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While some customers will end up paying a lot for more RAM, I have to wonder if Apple really has a good idea about how many potential sales they're losing at th

While some customers will end up paying a lot for more RAM, I have to wonder if Apple really has a good idea about how many potential sales they're losing at the same time, too. They've lost several Mac purchases I would have otherwise made over the last decade, thanks solely to the unjustifiable cost of getting a reasonable amount of RAM for my needs. Yet, as far as I know, Apple has no way of tracking those lost sales. They've never asked me, and I've never told them. I know I'm not alone. I have a number of colleagues, friends, and family who've been ready to buy different types of Apple computers, but then opted not to once they see how much even a relatively small RAM upgrade will cost. Again, I doubt that Apple is aware of those lost sales.

Cockbrand 2y ago
I assume that they do take this into account and come to the conclusion that the real existing profits from the outrageous prices on RAM and SSD storage outweigh the potential profits from people who don't buy their hardware b/c the refuse to pay the hefty markup. I totally bought a MacBook Pro with Apple Silicon, fully knowing that I'm getting ripped off big time with added RAM and storage. Yet, it's still the least painful platform for me, and the hardware is really nice, even a few years on. In the end, I expect get a meaningful lifespan of 5+ years of daily use out of the machine. I wouldn't know any other laptop which could provide this kind of service life while constantly being a joy to work with. Apple know that their user base consists of many people like myself, and milk them accordingly.
sauwan 2y ago
100% - almost bought a mac mini, but the RAM was a deal breaker.
dns_snek 2y ago
I have to agree. In an alternate reality where their RAM upgrade pricing is in line with normal market prices, I'm probably a Mac user for the past 10+ years. Every couple of years I take a good look at their machines and I always reach the same conclusion. Even though I could afford any specification of MBP, their upgrade pricing always feels like a rip-off and I don't enjoy feeling ripped off, so I buy something else.

Cockbrand 2y ago

I assume that they do take this into account and come to the conclusion that the real existing profits from the outrageous prices on RAM and SSD storage outweigh the potential profits from people who don't buy their hardware b/c the refuse to pay the hefty markup. I totally bought a MacBook Pro with Apple Silicon, fully knowing that I'm getting ripped off big time with added RAM and storage. Yet, it's still the least painful platform for me, and the hardware is really nice, even a few years on. In the end, I expect get a meaningful lifespan of 5+ years of daily use out of the machine. I wouldn't know any other laptop which could provide this kind of service life while constantly being a joy to work with. Apple know that their user base consists of many people like myself, and milk them accordingly.

sauwan 2y ago

100% - almost bought a mac mini, but the RAM was a deal breaker.

dns_snek 2y ago

I have to agree. In an alternate reality where their RAM upgrade pricing is in line with normal market prices, I'm probably a Mac user for the past 10+ years. Every couple of years I take a good look at their machines and I always reach the same conclusion. Even though I could afford any specification of MBP, their upgrade pricing always feels like a rip-off and I don't enjoy feeling ripped off, so I buy something else.