Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

New MacBook Pros Max Out At 16GB RAM Due To Battery Life Concerns (macrumors.com)

Posted by BeauHD on from the tethered-to-a-wall-outlet dept.

The new MacBooks Pros have been improved in nearly every way -- except when it comes to RAM capacity. With faster, more energy efficient Skylake processors, faster SSDs, and better GPUs, one would think the amount of RAM wouldn't be capped off at 16GB. However, that is the case. The reason why the MacBook Pros continue to max out at 16GB RAM is due to battery life concerns, according to marketing chief Phil Schiller. MacRumors reader David emailed Apple to get an explanation: Question from David: "The lack of a 32GB BTO option for the new MBPs raised some eyebrows and caused some concerns (me included). Does ~3GBps bandwidth to the SSD make this a moot issue? I.e. memory paging on a 16GB system is so fast that 32GB is not a significant improvement?" Schiller's answer: "Thank you for the email. It is a good question. To put more than 16GB of fast RAM into a notebook design at this time would require a memory system that consumes much more power and wouldn't be efficient enough for a notebook. I hope you check out this new generation MacBook Pro, it really is an incredible system."

For the 2016 MacBook Pro, Apple was able to reach "all-day battery life," which equates to 10 hours of wireless web use or iTunes movie playback. That's an hour improvement over the previous generation in the 15-inch machine, and a small step back in the 13-inch machine. While none of Apple's portable machines offer more than 16GB RAM, 32GB of RAM is a high-end custom upgrade option in the 27-inch iMac.

12 of 319 comments (clear)

  1. it's OK.... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    It's OK, 32GB of laptop memory is $160., and 64GB is about $360. Since this is a product targeted at professional users, I'm sure I can open the back and swap out the RAM, if I want to give up a few minutes of battery life for it.

    Err.... right?

    1. Re:it's OK.... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

      There's no need for un-soldering; I understand they will be coming out with a special dongle that will allow you to add more memory.

    2. Re:it's OK.... by hcs_$reboot · · Score: 4, Funny

      a $25 dongle?

      --
      Slashdot, fix the reply notifications... You won't get away with it...
    3. Re:it's OK.... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Funny

      Yes, but don't expect to be able to charge your phone at the same time. You'll need the $75 dongle for that. $90 if you want the one that adds a connector for third party escape keys.

    4. Re:it's OK.... by uncqual · · Score: 4, Funny

      No need for a dongle. I don't recall the link, but search YouTube -- you can already find a video on how to add more memory with just a hammer drill, a 1/4" masonry bit, an impact driver, and a 4" x 7/16" lag bolt. The memory is already in the MacBook, Apple just disables it so you don't even have to buy more memory. Check it out -- I tried it on a pre-production model (which was the last rev so it is identical to the production models) and it really works.

      If you can't find the video -- it's pretty simple to do so play around with it a bit. I seem to recall you use the drill to drill/hammer a 1/4" hole 3" deep in the middle of the right edge 1 1/2" from the back and then use the impact driver to drive the lag bolt in to the full depth of the hole. Do be very careful not to drive the lag bolt in more than 3" as that may damage the MacBook. You can then remove the lag bolt (who would be crazy enough to want a bolt head/shaft sticking out of their notebook?). This action will have activated the "enable all memory" switch (it's inside an potted assembly so you can't get to it easily -- hence the lag bolt and drill). You may want to buff out the case where you drilled through it so it looks factory fresh. Really, the only trick is to make sure you drill at right angles to the case.

      --
      Why is there an "insightful" mod and why isn't it "-1"? If I wanted insight, I wouldn't be reading /.
    5. Re:it's OK.... by uncqual · · Score: 3, Funny

      I hate to reply to my own posts, but I realize I left out an important pro tip.

      There are some reports that people who have done this had some problems.

      Fortunately, I did extensive research and experimentation that reveals that a few people have had problems because they were using inferior drill bits. It's really best to use Monster drill bits -- everyone who uses them has been successful. Yes, Monster bits cost more than Harbor Freight "Warrior" bits, but they are well worth the cost as they insure that you won't have single bit errors on your newly exposed memory. It's possible DEWALT bits would work also, but why take the chance just to save few hundred dollars (pounds for you Brexiting Brits) per drill bit?

      --
      Why is there an "insightful" mod and why isn't it "-1"? If I wanted insight, I wouldn't be reading /.
  2. Re:Bad Reason by PRMan · · Score: 2, Funny

    Coming out with 16 GB RAM in 2016 is BRAVE!

    --
    Peter predicted that you would "deliberately forget" creation 2000 years ago...
  3. Don't worry. by Snufu · · Score: 3, Funny

    Because the Macbook Pro specs are inferior to top end models from other manufacturers, we can expect the Apple laptops to be discounted appropriately.

  4. Re:Bad Reason by ZipK · · Score: 4, Funny

    It's not just brave. It takes COURAGE.

  5. Re:Good grief! by hcs_$reboot · · Score: 3, Funny

    > What are people doing that requires so much memory?

    MS Paint

    --
    Slashdot, fix the reply notifications... You won't get away with it...
  6. Re:Why do you need more than 16GB? by WaffleMonster · · Score: 4, Funny

    As sort of a curiosity, I want to ask you all, what do you need with more than 16GB? Entertain me and others, cite examples of things you do that need more than 16GB memory.

    Firefox.

  7. Re:Bad Reason by lucm · · Score: 4, Funny

    Macs have shit specs and always have. This one is no different.

    You clearly didn't read the summary. This new Macbook is an incredible machine. This quote comes straight from Apple, and since Apple is the manufacturer of that machine, they're the ones who know it best, so you can rely on their assessment.

    --
    lucm, indeed.