Because they can, and at their volumes, it's extremely profitable.
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8GB RAM in M3 MacBook Pro Proves the Bottleneck in Real-World Tests
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Actually, I've got a better idea. Apple could start with a default of 16 or 32GB. But like you said, since users don't need such high specs, we can offer a reduction. Yes, give back $200 or more off the base price. How does that sound? This way, the 8GB models will become more valuable in the market – scarcity drives up value, right? Plus, we can say, 'Hey, this 8GB MBP is just as fast as the standard 16GB ones, but it saves buyers $200. What a deal!' That’s Apple told us.
Of course, we all know that real savvy business folks wouldn't do this. Being too considerate to customers isn't exactly a money-maker, right? So, naturally, we start at 8. Just remember to tell everyone that in your hands, 8 is greater than 16. It's a groundbreaking mathematical discovery by humanity.
What Is Binning? A Basic Definition
What is the meaning of binning? CPU, GPU and RAM binning explained.www.tomshardware.com
educate yourself on how CPU are produced and you will understand how they are released in products. They just dont get delivered magically by some bird.
The RAM is separate from the main die. This has nothing to do with binning. RAM is added during packaging for M-series chips.
Calling a laptop with 8GB RAM a Pro machine is criminal, no matter how efficient your OS is. Then again, any professional worth their salt knows 8GB isn't enough, so... Well, Apple is very good at what they do (i.e., make money for their share holders), huh?
Most of the complaints run along the lines of what a pro is. Professional. That’s not just people playing around in photoshop or dumping videos online no one Watches. It’s also educators, finance, bankers, business owners, managers, small businesses, and everything in between.
It is a legit complaint that the upgrade to 16gb or more is so expensive. But a lot of these complaints, every year, are people crying about the delay in producing something for their three patreon subscribers.
This is not surprising considering that the 13” MBP was discontinued; this means Apple considers the entry level 14” MBP its replacement given it only has 8GB of RAM
It is ludicrous to buy any new $500+ personal computer these days with only 8GB of RAM. The $200 extra cost isn't terrible for an an extra 8GB...I get that Apple wants to make a profit. But now you're spending $1800 for a laptop (Apple brand and also the "Pro" model) to get your 16GB of RAM that everyone else offers on far, far less expensive laptops.
Folks can claim there's more value about the OS or the weight or the sexiness factor compared to Wintel machines but the fact remains that 8GB of RAM is a complete joke for any newly manufactured computer in late 2023 that you want to use other than a web surfing and/or email machine. People don't buy laptops for just those 2 functions...they've been buying iPads and iPhones for almost a decade now for far less money instead.
Folks can claim there's more value about the OS or the weight or the sexiness factor compared to Wintel machines but the fact remains that 8GB of RAM is a complete joke for any newly manufactured computer in late 2023 that you want to use other than a web surfing and/or email machine. People don't buy laptops for just those 2 functions...they've been buying iPads and iPhones for almost a decade now for far less money instead.
Memory controllers are on SOC, and have everything to do with memory. This is why you see a binned 3 channel memory max vs a 4 channel max m3 ...The RAM is separate from the main die. This has nothing to do with binning. RAM is added during packaging for M-series chips.
![Apple-WWDC22-M2-SoC-220606_big.jpg.small_2x.jpg]()
Apple would never mislead its customers.
Why would you feel ashamed? Do you tie your personality to a brand?
Fully agreed. It's the pricing and naming that is up for debate. Having the option to start at 8 GB is a good thing.
But are they? The memory architecture in Apple Silicon is integrated - do they just use the exact same chips that you'd find in a stick of PC RAM, only soldered into the M3 (or whatever version) unit?
What an absolute shocker
Continuing to be amazed that some people are defending 8 GB of RAM in a $1600 "pro" laptop.
Continuing to be amazed that some people are defending 8 GB of RAM in a $1600 "pro" laptop.
I believe it's the chip design that makes the difference. All parts of the chip can talk to the "RAM" directly. On a PC, only the CPU can talk to the RAM.
Does anyone remember the 4GB 13’ Retina Pro from Late 2013? Lasted one cycle before being replaced with an 8GB model. Was much cheaper though. Wonder if that’s what will happen here once the Air gets the M3 refresh…
Even my Mac that only sees office use needs more than 8GB. And as I said above, nobody would complain about the 8GB base models if the upgrade prices were, say, just 2x the normal rate instead of 5x or whatever it is.
Wasn't really rocket science though. No amount of marketing speak can cover up such an obvious deficiency.
Especially in a supposedly 'Pro' machine.
Especially in a supposedly 'Pro' machine.
As reported by John Gruber and others, the old Touch Bar MacBook Pro was the best selling model because it was the cheapest pro model. Often bought by company purchasing departments under advisement that a MacBook Pro was needed. It is important to set the higher end Macs with reasonable minimum specs for higher end tasks.
Why do people think their way of using a computer is the only way? its 2023, you would think that people wouldnt judge or make judgements about how people use their own computers, but here we are
This again. Apple is not responsible if you buy less RAM then you need for your use case. Not to mention the important part is how it runs when doing the work for hours, not if the export takes some minutes longer. And you can close other open stuff if that bothers you, people have been doing that for decades.
Sure, Apple could skip 8GB completely (and more importantly make upgrades cheaper), but the RAM is more efficient then on Windows and many people will be just fine with it. On the other side, it's great to have as cheap option as possible, but if you buy it for intensive pro work, it's on you.
Sure, Apple could skip 8GB completely (and more importantly make upgrades cheaper), but the RAM is more efficient then on Windows and many people will be just fine with it. On the other side, it's great to have as cheap option as possible, but if you buy it for intensive pro work, it's on you.
There are other factors you're missing when "only" using an iPhone or an iPad to replace an 8GB MacBook.
Extra displays, and port connectivity. Bigger screen, longer lasting battery, full MacOS and the apps that come with that. There are those that "just" browse the web, have meetings, write/type documents, post on social media, check emails, etc. That don't do any Photoshop work, FCP C4D work, etc. They don't blender render all day or ever. Play the occasional game. They don't need 16GB. It's nice to have, but there are those price conscious folks that strictly purchase "just" what they need. And prefer MacOS/Apple to any Windows computer.
He calls these tests ‘real world’ but few people will run that many intensive applications all at once (speed tests, videos, other apps, etc). If they do, then clearly 8gb isn’t going to be adequate.
The 8gb market are people who casually browse the web, or watch a video, or check their financials. There’s a lot of those people, and they will not see any performance hiccups doing this.
Anyone else, buy the 16gb or better.
The 8gb market are people who casually browse the web, or watch a video, or check their financials. There’s a lot of those people, and they will not see any performance hiccups doing this.
Anyone else, buy the 16gb or better.
Yes, the same chips. Just that they are on the SoC package instead of a DIMM module.