16GB standard - trap?

[Gloor]

Now that we have 16gb memory as standard, could it be the new 8gb? Ie. is Apple telling us that they will 'eat up' the extra 8gb with Ai and we will be back to where it was (in a year or two) OR is 16gb now with AI the same as 16gb before and we are actually bumping things up?
What do you guys think? I know its early to predict but I have a feeling that maybe Apple plans to eat the ram more in the next OS and hence they are putting it as standard across the lineup

 

[Compote]

Let's not be bottomless pits of RAM need.

One thing is certain, the 8GB crowd will be left behind, soon.

 

[Gloor]

For sure but will the 16gb crowd soon feel like the 8gb crowd?

Last year Apple was saying that 8gb is totally fine and now everything is 16gb. Will next year 24gb be needed as the LLM AI will eat up so much and the system in general will be designed that way?

I find it hard to believe that Apple would give us extra ram out of generosity. It feels more and more like necessity

Let's not be bottomless pits of RAM need.

One thing is certain, the 8GB crowd will be left behind, soon.

 

[ignatius345]

"Apple should make 16 GB standard!"
[Apple makes 16 GB standard]
"Apple is setting a trap for us by making 16 GB standard!"

Sure, RAM needs have *always* increased over time, but Apple did the correct thing here and made sure the baseline hardware configuration can accomodate usage of core features out of the box.

 

[Gloor]

I think you misunderstood here. It is definitely the right thing to have 16gb these days. My worry though, was about whether or not Apple knows that they will increase the requirements of ram in the next 1-2 OS systems so this could essentially end up being the same situation as 8gb.
ie. if you raise ram and next you increase the ram requirements by the system then you end up with 0. And that is my worry/thinking here.

If on the other hand that will not happen in the near future then this move by Apple was the right call and everyone will benefit. Its just weird that even Macbook Air that didn't get updated was ram bumped. Its un-Apple-like unless they know something we don't (which is usually the case)

"Apple should make 16 GB standard!"
[Apple makes 16 GB standard]
"Apple is setting a trap for us by making 16 GB standard!"

Sure, RAM needs have *always* increased over time, but Apple did the correct thing here and made sure the baseline hardware configuration can accomodate usage of core features out of the box.

 

[JPack]

8GB became standard in 2014. 16GB is standard in 2024.

You heard a lot of noise because 8GB was reaching the tail end of its life over the past few years. The main issue was buyers felt $200 was too expensive to justify an additional 8GB. The cost to Apple is less than $40.

No, the 16GB owners will not feel like 8GB owners "soon."

 

[n3sh]

I agree that AI is anticipated to eat up much RAM and hence apple is bumping up base RAM.
Just look at the MacBook Air update at the same cost. I’m sure it is not out of goodness of their hearts.

 

[Abazigal]

Now that we have 16gb memory as standard, could it be the new 8gb? Ie. is Apple telling us that they will 'eat up' the extra 8gb with Ai and we will be back to where it was (in a year or two) OR is 16gb now with AI the same as 16gb before and we are actually bumping things up?
What do you guys think? I know its early to predict but I have a feeling that maybe Apple plans to eat the ram more in the next OS and hence they are putting it as standard across the lineup

My guess is that Apple is looking at the current batch of OG M1 Mac users as potential customers for these new Macs. Knowing that the majority are on 8gb ram, and if we assume that Apple Intelligence will just barely run on M1 devices, they would be dangling the carrot of more ram as one reason to entice them to upgrade.

 

[JPack]

I agree that AI is anticipated to eat up much RAM and hence apple is bumping up base RAM.
Just look at the MacBook Air update at the same cost. I’m sure it is not out of goodness of their hearts.

Apple already tells us their AI model uses 4GB on iPhone. The same model is used on Mac. There is still a net gain of 4GB.

Demand for dual external monitor support was added to M4. If it was up to Apple, they'd save the transistors. Same thing for RAM. If consumers didn't complain, the base would be 12GB instead, just enough for AI.

 

[jz0309]

Now that we have 16gb memory as standard, could it be the new 8gb? Ie. is Apple telling us that they will 'eat up' the extra 8gb with Ai and we will be back to where it was (in a year or two) OR is 16gb now with AI the same as 16gb before and we are actually bumping things up?
What do you guys think? I know its early to predict but I have a feeling that maybe Apple plans to eat the ram more in the next OS and hence they are putting it as standard across the lineup

sure, another conspiracy theory needs to be started ...

You know that you can simply turn "Apple Intelligence" off, right?

 

[Gloor]

Maybe but why bump up the Air today when they will update it in few months to M4?

Something is cooking I feel.

Sure, 4GB is now but Apple stated "its just the beginning"

Apple already tells us their AI model uses 4GB on iPhone. The same model is used on Mac. There is still a net gain of 4GB.

Demand for dual external monitor support was added to M4. If it was up to Apple, they'd save the transistors. Same thing for RAM. If consumers didn't complain, the base would be 12GB instead, just enough for AI.

 

[Gloor]

Not conspiracy, just a wonder. Sure you can now but more and more AI will be crucial for the OS so its reasonable to worry about the 'futureproofing' computers when considering buying.

Do we believe its just nice bump or do we think there is a reason behind it and soon we will struggle with 16gb just like we did with 8gb?

sure, another conspiracy theory needs to be started ...

You know that you can simply turn "Apple Intelligence" off, right?

 

[JPack]

Maybe but why bump up the Air today when they will update it in few months to M4?

Something is cooking I feel.

Sure, 4GB is now but Apple stated "its just the beginning"

Because who the heck would willingly buy MBA 8GB today, full well knowing it'll get M4/16GB in a few months?

This week's launches shouts in all caps, 16GB IS NOW STANDARD ON MAC.

If MBA stayed at 8GB, nobody would buy it this Christmas, especially knowing M4 will be soon out. With 16GB, Apple is giving a carrot.

 

[Gloor]

Good point actually.

Because who the heck is buying MBA 8GB today, full well knowing it'll get 16GB in a few months?

 

[jz0309]

Not conspiracy, just a wonder. Sure you can now but more and more AI will be crucial for the OS so its reasonable to worry about the 'futureproofing' computers when considering buying.

Do we believe its just nice bump or do we think there is a reason behind it and soon we will struggle with 16gb just like we did with 8gb?

a computer is a tool, you cannot "future-proof" it as your own needs might change, or, apps you use/need require more RAM/storage ...
when the tool doesn't satisfy your needs anymore, get a new tool that does, simple as that

 

[Sippincider]

Let's not be bottomless pits of RAM need.

I can't recall the last time someone posted to a forum, angry their system has too much RAM.

We should all be onto what the gambit has been for a while: if your needs can be met with a base-config Mac, consider an iPad. Otherwise BTO and bump those specs (and pull your money out). At least double whatever the base specs are if you can afford it.

 

[Apple_Robert]

I think you are over-thinking a purchase. Get what you need today, not what you think you might need in 4-5 years. Tech will change too much (as well as your needs or wants) to make a qualified and informed decision on a future purchase. You purchase a Mac product you aren’t investing in a Mac product.

 

[Gloor]

Well, you are partially right. Here is my situation:

I've had 16gb on my personal computer since the first rMBP came out (2012).
I can see a little struggle now as I'm still on Intel (2017 MBP with 16gb) so I naturally wonder if 24gb will do fine or Apple will screw me later.

As you can see I like to keep things for a long time but I also don't want to overpay. So is 24gb will be enough (I know it is enough now especially with the fast unified memory as I've tested M2 Pro with 16gb and it was mostly perfect except occasional hiccups) or will the demands by the system in 1-2 years be increased quite a bit that the 24gb will be not sufficient and I will be forced to shell out for a new machine as you can't upgrade ram?

its $500C for upgrade to 48gb which I know now is not really needed so yeah I am asking around what others thing or how they see this play out.

I want this Mac Mini to last at least 5 years before I upgrade.

a computer is a tool, you cannot "future-proof" it as your own needs might change, or, apps you use/need require more RAM/storage ...
when the tool doesn't satisfy your needs anymore, get a new tool that does, simple as that

 

[TheRealAlex]

Now that we have 16gb memory as standard, could it be the new 8gb? Ie. is Apple telling us that they will 'eat up' the extra 8gb with Ai and we will be back to where it was (in a year or two) OR is 16gb now with AI the same as 16gb before and we are actually bumping things up?
What do you guys think? I know its early to predict but I have a feeling that maybe Apple plans to eat the ram more in the next OS and hence they are putting it as standard across the lineup

I have establisted 32GB a a baseline period. Especially with Apple non upgradeable RAM.

 

[kimjongbill]

Maybe but why bump up the Air today when they will update it in few months to M4?

Something is cooking I feel.

Sure, 4GB is now but Apple stated "its just the beginning"

Man, us Apple users sure have a lot of learned helplessness

 

[jz0309]

Well, you are partially right. Here is my situation:

I've had 16gb on my personal computer since the first rMBP came out (2012).
I can see a little struggle now as I'm still on Intel (2017 MBP with 16gb) so I naturally wonder if 24gb will do fine or Apple will screw me later.

As you can see I like to keep things for a long time but I also don't want to overpay. So is 24gb will be enough (I know it is enough now especially with the fast unified memory as I've tested M2 Pro with 16gb and it was mostly perfect except occasional hiccups) or will the demands by the system in 1-2 years be increased quite a bit that the 24gb will be not sufficient and I will be forced to shell out for a new machine as you can't upgrade ram?

its $500C for upgrade to 48gb which I know now is not really needed so yeah I am asking around what others thing or how they see this play out.

I want this Mac Mini to last at least 5 years before I upgrade.

as I said before, when the tool doesn't do its job anymore, replace the tool ...
fwiw, I got a M1Max Studio almost 2 years ago with 64GB and 4TB, if I need to replace it in a year, or 2 or 3, I will do it at that point

 

[zkap]

I don't see anything special here. On laptops (MBP especially), 16GB was overdue, Apple knows it and they took advantage of this AI noise to bump the spec since they knew they had to. They milked 8GB long enough and now it was time to move to 16 due to all the complaints, this has been a hot topic for years and I think Apple would have done this even without AI.
The most expensive iPhone that can be bought today has 8GB, so I don't imagine Apple would allow their marquee feature as of now to not work or barely function on their most successful product ever. I know there are differences between macOS and iOS, but still, it's not like they're adding RAM just because of AI and only for AI. And it can be turned off.

 

[Gloor]

I understand your reasoning but let me ask you this:

why did you go for 4tb storage when Apple charges insane amount of money? External SSD would do the trick and you would save a lot. Not to mention, the money you saved could be invested into the market with roughly 8% yearly return so in few years time you would have enough money for possible new computer.

You see, I don't like to buy stuff that I don't need and I like the get the right value. 2017MBP is just now the last year I can push it and now I'm about to get a new tool that I want to spend as little as possible whilst making sure it last 5 years minimum. SSD can be purchased, ram can't but $500C for an upgrade is insane amount for something you may or may not need. Hence why I am here asking if Apple is playing a trick and AI will be another push for them to sell you something new.

Just look at iPhone 16 Pro. The biggest feature is the AI. Everything else is minimal.

Anyway, I think I might just wait for tests etc. and see where we stand. Perhaps 24gb will be enough for next 5 years and then I will evaluate.

as I said before, when the tool doesn't do its job anymore, replace the tool ...
fwiw, I got a M1Max Studio almost 2 years ago with 64GB and 4TB, if I need to replace it in a year, or 2 or 3, I will do it at that point

 

[jz0309]

I understand your reasoning but let me ask you this:

why did you go for 4tb storage when Apple charges insane amount of money? External SSD would do the trick and you would save a lot. Not to mention, the money you saved could be invested into the market with roughly 8% yearly return so in few years time you would have enough money for possible new computer.

Anyway, I think I might just wait for tests etc. and see where we stand. Perhaps 24gb will be enough for next 5 years and then I will evaluate.

because I have a very large Lightroom photo collection that I used to manage previously on an external SSD but the internal one is insanely fast, and my photo library is only growing. while getting the same or similar speed externally is possible, back then it might have saved me $200 or $300 at the most and I didn't want to deal with external, for my photos. I do have my movies/music on external as speed is not as critical.
Anyway, we have different needs and that is fine

 

[JSRinUK]

Now that we have 16gb memory as standard, could it be the new 8gb? Ie. is Apple telling us that they will 'eat up' the extra 8gb with Ai and we will be back to where it was (in a year or two) OR is 16gb now with AI the same as 16gb before and we are actually bumping things up?
What do you guys think? I know its early to predict but I have a feeling that maybe Apple plans to eat the ram more in the next OS and hence they are putting it as standard across the lineup

I have to admit that this was at the back of my mind when ordering today. I thought “if 16GB base is today’s 8GB, I’ll have 24GB just to give myself a little breathing space”.

That’s probably completely bonkers thinking, but I also have an equally bonkers policy of “going one better than my last computer” (which was Windows with 16GB).