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

[lightfire]

To me, this is a simple answer. If all one does is email, video chats, word processing, web browsing etc, the 8gb should be fine. However, to me it makes sense to always have one maxed out; better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it. Pay over a grand, what is $200 in relationship to having a computer that will easily take care of all tasks?. Musicians and most content creators really shouldn’t be looking at 8 gb machines, while general office workers or at-home web browsers the consideration is not as important.

$200 is one trip to the grocery store, two night mid-priced dining; on the other hand, $200 IS one trip to the grocery store. But I would say if someone is in a position that that $200 makes a whale of a difference, then maybe hang onto whatever computer you are using now or get a chromebook to surf the web. Chromebook s are cool, too.

 

[kp98077]

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?

I was able to get my 16 in store. But starting to wonder now ha! ?

 

[mossme89]

OK, so I want to revise my previously positive assessment to state that the 8GB model croaks with video playback if you have more than one app open or trying to play more than one video. Basically, if you're relying mainly on swap, you will notice some hiccups and jitters.

The 16 GB models haven't been shipped yet have they? Because I think they may very much alleviate this problem.

 

[mossme89]

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?

It's probably a popularity thing. They have massive stocks of the default configurations. And the other configurations are more custom. But I do wish they carried at least some stock of higher end models. I've been into this issue when I got my 16 inch MacBook Pro. I really wanted to get a 32 GB, but the ship timeline was like six weeks out and I needed a new Mac ASAP.

 

[Sanpete]

My initial observations are that the M1 isn’t some magical processor that makes 8GB work like 16, and it absolutely does start paging pretty quickly and about the same as an Intel 8GB machine would.

Yes, the SSD is fast (but no faster than the higher end Intel MBPs) which mitigates the paging compared the the old HDD days, but paging is still slower than not paging and 8GB is still 8GB

And tautologies are still tautologies. If you can offer something substantial regarding how the M1 with 8GB RAM compares in performance to an Intel package with 8 or 16GB in a comparable machine, please do. Comparing to higher-end machines is interesting too, but it won't settle anything about how the M1 compares to comparable machines.

OK, so I want to revise my previously positive assessment to state that the 8GB model croaks with video playback if you have more than one app open or trying to play more than one video. Basically, if you're relying mainly on swap, you will notice some hiccups and jitters.

This is very different from other reports. You may be having some sort of malfunction worth checking into. Doesn't sound like a RAM issue, in any case. What does your Activity Monitor show?

 

[Hexley]

The base 8GB RAM MBA can do 80+ tracks in Logic Pro. How many forum members do you honestly believe need more than that?

Audio takes fewe’re resources than 4k or 8k video editing.

 

[russell_314]

Audio takes fewe’re resources than 4k or 8k video editing.

There's quite a few videos out there showing the base model MBA doing 4K video editing with similar performance to a higher spec 16" MBP.

 

[IG88]

Audio takes fewe’re resources than 4k or 8k video editing.

I'm not telling video editors how much RAM they need.

Look at the comment I was replying to. Someone that likely doesn't even have a base M1 (or M1 at all) telling people if you're a regular here, you probably need 16 GB.

But on that note, here is a base M1 Air and base M1 MBP doing video editing (both 8 GB RAM).
15:45 if it doesn't start there:

 

[IG88]

Audio takes fewe’re resources than 4k or 8k video editing.

Here's a more in depth video for a base M1 MBA doing video editing:

 

[russell_314]

Here's a more in depth video for a base M1 MBA doing video editing:

Yeah it's insane. Once they get the minor software issues ironed out Apple will be the clear choice for most people who need powerful computing.

 

[kp98077]

wow, that's a lot of RAM arguments! truth is, no one knows at this point for M1... time will tell... again, always. better to have more now.. IMO

 

[Booji]

wow, that's a lot of RAM arguments! truth is, no one knows at this point for M1... time will tell... again, always. better to have more now.. IMO

There seems to be a lot of solid arguments that 8GB is just fine *right now*, but once you get it you are stuck with it.

 

[Ynk]

I just swapped out my 16GB 12" 2017 MacBook with the 8GB base Air model (my Desktop is a 64GB 2020 iMac).

For all regular tasks I use the Air for I do not notice any issues with the 8GB unless I go looking for it (AKA if I am looking at swap usage and memory pressure in activity monitor).

Performance for all basic tasks I do on the laptop are equal to my insanely expensive iMac with 16GB VRAM!! I can use Mail, Safari with lots of tabs, Skype, Teams, Spotify and Office and do not notice any slowdown compared to the desktop - However I have seen the memory pressure dip in to the yellow on the odd occasion and up to 3GB of swap being used.

The other reason I was happy to go with the 8GB this time is I don't plan to keep this machine for long, as soon as a new redesign comes out I'll sell it and grab it - Totally loving the M1!!

 

[Hexley]

wow, that's a lot of RAM arguments! truth is, no one knows at this point for M1... time will tell... again, always. better to have more now.. IMO

Buy what makes sense to you as you will probably keep that M1 Mac until at least the year 2025, 2026 or longer.

 

[Hexley]

Someone that likely doesn't even have a base M1 (or M1 at all) telling people if you're a regular here, you probably need 16 GB.

The reason I said "if you're a regular here, you probably need 16 GB" is because an enthusiast would have more demanding tasks than a non-regular buying an 8GB model for browsing, email, social media, Office apps, etc.

 

[loby]

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.

Yes, more powerful macs are coming, It is a given.

But if we are debating about whether upgrading the RAM and costs etc. what will make it easier to determine is what is not “rethought” concerning the philosophy of the new technology...

Apple WILL NOT change their philosophy with charging highly for their hardware since they are “a hardware company”. We have Tim Cook at the helm and who really doesn’t care about the technology, but the $ which is his speciality..and for what his purpose is, he does well.

The next and future macs will be expensive since they are still selling intel. You can take the hit on sales with the Mac Air and the mini (and even the low end MacBook Pro) over the intel... but not the higher end macs. Get people to be excited about the new and they WILL pay when the more expensive silicone macs come out with the power. It is brilliant.

So determine how long you will keep this first generation and that will determine how much to spend.

When the next generation comes out (and will have a more hefty price tag on it and by then everyone will be convinced and say “take my money”. You will not care at that time whether you spent $200 more on RAM right now, you will want the new one and we will be having the same conversation about upgrading the RAM again on another thread in about a year (or less).

I am also perplexed too and trying to convenience myself about what I can afford or pay or not and just buy anyway (and talk my wife into it) vs what I just logically said..

 

[IG88]

The reason I said "if you're a regular here, you probably need 16 GB" is because an enthusiast would have more demanding tasks than a non-regular buying an 8GB model for browsing, email, social media, Office apps, etc.

You can spin it however you like, you were still wrong. I linked you a video that was completely about the base M1 Air doing video editing, and doing it very well.

 

[DaMax85]

That's very encouraging news. That being the case, I would still go 16GB just to future-proof.

Now I just have to see if the M1 Mini can drive a 46" Ultrawide screen display but that's in another thread...

When you say, "future-proof," how much of a difference in length of usage are we talking?

 

[coorsleftfield]

Another perspective.

 

[Jimmy James]

Not sure I've ever seen Apple rate their SSD. But rule of thumb for Samsung SSD is around 1000 full drive writes.
So a 256 GB SSD, let's say that's 250 TB for a round number. 5 years.

That's around 140 GB per day every day for 5 years.

I’m guessing that each sector can tolerate minimum 1,000 writes?

Most of the data on my drive is permanent and static. Let’s say there’s about 100 GB that remains perpetually available and is written over repeatedly. My drive writes about 300 GB/month. Sounds like 27+ years at the current rate.

I typically use about 20 GB and then offload it. This gets me down to 5-6 years if the drive rewrites to those same sectors. Or does it continue through the other sectors after deletion.

This matters because I keep my machine much longer than 6 years.

 

[aajeevlin]

I’m guessing that each sector can tolerate minimum 1,000 writes?

Most of the data on my drive is permanent and static. Let’s say there’s about 100 GB that remains perpetually available and is written over repeatedly. My drive writes about 300 GB/month. Sounds like 27+ years at the current rate.

I typically use about 20 GB and then offload it. This gets me down to 5-6 years if the drive rewrites to those same sectors. Or does it continue through the other sectors after deletion.

This matters because I keep my machine much longer than 6 years.

May I ask why you keep the machine for so long? Is is just being wise with your spending? I find myself keeping the Macs for long because they simply don’t break. I personally find it hard to replace things if they are not broken (not to say I want the mini to break). But truth to be told I’m usually are not disappointed once I upgrade, newer mac always has something good to look forward to.

 

[Jimmy James]

May I ask why you keep the machine for so long? Is is just being wise with your spending? I find myself keeping the Macs for long because they simply don’t break. I personally find it hard to replace things if they are not broken (not to say I want the mini to break). But truth to be told I’m usually are not disappointed once I upgrade, newer mac always has something good to look forward to.

Always been frugal. Current machine is 12 years old and slow but surprisingly workable.

I’m into six figures in home and car repairs last few years. No choice now.

 

[aajeevlin]

Always been frugal. Current machine is 12 years old and slow but surprisingly workable.

I’m into six figures in home and car repairs last few years. No choice now.

Oh I completely understand you. I’m coming from a MacBook Pro 2011 13inch. Love the little guy to death but sometimes it’s slow and I know a newer machine would just be much faster and with all the new features. Good luck with your decision!

 

[Hexley]

You can spin it however you like, you were still wrong. I linked you a video that was completely about the base M1 Air doing video editing, and doing it very well.

Enthusiasts will upgrade to a higher end more demanding video standard. Unless you'll sell the M1 sooner than 2025 then get 16GB.

If you're a developer follow the DTK's 16GB memory and 512GB storage.

 

[Pressure]

Learn Color Grading on YouTube has several videos posted about the performance in Davinci Resolve with the entry level $699 Mac mini (8GB RAM/256GB SSD). Disclaimer, he uses the built in screen recording function to record the videos.

4 streams of 4K compressed H.264 footage with 2 nodes of color corrections each runs smoothly at the same time on the base Mac mini. He does mention he would sometimes get dropped frames playing back those 4 streams of 4K with 2 nodes each at the same time.

He pushes the system further by doing a single 4K file and going crazy with color correcting nodes and it still plays smoothly.

The takeaway here should be that the performance offered by the base Mac mini is quite a steal at its price point and required a much more expensive Mac before.

He also did a follow up with 4K / 5K / 6K / 8K R3D (REDRAW) with screen recording still running in the background for the video. He has to drop the preview quality of the 8K R3D file to half for smooth playback.

Which brings the question, who in their right mind would buy the absolute low end Mac priced at $699 for an 8K RAW workload? None I should think but it is cool that the very first iteration of desktop SoCs from Apple is capable of it nonetheless.