Apple’s MacBook Pro memory problem is worse than ever::Apple still sells expensive “Pro” computers with just 8GB of RAM and charges a fortune for more.
The base models (the air’s, not pro’s), should have shipped with 12-16GB standard, and the pro’s should have shipped with 16-24GB standard. I’d argue that a minimum of 24-32GB should really be the standard on something named a “pro” model.
Apple’s M-based laptops are really great - excellent display, best-in-class speakers, good keyboard, industry-leading trackpad…But 8GB of RAM for $1600? Get out of here.
Do they still solder the SSD?
Of course
Yes. There is no internal upgradable parts. I believe you can only replace the battery cells, the fans, and the mainboard (motherboard with soldered CPU/RAM(VRAM)/SSD, and all connected modules like the USB chipsets, audio chipset, etc.).
32gb might have been “pro” 5 years ago but not anymore, not when a run of the mill 32gb DDR5 kit can be had for $100
I mean, I get why people don’t like it but at the same time, no one forces you to buy one. I like Macs, I enjoy using OS X and would use it as my primary OS. I don’t because I don’t find the value proposition of their hardware worth it.
Their loss, they have a market, they just aren’t interested in it.
Their loss, they have a market, they just aren’t interested in it.
They are very interested in your money and parting your money from you.
Capitalism is as capitalism does
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I’m kinda of in the same boat.
My “main” computer is a M1 iPad at this point. It’s fast, and I can do all my day to day things on it. If I want to play games I do have a PC for that, but Windows isn’t that “pleasant” to use so I don’t spend much time with it beyond games.
I was reminded how much MacOS is just a pleasant experience a couple months ago when I found a sale for old mac minis. They had a 2014 model for $60. I put a new SSD in it, and I’m typing on that machine right now. It can get Monterey, but nothing newer. But that still lets me send texts, and the machine unlocks with my watch when I wake it up.
All that to say is: I’ve now been looking at buying a brand new Mac Mini, but the memory and hard drive charges are insane. They always have been, but it’s just ridiculous at this point.
You can look into this if you want to upgrade to a newer macOS.
Thanks!
I feel like I remember seeing this project right when I got this computer, but I didn’t look too far into it. I’ll have to check it out.
I do have a little worry that running the newest MacOS would make this little, old mini run pretty slow. I need to do some research.
I really do one want but can’t justify €1800-2000 for one or even €3500 if I actually get the one, I want (14 inch screen).
I can get probably a better laptop or PC with lower costs. Plus I have been told that unfortunately MacBooks don’t do well with Excel (still sad about this).
MacBooks don’t do well with Excel
I’m curious about this. My past experience with Office 365 is that the apps works better on MacOS, but maybe it’s short on more advanced features, like complex macros?
So I’m studying Finance with a mix of Accounting and I have been told that MacBooks don’t have the “ALT” key which is a key button for Excel in terms of shortcuts.
As well as what you said probably certain advanced features might not be available. But I’m not certain about this because never had a MacBook.
As well as a software called Power Bi doesn’t work well on MacBooks (slow, freezing or straight up not working). My friend had this issue in university and was forced to use my laptop to do the models.
Macs have an alt key, it’s just called option. https://cdn.osxdaily.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/option-alt-keys-apple-us-keyboard.jpg
Most key combos are slightly different on mac though. Windows has a lot of ctrl or alt + key combos, Mac largely just has them all done with the command key. But that’s obviously down to the developer, they could do whatever they want.
I have been told that MacBooks don’t have the “ALT” key
Correct. Almost all apps use the “option” key on a Mac, which is not a key on Windows keyboards. It more or less is just a change in the key name for most apps. I just tried using it in Excel to create a new line in a cell, and it has the same behavior as the ALT key on a Windows device.
As well as a software called Power Bi doesn’t work well on MacBooks (slow, freezing or straight up not working). My friend had this issue in university and was forced to use my laptop to do the models.
Third-party software compatibility is obviously going to be an issue for some software on MacOS.
Laughs in ThinkPad running Linux.
Cries in soldered RAM
Yeah I’m a fan boy but I agree with this 100%. In the old days I’d just buy lowest ram config and then replace with after market but obviously we dont have the option anymore. It sucks because I could use at least 64 in my m3 but it was cost prohibitive.
Gonna have to try pricing up a laptop for next year. Want to get a MacBook next year for Final Cut after having tried it on a Hackintosh. Not looking forward to pricing up the memory lol
People could rage about the memory cost all they want but as long as people keep buying the expensive upgrade, Apple wouldn’t give a fuck. Why would they voluntarily shut down the money hose?
Raging about it can stop people from buying it, so I say carry on.
I think what Apple has done with their M series of chips is actually incredible and very interesting. However actually purchasing their hardware is just out of the question when I’m just going to run a Linux distro on whatever I purchase.
I recently had the need for some apple hardware due to customer projects - and ended up buying an air with 16GB of RAM when it was available relatively cheaply.
The keyboard is shit - but keyboards are shit on pretty much any notebook nowadays unfortunately.
Both memory and storage are a problem - the rest is surprisingly nice. I also have a Windows arm notebook from HP, same 16 GB storage issue, but at least the SSD is user replacable.
We should get rid of 8GB base models in general - that’s pretty much what you’d expect in a phone nowadays, but not in a computer.
If you think the keyboard is shitty now, the keyboard is even shittier during the butterfly keyboard era. If you get a mac 5 years ago you’ll probably curse the keyboard daily. Their current keyboard is basically the best mac users can get in the past 8 years.
What don’t you like about the keyboard? It’s quiet, low profile, easy to type on quickly, lights up… not sure what else you’d want.
low profile
that is a problem
easy to type on quickly
not really, doesn’t have a clear pressure point, so leads to keys not registering surprisingly often. I also get pain in my hands if I’m working on it for several hours.
I only can do something like 70-80 WPM on that, on a proper keyboard I’m doing slightly above 100.
lights up
Don’t care about that.
Additionally half the useful keys (pgup/pgdown/end/home/insert/delete/…) are hidden behind FN combinations.
doesn’t have a clear pressure point, so leads to keys not registering surprisingly often.
Are you trying to press the keys as lightly as possible or something? Just hit them until they bottom out, it’s like 0.1mm more travel than their actuation point.
Don’t buy Apple. As simple as that. You know when a company gives you the creeps? That’s how I feel about Apple.
And still no ecc?
What consumer grade laptop has ECC? Only high end workstations have ECC, and even then it’s usually an expensive option that probably very few opt for.
The base model isn’t really the base model. If you are buying a Mac you just have to accept you are spending $2k on it