When buying a laptop with ARM architecture, there is a key point that can define its lifespan and your satisfaction: the RAM is usually soldered to the motherboard and cannot be upgraded later; therefore, it is advisable to choose the maximum amount of memory your budget allows from the start if you want it to perform at its best for years. The good news is that, in many models, storage can be upgraded with a replaceable NVMe SSD, allowing you to expand space later for projects, libraries, and demanding games. Simply put: if you go for ARM, think of RAM as the final decision and the SSD as a future expansion option. Soldered RAM: Why It Matters In modern laptops—including many ARM and even some recent x86 platforms—memory is soldered to the motherboard to save space, improve efficiency, and allow for thinner designs, sacrificing the possibility of later upgrades to SO-DIMM modules. This means you won't be able to upgrade from 8 to 16 or 32 GB "later," and if the RAM fails outside of warranty, the typical fix is ??to replace the entire motherboard, which is costly. In the Apple Silicon (M-series) ecosystem, "unified memory" is integrated and not expandable after purchase; If you need more, the only way is to buy the system with the most RAM from the start or upgrade later.

How much RAM should you choose on an ARM system?

If you're aiming for longevity and smooth performance, choose the maximum RAM your budget allows, especially if you plan on multimedia editing, heavy multitasking, local AI, or virtual machines, as you won't be able to upgrade later. On Apple Silicon, this decision is critical because unified memory powers the CPU, GPU, and accelerators, and when RAM is insufficient, sustained performance and multitasking suffer. While every user profile is different, the practical guideline is: buy today thinking 2–4 years ahead, not just about what you're doing now, because there won't be a memory upgrade path.

Storage: Yes, it's expandable (usually)

The good part of the package is the SSD, which you can replace or upgrade on many ARM systems, either in M ??format or other formats.2 internal NVMe drives or through manufacturer service options. On recent Windows on ARM devices (including many 2-in-1s and convertibles), it's common to be able to replace the drive with a higher-capacity one and clone your system to avoid reinstalls. Even if your RAM is locked, upgrading to a larger, faster SSD extends the life of your computer, speeds up boot times, and gives you space for photo/video catalogs, local AI libraries, and games.