What was the author smoking?

"This is also why the only laptops currently available which support >16GB RAM are huge, like this one which weighs 17 pounds (8KG). "

Except that ThinkPad T460 can be ordered with 32 GB memory and weights something like 3.8 lbs (1.7 kg)

(of course the upside of the specs being essentially the same as the old one is that you can use the old MBP until USB-C is widespread enough to make it worth switching)