Apple still sells expensive "Pro" computers with just 8GB of RAM and charges a fortune for more.

Apple has a memory problem and we’re all paying for it::Apple still sells expensive “Pro” computers with just 8GB of RAM and charges a fortune for more.

  • NIB@lemmy.worldEnglish
    107·
    1 year ago

    Modularity/expand-ability comes at a cost. Both monetary cost and performance cost. We used to have gpus with expandable memory but we dont anymore.

    Thats because by having the memory integrated into the board, we can put it much closer to the chip, greatly increasing the bandwidth and lowering the latency. This is exactly what Apple has done with its memory and why it isnt expandable anymore. Apple’s memory is 5x+ faster than ddr5 in terms of bandwidth. Also you fully take advantage of the entirety of the available memory bus, instead of having empty lanes chilling for potential upgrades.

    By having an integrated battery, you can have the battery have all kinds of wacky shapes that fill your design better.

    Having a microsd slot takes a lot of space and can result into a significant degraded user experience if the user uses a slow microsd. And even a fast microsd is slower than integrated storage.

    All these things are possible but they come with some sacrifices. Part of the change is because of enshittification but some changes is because they make sense.

    • betz24@lemmynsfw.comEnglish
      43·
      1 year ago

      Not sure why this user is getting down voted. They made valid points. I have been using Linux as a personal computer since the I was old enough to type, however, my job uses M1 macs. I can definitely say MacOS in terms of UX is a pain (especially without making some third party updates), but I cannot talk shit about the hardware performance.

      I initially grimaced when I received a 16GB RAM M1 computer from IT, however, the battery life along with the compute power has not failed me. I run 3D CAD, write software, and design simulation models and have been honestly amazed compared to my 64GB RAM + Nvidia GPU Linux computer.

      Everyone talks about Mac fanboys, but I think the anti-Mac fanboys are just as bad. Seem to automatically hate Apple stuff without even using it. If you take a look at what is going on (outside of Apple) with supercomputing and high speed serial links, you would understand why Apple is doing what it is.

      • helenslunch@feddit.nlEnglish
        32·
        1 year ago

        Everyone talks about Mac fanboys, but I think the anti-Mac fanboys are just as bad. Seem to automatically hate Apple stuff without even using it.

        Because Apple’s cash grabs like the one in the OP as well as their locked-down iOS and continuous opposition to R2R, ot to mention the absurd prices they charge for the privilege of these handicaps, we don’t need to use them to understand.

        • betz24@lemmynsfw.comEnglish
          1·
          1 year ago

          I don’t work for Apple, so I don’t really know, but I have worked at many electronics companies. A few points:

          • Companies lock down or will open source IP (software/firmware/hardware) to meet a particular business strategy. In the mass product market, litigation is common for patent infringement so careful control is taken on each technology. I’m not sure I believe in opensourcing everything. Companies need to stay competitive. Behind a company is ten of thousands of employees that are being paid a livelihood (not just all developers making $250k+/yr, plenty other people in operations, quality, distribution, marketing etc)
          • Apple’s strategy is to build a vertically integrated tech stack internally that is aligned with their vision. This is their brand and the people who like the company vision will buy it. You don’t have to like all their choices, but they have done the math and have figured out the proper moving average between pissing off consumers and providing value to know where they stand. They like doing things the Apple way, ensure the company can continue to make money and innovate
          • You don’t have to buy the product. Just because you think the price is absurd doesn’t mean others can’t afford it. Personally, in the work I’m doing, my cheaper MacBook Air is having more value to me than my Linux computer I spent 3x more. The OP is designed for a specific type of user, it’s not meant for everyone. For work, I don’t need my computer to be opensource, I need it to work, so I can get my job done. For personal geekiness, I love the opensource nature of linux and have contributed to many projects, however, a company like Apple is definitely needed to make landmark improvements in technology. There is a reason why you go out to an Italian restaurant and get a $26 pasta dish when you can make it at home for $4.
          • In your thought process, hardware is hardware. But there is also a mission that is attached with it. Apple leads in terms of mitigation of environmental impact which I think is pretty cool. It offers buybacks for most (all ?) products. I don’t know how much they actually recycle per part or if things are just getting shipped off to Zambia and being sold as refurbished. If I’m paying a little more to benefit a company that aligns with my values than so be it. They aren’t going to sell a product for a loss (unless strategically). There are too many retirement funds in Apple for it to be losing money
          • helenslunch@feddit.nlEnglish
            1·
            1 year ago

            I’m not sure I believe in opensourcing everything.

            I don’t either. Not sure where you were going with that.

            You don’t have to like all their choices, but they have done the math and have figured out the proper moving average between pissing off consumers and providing value to know where they stand.

            Once again, not sure where you’re going with that. I don’t give a shit about Apple’s business plan.

            You don’t have to buy the product.

            Ah yes, the classic iF yOu DoNt LiKe It DoNt BuY iT! as if other companies don’t learn from Apple’s shitfuckery how much bullshit consumers will tolerate and then apply those same measures themselves until there are no more viable options…

            There is a reason why you go out to an Italian restaurant and get a $26 pasta dish when you can make it at home for $4.

            Yes but when you go out to a nice Italian restaurant the chef doesn’t piss in your aerioli and then charge you $20 more than their competitor for the privilege.

            Apple leads in terms of mitigation of environmental impact which I think is pretty cool

            Holy shit, I didn’t think people actually bought into their bullshit marketing but you really gobbled that shit up, didn’t ya?

            You can’t pretend you care about the environment while grinding perfectly good working devices into e-waste, and going out of your way to make your devices irreparable, and spending millions of dollars paying off legislators for the right to do so. It’s a fuckin sham.

            • betz24@lemmynsfw.comEnglish
              1·
              1 year ago

              My friend, my goal is not to make you upset, just giving my thoughts. Your metaphors don’t exactly make sense in this context, and some of your responses are telescopic focusing on one thing when other companies do equal, nothing or worse. If you could name a company that is exceeding your expectations, I’d love to hear it as I would support them as well.

              Regardless, I hope that you have a great day.

              • helenslunch@feddit.nlEnglish
                1·
                1 year ago

                My friend, my goal is not to make you upset

                Sorry, but watching people lick the boots of anti-consumer companies infuriates me. It’s bad enough when people say they just don’t care but when you praise the people who are actively screwing you and parrot their propaganda, it drives me fuckin batty.

                when other companies do equal, nothing or worse.

                Once again, Apple is basically a pioneer of screwing consumers. Other manufacturers either don’t do these things, or have followed Apple doing these things. But by all means, if you have evidence to the contrary, please share.

                If you could name a company that is exceeding your expectations, I’d love to hear it as I would support them as well.

                Framework and Valve are both fantastic examples of companies with a brilliant track record of preserving consumers’ interests.

                • betz24@lemmynsfw.comEnglish
                  1·
                  1 year ago

                  Just took a look at Framework, it’s a cool concept. I wish the company was older just to see how it forms it’s sea legs. As a mass market item, I can’t imagine the general populace upgrading their own laptop over time, though maybe I’m just old. I didn’t see any computers made from Valve, but I had not thought of them as a hardware company.

                  But yeah I agree, companies will form their optimization function for profits not people (by design) so people should never put their faith in them. This M1 Air is my first Mac, but I do have to say it is really nice. Excited to see what other companies do to combat it.

                  • helenslunch@feddit.nlEnglish
                    1·
                    1 year ago

                    Framework is scaling up very well and their newest laptop immediately sold out until Q1 2024 upon accepting orders. Not to mention glowing reviews from every tech publication in existence. Consumers don’t necessarily need to upgrade their laptop, but they should absolutely be able to repair it. Maybe they take it into a repair shop complaining that it’s slow and they’re able to easily and inexpensively get it up to modern standards.

                    Valve makes a wide variety of hardware. Most notably and most recently the Steam Deck, which is a handheld gaming system, but by all accounts it is simply a handheld computer. They partnered with iFixIt to make all parts available for replacement, and clearly put a lot of thought into making them easier to repair and upgrade. Much like Apple, they charge a disproportionate amount for extra storage, but unlike Apple, they don’t put up any software shitfuckery to prevent you from buying the cheap one and upgrading it. The smallest storage option is still completely usable with the addition of an SD card, with no loss to performance. It comes out of the box with SteamOS, which is Valve’s open-source Linux Arch fork. Wanna load Windows on it? That’s a terrible idea but they do absolutely nothing to stop you. Wanna load up a competitor’s store and add your games to the Steam launcher? Again, literally nothing preventing you from doing that.

                    If you haven’t heard of these companies, it’s not surprising that you don’t even realize how corrupt Apple actually is.