[goalieca]

Apple has put a ton of effort into optimizing software to squeeze more out of less ram. They also have operating system level features like compressed ram.

The whole implied argument about hardware longevity is because software bloats. A responsible thing would be optimizing software for power and resource usage.

[Jochim]

Software bloat isn't the entire argument at all. Hardware also fails.

If it fails in your macbook, or any brand where it's soldered on, you're left with an expensive brick.

I believe that being able to easily and cheaply replace those components matters.