Apple Stores Now Stock 14-Inch M3 MacBook Pro With 16GB of RAM

[madmin]

8gb ram for a "PRO" machine.... 8gb ram machine in 2024.... for 2k usd... They should be ashamed

Everytime they market their stuff as "Starting at something99" to make it sound ok. You get the choice of taking the cheap deal or paying more money for options. Pretty standard marketing practice really. In order to do that they cheap out on the low price model.

 

[ThomasJL]

It's time for Apple to make upgrading memory, storage, and wifi more accessible to end users. It's pretty ridiculous to have to replace the entire machine to accomplish this, but great for landfills.

Tim Cook doesn't care about consumers nor the environment. He cares about shareholders.

I truly wish Steve Jobs had made Scott Forstall CEO. Under a Forstall CEO tenure, just like Jobs's CEO tenure, Apple's stock wouldn't have performed anywhere as well as under Cook, and Apple wouldn't have made anywhere as much money as under Cook, but we'd still have consumer-friendly products like user-upgradable RAM and hard drives, as well as skeuomorphic GUIs.

 

[citysnaps]

If they wouldn’t radically overcharge for it, many more folks would do just that.

The good news is there are other laptop manufacturers out there. Vote with your wallet.

 

[citysnaps]

I have really mixed feelings on this.

People who *know* they need more now can make that decision now. But I don't think it's fair to expect everyone to predict their future needs in advance - especially for a computer that ought to last many years.

Who knows what kind of amazing yet RAM-hungry software might come in the next 3-5 years, much like the explosion of VRAM-hungry AI tools now. User-upgradable RAM allows us to 1.) buy what we need, as needed, 2.) buy upgrades at potentially-lower future prices, and 3.) give new life to older machines & keep them out of e-waste.

It sounds like Apple computers are not for you (and others). There are other computer manufacturers out there.

 

[jakey rolling]

User-upgradable RAM allows us to 1.) buy what we need, as needed, 2.) buy upgrades at potentially-lower future prices, and 3.) give new life to older machines & keep them out of e-waste.

Also 4.) Allows users to buy upgrades even now at lower prices than Apple offers. Even when machines had only one or two slots and an upgrade required replacing the RAM stick(s) that the machine came with, it was almost always cheaper just to throw out the included RAM and install off-the-shelf upgrades than it was to BTO from Apple.

 

[jakey rolling]

faster: the RAM can have much higher memory bandwidth by being soldered, and very close to the SoC.

This is certainly a good benefit, though I think there is a new RAM module format that (Dell, I think?) has developed that attempts to address this and appears to be going a long way in doing so. I do doubt that it is quite as fast as completely integrated RAM in an SoC, but it certainly narrows the gap quite a bit.

more reliable: soldering has lower wear and tear than any mechanical means of replacement.

I mean, if you're swapping out RAM cards like they are N-64 cartridges, sure. But RAM is usually installed and then left alone for years on end. Not a lot of opportunity for wear-and-tear. I certainly haven't come across too many RAM sticks that have "worn out".

thinner and lighter: because you save on the mechanics, you also save on space.

This is where you start running into diminishing returns though. Once you get to certain thinness and weight, getting even more thinner and lighter doesn't really offer any benefit outside of being able to point at your friend or co-worker and go "hey look how thin my laptop is!"

 

[svish]

Good to know about this. Hopefully with the next M series chip, the base RAM increases to at least 12GB

 

[chucker23n1]

This is certainly a good benefit, though I think there is a new RAM module format that (Dell, I think?) has developed that attempts to address this and appears to be going a long way in doing so. I do doubt that it is quite as fast as completely integrated RAM in an SoC, but it certainly narrows the gap quite a bit.


I mean, if you're swapping out RAM cards like they are N-64 cartridges, sure. But RAM is usually installed and then left alone for years on end. Not a lot of opportunity for wear-and-tear. I certainly haven't come across too many RAM sticks that have "worn out".


This is where you start running into diminishing returns though. Once you get to certain thinness and weight, getting even more thinner and lighter doesn't really offer any benefit outside of being able to point at your friend or co-worker and go "hey look how thin my laptop is!"

I wasn't talking about RAM specifically, but any modularity — RAM, SSD, battery, to name a few. But heck, there even used to be external expansion, whether with PCMCIA or later ExpressCard, or Apple's proprietary sideways expansion slots. And PowerBooks even at some point had an additional small battery so you could swap batteries while running.

Almost all of that has been removed. There's an argument to be made that this helps Apple's bottom line, yes, but it also makes the devices mechanically simpler and therefore more robust. Ask retail / tech support people what the causes for failing laptops are, and it's generally the moving parts.

 

[lowkey]

A MacBook Air with 8GB of ram is understandable.
A MacBook Pro with 8GB of ram is just sad.

 

[applepotato666]

I'm surprised by how some people can really work on just a 8GB of RAM.
Despite using a budget-friendly MacBook Pro M1 for my work, which involves running applications like Xcode, Safari, ChatGTP, Slack, SourceTree, and a couple of others, I don't have an excessive number of Safari tabs open—just a few for tasks like accessing App Store Connect or browsing GitHub and Stack Overflow.

Yet, I'm facing significant lagging issues with everything, which indicates a need for an additional 10-12GB of RAM just to meet regular requirements.

For any new Apple machine, I would never settle for 16GB; the minimum should be 32GB!
Essentially, the amount of swap being used indicates that the current amount is insufficient.

View attachment 2356113

Apple's thing lately seems to be touting powerful chips attached to an otherwise absolutely inadequate for "Pro" work "Pro" computer.

 

[leifp]

For those who want to know what this actually means, instead of just posing ignorantly, it means that 16GB RAM is entering the mainstream for configurations. That is, enough laptops are being sold “upgraded” that it behoves them to make it a standard setup, widely available.

Which metrics Apple needs to see to move on from a base of 8GB I cannot know (since I cannot even know what their present RAM distribution in all sales is) but at the end of the day Apple has begun the process of catering to customers who have begun demanding more RAM. We shall see what base RAM configurations Apple offers on the M4 series. Perhaps 12GB, perhaps 16GB, perhaps another size… or they may remain with 8GB. Only Apple knows for sure. We will find out later this year…

 

[Jim Lahey]

For those who want to know what this actually means, instead of just posing ignorantly, it means that 16GB RAM is entering the mainstream for configurations.

But only with a parallel 1TB storage upgrade. So this says to me that you still cannot get a reseller-discounted 16GB MacBook Pro M3. Which in turn means absolutely zilch to the end customer except you can now order a 16GB/1TB at MSRP direct from Apple but with a couple fewer clicks at checkout. Behold!

ETA: In fairness it will also likely mean that one may now be able to get a discounted 16GB/1TB from a reseller, but if you wanted a 16/512 nothing has changed at all.

 

[nexx27]

The good news is there are other laptop manufacturers out there. Vote with your wallet.

No option if you hate windows

 

[turbineseaplane]

The good news is there are other laptop manufacturers out there. Vote with your wallet.

It sounds like Apple computers are not for you (and others). There are other computer manufacturers out there.

We all understand there are other manufacturers and other operating systems
You don't need to tell everyone about it

We get it - you don't like comments that are critical of Apple
It's a discussion forum - it will always be a mixed bag of comments.

 

[citysnaps]

We all understand there are other manufacturers and other operating systems
You don't need to tell everyone about it

We get it - you don't like comments that are critical of Apple
It's a discussion forum - it will always be a mixed bag of comments.

We?

It seems I do because every time Apple introduces a new computer product, loads of people are unhappy that the base model doesn't have enough memory for *their needs,* and apparently don't want to pay more money for additional memory that would meet their needs.

Rather than stay perpetually unhappy with Apple's memory/pricing tiering, why not go with another manufacturer that meets your memory/pricing requirements?

The good news is Apple's base memory works just fine for millions of other people who have modest/minimal computing needs. Why demand/force others with minimal needs to pay more money for memory they don't need? That seems selfish.

Simply pay for the memory that you need. That's only fair and is why Apple offers options for more memory.


"It's a discussion forum - it will always be a mixed bag of comments.

Correct. And my comment right above is a part of the discussion.

 

[jbkendrick]

While I somewhat understand the complaints about the entry level M3 MacBook and its 8gb of memory, we should remember that this unit does not have a Pro chip and should never have been labeled as a MacBook Pro. Calling it what it is, an entry level M3 MacBook would have alleviated the confusion and reduced user frustration.

The entry level M3 MacBook Pro comes with 18gb of unified memory. The entry level M3 MacBook Pro Max comes with 36gb of unified memory.

For those complaining that you cannot upgrade the memory, that is because the cpu and gpu unified memory are part of the SoC, not discreet components as in other computers. This dramatically increases the bandwidth of memory intensive operations. Everyone loves to say how fast and powerful Apple Silicon is, but then complain about not having user expandable memory.

Not saying that Apple marketing isn't taking the best advantage of their current station with Apple Silicon, but I will say that my M3 MacBook Pro Max with 36gb of unified memory and 2tb ssd is the fastest and most powerful computer I've owned in 40 years. Expensive yes, but so is a Ferrari. J

 

[turbineseaplane]

@jbkendrick

Good points

I'd just add that Apple could ameliorate things by also not charging absolutely eye gouging mark ups on the component upgrade options.

 

[bobjonesco]

The 16GB versions might be on the Apple website, but only the 8GB versions show up as available for pickup in store. The top spec still needs to be ordered online here in Australia.

 

[Hank001]

I have not seen much particular lag either on 8GB machines in general use (I tested this on other people's machines since mine are all either 16GB or 64GB)) but I am more concerned that there is a great deal of disc swapping going on, hence my main point here was the concern that SSDs would wear out over time.

You may very well be right that there is swapping going on. I just have never noticed it, or needed to replace the SSD.

 

[chucker23n1]

"It's a discussion forum - it will always be a mixed bag of comments.

Correct. And my comment right above is a part of the discussion.

"Go elsewhere" is not a constructive comment.

Yes, sometimes that's the right answer. But sometimes, "let's push Apple a little bit to increase their specs" is.

 

[citysnaps]

"Go elsewhere" is not a constructive comment.

Yes, sometimes that's the right answer. But sometimes, "let's push Apple a little bit to increase their specs" is.

How do you propose to meaningfully push Apple?

Have Apple eliminate their 8 GB base memory computer option at a lower price, that's fine for millions of people with modest needs (web browsing, email, Notes, Music, simple spreadsheets, etc.).

And instead have Apple computers start with 16 GB of memory at a higher price?

How would millions of people with minimal needs/requirements feel about being forced to pay more money for a computer with memory they'll never need? That would be a sweet deal for Apple, but would be awful for the consumer.

 

[nexx27]

And people expressing their discontent with apple policy *it’s also part of the discussion*

 

[turbineseaplane]

"Go elsewhere" is not a constructive comment.

Yes, sometimes that's the right answer. But sometimes, "let's push Apple a little bit to increase their specs" is.

Thank you
Exactly what I was getting at

Comments that tell folks to go away (or imply it) or "use Android/Windows if you don't like it!" are not constructive and shouldn't be posted at all.

 

[nexx27]

We?

It seems I do because every time Apple introduces a new computer product, loads of people are unhappy that the base model doesn't have enough memory for *their needs,* and apparently don't want to pay more money for additional memory that would meet their needs.

Rather than stay perpetually unhappy with Apple's memory/pricing tiering, why not go with another manufacturer that meets your memory/pricing requirements?

The good news is Apple's base memory works just fine for millions of other people who have modest/minimal computing needs. Why demand/force others with minimal needs to pay more money for memory they don't need? That seems selfish.

Simply pay for the memory that you need. That's only fair and is why Apple offers options for more memory.


"It's a discussion forum - it will always be a mixed bag of comments.

Correct. And my comment right above is a part of the discussion.

And people complaining about apple policy it’s also part of the discussion

 

[citysnaps]

And people expressing their discontent with apple policy *it’s also part of the discussion*

What policy is that? Offering computers for people with minimal needs/requirements for less money?

Instead of forcing those people to buy a more expensive computer with greater memory that they'll never use? That smells very anti-consumer to me. And a bad policy.