Soldered RAM makes your laptop harder to sell.

Yes — it lowers resale value, especially on Windows laptops. Most buyers want the option to upgrade later, even if they never actually do it. Soldered RAM locks the machine into its current specs forever, and that feels like a trap.

The exception is MacBooks. Apple has soldered RAM for years, and the resale market barely penalizes it because people expect it and the whole laptop is basically disposable anyway. But on a Dell, Lenovo, or HP? Buyers will move past your listing for one with replaceable sticks.

There’s also the practical risk: if soldered RAM fails, the whole motherboard is toast. No simple replacement. That uncertainty eats into what someone is willing to pay.

If you’re buying for yourself and never plan to sell, fine. But don’t pretend you’re not eating the depreciation.