When did they say that? I thought they said AI uses 4 GB of storage, not RAM.
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16GB standard - trap?
- Thread starter Gloor
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Yeah, exactly. I try to be mindful with big purchases so this does affect one's thinking. Had Apple had decent upgrade prices I would have behaved differently but with the extortion they are charging I want to be mindful and get what I need + little buffer.
Anyway, I think I'll go with the 24gb of ram and I'll take the $500C and put it in AAPL stock. That way, I cover my ass in the future.
Anyway, I think I'll go with the 24gb of ram and I'll take the $500C and put it in AAPL stock. That way, I cover my ass in the future.
AI will probably eat up some of the difference, but I don't think it will eat up all of it.
An iPad isn't a Mac. I'd take a 2012 MBP over an iPad.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.
Yeah, I have definitely noticed a change in the last couple MacOS builds. All of a sudden, Excel is throwing endless "Not enough resources blah blah blah" messages. I have to shut down Word, PowerPoint, etc. for my simple Excel spreadsheet to run. This is on a 16GB M1 MacBook Pro 16".
Not if you just continue your normal tasks, and never touch this "Apple Intelligence"
Can I disable this AI crap? I don't want it.
I upgraded my PC last year from 16 Gb to 32 Gb because the programs I run are becoming memory hogs.
I totally agree that the reasoning behind Apple increasing the base memory from 8 Gb to 16 Gb is precisely because of AI. They need some room to play without users suddenly feeling squeezed, so they made it the new minimum. No way a Windows computer can remain sanely useable with 8 Gb RAM, and that has been the case for at least the last decade.
Software is at a critical juncture right now.
The hardware is awesome and efficient; now we need to start kicking out the bloat from the software. There is too much junk in modern software. Apple have actually bucked the trend in this area by tightly integrating their software with the hardware and (so far) appearing to avoid all the spyware crap that infests Windows 10, and particularly Windows 11.
I upgraded my PC last year from 16 Gb to 32 Gb because the programs I run are becoming memory hogs.
I totally agree that the reasoning behind Apple increasing the base memory from 8 Gb to 16 Gb is precisely because of AI. They need some room to play without users suddenly feeling squeezed, so they made it the new minimum. No way a Windows computer can remain sanely useable with 8 Gb RAM, and that has been the case for at least the last decade.
Software is at a critical juncture right now.
The hardware is awesome and efficient; now we need to start kicking out the bloat from the software. There is too much junk in modern software. Apple have actually bucked the trend in this area by tightly integrating their software with the hardware and (so far) appearing to avoid all the spyware crap that infests Windows 10, and particularly Windows 11.
Let's be honest. If you look at Apple, they did a very quick shift that feels like some high profiled manager woke up one day and said - "We need to stick AI! we're lagging behind."
Unless you take anything what Apple says blindly (eg. TouchBar is the future, 8GB is enough, Stage Manager requires super fancy hardware, etc...), then you should think about your goals.
For any Pro user, even in 2020, 8GB was unbearable, 16GB was minimal and we've aimed for 32GB+
(AI developers btw would shoot for 64GB+ and mostly 128GB if they can).
My live shows MBP 2018 with 16GB still maxed out for shows with MainStage for few years now...
So with AI, finally Apple had to raise up their RAM bar (heck, even the iPhone SE is rumored to get 8GB), yet they keep selling 256GB storage for computers...
The current "AI" features are shared across all Apple silicon, where the mobile ones (iPhones, iPads) are mostly 8GB.
For those models, 8GB is sufficient. In other cases you'll might need more raw power than your on-device not matter what (which is why Apple invested also in making a "private cloud" side).
Back to you, the customer...
It's all about your usage. for browsing and basic productivity, 16GB is sufficient.
For most content creation, 32GB+ is where you should aim and mileage vary based on your requirements.
Same goes for developers, for me as an example, extra cores might be more usable than maxing out RAM but each user got different needs.
Current on-device AI is a marketing hype (also see how badly Apple's commercials show it being used by lazy people to make average content quickly). Since Apple soldering everything those days, the same advice hasn't changed - max out the configuration for your budget and needs...
Unless you take anything what Apple says blindly (eg. TouchBar is the future, 8GB is enough, Stage Manager requires super fancy hardware, etc...), then you should think about your goals.
For any Pro user, even in 2020, 8GB was unbearable, 16GB was minimal and we've aimed for 32GB+
(AI developers btw would shoot for 64GB+ and mostly 128GB if they can).
My live shows MBP 2018 with 16GB still maxed out for shows with MainStage for few years now...
So with AI, finally Apple had to raise up their RAM bar (heck, even the iPhone SE is rumored to get 8GB), yet they keep selling 256GB storage for computers...
The current "AI" features are shared across all Apple silicon, where the mobile ones (iPhones, iPads) are mostly 8GB.
For those models, 8GB is sufficient. In other cases you'll might need more raw power than your on-device not matter what (which is why Apple invested also in making a "private cloud" side).
Back to you, the customer...
It's all about your usage. for browsing and basic productivity, 16GB is sufficient.
For most content creation, 32GB+ is where you should aim and mileage vary based on your requirements.
Same goes for developers, for me as an example, extra cores might be more usable than maxing out RAM but each user got different needs.
Current on-device AI is a marketing hype (also see how badly Apple's commercials show it being used by lazy people to make average content quickly). Since Apple soldering everything those days, the same advice hasn't changed - max out the configuration for your budget and needs...
Just like the toilet paper shortage in the USA had a while back which was a bunch of FUD.
Ai is not like some machine constantly running up resources but until you do something with it.
Shut it off.
Ai is not like some machine constantly running up resources but until you do something with it.
Shut it off.
I'm personally not 100% convinced that they will update the Air to M4. For the type of users it's for I don't see that much benefit
Except if TSMC stops making those chips. (because it was a custom made 3NM process I believe)
I have no use for AI betas. I’m ok to wait a few years before upgrading.
16 GB of RAM is a nice little bump up for those of us who despise artificial intelligence and plan to turn as much of it off as possible.
OP, you're receiving a lot of snarky glib replies here (predictably) but I think the concern you raise is legitimate. Dismissing it as 'some folk are never happy' is shortsighted. It wouldn't be so bad if Apple didn't continue to fleece us on RAM pricing in a way that's unforgivable. But they do.
You can turn off Apple Intelligence.
Boom - all 16GB are available to you to use as you please
Boom - all 16GB are available to you to use as you please
I don't think the local model will get too big, Apple wants revenues from cloud based subscriptions, not people turning it off because it slows the Mac.
Here, let me correct that for free:
"an Apple computer is (now) a tool, Apple does not allow you to "future-proof" it as your own needs might change, or, apps you use/need require more RAM/storage ...
when the Mac doesn't satisfy your needs anymore, get a new Mac that does, simple as that"
Thankfully, there ARE (still) computers that can be upgraded.
No. As 16GB RAM are pretty much the same for all devices, across brands, there's no reason to spin this so negatively:
While "on-device" AI features will probably leave the 8GB Macs struggling soon, I cannot imagine that Apple Intelligence will soon demand even more than the additional 8GBs of RAM that Apple has put in all Macs now. It would have to be very inefficient or incredibly complex for that to be true (I haven't seen any real examples of anything much different from what ChatGPT does. It runs from a server, and Apple's on your device. But still.)
But, if you must look at it as a glass half full, then I would argue that these 16GB of RAM is predominantly a very inexpensive way for Apple to add a very strong incentive to upgrade to a new Mac, and get everyone to upgrade, M1-M3, for no other reason than missing out on (not confirmed) super RAM hungry Apple Intelligence:
1. Even the cheapest, bought-at-retail Mac now gets you 16GB of RAM without Apple upping the suggested retail price. For most Macs, this was previously a $200 custom configuration only.
2. Note how Apple was always coy and secretive about RAM in iPhones and Macs but now it's one of the headlines for all 2024 products: This is a sly way to insinuate that 8GB in a Mac won't cut it but without actually stating that it's going to be sluggish or impossible.
It's very sly FOMO marketing at its best.
Furthermore, I refuse to jump on this hype train being that Apple Intelligence "1.0" won't be done until about mid to late 2025.
-It remains to be seen just how much 8GB RAM Macs struggle with Apple Intelligence. Until then, don't buy either a new 8GB or 16GB RAM Mac.
With the current AI rollout, it's like Apple has added a secondary "extra premium iOS" on top of iOS 18. And as this "AI iOS" isn't done, I wouldn't buy products to meet its yet-to-be-determined demands.
TLDR: Save your FOMO and dollars until about same time next year when Apple Intelligence is 100% done and out and we know what it requires. And, more importantly, wait until we know if Apple Intelligence it's actually worth buying a new Mac for.
I can see that some of you understand the concern and some of you have the need to make fun of it.
I don't think its all about AI per se. I think the whole OS will start to integrate more things which in return will require more resources. I feel that eventually this AI will be so integrated into the systems that it just won't be possible to switch everything off. Who knows but its certainly a concern.
I don't agree with the advice to "buy max you can afford" - that is not a wise solution. Just because someone can afford more doesn't mean its the right solution to the problem.
I think its fair to be wondering about Apple's motive especially as we are here on macRUMORS.
I think its also valid to be concerned about Ram as that is the hot topic now (even from Apple).
Some people upgrade every year or so and don't care. I'm not that person. I like to be a device and keep it for long so the decision I make now is very important. At the same time I don't want to waste money.
If Apple didn't make a fuss about ram now then I know that probably the 24gb would be enough for my needs as I'm now on 16gb so extra 50% should cover potential increase in the future. However, things changed and if Apple is now advertising 16gb so heavily, when last year they were totally fine with 8gb, that certainly raise a concern.
Apple in the past showed that they don't do things out of goodwill and there is always a reason behind everything they do. Is this the case too? We shall see. Right now I'm considering all the options. Some people understand it some people don't. Lets not bash my thinking though as I feel its very valid in the current climate
I don't think its all about AI per se. I think the whole OS will start to integrate more things which in return will require more resources. I feel that eventually this AI will be so integrated into the systems that it just won't be possible to switch everything off. Who knows but its certainly a concern.
I don't agree with the advice to "buy max you can afford" - that is not a wise solution. Just because someone can afford more doesn't mean its the right solution to the problem.
I think its fair to be wondering about Apple's motive especially as we are here on macRUMORS.
I think its also valid to be concerned about Ram as that is the hot topic now (even from Apple).
Some people upgrade every year or so and don't care. I'm not that person. I like to be a device and keep it for long so the decision I make now is very important. At the same time I don't want to waste money.
If Apple didn't make a fuss about ram now then I know that probably the 24gb would be enough for my needs as I'm now on 16gb so extra 50% should cover potential increase in the future. However, things changed and if Apple is now advertising 16gb so heavily, when last year they were totally fine with 8gb, that certainly raise a concern.
Apple in the past showed that they don't do things out of goodwill and there is always a reason behind everything they do. Is this the case too? We shall see. Right now I'm considering all the options. Some people understand it some people don't. Lets not bash my thinking though as I feel its very valid in the current climate
I'll admit to thinking the same way. I use my machine for a fair bit of graphic design and general multitasking. Also, resale values for upgraded models tend to be a bit higher. I partially offset my Mac upgrades by selling the old ones off (trade-in values from Apple are straight up insulting!)
This is why I didn't wake up this morning liking my base M1 MBA any differently than I did yesterday. It still easily handles everything I do with it, on the go or hooked up to a 27" monitor. It's a fantastic device.
(I will be watching next year's WWDC with a keen eye, as that will give a clue as to what reasonable lifespan investment Apple puts into these 8GB machines. Will any new AI announcements be limited to machines "with at least 16GB of RAM"? No one can say right now.)
No offence, but sometimes people just invent things to worry about.