The shift towards soldered RAM in laptops has been a contentious issue among tech enthusiasts. The Dell XPS 14 and 16, completely redesigned this year, have sparked debates due to their move to soldered RAM, a departure from their celebrated upgradability.
Soldered RAM refers to computer memory that is permanently attached to a laptop’s motherboard, making it impossible to upgrade or repair. This contrasts with traditional RAM sticks that slot into the board and can be removed or replaced. Some laptops may feature a mix of both.
The rise in soldered RAM is driven by the need to save space, prolong battery life, and optimize cooling. This technique enables manufacturers to create even thinner laptops. However, the inability to upgrade memory in the future and the complexity of repairs have left many users unhappy.
Despite the controversy, soldered RAM is becoming more prevalent, not just in MacBooks and ultrabooks, but also in high-performance gaming laptops. Even the ROG Zephyrus G14 has moved to soldered memory this year. As electronics have shorter lifespans now, laptops are often replaced every few years, making the lack of upgradability less of an issue for some users.
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