It has always been this way. Base M1's max RAM was 16GB, M2/M3's was 24GB, M4's was 32GB.

Base m1 was like 4-5 years ago. did we have that much ram with oldest macs too, 30 years ago? 4-5 years at same base RAM is incredibly cheap behaviour from Apple. Some phones are literally close to that RAM now.

Base M1 had 8GB RAM base and 16 max. Where are you getting “same base ram”?

I think 8GB was also what we had in ... 2012? Or am I wrong. Memory has been going so slow.

First Retina MacBook Pros 13" were with 8 GB base memory. That was either 2013 or even 2012, so, yeah.

You could (unsupported) run 16gb ram on 2010 rMBP models, back before it was soldered on. Worked great, not to mention swapping the spinning drive for an SSD.

At this point, I get the soldered on ram, for better or worse... I do wish at least storage was more approachable.

Indeed. RAM is the tool of planned obselecence (and profiteering for that matter).

Get an ad blocker and then get all the people writing Java/Electron apps to fix their memory usage and you'll be good.

Exceptions apply to those running local LLMs.

They are running out of ways to differentiate their products.

Wait what!?!? My MacBook M1 has 64GB of memory for crying out loud.

M1 maxed out at 16 GB, if you have 64 it’s an M1 Max.

Wait what!?!? You may have a MacBook Pro M1 Max for crying out loud.