Even so, laptop manufacturers have brand reputations to protect and don't want customers blaming them for issues that are outside of their control. It's not just a question of who's legally responsible or whether they're obliged to provide support.
There's also the electrical engineering perspective on this. In a low power device, sending high frequency signals over contact-based electrical connections is something you want to avoid if at all possible.
>While both will have to compromise, removing options from the consumer and allowing the company to dictate terms outright really harms our consumer rights.
For the vast majority of consumers there is no compromise. Soldering the RAM is just better, period. (The vast majority of consumers never upgrade their RAM, and RAM sticks coming loose is a surprisingly common failure mode.)
And just because you have replaceable parts, and the option to buy from elsewhere, doesn't mean the principle of caveat emptor ("let the buyer beware") goes away.
Ultimately it's all about balancing the profits of the company vs the rights of the consumers. While both will have to compromise, removing options from the consumer and allowing the company to dictate terms outright really harms our consumer rights.