Will 8GB be enough to handle Windows 11, Parallels, iOS updates, MS365, Quickbooks, Word, Excel, PP, Outlook, etc.?
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24” M1. 8GB or 16GB
- Thread starter DynamicNotch
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I would buy 16 GB on an iMac, full stop. It's a relatively small increase in price percentage wise to help longevity of the machine.
I agree, would only get 16GB RAM with a new iMac 24".
Unfortunately it will mean that you might not be able to find the configuration you want in store inventory since the base models are all 8GB RAM, which means you will have to order it built to your requirements (RAM and storage). But it will be worth the wait in order to get the right setup for your needs.
Unfortunately it will mean that you might not be able to find the configuration you want in store inventory since the base models are all 8GB RAM, which means you will have to order it built to your requirements (RAM and storage). But it will be worth the wait in order to get the right setup for your needs.
People need to evaluate the M1 iMac 24, differently then Intel based an iMac. Whether one gets a machine with 8 or 16 GB if RAM, depends on what the machine is used for and what it is likely to be used for in the future and how long one plans to keep the iMac.
We have 8GB of RAM and this has never been an issue since getting our M1 iMac 24 in May. Memory pressure has always been green, except for one time (yellow). We have a 512GB internal SSD and since May, have used 90GB.
We only use our iMac for email, Facebook, the occasional YouTube video, banking, Apple Music, internet browsing, MS office and logging into my work computer.
We also tend to purchase a new iMac, when AppleCare expires, which means every three years.
I suppose that our use case might be different in the future, but our uses have remained stable, since first getting a Mac in 2008 and are not likely to change significantly.
I subscribed to more is better and future proofing and spent more than I needed to for years.
In summary, configurations should be matched to use, when possible.
The OP specifically mentioned using a VM, (windows 11 - parallels), you do not run a second operating system with only 8GB of physical memory total. That is a valid justification for getting a 16 GB model.
In that context I agree with you. However, many of the subsequent posts moved away from the OP use case and talked about “always”. My point was there is no “always”.The OP specifically mentioned using a VM, (windows 11 - parallels), you do not run a second operating system with only 8GB of physical memory total. That is a valid justification for getting a 16 GB model.
This discussion reminds me of this other similar thread over in MacBook Pro world which resulted in lots of spirited debate as well as some interesting technical information on RAM usage with these new Apple Silicon products:
forums.macrumors.com
PSA: you probably don’t need 32 or 64Gb RAM unless you know you need it.
With the new MBPs, this question is super-popular on these forums, and I see multiple posts spreading misinformation and FUD about 16Gb models, causing a bunch of people to most likely overspend of panic about their purchases. There is a lot of misunderstanding how RAM and swap files work and...
forums.macrumors.com
Oh but since the unified memory on a M1 24” iMac is soldered on, who really wants to sell such a nice model so soon because you didn’t opt for spending $200?
Back in 2012 I bought a retina MBP with 8 GB and 256 GB SSD. But after seeing how much was used by the system, versus free for applications to use, I returned it, and got it with 16GB RAM. I just sold it for the new 16” MBP which weighs the same and is same size.
The upgrade soon analogy is a lot more expensive proposition you know. One really needs to consider several years usage, not upgrading so soon, if you want to save money.
@Realityck You are making assumptions that everyone wants to keep their iMac for an extended period to save money. That is not always the case. Other factors and priorities come into play.Oh but since the unified memory on a M1 24” iMac is soldered on, who really wants to sell such a nice model so soon because you didn’t opt for spending $200?
Back in 2012 I bought a retina MBP with 8 GB and 256 GB SSD. But after seeing how much was used by the system, versus free for applications to use, I returned it, and got it with 16GB RAM. I just sold it for the new 16” MBP which weighs the same and is same size.
The upgrade soon analogy is a lot more expensive proposition you know. One really needs to consider several years usage, not upgrading so soon, if you want to save money.
True, however a key difference now with Apple Silicon products is that you can't upgrade later if you find that you do need more RAM or your use for the computer changes. That was always one of the great things about the 27" iMac, not only could you upgrade at any point but you could save money by purchasing less RAM than you knew you needed and then upgrade yourself, but no longer.
I think if one plans on keeping the iMac for a long time, 16GB is the way to go. I ended up upgrading the RAM in both my previous iMacs. There is no option to do so in the 24". For me, it was an obvious choice to get the 16GB. It's just a shame the 16GB isn't readily available, as to me the 4-6 week wait when I needed the Mac was more of a deterrent than the cost. But I'm glad I waited. Including for 'just browsing the web' – I find a single web page often takes up more RAM than any application I'm running, and I don't imagine web pages will get smaller in the future.