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Microsoft pushed 16GB RAM as must-have for Windows 11 for years, now sells an 8GB Surface Laptop for $1,299
(www.windowslatest.com)
this post was submitted on 21 May 2026
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I find it strange how unwilling Microsoft is to be price competitive with Apple. It really shouldn't be that difficult to price comparably to apple
Apple spent decades perfecting their hardware production while Microsoft relied on third party sellers to create devices that would run Windows. Why would you expect their hardware to be comparable at this point? They’re primarily a software company and their software is also bad
I don’t think third party hardware is even a good excuse for Microsoft. Like sure, they’re working with third parties on hardware for the most part, but most of the manufacturers are targeting their software.
Meanwhile most linux distros and desktops will run fine on 4 gigs, and they’re doing most of the work to get their stuff compatible with the hard wear.
Even when Apple was running on intel chips, they were still way better about resource usage than Microsoft was.
I think Microsoft is just… really bad at making an OS because they’ve been coasting on being the default for so long that they didn’t have to care about optimization, manufacturers were just obligated to target what ever bloat-wear they put out.
In the current environment? Apple shielded itself from price hikes by component suppliers by locking up capacity early. There's a reason why their CEO came up through the supply chain rather than software or design.
The memory Apple is putting in its devices today are largely priced at prices negotiated years ago. It got deals on CPUs and GPUs of their own design, fabricated by TSMC, packaged with Samsung-fabricated memory in System-in-a-Package form, at volumes that make them nearly impossible to say no to, under contracts that are probably bulletproof even as TSMC and Samsung have others clamoring for their capacity at higher prices.
The A18 Pro in the MacBook Neos is made on TSMC's N3E node, which started production in 2023 and was probably under contract by 2022. The AI boom largely started happening after, and the memory/storage chip crunch didn't seem like it would be a problem until 2024 or so.
In an environment like this where there are capacity shortages and companies bidding up the price to absurd levels, companies like Apple are exactly who you'd expect not to be thrown around by price hikes.
I see your point there, but Surface's have been priced higher than Mac's for many years now (and typically for more outdated hardware), before the AI bubble destroyed memory pricing
no worries... I've replaced more microslop surface hardware then I have sold. I refuse to sell em.. nothing but ewaste in 6-8 months with some of the most HORRENDOUS support imaginable because... microsoft
I really like my surface pros, have a 2016 one that still runs great even though the battery is starting to bulge a bit. My mom got a non-pro and had lots of issues.
Yikes you do know a bulging battery is a fire risk right?
This. That battery is a fire risk to any home its in.
I know not every bulging barrery is seconds from catching fire....but it's just no worth the risk.
I know someone that lost a family member in a house fire started by failing lithium batteries in a hoverboard.
I didn't know! What's the best way to dispose of it?
Greedy cunt fucks gotta greedy cunt fuck.