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Apple’s Regular Mac Base RAM Boosts Ended When Tim Cook Took Over

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Apple used to regularly increase the base memory of its Macs up until 2011, the same year Tim Cook was appointed CEO, charts posted on Mastodon by David Schaub show.

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Earlier this year, Schaub generated two charts: One showing the base memory capacities of Apple’s all-in-one Macs from 1984 onwards, and a second depicting Apple’s consumer laptop base RAM from 1999 onwards. Both charts were recently resurfaced by the Accidental Tech Podcast.

The graphs show that Apple tended to increase the base memory every two years or so, but that this trend ended when Cook took over the company from Steve Jobs. Memory increased quickly until the Mac Plus was launched in 1986, notes Schaub. “1986 to 1990 were all about decreasing the entry Mac price,” he says. “Then we get a pretty straight logarithmic line until Tim Cook became CEO and there has only been a single increase since.”

all in one base ram chartall in one base ram chart
The correlation is interesting, but other variables such as market trends and changes in technology can help to account for the plateau in Cook’s era. For example, Stuart McHattie notes that early all-in-one Macs saw a tenfold increase every six years. If that trend had continued from 2006 onwards when the base was 500MB, modern base model Macs would have reached 500GB. Yet today’s consumer PC demand for RAM remains around 8GB to 64GB, and very rarely exceeds double digits.

Computers have also changed a lot over the last several years. RAM has gotten faster. Hard disk drives have been superseded by solid-state storage. Chips and components are more tightly integrated. Apple no longer relies on Intel processors to power its machines, and instead uses high performance system-on-a-chip (SOC) architecture, which fuses CPUs, GPUs, and unified memory into a single package. This is why the company feels confident in arguing that 8GB on a Mac is comparable to 16GB on rival systems.

laptop base ram chartlaptop base ram chart
But that does not change the fact that Apple has offered iMac and MacBook Pro models with 8GB of RAM since 2012. Likewise, the MacBook Air has had the same base memory configuration since 2017. In addition, Apple’s adoption of unified memory means that Macs cannot have their RAM upgraded after purchase, while Apple continues to pursue a strategy of vastly overcharging customers for higher memory configurations. Users often pay out $200 or more at checkout just to future proof their machines.

Apple’s Mac memory configuration strategy is likely to become even more contentious if all upcoming iPhone 16 models turn out to include 8GB of RAM. (In the iPhone 15 series, only the Pro models have 8GB, whereas standard models have 6GB.) Why Apple is prepared to increase RAM in a smartphone but not in a multitasking Mac without users paying excessively for the privilege will be the overriding question on many consumers’ lips.

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Why Apple and Goldman Sachs credit card partnership ended

Why Apple and Goldman Sachs our parting ways

Last month in a surprising announcement it was revealed that the credit card collaboration between Apple and Goldman Sachs has come to an end. This partnership, was specifically created to enable Apple to launch its Apple Card credit card, a symbol of innovation in the financial technology sector. The Apple Card, known for its user-friendly features and strong integration with Apple products, is now at a crossroads as the two companies go their separate ways.

The reasons behind this split are multifaceted. Apple’s insistence on high approval rates for the card increased the risk for Goldman Sachs, leading to operational difficulties. Additionally, Apple’s unique customer support demands, such as providing assistance through iMessage, and its no-fee policy have limited Goldman Sachs’ ability to generate revenue from the venture.

When the Apple Card was launched, it was met with much fanfare. It allowed Apple to offer 0% financing on its products, which boosted sales and reinforced customer loyalty. The card’s seamless integration with the iPhone’s Wallet app and the daily cash back rewards were standout features that differentiated it from other credit cards on the market.

Why are Apple and Goldman Sachs parting ways?

Despite these customer-centric innovations, the financial impact on Goldman Sachs has been substantial. Reports indicate a staggering $3 billion loss since the card’s debut in 2019. This significant financial hit has forced Goldman Sachs to reconsider the viability of the partnership.

What will happen to the Apple Card?

As Goldman Sachs prepares to withdraw from the agreement, the future of the Apple Card hangs in the balance. Apple is now tasked with finding a new partner to sustain the card’s unique offerings and favorable terms. This change is crucial for Apple and its customers, as the company aims to preserve the card’s benefits and popularity.

The end of the Apple and Goldman Sachs partnership marks a notable shift in the fintech landscape. The Apple Card has made a considerable impact on the industry, but the economic burden on Goldman Sachs has necessitated a new direction. The outcome of Apple’s search for a replacement partner will be a defining moment for the Apple Card and will be watched with interest by both consumers and industry observers.

Image Credit : Apple

Filed Under: Apple, Technology News, Top News





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