I am really torn between 8GB vs. 16GB RAM

[TheSynchronizer]

Well I upgraded from an 8GB Intel MBP to a 16GB Intel MBP because i needed to (frequent beachballs and stutters when dealing with my workflows), now i upgraded from the 16GB Intel MBP to an 8GB M1 and it’s working perfectly fine. So take that as you will, personally I think 8GB is great even for heavier workflows on M1, but I guess it all depends on the specific workflow one has.

Oh and also I only write a maximum of 40GBs to the SSD on the busiest days, so SSD writes aren’t really an issue either

 

[pshufd]

You can use Windows for ARM in a Vm, running Parallels, but I guess your software will have its issues with Windows on ARM..

There's a thread on that piece of software here. The thing is how much RAM can you allocate to the VM? That's why it's nice to have 64 GB of RAM, you can play with four or five VMs if you want to. If you have 8 GB of RAM and want a 8 GB VM, that probably won't work that well.

 

[petvas]

There's a thread on that piece of software here. The thing is how much RAM can you allocate to the VM? That's why it's nice to have 64 GB of RAM, you can play with four or five VMs if you want to. If you have 8 GB of RAM and want a 8 GB VM, that probably won't work that well.

Yes, that's true. You definitely need a more powered system, with more RAM.

 

[pshufd]

Yes, that's true. You definitely need a more powered system, with more RAM.

Intel 11th gen 11700K is currently faster than the M1 in both single-core and multi-core which would take care of the responsiveness issue. AMD Ryzen 5800X is about 15% slower in single-core but also faster than M1 in Multi-Core. I only mention the 5800X as you can get it now (with a bit of difficulty). The 5900X and 5950X will beat Intel and Apple Silicon in multicore.

I could do a CPU swap with an 11700K from my 10700 and get a 55% improvement in single-core and about a 25% improvement in multicore but I'd really like to run macOS. Putting an 11700K in a 27 inch iMac would be a nice solution. Realistically, though, the 10700K would be fine. To some degree, I'm after the 8 or 16 GB GPUs and the Retina display.

Intel finally has their 10 nm process with 8 cores running and they are going to sell a ton of laptops. M1 is still a lot better in single-core and battery life but Intel looks at least competitive with AMD in mobile now. My question to Intel is why can't they make 10nm desktop chips now? That should be able to at least give them 12 core parts and possibly 16 core parts. It may be that it conflicts with their road map with Alder Lake. It finally appears that we have some competition and it's a three-way now.

 

[circatee]

Such a debate this, between 8GB memory and 16GB memory.

I am this ---- close to ordering a 8GB Mac Mini M1. Who am I kidding, in a few short years, I will be upgrading to whatever Mini, Apple is offering...

 

[fakestrawberryflavor]

It all depends on what you do. But IMO, 16GB isn't even enough in 2021 and beyond. I argue if you are person who just web browses and listens to music, edits a spreadsheet here and there, you don't even need a computer because chances are you have an old phone or iPad that can do this already. Having a device with 8GB of RAM in 2021 isn't debilitating, but buying something brand new right now as a starting point, even 16GB is too low.

 

[MarkC426]

Have you not read the 69 pages of replies here...?
The whole concept of this thread is about unified ram and how 'completely different' it works to conventional memory.

Agreed in the conventional sense 16gb is probably a base level these days, but not so with AS.

 

[pshufd]

It all depends on what you do. But IMO, 16GB isn't even enough in 2021 and beyond. I argue if you are person who just web browses and listens to music, edits a spreadsheet here and there, you don't even need a computer because chances are you have an old phone or iPad that can do this already. Having a device with 8GB of RAM in 2021 isn't debilitating, but buying something brand new right now as a starting point, even 16GB is too low.

I just put 128 GB in and it’s really nice. I can play around with Virtual Machines and not have to worry about memory at all.

 

[5425642]

I have the 256GB/16GB why?
Well space 256GB is enough for me, I have all my stuff in iCloud so no need to have more basically.

but I have a Samsung nvme 1TB usb-c drive in my dock at home where I store movies etc.

 

[thekev]

With what I use these days, even without considering VMs, 16GB / 1TB are the minimum regardless of OS, even with external storage. This isn't baseline for Apple, but sales around Black Friday and similar tend to apply higher discounts to models with such upgrades, making them a good time to buy if you need such things.

 

[BostonQuad]

I have an 8GB M1 Air. My first impression was it was fine as long as I didn't have several dozen browser tabs open. But lately I run into memory pressure with as few as 5 Safari tabs open, and with nothing particularly RAM intensive.

 

[mi7chy]

I have an 8GB M1 Air. My first impression was it was fine as long as I didn't have several dozen browser tabs open. But lately I run into memory pressure with as few as 5 Safari tabs open, and with nothing particularly RAM intensive. View attachment 1792148

That's because of changes in Big Sur 11.4 to swap to storage less to reduce wear while using more RAM so worse for devices with 8GB.

 

[Michael Scrip]

I know the upgrade from 8GB to 16GB is an extra $200... which is an extra 20% added to the price.

BUT... if you plan to keep this laptop for 5+ years... I think it'll be worth it.

That's what I'm gonna do. I've already accepted that MY base price is +$200

 

[Khedron]

I know the upgrade from 8GB to 16GB is an extra $200... which is an extra 20% added to the price.

BUT... if you plan to keep this laptop for 5+ years... I think it'll be worth it.

That's what I'm gonna do. I've already accepted that MY base price is +$200

If you keep devices for a long time (you don’t flip them every year for the latest version) then it would be stupid to not buy the upgrade.

$200 over 5 years is $40/year. Think of all the easier ways to save $40/year if that amount of money makes a difference to you.

 

[nigelbb]

If you keep devices for a long time (you don’t flip them every year for the latest version) then it would be stupid to not buy the upgrade.

$200 over 5 years is $40/year. Think of all the easier ways to save $40/year if that amount of money makes a difference to you.

This was exactly my thinking. My other Macs are a 2008 3,1 Mac Pro that I bought new & have upgraded over the years (SSD, GTX680 56GB RAM etc) plus a 2013 16GB MacBook Pro Retina that I bought used 5 years ago in which I just put a 2TB SSD. I don't use the Mac Pro so much nowadays but it has a lot of storage & I can leave Handbrake chugging away for hours.
I bought the 256GB/8GB base model Mac Mini to evaluate. I was so impressed that I realised that I will be using this machine for many years. I just returned it & when the refund hits my bank account I will order a 16GB model. I'm still a little undecided regarding internal storage. I will add a Samsung X5 external Thunderbolt disk for extra storage & locate my user directory there but wonder whether I will ever find an internal disk of just 256GB is too small.

 

[OldMike]

This was exactly my thinking. My other Macs are a 2008 3,1 Mac Pro that I bought new & have upgraded over the years (SSD, GTX680 56GB RAM etc) plus a 2013 16GB MacBook Pro Retina that I bought used 5 years ago in which I just put a 2TB SSD. I don't use the Mac Pro so much nowadays but it has a lot of storage & I can leave Handbrake chugging away for hours.
I bought the 256GB/8GB base model Mac Mini to evaluate. I was so impressed that I realised that I will be using this machine for many years. I just returned & when the refund hits my bank account I will order a 16GB model. I'm still a little undecided regarding internal storage. I will add a Samsung X5 external Thunderbolt disk for extra storage & locate my user directory there but wonder whether I will ever find an internal disk of just 256GB is too small.

I think you are making a great decision regarding bumping up the memory. I also had the 256GB/8GB base model, which I thought was a fantastic machine, but the small amount of RAM was causing way too much swapping and high memory pressure. The amount of TB written per day to the small SSD due to swap was shocking.

The X5 or any good Thunderbolt enclosure will provide very good performance that will come very close to the performance of the internal ssd. I have been known to boot directly from external drives for the entire life of many Macs - and have never had an issue. I used to keep an install of macOS on the internal and run updates on it because in the past it seemed that firmware updates would only be applied to machines running updates on their internal drives - I don't know if that is the case anymore though.

Although not as performant as the X5, a good budget external TB enclosure seems to be the OWC Envoy Express. It appears to be able to sustain around 1500 MB/s read and write and costs only $79. Paired with a 2TB nvme SSD, a good setup could be had for less than $300...

Link to OWC Envoy Express:
OWC Envoy Express (macsales.com)

Video review of the OWC Envoy Express:

 

[BostonQuad]

That's because of changes in Big Sur 11.4 to swap to storage less to reduce wear while using more RAM so worse for devices with 8GB.

Makes sense, and if true, it should put to rest nearly any question of 8 vs 16GB RAM. For most of us, 8 is not enough.

 

[Frixos]

Anyone who uses their computers for more than just youtube, facebook and emails was using computers with 16 GB already back then already. Also the computers from work, all had 16 GB of RAM atleast.

Heck, my 2010 MBP from 11 years ago was even equipped with 8GB of RAM.

16GB is not standard for work computers. 8GB is standard. You can in fact even find 4GB sold today.

 

[Frixos]

Makes sense, and if true, it should put to rest nearly any question of 8 vs 16GB RAM. For most of us, 8 is not enough.

And even if 8 may be enough today, it may not be in 3 years.

 

[5425642]

And even if 8 may be enough today, it may not be in 3 years.

I for one knows that I’ll not have this computer after 3 years.
I’m use to upgrade computer every 2 year in some situations every 3.

 

[arian71]

got the 16/256 macbook pro and this time will keep it
few weeks ago got a refurbished macbook pro 8/256 and while was fast was bothered with memory pressure wih just web browsing and youtube . I am not a heavy user just media consumption. Have ipad pro 12.9 2nd gen and while is still great and battery life good, often becomes unresponsive . Now is worthy getting applecare for 229 paunds? . I am very good with devices but love the idea to cover for 3 years
8gb ram is just not enough in my opinion and I dont do any editing or heavy tasks

 

[5425642]

got the 16/256 macbook pro and this time will keep it
few weeks ago got a refurbished macbook pro 8/256 and while was fast was bothered with memory pressure wih just web browsing and youtube . I am not a heavy user just media consumption. Have ipad pro 12.9 2nd gen and while is still great and battery life good, often becomes unresponsive . Now is worthy getting applecare for 229 paunds? . I am very good with devices but love the idea to cover for 3 years
8gb ram is just not enough in my opinion and I dont do any editing or heavy tasks

Don’t know what country you live in but here in Sweden we have 3 years warranty-kind-of the first year it’s full warranty and the rest 2 are reclamation right.
And I have my home insurens with 4 years cover of mbp

 

[arian71]

Don’t know what country you live in but here in Sweden we have 3 years warranty-kind-of the first year it’s full warranty and the rest 2 are reclamation right.
And I have my home insurens with 4 years cover of mbp

I live in UK. well I think Apple customer care is the best, got to test the new iPad pro, Mac mini and a MacBook Pro all returned with window frame at apple store no question asked, in the past with Currys, John Lewis you had to put a fight to return a product . Also if something wrong , living in London can go straight to apple store and dealing directly with apple. the only thing worries me is the battery after a year as would like to keep the MacBook for years
is a shame Apple don't have a competitor when it comes to build quality .
can you imagine a windows laptop similar price to matchbook pro.. all look flimsy and cheaply build.and most importantly dealing with Dells, his and co.. sending their boxes to them in case of failure and back and fourth.
with apple is like you have a local service, well for me anyway 20 minutes from a apple store

 

[MarkC426]

Get Apple Care, and your covered for 3 years....
Especially so with a laptop, as it's moved around a lot more than desktops.

 

[5425642]

I live in UK. well I think Apple customer care is the best, got to test the new iPad pro, Mac mini and a MacBook Pro all returned with window frame at apple store no question asked, in the past with Currys, John Lewis you had to put a fight to return a product . Also if something wrong , living in London can go straight to apple store and dealing directly with apple. the only thing worries me is the battery after a year as would like to keep the MacBook for years
is a shame Apple don't have a competitor when it comes to build quality .
can you imagine a windows laptop similar price to matchbook pro.. all look flimsy and cheaply build.and most importantly dealing with Dells, his and co.. sending their boxes to them in case of failure and back and fourth.
with apple is like you have a local service, well for me anyway 20 minutes from a apple store

UK sadly are not under EU anymore so the 3 years law warranty are not under Uk anymore is my guess.

same for me, I’m dumping my computer to apple store then my insurance company are paying apple. Works great

i live in Sweden