And that's not a problem unique to 8 GB models either.
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8GB RAM in M3 MacBook Pro Proves the Bottleneck in Real-World Tests
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didn' they say 8GB in unified is roughly equivalent to 16GB in a PC? IF you compare 8GB of unified ram to 16GB of unified ram, of course, you are going to get results where the 16GB machine outperforms the 8GB. Did the test put it up against a 16GB PC? (sorry, at work, not enough time to watch the video)
…really? We are stunned that double the ram is faster? This has got to be the most pointless video I have ever seen. That’s the whole point behind upgrading, IT’S FASTER. Now compare an 8gb m2 to an 8gb m3 and see the benchmarks or an 8gb m3 vs a 16gb m2 and those would be interesting comparison. But ANY computer with double the ram IS GOING TO BE FASTER.
A MBP is not a Porsche. Almost everyone in first world countries can afford a MBP question is if you are willing to spend your money on it or not. Only a minority can afford a Porsche. A Computer is not a car.
I got my MBP in 2012. The base configutation came with 4GB of RAM, upgradable. The iphone 5 came with 1GB of RAM. So the smallest MBP came with 4x of RAM of the iphone.
Today it would be 32GB for the MBP.
The pro in "MacBook PRO" stands for PROfit.
Not according to Apple. They boldly stated 8GB RAM is the same as a PC with 16GB RAM.
People can go back and forth until they're blue in the face about whether 8 GB of RAM is a good amount for some people or whether everyone should get 16 GB in a base configuration. I think it's safe to say that if the base configuration of the M3 MBP started with 16 GB, it would cost $1799—anyone claiming differently is spending Apple's money and I trust Apple to know the optimal margins and cost for its machines far better than a random person on the internet. But that's not an argument I care to have.
The real problem, as I see it, is the configurations that Apple sells and recommends at its stores. If you wanted to go to an Apple Store and buy a M3 MBP, you're getting 8GB of RAM on that machine. Unless my configuration skills are substandard, there is no configuration of the M3 MBP available at my local Apple Store today that has more than 8 GB of RAM. Those who want more than 8 GB of RAM will be pointed to the base M3 Pro MBP at $1999, which undoubtedly is worth the upgrade but some people won't need it.
The people who really should buy the M3 MBP are the ones who want the "nice" features of the MBP like the screen and the speakers (or, for that matter, the prestige of the "Pro" moniker), rather than those who could benefit from 16 GB of RAM. Anyone else should really go for the M3 Pro MBP.
The real problem, as I see it, is the configurations that Apple sells and recommends at its stores. If you wanted to go to an Apple Store and buy a M3 MBP, you're getting 8GB of RAM on that machine. Unless my configuration skills are substandard, there is no configuration of the M3 MBP available at my local Apple Store today that has more than 8 GB of RAM. Those who want more than 8 GB of RAM will be pointed to the base M3 Pro MBP at $1999, which undoubtedly is worth the upgrade but some people won't need it.
The people who really should buy the M3 MBP are the ones who want the "nice" features of the MBP like the screen and the speakers (or, for that matter, the prestige of the "Pro" moniker), rather than those who could benefit from 16 GB of RAM. Anyone else should really go for the M3 Pro MBP.
Yesterday I ordered a new M3 iMac with 16GB RAM and 512GB SSD due to Max Tech's video shown here, as I realized that 8GB RAM would not be enough for my needs. Thanks Max Tech for all the great real world reviews you do to help the Mac community!
Problem is it's a pro model as was the model it replaced. 16gb should be the minimum on any pro model. I have an 8gb Macbook Air 15" and it runs everyday tasks without issue. In fact it feels exceptionally quick. However I don't attempt to do anything demanding with it. Browsing the web, light productivity tasks.
I'm struggling a bit with why you'd pick up an 8gb Pro model if you're not going to be doing anything heavyweight, a cheaper Air would suffice?
I'm struggling a bit with why you'd pick up an 8gb Pro model if you're not going to be doing anything heavyweight, a cheaper Air would suffice?
I saw it just yesterday on YouTube: "Apple RAM scam" and it makes sense why Apple still sticks to 8GB in basic models
It's not a lie, but the validity of the conclusion drawn from the testing can and should be questioned. Anyone can pick memory intensive programs to prove more memory is better and that entry level machines may not perform as well as higher spec'd ones. It ignores that not all users will run those programs, and those that do probably know they need a more powerful machine. All they have done, IMHO, is decided on a conclusion and they cherry picked testing to "prove" it.
It's like comparing two trucks towing a heavy trailer, one with and one without a heavy duty towing packaging, and then say "See, all trucks need a heavy duty towing package because the one without damaged the transmission after towing the heavy trailer 500 miles at interstate speeds..."
Alternatively, one could do a comparison of a professional typist opening, typing, and closing a long document on a 8GB vs 16GB machine and when the times are the same say "No one needs 16GB..."
I hate to repeat myself but...
Not according to Apple. They boldly stated 8GB RAM is the same as a PC with 16GB RAM.
It wouldn't be so bad if they weren't ripping off every consumer with a $200 charge for 8gb ram. That's completely unjustifiable particularly when the ram is soldered. Apart from ripping off everyone with their base 8gb they're effectively time limiting the use of the device for the average consumer. How long before 8gb becomes prohibitively limiting? 2 years? 5 years?
We're comparing apples to apples. You're using Apple's claim comparing apples to oranges.
8Gb/256GB is a stupid config even for a MacBook Air these days with Apple asking $1100. $300 more for a 512GB SSD? Get real. These prices should be more like $699 and $799... Factor in the usual "Apple tax", maybe $799 and $899. For $300 I can easily buy a top notch 4TB SSD for my Framework (and many other non-Apple laptops). $200 to go from 8 to 16GB RAM? That's more than enough to go to 64GB on non-Apple hardware. This is beyond "Apple costs more"... Its complete insanity.
Nope, it is worth comparing. Camry is iMac Supra is Studio but when you go to a Car dealer and look at the Supra price tag and see the basic model is cheaper. Still, you need to use feet like Fred Flintstone or pay a premium for getting an engine it is better compared. Yabadabadoo!
I totally agree with you. But 8GB of RAM for even a bunch of browser tabs (websites are pretty heavy and sloppy) is just not enough. My son's Macbook Air M1 with 8GB came to a complete stop (literally) last week because he had about 15 browser tabs open...some Youtube, some social media, etc. I had to reboot, kill the browser tabs (they reopened on reboot) and tell him just don't open so many tabs. Granted the machine is 2 years old but you can see why 8GB just is ridiculous on any computer these days unless you are truly running super bare minimum tasks like email or visiting 1-2 websites at a time.
Apple should just abandon the 8GB option on the Macbook Pro and save face. Start the pricing at $1799 (which is what they likely try to upsell you to anyway). Don't annoy customers that their $1600 8GB "pro" machine can't handle a ton of browser tabs and a few apps open at the same time and oh yea, you're past the 15 day return policy window so have a nice day and enjoy the machine that you cannot add more memory to.
Of course the tests were made with professional apps. For the vast majority of users 8GB is plenty for web browsing, email, videos, etc. So why should that majority of users pay for the extra build-in RAM that they don’t need? Professional user should already know that need more RAM and order accordingly.
Once again the straw man argument for more base RAM and at no extra cost either. Horse manure on that.
Once again the straw man argument for more base RAM and at no extra cost either. Horse manure on that.
The part I find unseemly is that the only-chance upgrade to 16GB is still $200. This was more excusable (if not palatable) when the RAM in a Mac could be upgraded later. I don't mind base / low-end models with marginal specs, especially since if 16GB were the minimum, then there would be a contingent of people complaining that 16TB isn't enough. However $200 for an additional 8GB of RAM (and absolutely nothing else) in 2023 for a machine that is purposely designed to not be upgradable in any way, shape or form just feels dirty dirty dirty. A great look for the Wall Street crowd, but maybe not so much from a consumer perspective. Wall Street talks and Apple will ride that pony as long as they can.