Unless it has changed, the really crazy thing is that you can't upgrade the RAM later. (Though, surprisingly, you can upgrade the SSD, even though it comes in an unconventional form factor)
If only Apple realized that allowing people to repair and upgrade their devices is worthwhile. If they really cared about their customer's best interests, they'd publish detailed repair manuals and make their devices user-repairable and upgradeable.
And the "making our stuff beautiful/sleek adds difficult design constraints" doesn't cut it: they could at least make an effort. There are many, many ways they could make their devices more user-repairable without compromising on the aesthetics.
Apple has guides for some of the easier-to-upgrade MacBook parts. [1][2] Wonder if they've ceased the practice because upgrading isn't as easy as it used to, or because iFixit's guides are generally of a higher quality.
> Generally Apple products are terrible for repair and upgradeability.
This has become true, especially recently, but was not always true.
The white plastic macbooks were really great for user repair, very easy to breakdown. It was clear that they actually spent some resources on increasing user-repairability with that model.
But obviously do not anymore. I am curious what changed in Apple decision-making too, have some guesses.
Yup. I just ordered a 512GB ssd + 1TB spinning disk + 8GB ram for my 2009 MBP to try and squeak some more life out of it. Like 12 screws and it's done.
