What about RAM upgrades delivered via software?

[Wando64]

It seems pretty obvious that there only one type of M1 chip is being manufactured, and therefore it is likely that the 8gb option is the same M1 chip as the 16gb with 8gb deactivated.
What is stopping them from activating this memory with a software update?

 

[eoblaed]

That's a big assumption to make. Might be true, might not. Guess we'll see when the first ones ship and we get some X-rays of chip sets. Even if they do ship with the same physical chipset, I doubt it would be something as simple as a software block.

 

[ondioline]

It seems pretty obvious that there only one type of M1 chip is being manufactured, and therefore it is likely that the 8gb option is the same M1 chip as the 16gb with 8gb deactivated.
What is stopping them from activating this memory with a software update?

The DRAM on the SoC package is separate from the processor.

 

[bobmans]

The "M1" is a SoC package. 8GB mem models come with 8GB. The mem is on the package but not on the processor, they can easily leave it out.

 

[chabig]

The DRAM on the SoC package is separate from the processor.

Exactly right. See https://www.apple.com/mac/m1/

 

[Deinocheirus]

As hilarious as it would be for downloading more RAM to actually become a thing...no, they won't ship them that way.

 

[Knarf231]

Not going to happen. There is almost a week delay between 8gb and 16gb on the Mac mini as far as shipping goes...

 

[jav6454]

The "M1" is a SoC package. 8GB mem models come with 8GB. The mem is on the package but not on the processor, they can easily leave it out.

This pretty much. When making the SoC package, all they have to do is use 4GB modules vs 8GB.

 

[Wando64]

The DRAM on the SoC package is separate from the processor

I guess we’ll soon find out whether the package is different between the two.

 

[Wando64]

This pretty much. When making the SoC package, all they have to do is use 4GB modules vs 8GB.

Maybe. But this would make sense only if there is a definite cost difference between the two.
I doubt that’s the case.

 

[Wando64]

As hilarious as it would be for downloading more RAM to actually become a thing...no, they won't ship them that way.

I should patent the concept.
But then again I am sure they would prefer to sell a new Mac rather than allow for upgrades one way or another.

 

[ondioline]

Maybe. But this would make sense only if there is a definite cost difference between the two.
I doubt that’s the case.

You doubt that 8GB of DRAM is cheaper than 16GB? I think you're just begging the question now lol

 

[Wando64]

You doubt that 8GB of DRAM is cheaper than 16GB? I think you're just begging the question now lol

Well it is surely cheaper to buy, but is it much cheaper to make? Cheaper enough to justify two separate processes and building different SoC? I have zero knowledge on this. I am just thinking aloud so for those with some expertise (you?) feel free to educate me. Preferably in a friendly way.

 

[ondioline]

It has been explained. The M1 is a SoC package, there is the CPU/GPU (the processor) and attached to that is the DRAM component:

Producing a variation of the M1 with different DRAM capacity is just a matter of switching out those two chips on the right. It is almost a certainty that there are not two separate 'processes' to produce this variation, it's not integral to the processor itself. It's a completely discrete part.