16GB enough for the new MBPs?

[waziazi]

I'm a software developer. Mainly use docker/VMs and code editors. Some compiling. I do also have a million tabs open in Chrome every now and then. Will the 16GB base option do? The 32GB upgrade is very steep. Not sure if the 400$ is worth it.

 

[n3sh]

How many VM/containers are you running at a time?

 

[Betonmischer]

Hi,

I am also struggeling with the same question and having the same use case. I find the extra $400 (in Germany its more than €400) just crazy and decided not to do this, even though it may result in disadvantages in five years.

I am not buying the laptop for 2026, but for now. We all do not know what will happen. But what would be the worst case? I am going to trade-in the MBP2021 and get a new one...

 

[Daniel L]

I am not buying the laptop for 2026, but for now. We all do not know what will happen. But what would be the worst case? I am going to trade-in the MBP2021 and get a new one...

Agree with this although my use case is even less demanding. If OP already has memory pressure with those VMs open I would strongly consider 32. Otherwise, 16 should be fine. Something way better will be out in a few years.

 

[waziazi]

How many VM/containers are you running at a time?

1 VM or 2-3 containers that's about it. I know on Windows docker can devour memory, but since MacOS is BSD based its likely to be much more efficient on the platform.

 

[m1maverick]

1 VM or 2-3 containers that's about it. I know on Windows docker can devour memory, but since MacOS is BSD based its likely to be much more efficient on the platform.

Do you have any facts to support this? Or is it just wishful thinking?

That said to answer your question 8GB is all you will ever need as the M1 processor somehow drastically reduces memory requirements.

 

[ct2k7]

1 VM or 2-3 containers that's about it. I know on Windows docker can devour memory, but since MacOS is BSD based its likely to be much more efficient on the platform.

Docker for Mac still uses Hyperkit to launch a VM, then sling off containers off that.

 

[waziazi]

Hi,

I am also struggeling with the same question and having the same use case. I find the extra $400 (in Germany its more than €400) just crazy and decided not to do this, even though it may result in disadvantages in five years.

I am not buying the laptop for 2026, but for now. We all do not know what will happen. But what would be the worst case? I am going to trade-in the MBP2021 and get a new one...

Completely agree. I went with the 10-16-16 core model with 16GB. If it wont be enough it will be a lesson learned for when I upgrade in ~3yrs. It will also help with the resale as less people would spend the extra money for 32gb on the secondary market.

 

[waziazi]

Do you have any facts to support this? Or is it just wishful thinking?

Wishful thinking.

 

[mi7chy]

Get one step above (32GB) what you think you'll need (16GB). Seeing memory usage on a 16GB device with much lighter loads than yours I'd lean towards >16GB. If it's above budget find family to utilize 10% edu/military discount or wait for sale/refurb.

 

[n3sh]

I test drove 8gb RAM m1 air and that was not good as I have similar needs, dev , docker 2-3 containers running, tabs on safari/chrome. My workflow runs in intel/16GB setup so I went with that one.

I think you'll be fine with 16.

 

[edfoo]

I do also have a million tabs open in Chrome every now and then. Will the 16GB base option do? The 32GB upgrade is very steep. Not sure if the 400$ is worth it.

If you have a million tabs open in Chrome, then even 64GB RAM won't be enough for you...

 

[leman]

You’ll be fine with 16GB. Chrome is a RAM hog though, but M-series are very agile at managing memory.

 

[MrGunny94]

I also went with 16GB but I can make my workflow work on a MBA M1 with 8GB however I get huge amounts of swap per day

 

[Adarna]

Bump it up to 32GB at minimum. You guys memory hungry things

 

[Rivanov]

Main reason for me to choose 32GB would be the unified RAM between CPU and GPU.
When you do some graphic intensive jobs it would also eat from your 'normal' RAM.

I think I go for the 10-Core CPU with 16-Core GPU and 32GB RAM with 512GB Storage.

 

[Nebrie]

If you have a million tabs open in Chrome, then even 64GB RAM won't be enough for you...

That's me. My 16GB M1 Macbook Air spat out an "out of memory" error today. It was all Chrome.

 

[edfoo]

That's me. My 16GB M1 Macbook Air spat out an "out of memory" error today. It was all Chrome.

That means you will have to optimize your web browsing habit.

 

[cbascue]

Just an interesting note: When I did the trade in calculation on the Apple store site, they valued my 16gb Macbook Pro 2020 the same as the 8gb version 2020

 

[5425642]

I'm a software developer. Mainly use docker/VMs and code editors. Some compiling. I do also have a million tabs open in Chrome every now and then. Will the 16GB base option do? The 32GB upgrade is very steep. Not sure if the 400$ is worth it.

I’m using the same workflow and I’m managing by with MacBook Pro 14” 16gb no issue at all.

But sure I can run some docker and vms with 2-3gb of ram etc but the rest of my vms is in our data center