>Traces being, say 20% longer than they need to be doesn't really change the performance of the board
Impedance matching requires you know what you are doing, and Altium will only take you so far. For the price, Altium/Protel has always been a poor deal for what you get software wise.
Even free Qspice (a more modern Analog Devices LTSpice) is a far better option:
https://www.qorvo.com/design-hub/calculators-simulation/qspi...
>the industry doesn't look for optimal, only good enough
Indeed, that is why your iPhone still weighs 3.7 kg. =3
> Impedance matching requires you know what you are doing, and Altium will only take you so far. For the price, Altium/Protel has always been a poor deal for what you get software wise.
Pretty much every high end board is designed under Altium. QSpice is a different tool for a different purpose.
And like I said, those few cases were the length actually matters tend to be heavily assisted with automation as it is.
> Indeed, that is why your iPhone still weighs 3.7 kg. =3
I guarantee you that an iPhone board isn't an optimal solution, simply good enough.