Buying a new laptop with more RAM is cheaper than upgrading soldered RAM.

Yes, almost always. Professional soldered RAM upgrades are expensive, risky, and rare. You’ll pay a specialist a few hundred dollars to desolder and replace chips, and that’s before the cost of the new RAM modules themselves. A new laptop with the RAM you need often costs the same or less—and comes with a warranty.

Soldered RAM isn’t meant to be touched. The process can brick the motherboard, void any remaining warranty, and most repair shops won’t even attempt it. If they do, you’re looking at $200–$500+ just for labor. Meanwhile, a mid-range laptop with 16GB instead of 8GB might cost $100–$150 more upfront. That’s a no-brainer.

Don’t buy a laptop with soldered RAM unless you’re certain the configuration will last you. If you’re already in that spot, cut your losses and get a new machine. Future you deserves a working laptop.