Hacker News new | ask | show | jobs
by lord_sudo 2052 days ago
Why are they limited to 16gb? Is this related to the arm chip design?
3 comments
k0stas 2052 days ago
It seems to be due to the fact they are integrating the DRAM into the package. There is only room for two 8GB DIMMs:

https://www.apple.com/v/mac/m1/a/images/overview/chip__fffqz...

link
Ayesh 2052 days ago
ARM chip design is likely the reason, because I only see 16GB max to configure even in Mac mini.
link
CalChris 2052 days ago
The Apple M1 is an Apple chip design. It uses the Big Little model and Apple designed the Big (Firestorm?) and the Little (Icestorm?). So it probably isn't related to ARM chip design.
link
mlindner 2052 days ago
The DRAM is embedded into the same SoC as the GPU and CPU. Hard to have a lot of DRAM inside a small package.
link
00deadbeef 2052 days ago
I wonder how they're going to replace the MacBook Pro 16" which has 64GB BTO options. Even the Mac Mini had a 64GB option but it too is stuck at just 16GB max. Will they produce a massive package to accommodate it?
link