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I am really torn between 8GB vs. 16GB RAM
- Thread starter Booji
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People have been droning on about "future proofing" for years and scaring people into thinking they'd never be able to sell their computer if it only had a measly 8gb of ram in it (OH NOOOO). And yet 8gb continues to be enough for most people and the resell market for them is incredible.
Indeed, believe all these reviews that are being rushed out after just a few hours of use as confirmation that 8GB will be all *you* need
I am not saying rush out and get 16GB, I am saying that as developers really start to use these new M1 chips to their fullest potential that could also mean higher RAM usage. It's not black and white. Especially when we are back to being unable to upgrade the RAM.
Guys, I live in Athens - Greece and the BTO Macbook Pro M1 I ordered with 16 gigs of RAM is going to take another 2 weeks to arrive, so yesterday I picked up a Macbook Pro M1 8/512. Everyone here can go on forever about the 8GB and 16GB difference but I am telling you, I am keeping this machine! 8GB in a M1 Mac is like 16GB on an Intel Mac. I am a graphic designer and I usually have a lot of programs open. Right now I have all the programs that you see in the screenshot open, I am working on a rather big psb in Photoshop native beta, two big vector files in intel Illustrator, one file in inDesign, I am watching a 4K movie in AppleTV, one huge company credentials file in keynote, etc, and the Macbook flies, no slowdown what so ever. I don't know (and don't care), if it's because of the M1 pool thing or the (amazing) speed of the M1, I do know that 8 GB in this machine acts like 16 on my previous Macbook Pro 13" high end with 16GB of RAM and quadcore i7 - 1TB SSD. For the OP and anyone wondering, get the 8GB with out worrying!
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How long does one need to use the Macbook to realize that 8gb is enough? What more do we need to do with it? What exactly are you waiting to see that we haven't seen yet? Video editing? Fine with 8gb. Picture editing. Also fine. 4k video watching? Fine as well. Games? Also good. Time to accept the fact that for the vast majority of people for whom these Macs are aimed at, especially the Air, 8gb is more than enough. And there's tons of videos showing that to be so. Don't believe them, I don't really care, but it doesn't make it any less true.Indeed, believe all these reviews that are being rushed out after just a few hours of use as confirmation that 8GB will be all *you* need
I am not saying rush out and get 16GB, I am saying that as developers really start to use these new M1 chips to their fullest potential that could also mean higher RAM usage. It's not black and white. Especially when we are back to being unable to upgrade the RAM.
you can't upgrade later ... so go with 16, I did, don't know if I need 16 but I have it just in case now ...
I was the same way, but ultimately decided to go with the base Air. It just felt like a stretch to tack on $200+ for something I most likely would not need given my use case (no heavy photo or video editing).
I’ve had my air for several days now, and I can tell you this thing has chewed up and spit out everything I’ve thrown at it. Very glad I got the base model and saved money.
Lastly, I will probably be back in the market for a new Air here in 2-3 years once we are well on the other side of the silicon pivot, so better I get in at the lowest price point.
All that said, everyone has different use cases and plans as far as how long they will keep their computer, so YMMV.
I’ve had my air for several days now, and I can tell you this thing has chewed up and spit out everything I’ve thrown at it. Very glad I got the base model and saved money.
Lastly, I will probably be back in the market for a new Air here in 2-3 years once we are well on the other side of the silicon pivot, so better I get in at the lowest price point.
All that said, everyone has different use cases and plans as far as how long they will keep their computer, so YMMV.
This is worth watching -
The cost of upgrading from 8GB to 16GB seems too expensive to me. I would rather save the money now knowing that I can always put it towards a new computer at a later date, if necessary.
The cost of upgrading from 8GB to 16GB seems too expensive to me. I would rather save the money now knowing that I can always put it towards a new computer at a later date, if necessary.
To date, I don't think I have read a post that has made me more excited about these new Macs than yours above.
It pretty much solidifies many theories I have had about the M1 models...
First, M1 ram and Intel ram are not the same. You are not the first person to say that 8GB of ram performs as well as twice the amount in an Intel machine. We have been told by the first professional reviewers that we should recalibrate and rethink everything we know about computer ram. I believe your post perfectly explains why.
Next...
These are not entry-level machines. Oh, sure, Apple is promising better things to come and we know more powerful chips will be introduced next year. However, these so-called entry-level machines are outperforming pro computers in many aspects for a third (or more) less the price.
The unified memory it's a step forward that it will take a lot of people to get used to it. Personally for me I'm going with the base model Air, I don't need more performance than that on the go.
I own a 16" base model and I'm quite happy with it. I'm currently using it for work and the only thing I will miss is virtualisation but it's fine since I'll just use Citrix with it on the Air
I own a 16" base model and I'm quite happy with it. I'm currently using it for work and the only thing I will miss is virtualisation but it's fine since I'll just use Citrix with it on the Air
These M1's are not "pro" level machines despite their stellar performance and the label on one laptop.
M1 is chapter 1 in a very, very long book yet to be written.
I hear you on that and technically you are correct.
However, what is absolutely ***** remarkable is that these are pro machines in the respect that they nearly out-perform Pro Intel computers at 3-4x the price.
So, no, not Pro, but yes, performs like a current Pro until the real Pros arrive next year.
The best I can describe the M1 to my friends is that an alien found a Mac and changed all the insides to the year 3000 tech and left the outside the same! I don't know if I make any sense but that's how this machine feels! In most things it blows away even the 16 inch Macbook Pro.
But future proofing and resale value!
Thanks for the video. Just another example illustrating that most people don't need 16, and won't see a benefit from spending the 200 dollars on it.
Extended return period started November 10th.
Of course. (if that's what you mean by link)
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I know what you mean, I don’t expect them to retain much of the additional cost, maybe half at most. The potential saving means I can upgrade earlier so I’m less concerned about future-proofing.
Also, buying a stock configuration means it’s easier to get a discount - Amazon are already discounting some models.
In terms of residual values, I think upgrading to the larger SSD could be a better option than the increased RAM.
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I see that myself. But I'm holding on to my 16GB RAM configuration. Can anyone suggest why the 16GB ships longer out? Is this a hardware production thing, or is the 16GB just more scarce due to popularity?