Framework Raises Memory Prices Again, Suggests Customers Bring Their Own RAM (tomshardware.com)
- Reference: 0180455561
- News link: https://it.slashdot.org/story/25/12/25/1627223/framework-raises-memory-prices-again-suggests-customers-bring-their-own-ram
- Source link: https://www.tomshardware.com/laptops/laptop-maker-framework-announces-another-memory-price-hike-says-another-increase-is-coming-within-a-month-encourages-buyers-to-bring-their-own-memory-and-check-pcpartpicker-for-better-deals
Framework said it expects to raise prices again by January as its suppliers continue increasing costs, a trend analysts predict will persist through 2026. Framework plans to add a direct link to PCPartPicker in its configurators so DIY Edition buyers can compare prices and find cheaper alternatives. The company said its pricing still compares favorably to Apple's roughly $25 per gigabyte and pledged to stay as close as possible to acquisition costs. Storage price increases are also on the horizon, Framework warned.
[1] https://www.tomshardware.com/laptops/laptop-maker-framework-announces-another-memory-price-hike-says-another-increase-is-coming-within-a-month-encourages-buyers-to-bring-their-own-memory-and-check-pcpartpicker-for-better-deals
Re: (Score:2)
And what are these "competent leaders" going to do? Shut down industries just because you don't like them? Switch us to a command economy and be like the USSR when they totally missed the computer revolution?
I could see maybe deregulation helping here, namely cutting (but not eliminating) the red tape involved in building nuclear reactors. So many other countries in Europe and Asia have been allowed to benefit immensely from that, so why can't the United States?
But that's all nonsense, am I right? As every
Re: (Score:2)
"And what are these "competent leaders" going to do? "
Enforce law, prosecute criminals. It really isn't that hard to understand.
"I could see maybe deregulation helping here..."
I'm sure you could see that, because doing anything effective you would oppose.
"...namely cutting (but not eliminating) the red tape involved in building nuclear reactors."
That should really help with memory prices! But sure, we get it. The country should do exactly what AI billionaires demand and remove all impediments to their we
Re: (Score:2)
> Enforce law, prosecute criminals. It really isn't that hard to understand.
Which law applicable to this do you believe isn't being enforced?
> I'm sure you could see that, because doing anything effective you would oppose.
And what effective thing do you want instead?
> That should really help with memory prices! But sure, we get it.
I didn't say it would.
> The country should do exactly what AI billionaires demand and remove all impediments to their wealth and power building.
Since you obviously haven't noticed, I'll spell this out for you: The ask for more nuclear power in the United States long predates chatgpt.
> Just love these deep thinking MAGA types.
Of course, because you're either a stupid progressive or a stupid MAGA. In fact, you're even more stupid than both.
Seek compensation (Score:3)
Time to steal office supplies from "AI" firms to compensate for the cost increase to society.
After all, in the end it's the regular folks who end up indirectly paying for it.
The "AI" crowd driving the flock (Score:2)
The samaltmans are using the absurd amounts of cash they are awash in to create an artificial component shortages so that you're driven to their "platform".
Nothing like a little old trick to create "demand" out of thin air.
Re: (Score:2)
And how, exactly, are these component shortages artificial? It sounds to me like it's the result of demand in excess of supply, not a reduction in supply.
A more likely explanation is that you got a lump of crack for Christmas.
Re: (Score:2)
Correct
Re: (Score:2)
Because it is soldered onto the board and located next to the CPU/GPU. I do not think the soldering skills of the average consumer is good enough for them to bring their own memory. Does it need to be soldered is a different t question. Certainly the computer would be slower it it were not.
DRAM on package (Score:2)
Apple processors in the M series have DRAM on package, which provides better signal integrity than crossing a logic board. Apple could have added a SODIMM or CAMM slot for additional RAM to be used as a RAM disk holding a swap file. But they chose not to, instead putting swap in the SLC intake buffer of the soldered-in SSD.
Re: (Score:2)
> which provides better signal integrity than crossing a logic board.
Unless you have components that are total shit, this isn't going to do you any favors. Then again, this IS apple we're talking about, who sources components from companies like SK Hynix, who is so notoriously bad that enthusiasts who build their own computers won't buy from them because it's just not worth the money you save.
But I have to admit that I'm impressed with the way apple convinces their customers to pay a premium for substandard shit.
> Apple could have added a SODIMM or CAMM slot for additional RAM to be used as a RAM disk holding a swap file
Why on earth would ANYBODY do this? If you need more RAM, you c
Re: (Score:2)
Regarding putting DRAM modules lower than on-package DRAM in the memory hierarchy:
> Why on earth would ANYBODY do this?
When DDR5 was pushing the bandwidth limits of the SODIMM form factor, [1]Dell created CAMM [slashdot.org] and had it standardized through JEDEC. I'm guessing that the shift from SODIMM to CAMM staved off the need to demote DRAM modules by a level in the hierarchy. Maybe some design decision in the Apple M series requires a much faster RAM interconnect then Intel or AMD.
[1] https://hardware.slashdot.org/story/23/01/16/2237249/camm-the-future-of-laptop-memory-has-arrived
I remember when.... (Score:2)
In 1991, you could still buy a Mac with no menory or hard drive. I bought a Mac IIci in a 0/0 configuration and got the ram and hard drive third party. I paid $1700 or so for then parts and savers that much again over buying with the machine.
Apple changed their policy very shortly after I ordered my machine and I got one of then very last Macs you could buy in a bare config.
Re: I remember when.... (Score:2)
After watching Linus Torvalds on Linus tech tips I am more inclined to defend Apple on controlling the RAM. Linus asserted that the Windows Blue Screen of Death is caused by bad hardware and that is why he insists on ECC RAM in his computer. Apple having tighter control over the RAM may help with reliability and in turn user experience by reducing hardware errors. Still would be nice to have a cheaper option and take the risk as a consumer. But as a business I can understand pushing for premium hardware and
Re: I remember when.... (Score:2)
I don't have an objection to Apple "controlling" the memory that goes into their computers.
Today, for me, I'll just spend whatever, I don't care. At the time of this story I recollected, I was a student and that extra money was a huge deal. As it was, I paid $5500 for that complete system as it was.
Fun fact, I used my savings a 3.5" internal 170MB HD. My peers had 80MB hard drives. Given that the A/UX operating system we were required to run took 72MB or so (I think that was with X Window layer(, that was a
Seems like an odd suggestion (Score:2)
I mean, I'd expect the purchasing power of even a small computer-building company would be greater than that of an individual consumer. Suggesting customers "bring their own memory" is akin to suggesting they pay even more than they would if the company made the purchase.
Re: (Score:2)
The purchasing power might be greater for Framework than the average consumer; however the consumer does not have to concern themselves with profit per machine. Also companies the likes of Dell might have trouble sourcing enough memory right now.
Re: (Score:2)
Some people have a stash of working components from various broken machines. And some of those people have friends.
There are many ways to bring your own memory...
Re: (Score:2)
> I mean, I'd expect the purchasing power of even a small computer-building company would be greater than that of an individual consumer. Suggesting customers "bring their own memory" is akin to suggesting they pay even more than they would if the company made the purchase.
Well, if you're replacing a machine, harvest the RAM from the old machine and use it in your new machine. That's the thing going on here.
You might ask why, but DDR4 based platforms like the AMD AM4 and Intel 12/13/14th gen processors are se
Re: (Score:2)
> DDR4 based platforms like the AMD AM4 and Intel 12/13/14th gen processors are seeing a huge jump in sales and popularlity because DDR4 memory, while expensive, is cheaper than DDR5 right now
The 2x16GB DDR4 Crucial CP16G4DFRA32A.C8FF in my desktop has about doubled in price since I bought it. I have two sets, and probably would have bought only one if it had been at the current price. I only regert not also building a DDR5 system with 128GB in it right after, I could sell it now for big bucks.
Re: (Score:2)
Right, it is appalling. This comment alone should be disqualifying to potential buyers.
I know what is going to happen... (Score:2)
...employer policies will switch from BYOD to BYOM (Bring Your Home Memory).
Is now the time to buy a mac mini? (Score:1)
I was going to wait for m5 mac mini to replace my 2018 mac mini, but I'm wondering if I should buy an m4 now before apple adjust their ram prices? They are actually reasonable now!
Re: (Score:2)
Prices on the m4 seemed really good this month and I was considering one. $460 for a 16gb model. Cue up the slashdot bitching about how they can't get by without 4tb because they build the entire linux userland from scratch every day.
Re: (Score:2)
> Cue up the slashdot bitching about how they can't get by without 4tb because they build the entire linux userland from scratch every day.
I use OpenBSD, you insensitive clod!
Re: (Score:2)
I don't see why it would be needed. These ads are so effective that even though I can't block it and I don't see it, there's always an AC to remind me of it.
Re: (Score:2)
"even though I can block it"