Soldered ram

CPUs have been soldered to MBP logic boards for years to avoid needing a tall user-replacable slot (I have built PCs from scratch so I know CPU slots).

RAM slots take room in MBPs. I have seen them.

MBP-Retina is slim with a reason.

The RAM slots in an MBP are stacked. Each slot is at least 2x thicker than the SODIMM itself. And the SODIMMs need an entire edge dedicated to just interface pins, and the chips add thickness. Spread them out rather than stack them and you lose that much more logic board real estate.

RAM that is soldered on can be only the thickness and surface area of the chips.

I just received in the mail a new toy ... a Raspberry Pi. It is a small computer, complete with HDMI, RCAvideo and audio lineout, graphics chip, etherport, 2 USBs,and a slot for an SD card (choose the size of your "hard disk"). 2.2 in x 3.4 in, and 1 in tall. The interface ports are (and I do not like to use this word as feeely as some do) massive compared to the basic computer parts and solder joints. RAM is most definitely NOT upgradeable.

Small and light has it drawbacks.

Stop complaining about "mindless comments" and accept physical facts that relate to the current form factor of industry-standard parts.

Already said that. But apparently even thin MBP-Retina has enough room, according to the OP. My guess is the OP never looked at the stacked RAM slots in the non-Retina MBP, but still holds his/her opinion anyway.

It seem you want to argue the point. Simply the retina is thinner then a standard MBP and it needs a bigger battery because of the retina screen. So the RAM is solder in, there is no DVD drive and the flash storage, SSD drive, is not in a stand case like alll others you can buy almost anywhere. It is also so the RAM can be placed in a specific spot because of the limited space available.

If you don't like it then don't buy a retina model. That seems simple to me, YMMV.

A standard 15" MBP is 2.41 cm thick and weighs 2.56 kg. A 15" rMBP is 1.8 cm thick and weighs 2.02 kg. So no, there is no room is a 15" rMBP for upgradeable RAM. In fact, if I read the product customization page correctly, the Flash Drive isn't upgradeable either. Everything in it is built to spec precisely to make it as thin and light as physically possible.

As to how Apple might justify their decision, I would imagine it has to do with the success of the MacBook Air, and it wouldn't surprise me if some large number of people requested a computer with the power of an MBP and the size and weight of an MBA.

This is the result. Obviously, if having user upgradeable parts is critically important to you, then you have to accept that you can't have the form-factor and retina display of an rMBP.

Whether there is room is not the precise point here. Apple made many different choices to slim down the case. They cut out the optical drive. They chose to make it not quite thick enough to take a Gigabit Ethernet port, which I personally don't like. They went to soldered RAM.

It is a mistake to think this is a technical decision about measurements. Apple asked itself this question: What has more value, case slimness as a marketing asset, or the ability for relatively few users to upgrade RAM? Obviously Apple decided that they valued case slimness more.

Apple did test this by putting out the MacBook Air: Superthin case, no upgradeability. Then Apple stood back and watched for the market reaction.

Consumers loved the MacBook Air, and after four years they have continued to buy them. Many Windows users were converted by the MacBook Air's size and weight, to the point where some bought it just to run Windows on. It still outsells PC ultrabooks with similar specs.

Apple concluded their decision was validated by the market, and proceeded to slim the Pro models as well.

You can get angry about that, but that is their decision, backed up by the votes of the free market, and it is our decision to vote by accepting it or buying a different laptop. If I was to buy a MacBook Pro today, I am happy that Apple still sells the non-Retina version because that is the one I want, in part because of the ability to upgrade RAM and storage as well as legacy port availability.

fellow wrote:

I found the explanation of the permanent battery implausible but at least reasonable.

In my view, freeing up room for a 1000-cycle battery (versus the 300-cycle batteries of PCs and older Macs) is a trade-off well worth it. It means the battery may not need to be replaced during the life of the computer since instead of a battery replacement after 300 cycles/3-4 years, it could last up to triple that...more years than most people care to keep it. Most users will probably choose to upgrade before the built-in battery falls to less than 90 minutes runtime.

fellow wrote:

Can anyone provide an explanation for the soldered RAM on the MBP Retina beyond profiteering? I can't think of how Apple can justify this decision. As a shareholder, I want satisfied customers, not and extra $100 by pushing people into more RAM because they have made the MBPr un-upgradeable.

I found the explanation of the permanent battery implausible but at least reasonable.

Thanks,

fellow

I suggest not buying one until you resolve your dilemma regarding soldered Ram

Should you purchase sufficient Apple shares for a controlling interest, you then could dictate all of the design decisions.

Ciao.

Space requirements. Solder RAM takes up less space as there are no sockets.