Laptops are designed to be as portable as possible, which causes trade-offs in terms of performance and usability.
When a component is soldered to the motherboard, it becomes almost impossible to replace.
So why are computer parts soldered, and what should you do if you are unhappy about the practice?
Why Are Computer Parts Soldered?
People often assume that the soldering of computer parts is to encourage people to buy new laptops.
If a part cannot be replaced, the computer will become obsolete faster.
Image Credit:Intel
There are, however, many other reasons why soldering is used.
For example, RAM can be attached almost anywhere rather than into a specific slot.
A soldered part can also be attached using fewer additional components.
Because of this, opting for soldered parts often leads to a slightly slimmer laptop.
Soldered Parts Are Easier to Assemble
Soldered parts can be assembled automatically using machines.
That human being has to be paid, making a laptop with replaceable parts more expensive to assemble.
Image Credit:Intel
Soldered Parts Provide Fewer Points of Failure
Soldered parts tend to be more durable than replaceable parts.
Replaceable parts typically require either a slot or a connecting wire, and either of these components can break.
This adds additional points of failure and increases the cost of production.
Laptops are built in large batches, and even a small increase in the failure rate is expensive.
Why Are Soldered Computer Parts Unpopular?
Soldered RAM is particularly unpopular and one of the most commonly soldered parts.
The minimum acceptable level of RAM is constantly increasing, and insufficient RAM is noticeable.
This is a negative not only financially but also for the environment.
In addition, when laptops are thrown away, they are rarely recycled.
Many people also consider the practice of soldering parts to be somewhat unfair.
When parts are soldered on, your ability to make modifications is significantly reduced.
Are Soldered Parts Designed to Prevent Upgrades?
Soldering parts prevents upgrades, but this is unlikely to be the primary motivation.
Most people aren’t going to upgrade their laptops regardless of how the parts are attached.
The profit gained by preventing it is, therefore, unlikely to be the driving force behind soldered hardware.
However, this is in comparison to the other reasons outlined above.
Designing a laptop that is smaller and cheaper to produce are significant advantages that are likely to increase profits.
Preventing a small segment of customers from adding RAM simply isn’t a good enough reason.
For example, you might want to buy a laptop with 8GB RAM.
Then, you decide to upgrade to 16GB RAM.
If the RAM is soldered to the motherboard, you have to pay whatever cost the manufacturer states.
What Computer Parts Are Soldered?
Many laptop parts are soldered, with the CPU and GPU almost always soldered.
Most people do not complain about this, however, because these components are unlikely to be replaced regardless.
How Much Ram Does Your Laptop Need?
The primary complaint that people have about soldered parts is that it prevents RAM upgrades.
If you’re thinking about buying a new laptop, you might be wonderinghow much RAM you need.
If you’re a heavy gamer or run other resource-intensive software, this number increases to 16GB or 32GB.
If you want a laptop that’s easier to upgrade, here’s how to look for one.
While online retailers may not include this information, the manufacturer’s website usually does.
Failing that, online reviews usually discuss potential upgrades.
Some laptops that use soldered RAM also offer an additional slot for upgrades.
This allows you to make significant upgrades without replacing the RAM that’s already been installed.
If you want a laptop that’s even easier to upgrade, you might want to consider amodular laptop.
These laptops do not use soldered components and are designed to be as upgradeable as possible.
Along with replacing the RAM and SSD, you could often replace the CPU and GPU.
It’s important to note that modular laptops tend to be more expensive and slightly larger than traditional laptops.
It’s unlikely that parts are soldered to prevent people from replacing them.
