Soldered RAM lasts long enough.

Yes, both soldered and replaceable RAM chips have similar lifespans — typically 10+ years of normal use. But replaceable modules win on practical longevity because you can swap a failed stick or upgrade capacity.

Soldered RAM rarely fails before the laptop becomes obsolete. The chips themselves are the same quality. The problem is that if a soldered stick does fail (rare, but possible), the whole motherboard is trash. With replaceable modules, you pop in a new one for $30 and keep going.

The real advantage of replaceable RAM isn’t lifespan — it’s repairability and upgradability. Soldered RAM is fine for a machine you’ll replace in 4-5 years. If you want a laptop that lasts a decade