the market. But again, for most users 256GB space is more than sufficient.

I wonder why nobody ever noticed this before and created a thread about it?

I have to agree with you. It is as if Apple products suddenly got more expensive than everything else on the market for no apparent reason!

 

[Alex225]

Personally I don't have a great issue with the way Apple do things, I've got MacBook Air which I spec'd well nearly three years ago and it is still genuinely quick. I knew it was sealed and I couldn't add additional RAM so I went i7 and 8gb. If I'd bought a Windows machine I doubt it would be as quick as my Air still is.

Thing is like every company building any kind of tech from computers to washing machines, they're engineered to only last so long. I'm sure you could 'over engineer' a lot of things to last a lifetime but they don't. I'm not saying it's not a bit greedy but it's the way companies make ongoing profits with return customers.

 

[marc55]

As for me, I have no issues with Apple's design or components. My 2013 and 2014 rMBP's are the best computers I've ever owned. My past computers were usually Dell XPS's, but IMHO, they do not compare to the MBP's. Heck, the Apple track pad alone would keep me from ever switching back!

 

[maflynn]

Neither seems much defensible.

Perhaps, but unlike Dell computers which you reference, Apple is selling more units, where has Dell sales are falling.

While I hate to admit it, the consumer really doesn't care about upgrading their laptops. Apple is taking advantage of consumer habits, there by decreasing their manufactoring costs and providing the consumer with a computer exactly how they'll be using it.

Personally, I'd prefer a computer that is upgradable but I'm not considered a normal consumer (I'm not considered normal anything )

 

[Howard2k]

I'm FAR more disturbed by the lack of understanding of basic economics and capitalism.

 

[lcseds]

With all that on the motherboard, they probably sell more Applecare too!

 

[applesith]

Perhaps it's not enough that Apple priced its laptops well above those of its competitors.

Now with the Retina MacBook Pro, neither the SSD nor the RAM is serviceable.

Neither seems much defensible.

Since the SSD is removable, there is not many reasonable explanations for why the SSDs wouldn't be upgradable other than that Apple's desire to force users to get the biggest storage on initial purchases or else buy new computers rather than fitting their computers with bigger SSDs afterward.

Soldered RAM is often described as a compromise needed for thinner laptops, but as laptops from competitors (such as the Dell XPS 15 which has a 15 inch screen in a 14 inch laptop body) show, this is not the case. Again, the decision was made from Apple's desire to force users to get the most amount of memory on initial purchases or else buy new computers rather than fitting their computers with more memory afterward.

Do we really need ANOTHER thread to talk about this? This has been the case for years now- nothing new. Complain about it in another thread that exists: https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/why-are-newer-macbook-pros-not-upgradeable.1960895

Or just don't buy a Mac.

 

[T5BRICK]

Perhaps it's not enough that Apple priced its laptops well above those of its competitors.

Now with the Retina MacBook Pro, neither the SSD nor the RAM is serviceable.

Neither seems much defensible.

Since the SSD is removable, there is not many reasonable explanations for why the SSDs wouldn't be upgradable other than that Apple's desire to force users to get the biggest storage on initial purchases or else buy new computers rather than fitting their computers with bigger SSDs afterward.

Soldered RAM is often described as a compromise needed for thinner laptops, but as laptops from competitors (such as the Dell XPS 15 which has a 15 inch screen in a 14 inch laptop body) show, this is not the case. Again, the decision was made from Apple's desire to force users to get the most amount of memory on initial purchases or else buy new computers rather than fitting their computers with more memory afterward.

I'm pretty sure you just want to complain.

You also like to use that Dell as an example of a thin laptop with upgradeable RAM. Last time the horrible battery life was mentioned you started listing off all of the things about the Dell that are DIFFERENT than the Mac. Maybe they're not as similar as you would like them to be.

 

[tubeexperience]

I'm pretty sure you just want to complain.

You also like to use that Dell as an example of a thin laptop with upgradeable RAM. Last time the horrible battery life was mentioned you started listing off all of the things about the Dell that are DIFFERENT than the Mac. Maybe they're not as similar as you would like them to be.

As I said, the Dell XPS 15 is a 15 inch laptop, but it has the body of a 14-inch laptop. Obviously, that makes it only to have a much smaller battery and consequently worse battery.

 

[applesith]

As I said, the Dell XPS 15 is a 15 inch laptop, but it has the body of a 14-inch laptop. Obviously, that makes it only to have a much smaller battery and consequently worse battery.

What constitutes a "14 inch body" vs. a "15 inch body"? Either way the removable ram requires additional space for the sockets that hold it in, which takes up more space from battery.

I hope Apple solders SSD to the next gen MBA/MBP to save even more space (and to drive you even crazier).

Your argument is old and irrelevant. Apple will never go backwards.

 

[tubeexperience]

What constitutes a "14 inch body" vs. a "15 inch body"? Either way the removable ram requires additional space for the sockets that hold it in, which takes up more space from battery.

I hope Apple solders SSD to the next gen MBA/MBP to save even more space (and to drive you even crazier).

Your argument is old and irrelevant. Apple will never go backwards.

Dell XPS 15 has a screen to edge display so Dell has actually reduced the body of the laptop.

Oh, so if your SSD is full, you can't even upgrade the SSD at all since it's soldered. You have to get a whole new computer. Brilliant! I am so glad you have a money tree growing in your backyard!

 

[applesith]

Dell XPS 15 has a screen to edge display so Dell has actually reduced the body of the laptop.

Oh, so if your SSD is full, you can't even upgrade the SSD at all since it's soldered. You have to get a whole new computer. Brilliant! I am so glad you have a money tree growing in your backyard!

They reduced the footprint of the laptop, yes. I still don't know what you mean by a 14 vs 15 inch body. It's all relative by manufacturer.

No, just spend more money upfront and buy the highest option. By the time that's full, you can just buy a new computer. Keep complaining- it will make a difference.

 

[tubeexperience]

No, just spend more money upfront and buy the highest option. By the time that's full, you can just buy a new computer. Keep complaining- it will make a difference.

Please sent me $800. That way I can get the 1TB option upfront instead of the 256GB option.

 

[JackieInCo]

With all that on the motherboard, they probably sell more Applecare too!

I doubt it. It will be one year in May that I bought my $2499 16GB MBP and I don't plan on buying Apple Care for it. I've never needed it in the past so why start buying it now just because this is the second most expensive Mac and least upgradeable Mac I've ever owned?

I also bought the 2102 13" MBP last summer and that IS upgradeable and I also will not be buying AC for it.

 

[tubeexperience]

I doubt it. It will be one year in May that I bought my $2499 16GB MBP and I don't plan on buying Apple Care for it. I've never needed it in the past so why start buying it now just because this is the second most expensive Mac and least upgradeable Mac I've ever owned?

I also bought the 2102 13" MBP last summer and that IS upgradeable and I also will not be buying AC for it.

You'll be sorry when your dGPU failed.

 

[applesith]

Please sent me $800. That way I can get the 1TB option upfront instead of the 256GB option.

LOL of course you are the type to ask for a handout for something you don't want to spend money on.

 

[tubeexperience]

LOL of course you are the type to ask for a handout for something you don't want to spend money on.

Oh, I am suppose to get a whole new computer when my 256GB SSD is full. Brilliant! /s

 

[JackieInCo]

You'll be sorry when your dGPU failed.

I doubt it. I don't do anything that ever requires the dedicated graphics anyways.

 

[JoeG4]

They reduced the footprint of the laptop, yes. I still don't know what you mean by a 14 vs 15 inch body. It's all relative by manufacturer.

No, just spend more money upfront and buy the highest option. By the time that's full, you can just buy a new computer. Keep complaining- it will make a difference.

Actually with SSDs they slow down when you get them close to full

 

[duervo]

Oh, I am suppose to get a whole new computer when my 256GB SSD is full. Brilliant! /s

Yeah, you are, because they also now solder all of your data to the SSD too. Gone are the days of being able to delete any files to free up precious space.

 

[hallux]

What constitutes a "14 inch body" vs. a "15 inch body"? Either way the removable ram requires additional space for the sockets that hold it in, which takes up more space from battery.

I hope Apple solders SSD to the next gen MBA/MBP to save even more space (and to drive you even crazier).

Your argument is old and irrelevant. Apple will never go backwards.

As someone that has opened up laptops before, I'd argue this point. With memory sockets, they can still run traces and possibly some low-profile IC's under the space where the memory resides, not to mention stacking memory modules vertically (while inefficient from a thickness standpoint, it saves surface area on the PCB). With the memory soldered to the board, the memory is taking up real-estate on the surface of the board. Last I checked (and I have a topcase for a rMBP sitting next to me awaiting swap tomorrow) the battery doesn't overlay the logic board, so gaining that extra vertical clearance does NOTHING for increased battery capacity.

This was strictly done to make the profile of the laptop slimmer and to improve reliability by removing a failure point (the sockets).

 

[applesith]

As someone that has opened up laptops before, I'd argue this point. With memory sockets, they can still run traces and possibly some low-profile IC's under the space where the memory resides, not to mention stacking memory modules vertically (while inefficient from a thickness standpoint, it saves surface area on the PCB). With the memory soldered to the board, the memory is taking up real-estate on the surface of the board. Last I checked (and I have a topcase for a rMBP sitting next to me awaiting swap tomorrow) the battery doesn't overlay the logic board, so gaining that extra vertical clearance does NOTHING for increased battery capacity.

This was strictly done to make the profile of the laptop slimmer and to improve reliability by removing a failure point (the sockets).

Yes, so there's clearly other benefits to soldering the RAM beyond Apple making more money from upfront upgrades on BTO.

 

[alphadog808]

I doubt it. I don't do anything that ever requires the dedicated graphics anyways.

Why buy it in the first place?