Buying a MBA, will the base configuration be enough for me?

[HobeSoundDarryl]

Well, some of us aren’t like you rich folks who can just throw your money away whenever you think you might need it. I understand the need to plan ahead, but I also know that making assumptions is never a good thing without having all the facts.

That's hilarious. Rich is $200 for more RAM? Then yes, I'm rich.

My posts around here are always "consumer first" and I'm usually ripping Apple for blatant robbery pricing on Mac upgrades relative to market rates for commodities like RAM and SSD. I'm chipping into this convo because what I presume is a young computer buyer shopping for "first Mac" is seeking help to a worn-out question: is base specs enough? Of course, Apple fans will say YES. "We" always push whatever Apple has for sale at the time.

But even Apple probably thinks that 8GB RAM is not enough in 2024 as M4 in iPad has 12GB (with 6GB just made inactive for that iPad). M4 Macs are probably going to have 12GB base RAM. Does anyone dare call Apple wrong or dumb for putting more base RAM in than "most people need"... only a few weeks from now? Com'on people, I dare you. Anyone? Anyone?

No one can have "all of the facts" about the amount of future time OP is likely hoping to use this Mac. Is that 5 years or is that 10 years? Whether 5 or 10, a thousand things can happen to OP to make him need a bit more RAM or SSD in this computer. Apple has engineered Silicon Macs to eliminate all such upgrade possibilities after date of purchase. When one is buying for 5-10 years of potential use, better slap in some "what if" assumptions. Else, you need a lot more than $200 to buy the replacement whole Mac sooner than expected.

And if they can't scratch up $200 bucks, get a minimum wage job for about a week or so and delay the purchase that long. Besides getting enough RAM to better deal with who knows what years from now, it will also, apparently make you rich. The chicks love "rich" so flash that $200 around a bit if you also want to attract some love.

 

[Allen_Wentz]

So tell us why the base model 8GB RAM M1 Mac is better than 16GB RAM i9 Intel Mac? Or is it the 16GB RAM in the Intel Mac is worse/better than the 8Gb RAM in a M1 Mac? Or, that the M1 chip is better than the Intel i9, whatever the size of the RAM? Or, that Intel i9 couldn't run with 8GB RAM? Or...?

Like I said here, I might be buying a base model M chip 15" MBA in 2025, so your "knowledge" would be helpful proving that 8GB RAM on a M2/M3 chip is not enough for my work.

You asK too much: "...proving that 8GB RAM on a M2/M3 chip is not enough for my work." That is an impossible question, because the excellent Mac OS will make almost any simple workflow work running under 8 GB RAM.

But 2025 and beyond, 8GB RAM on a M2/M3 chip will almost assuredly be sub-optimal for your work. You may or may not notice or care about the increasingly choppy workflow that will occur as OS & apps evolve over time to place more demands on RAM. But 8 GB will be sub-optimal 2025 if not immediately. Whether you care or not is up to you.

 

[sleeptodream]

What's wrong with looking at PDFs in Preview.app that's included with macOS?

Yess, exclusively Windows users don’t know that’s a thing probably. Preview and Quick Look are some of my favorite things about macOS

 

[boak]

Get the 8/256, especially because it goes on sale frequently. 16/256 is not a stock SKU.

When your needs happen to change, just sell the device and buy the latest base model.

Add-ons lose almost all their resale value.

 

[chmania]

You asK too much: "...proving that 8GB RAM on a M2/M3 chip is not enough for my work." That is an impossible question,..

Not really, not from someone, who claims as a computer engineer.

But 2025 and beyond, 8GB RAM on a M2/M3 chip will almost assuredly be sub-optimal for your work. You may or may not notice or care about the increasingly choppy workflow that will occur as OS & apps evolve over time to place more demands on RAM. But 8 GB will be sub-optimal 2025 if not immediately. Whether you care or not is up to you.

Well, if that "heavy cow" Windows 11 works quite well with the same work load with just 8GB RAM, why not the newest macOS on a super M chip? The base macOS apps don't change much. GIMP won't change either. Maybe Word and Excel, and Skype. But still, if a merely old-fashioned 8GB RAM can do that with an Intel Windows laptop, why can't the macOS on the top notch M chip?

(I'm sure my Intel MBP will last longer than 2025, so buying date will be even later. It's been there 5+ years!)

 

[Allen_Wentz]

Well, some of us aren’t like you rich folks who can just throw your money away whenever you think you might need it. I understand the need to plan ahead, but I also know that making assumptions is never a good thing without having all the facts.

16 GB RAM versus the 8 GB RAM that most commenters here (not me) think Apple should not even offer is not "rich folks who can just throw your money away." It is a discussion about a smallish basic RAM upgrade when making a laptop purchase.

Note that Apple makes as much as 128 GB available on its higher end laptops. Going from 8 GB to 16 GB at the low end is not just for "rich folks who can just throw your money away."

 

[chmania]

The OP question was, is the base model with 8GB Ram enough for his basic needs, not what might happen in the future?

 

[TracerAnalog]

I think you would be fine with the base model.

I think you’ll be fine with an iPad Air 😉

 

[applepotato666]

With that said, is the base configuration enough for me and should last me 5 or more years?

If your usage stays like that then it's going to be very good for you. Most complaints you're hearing about the low RAM is from people who realize that in the next 5 years or so Apple will want us to load AI models and the features OS updates give are getting more and more computationally expensive, so a base model is not as much the good-value, long-term purchase that it used to be.

For your usage it wouldn't matter whether you update your computer at all or use those new features, since you can browse the web even on a 4GB machine from 2012. With Apple Silicon you'll enjoy great battery life, it'll be snappy and cool on your lap.

From what you're describing though you can also consider the big iPad Air since it's also great for that.

 

[russell_314]

I appreciate everyone's responses, now I can buy the base laptop config and not have to worry that I'm underbuying.

Enjoy the laptop without worrying about fan RPM or CPU temperatures etc. I have a relative that’s been using one since they came out in 2020 and it’s still working great. Normally the lifespan for a Mac is 5 to 7 years, but this one might last longer.


Like I said in my original reply you will get so many people saying you need to spend i’m gonna go to the bathroom front tire back in the front money for upgrades. It’s a curse that enthusiasts of any product have. Car enthusiasts cannot drive a car with stock horsepower. It’s not even enough to drive down to the store to get groceries 😂

 

[Zwhaler]

I keep looking at the base configuration for a 15" MBA with 8gb/256gb. This computer will strictly be a "sitting on the couch surfing the internet while watching tv" type computer. I will be looking up sports scores, posting on forums, shopping on Amazon, random google searches, Youtube videos, and reading the occasional email (gmail). I use Safari for my browser fyi. Normally I do this stuff on my Iphone 15 Plus but it would be nicer to do it on a laptop with a 15" display and with a real keyboard to type on.

I will probably install Adobe Reader to look at the occasional PDF. I may or may not install MS Office for Word, but this won't be a work machine at all.

I will never use it for anything more than what I listed. With that said, is the base configuration enough for me and should last me 5 or more years? I have been reading on the topic of RAM and so many people are saying "you need 16GB of RAM, you never know what you will want to do on the machine in the future, and you need 16gb for this and that, etc". All the stuff people mention doing, video stuff etc I will never do.

I just want a laptop that I can have at most 5 tabs of Safari open and that's pretty much it, and the computer run smoothly.

With that said, should I spend the extra money for 16gb of RAM for the sake of Safari web browsing, or in my situation is that literally a waste of money

In a word, yes. The base is more than enough. I'd look for a refurbished one.

 

[applepotato666]

Enjoy the laptop without worrying about fan RPM or CPU temperatures etc.

As a side note I'm always so shocked when I see someone use their Mac with manual fans set to blow on max so it doesn't get hot etc. My Intel Air was used at 200+ degrees CPU from 2012 to 2020 because I had to make do with what I had in university, 3D rendering on it for 6+ hours every single day on the bed with the vents blocked. Absolutely no issues other than it being near impossible to hold without you burning yourself. Never even opened it to dust it off.

 

[Zaydax333]

So tell us why the base model 8GB RAM M1 Mac is better than 16GB RAM i9 Intel Mac? Or is it the 16GB RAM in the Intel Mac is worse/better than the 8Gb RAM in a M1 Mac? Or, that the M1 chip is better than the Intel i9, whatever the size of the RAM? Or, that Intel i9 couldn't run with 8GB RAM? Or...?

Like I said here, I might be buying a base model M chip 15" MBA in 2025, so your "knowledge" would be helpful proving that 8GB RAM on a M2/M3 chip is not enough for my work.

Ah ok so this is where we have to dig a little deeper and things get a little more confusing. Theoretically, the base MX chip with 8GB of RAM could be enough for your workload. It would feel faster to you. But that's because you are leapfrogging to a much faster compute in general, tasks are completed faster hence RAM frees up faster. But the amount of RAM being used by the system in the moment of compute/usage is still the same.

The main advantage of AS (Apple Silicon M series chips) is that the CPU itself is MUCH faster, AND it's VERY power efficient. This is helped partly by the fact that it shifted to use LPDDRx RAM modules. Which are smaller and faster as well. Which is how they can put it on the chip itself also.

So let's look at projected performance.

From your post: "I am using a 15" Intel 2018 (made in April 2019), and it is still doing well after 5+ years. Sure, it has 16GB Ram, but with an older 8th gen i7"

This lets me figure out that the CPU in your laptop is an intel Core i7 -8750H. That config came with 16GB DDR4-2400. https://www.anandtech.com/show/13073/apple-updates-macbook-pro-family-for-2018

For comparison the M1 comes with LPDDR4x-4266. The M2& M3 with LPDDR5-6400. The M4 with LPDDR5x-7500. (grabbed from wikipedia pages)

For CPU performance since we're talking about more lightweight tasks, let's use Geekbench6 benchmarks. I'll throw in some comparisons to all MX Chips. This will assess both the CPU and RAM at the same time basically.

This is your laptop processor:

Intel Core i7-8750H Benchmarks - Geekbench

M1:

MacBook Air (Late 2020) Benchmarks - Geekbench

M2:

MacBook Air (2022) Benchmarks - Geekbench

M3:

MacBook Air (13-inch, M3, 2024) - Geekbench

Benchmark results for a Mac15,12 with an Apple M3 processor.

browser.geekbench.com

	Single Core Score	Multi Core Score	RAM Speed
i7 8750H	1295	4604	2400
M1	2336	8321	4266
M2	2578	9657	6400
M3	3065	11959	6400

Before we even talk about CPU performance, wow, look at those RAM speeds. The M1 RAM is almost 2x as fast. The m2/M3 about 2.5x as fast. Not only that, it's now on the same chip die basically, so stuff can get from the CPU to the RAM even faster than on the intel chip which has to send and receive stuff from a chip that is physically further away on the motherboard. (This physical distance thing isn't going to make as big of a difference compared to the raw speed increases on RAM speed, but it is worth noting as it does contribute to the overall system feeling snappier.)

The M1 CPU perf wise based on Geekbench is about 2x as fast as your CPU. So yeah even those 8GB models are gonna appear to be much better than your current machine.

However, let's say you have MS Excel open with the same spreadsheet on an Intel Mac and M1 Mac. That program and spreadsheet still theoretically should take the same amount of RAM when they're open. (there might be some minor differences here since it's x86 vs ARM though) You can just open them must faster, the application will run smoother, and you can save the file and close the program faster. The minute you load up more than the 8GB can hold, it starts using SWAP from the SSD. which is gonna be much slower, and then it's like well why is my machine doing this one task so much slower now that I'm also doing other things on the machine at the same time.

Edit: Or alternatively, why does it take longer to switch between tasks.

The thing is though, because the M1 and forward Macs are so much more powerful than the Intel Macs, they sort of kind of make up for this speed loss with raw CPU perf and RAM speed. That doesn't mean you're "using less RAM" it just means your computer is faster at getting stuff done.

Edit: Site note, SSD speeds have also gotten faster, so that helps contribute as well.

So lets answer some of the questions in your first part:

So tell us why the base model 8GB RAM M1 Mac is better than 16GB RAM i9 Intel Mac?
-- significant raw computing speed increase.
Or is it the 16GB RAM in the Intel Mac is worse/better than the 8Gb RAM in a M1 Mac?
-- The 16 GB of RAM amount is better. The M1 RAM Speed is better.
Or, that the M1 chip is better than the Intel i9, whatever the size of the RAM?
-- Correct.
Or, that Intel i9 couldn't run with 8GB RAM?
-- It could run!


Hope this helps, let me know if you have more questions.
Edits: Spelling errors.

 

[jlc1978]

Going from 8 GB to 16 GB RAM in 2024 is not really about "buying capabilities you will not use," because over the life cycle of the box (if not immediately) one will use the RAM over 8 GB. Operation will be smoother and faster, especially when using more than one app at a time.

Sure the OS will always be able to compromise operation and make 8 GB work using tricks like swapping to SSD, but IMO no one should do that on purpose unless financial constraints are extreme.

You are making assumptions about how the person will use it. Whereas the person is already said they’re planning to use it for light use over the life of the Mac. Hypothetical other uses are irrelevant based on the OP’s posts.

 

[sleeptodream]

I came into making this thread with this exact thinking. I just wanted to know the probability of if in "2029" or whatever year if I will be able to use a base spec machine that I'm buying now to run 2-5 Safari tabs. I think the answer is yes. If it doesn't work out that way in 5-6 years then I trade the MBA into Apple and put the money towards a new one.

Keep in mind the RAM in these is also the graphics memory, they’re shared

From an economic and environmental perspective, if the extra RAM makes the machine last one year longer, be it from 5 to 6, or 6 to 7 years, it paid for itself and you come out ahead (dividing the cost of the whole machine by the number of years), plus it’s also better for the environment to max out it’s lifespan, whether it’s in your possession or the next owner’s

 

[Surfsalot]

256gb is too small

 

[Zaydax333]

Not really, not from someone, who claims as a computer engineer.

Well, if that "heavy cow" Windows 11 works quite well with the same work load with just 8GB RAM, why not the newest macOS on a super M chip? The base macOS apps don't change much. GIMP won't change either. Maybe Word and Excel, and Skype. But still, if a merely old-fashioned 8GB RAM can do that with an Intel Windows laptop, why can't the macOS on the top notch M chip?

(I'm sure my Intel MBP will last longer than 2025, so buying date will be even later. It's been there 5+ years!)

Technically they're right. I can't REALLY prove it, not without constantly monitoring your RAM consumption on your device. I can only provide you with a hypothetical scenario and the tech specs/benchmark results that are easily available.

If your work load works on a machine with 8GB of RAM as well as 16GB of RAM at the same perceived speeds no matter what else you have running and regardless of OS, than you are set with 8GB. But again, software does tend to creep up in RAM usage over years, also new programs come out that we may start using. So If you plan to keep the machine for a long time, more RAM is good investment IMO.

Also you say "The base macOS apps don't change much. GIMP won't change either. Maybe Word and Excel, and Skype."
That's pretty hypothetical. Unless you're a developer on those apps, you can't say that for sure. My take on RAM usage will increase is also hypothetical. But I will predict RAM creep will continue to happen based off looking at computing history trends.

Edit: Continuing response:

You say:

"Well, if that "heavy cow" Windows 11 works quite well with the same work load with just 8GB RAM, why not the newest macOS on a super M chip? ... But still, if a merely old-fashioned 8GB RAM can do that with an Intel Windows laptop, why can't the macOS on the top notch M chip?"

What windows 11 machine are you using as a comparison?

If an Intel Windows laptop can do it, sure macOS with a M chip can probably do it yes. (barring x86/ARM software compatibility issues and software availability).

It's not about whether it CAN do it. It is about whether it CAN do it WELL, right NOW and in the FUTURE.

If someone is buying a new laptop, they should realize, it's not an appreciating asset. It is an expenditure. If RAM usage goes up and your computer feels slower later on you're gonna want to spend money on a new machine again, which is going to cost more than the cost of getting more RAM in the new machine now.

 

[Iwavvns]

256gb is too small

For you, perhaps.. but you cannot realistically apply that rule to everyone. None of my Apple devices have more than 256 GB storage and they all work perfectly for me. Can you see how your blanket statement doesn’t apply to everyone?

 

[Allen_Wentz]

The OP question was, is the base model with 8GB Ram enough for his basic needs, not what might happen in the future?

We disagree. IMO clearly when one is asking about buying a new box it is all about what might happen in the future.

Technically they're right. I can't REALLY prove it, not without constantly monitoring your RAM consumption on your device. I can only provide you with a hypothetical scenario and the tech specs/benchmark results that are easily available.

If your work load works on a machine with 8GB of RAM as well as 16GB of RAM at the same perceived speeds no matter what else you have running and regardless of OS, than you are set with 8GB. But again, software does tend to creep up in RAM usage over years, also new programs come out that we may start using. So If you plan to keep the machine for a long time, more RAM is good investment IMO.

Also you say "The base macOS apps don't change much. GIMP won't change either. Maybe Word and Excel, and Skype."
That's pretty hypothetical. Unless you're a developer on those apps, you can't say that for sure. My take on RAM usage will increase is also hypothetical. But I will predict RAM creep will continue to happen based off looking at computing history trends.

Indeed. After 40 years of Mac RAM demands constantly increasing, IMO anyone thoughtful should expect RAM creep to continue. Three areas that additionally suggest the creep may even accelerate are
• UMA
• AI
• Apple' telegraphing future RAM by offering 128 GB in laptops

 

[raythompsontn]

Most here give their honest (free) opinions.

There is a difference between opinions and advice, regardless of the cost. As to getting offended at my opinion, my opinion is just as valid as yours. Maybe more so. I have been doing software development, server configuration, database configuration, etc. for longer than this site has existed.

In my case I bought max of 96 GB RAM in my M2 MBP

Good for you, seriously. Most of us could use that extra $800 for something else as most of us have no need for that much memory. Make your next purchase a Mac Studio with 192 Gig of memory and the 8 TB SSD. Conflicting wisdom seems to support that it makes no sense to cripple a desktop with less than optimum ram.

The inconvenient truth is that most Mac users get by just fine with 8 GB of memory. The overwhelming majority of the rest are served well with 16 GB of memory. Those that need more know who they are and do not ask for wisdom here.

I find Apple’s pricing on memory absurd. Same as Microsoft on their laptops. People pay the money. Apple likes it. Stockholders like it. The pricing continues to be profitable. Until people stop buying, Apple will continue to charge what the market will bear. Simple economics.

 

[Mainsail]

Here we go again with the future proofing arguments. That's a fool's errand in tech. In 2030, there is no telling what tech will be available. In the meantime, your MBA could be lost, stolen, or damaged. So, the OP might need to replace it anyway for reasons that have nothing to do with RAM. Buying more tech than you need is a bad bet.

Get what you need now, and don't try to solve all of tomorrow's problems today. It sounds like MS Word is the most taxing app that the OP will run, and MS Office only requires 4GB of RAM. You should be fine with the base model for 4-5 years.....after that who knows what tech options will be available to you.

 

[bellflyer14]

I keep looking at the base configuration for a 15" MBA with 8gb/256gb. This computer will strictly be a "sitting on the couch surfing the internet while watching tv" type computer. I will be looking up sports scores, posting on forums, shopping on Amazon, random google searches, Youtube videos, and reading the occasional email (gmail). I use Safari for my browser fyi. Normally I do this stuff on my Iphone 15 Plus but it would be nicer to do it on a laptop with a 15" display and with a real keyboard to type on.

I will probably install Adobe Reader to look at the occasional PDF. I may or may not install MS Office for Word, but this won't be a work machine at all.

I will never use it for anything more than what I listed. With that said, is the base configuration enough for me and should last me 5 or more years? I have been reading on the topic of RAM and so many people are saying "you need 16GB of RAM, you never know what you will want to do on the machine in the future, and you need 16gb for this and that, etc". All the stuff people mention doing, video stuff etc I will never do.

I just want a laptop that I can have at most 5 tabs of Safari open and that's pretty much it, and the computer run smoothly.

With that said, should I spend the extra money for 16gb of RAM for the sake of Safari web browsing, or in my situation is that literally a waste of money?

If that is all you will do with it then it will work just fine for years. If it starts to slow down, sell it and buy the next base model current macbook

 

[Surfsalot]

For you, perhaps.. but you cannot realistically apply that rule to everyone. None of my Apple devices have more than 256 GB storage and they all work perfectly for me. Can you see how your blanket statement doesn’t apply to everyone?

not in 2024

 

[Sheepish-Lord]

Why is it every week these types of lame threads blow up? There’s so much better stuff to talk about that hasn’t been said a thousand time, can we ban these and the “is 8GB enough for me” crowds?

Where’s a Reddit moderator when you need one ha.

 

[ignatius345]

is the base configuration enough for me and should last me 5 or more years? I have been reading on the topic of RAM and so many people are saying "you need 16GB of RAM, you never know what you will want to do on the machine in the future, and you need 16gb for this and that, etc". All the stuff people mention doing, video stuff etc I will never do.

I'm not one of those RAM purists who clutches their pearls every time their "memory pressure" is the wrong color.

BUT

While I agree a base model Air will do everything you listed perfectly today, software gets more demanding over time. I've never had a Mac for more than a few years that didn't feel less responsive than it did when I'd bought it. That isn't some mysterious degradation of the hardware -- it's the fact that the work it's doing gets harder over time. It would be like if the roads your car drives on were inclined a little more uphill every year or two.

Anyway, long story short, I would consider spending the extra $200 on a RAM bump today. With all the AI-driven stuff (love it or hate it) that will be rolling out over that 5+ years you want to use the machine, you may well be glad you did.