[esperent]

> you can't fully compare their RAM to a loose DIMM stick

Why?

[kg]

IIRC modern Apple devices integrate the memory into the whole SoC instead of making it separate on the board and replaceable. It's definitely not swappable like a DIMM or CAMM module would be. Can't find a photo of a decapped M4 chip to prove it, though...

[lynguist]

Check my sibling comment for a photo link (M1); or here:

https://macmagazine.com.br/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/18-tea...

[MadnessASAP]

Its not integrated to the SoC, it is soldered to the mainboard though.

[theshackleford]

The memory is not integrated into the SoC die itself, but it is packaged alongside the SoC rather than being separately mounted.

[esperent]

At Apple scale I would have thought that makes it cheaper, not more expensive.

[theshackleford]

I wouldn’t know honestly, it’s not one of my “special” areas of interest so I lack the knowledge haha.

I’m just mates with a dude who’s been an Apple hardware engineer for a long time.

[lynguist]

https://macmagazine.com.br/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/18-tea...

This image shows it best.

The memory is on the same package as the SoC. (It's not on the motherboard.)