Is Apple setting themselves up for failure? First let me say that I have been an Apple user for over 20 years. The recent announcements my Apple have me wondering if I should return to...

BobHartung Loc: Bettendorf, IA

First let me say that I have been an Apple user for over 20 years. The recent announcements my Apple have me wondering if I should return to Windows. The reason -

As announced (unless I misunderstood the information presented) is that in the future both memory and ssd drives will be hard soldered to the mainboard and will not be accessible to the user to change or upgrade.

This would, IMHO, be a disaster as I can see a productive photographer or other media type having either an ssd or memory failure, no matter how rare, and then having to ship the unit off to Apple for Repair. Or worse having to replace the whole unit if more than a couple of years old.

What is your take on this?

Caveat: This is not to start a flame war. I am not interested in Apple OS vs Windows OS arguements. I am interested in Apple user's opinions re: will they stay with Apple or revert to Windows.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

Sounds like they are trying to restrict repairs and pieces parts to them so they get more revenue.
They can also charge what they want as they will have the user over a barrel.
The way electronics keeps changing, a new unit.....
I wonder what happened to the old industry standard of 10 years of repairs and support.
(Cheaper to replace a device than to get it repaired?)

ragon Loc: Wisconsin

I've been a true believer since 1987 so I'll have to check that out. All of my computing is done off external drives that boot Mac OS and I just ordered a 1 TB SSD as another external boot drive. I don't see myself getting another machine for awhile (knock on wood) so I'm not too concerned.

DWU2 Loc: Phoenix Arizona area

BobHartung wrote:

First let me say that I have been an Apple user fo... (show quote)

This appears to be what you're referring to: https://www.imore.com/7-announcements-you-may-have-missed-apple-silicon-mac-event

David Martin Loc: Cary, NC

BobHartung wrote:

First let me say that I have been an Apple user fo... (show quote)

If I'm not mistaken, RAM has been soldered in place since 2012, at least for MacBook Pro and MacBook Air:

https://appleinsider.com/articles/12/06/13/teardown_of_retina_display_macbook_pro_finds_soldered_ram_propreitary_ssd

The RAM in my mid-2014 MacBook Pro is soldered in place.

DanielB Loc: San Diego, Ca

BobHartung wrote:

First let me say that I have been an Apple user fo... (show quote)

First - Apple have always built their products with the best materials and they are the only one trying to integrate better, faster (granted they had been lagging behind PC's in this regard), smaller more power efficient and more robust products than most. Now with the new M1 apple chip that is proving to be their new flagship product (Way faster and more power efficient than almost every PC) and will most likely be found in every one of there products before too long. My point - I'd be careful changing anything right now. YouTube Apple M1 - initial reviews are pretty incredible.

BobHartung Loc: Bettendorf, IA

David Martin wrote:

If I'm not mistaken, RAM has been soldered in place since 2012, at least for MacBook Pro and MacBook Air:

https://appleinsider.com/articles/12/06/13/teardown_of_retina_display_macbook_pro_finds_soldered_ram_propreitary_ssd

The RAM in my mid-2014 MacBook Pro is soldered in place.

Right, but now the SSD will also be soldered in place.

BobHartung Loc: Bettendorf, IA

DanielB wrote:

First - Apple have always built their products wit... (show quote)

Agreed. But what will happen when the "fit hits the proverbial shan"? Will you have to ship it half way across the country and wait and wait to get it repaired? That is my concern.

BobHartung Loc: Bettendorf, IA

Longshadow wrote:

Sounds like they are trying to restrict repairs and pieces parts to them so they get more revenue. . . . . . . . .
I wonder what happened to the old industry standard of 10 years of repairs and support.
(Cheaper to replace a device than to get it repaired?)

Support? Repair? Those are archaic to the new money making paradigm. That is the crux of my concern. I can be a Windows based PC repaired/replaced at any of a dozen places in my bi-state metropolitan area. The nearest place I can visit an Apple store is 180 miles away. I would not trust the personnel at Best Buy and if you use them as middle men all it adds if time.

Medoitham Loc: Haslet, Texas

I took my Mac desktop in to Best Buy this week to have some RAM added. Best Buy is not allowed to add RAM or fix Apple products anymore. I will have to send my desktop to Apple (not an Apple retail store) to have memory added. Minimum of 6 weeks to get this simple upgrade done. Apple missed out on my money as I cannot do without my desk top for 6 weeks or more and I am not paying $5000 for a new machine with 32gb of RAM. Man I hate PCs but....

domcomm Loc: Denver, CO

RAM has always been an easy install on a Mac. You can do it yourself. If you need help, go to Other World Computing, and watch their videos on how to install RAM. They have videos on all kinds of Mac installations.

HOHIMER

Longshadow wrote:

Sounds like they are trying to restrict repairs and pieces parts to them so they get more revenue.
They can also charge what they want as they will have the user over a barrel.
The way electronics keeps changing, a new unit.....
I wonder what happened to the old industry standard of 10 years of repairs and support.
(Cheaper to replace a device than to get it repaired?)

I am not an Apple user....I have heard they wipe off all the user data during their repair process and set everything to default.

Medoitham Loc: Haslet, Texas

domcomm wrote:

RAM has always been an easy install on a Mac. You can do it yourself. If you need help, go to Other World Computing, and watch their videos on how to install RAM. They have videos on all kinds of Mac installations.

Thanks for the tip. I will check it out.

jbk224 Loc: Long Island, NY

HOHIMER wrote:

I am not an Apple user....I have heard they wipe off all the user data during their repair process and set everything to default.

You have heard incorrect information. Every PC manufacturer will tell you to fully back up your device before sending in for repair-- just in case.

jbk224 Loc: Long Island, NY

HOHIMER wrote:

I am not an Apple user....I have heard they wipe off all the user data during their repair process and set everything to default.

Nikon, on the other hand, does reset the camera to defaults. So, save your settings.