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Is 8GB of RAM Enough for a Mac in 2024?
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As I mentioned, two of my kids were Business and Public Health majors not science, but they did lots of Zoom, especially during the pandemic, and frequently used web-apps. Never had a problem with their base configuration MBAs. My niece was a Civil and Environmental Engineering major (class of 2022), and she finished up her bachelors in fine form with a base M1 MBA. Never had a problem.
On the other hand, my middle son is a Phd student in Economics. His undergrad was double major in math and economics. I got him a MBP with extra storage and RAM when he entered upper division. He works on very complex algorithms and downloads/manipulates huge data files. I don't think the base MBA would be the right computer for him.
It all comes down to user requirements.
It is still a question of WHEN, not IF.
Apple's software, graphics and screen resolutions still need more and more RAM over time (ignoring a few dips due to memory compression hacks), needs for RAM is generally only going up in time.
Eventually Apple will up the base to 12GB or 16GB... probably in the next few generations.
People complaining now likely helps that along, little bit by little bit, so keep on complaining and delaying purchases.
The base specs are definitely "good enough" for most; but at Apple prices, customers expecting a bit more than just "good enough" is also perfectly fair.
> People complaining now likely helps that along, little bit by little bit, so keep on complaining and delaying purchases.
TBH I think the only reason why the new 256gb models are made with two 128gb chips instead of one 256 (like the M1 and M2) is because it kept coming up in reviews and discussions, and someone at Apple decided the bad press wasn't worth the five dollars it was saving them on production.
TBH I think the only reason why the new 256gb models are made with two 128gb chips instead of one 256 (like the M1 and M2) is because it kept coming up in reviews and discussions, and someone at Apple decided the bad press wasn't worth the five dollars it was saving them on production.
I'm pretty comfortable saying that the MBA with 16GB of RAM costs too much.
And what people forget is that when that time comes, those base specs will be close to the edge and people will once again complain that 12GB/16GB is not enough at that time. Apple plays that game very well and I remember how they did that with the iPad. They only bumped the RAM when iOS ran like molasses on limited RAM, especially when they introduced iOS 7.Eventually Apple will up the base to 12GB or 16GB... probably in the next few generations.
People complaining now likely helps that along, little bit by little bit, so keep on complaining and delaying purchases.
The base specs are definitely "good enough" for most; but at Apple prices, customers expecting a bit more than just "good enough" is also perfectly fair.
Apple are again selling the 8gb equivalent to 16gb. Technically absurd but this time it’s being referred to various regulatory authorities.
It is not equivalent to 16gb and a multitude of tests confirm it. Any significant increase in workload results in swapping.
They should desist from these absurd claims. Unified memory does have some benefits but not to the extent 8gb is anywhere near 16gb performance wise
It is not equivalent to 16gb and a multitude of tests confirm it. Any significant increase in workload results in swapping.
They should desist from these absurd claims. Unified memory does have some benefits but not to the extent 8gb is anywhere near 16gb performance wise
Indeed. T'was always thus, though. The demands of a new OS (usually incorporating a 'squirrel' function) makes the otherwise perfectly fine previous hardware configuration inadequate.
I guess we can be eternally grateful Apple never went with 3D screens on their MacBooks or iMacs. Though the current Vision comes pretty close as a distraction product.
It is still a question of WHEN, not IF.
Apple's software, graphics and screen resolutions still need more and more RAM over time (ignoring a few dips due to memory compression hacks), needs for RAM is generally only going up in time.
Eventually Apple will up the base to 12GB or 16GB... probably in the next few generations.
People complaining now likely helps that along, little bit by little bit, so keep on complaining and delaying purchases.
The base specs are definitely "good enough" for most; but at Apple prices, customers expecting a bit more than just "good enough" is also perfectly fair.
I bet the market is already telling Apple this. When I look at Mac Mini in the Apple Refurb store, the 8GB models are always the last to sell (well that and the $3479 model that's hard to justify over a Studio). It could be a matter of relative prodution volumes but I always see the 16GB/256GB model sell out before the identically priced 8GB/512GB model. Apple of course has the actual sales volume and such and sure there is a whole team designated to analyze demand data...
I have and use a 2017 MacBook Pro that has the 128gb ssd and 8gb of ram for my job in emergency management and it is just fine, in fact I much rather use my personal MacBook Pro for my work than the windows 11 crap box that has 16gb of ram. I never shut it down, just close the screen when I am done for the day, and memory pressure is always in the green, and so far have less than 100mb of swap in 3 weeks of not being shut down. I used the issued windows 11 crap box for 3 weeks before I got my 2010 MacBook Pro which also has 8gb of ram and worked just fine and would still be using it if I did not find my 2017 MacBook Pro for an awesome deal a couple weeks ago. We use a fairly complex cad system, as well as safari several tabs open, mail app, and often maps. Never see the beach ball, or any slowdown, still get 8-9 hour out of a battery that has 787 cycles on it and it runs as cool as can be. Still have almost 100gb free still on the 128 ssd that I may consider upgrading just because, but even if I could upgrade the ram.... likely would not since I do not see a need for it.
For my wife's 8/128 GB 2017 MacBook Air, the 8 GB memory has not been an issue, but the 128 GB storage was a problem after about a year. The main problem was her bloated iMessage data. She had over 40 GB used by iMessage alone. (We have a ton of images and videos in Messages.) I upgraded her SSD to an OEM Apple/Samsung 256 GB SSD and all has been fine since.
Posting from a pc that fanboys like you are against and couldn’t be more happy that pc just works and with wsl there’s not much going back to Mac except that my Mac mini 16gb is just there collecting dust.
Just wondering how long does it take to open safari on the 4kb that landed man on the moon. You can do more with less I’m sure. Also am curious, do you ride donkeys to work or use smoke signals to communicate? Man historically had accomplish much with less and I’m sure that you could too.
Just got an M2 Max Studio with 64 GB RAM. Moving the Logic Pro X audio library from one SSD to another, Logic used all of the RAM. I have seen a few other instances where software will use all the RAM you can give it for certain tasks. Typically, I've got about 32GB RAM in use for an average workload in Logic. That's before opening other apps at the same time.
I’m probably going for the most memory I can get on an 15” MBA when I replace my 2015 MBP this year. I can always add external storage but I can’t upgrade RAM.I'm pretty comfortable saying that the MBA with 16GB of RAM costs too much.
I have a base M2 MBA with 8GB of RAM and never had a problem. But, I just do the typical stuff most college students, office workers, and home users do on their computers; mail, message, photos, safari, MS Office, iWork, calendar, contacts, notes, etc. I do an occasional iMovie but they are just simple slide shows really. I suspect over 80% of users are like me. For the rest, they should probably upgrade RAM or go for the Pro model.
It’s more than enough for basic web browsing, and some office documents. If you’re doing anything more advanced upgrade to 16 GB or more.
There has to be thousands of threads about this topic now. They should make a separate section of the form like they have for the iPhone and Mac. An 8 GB MacBook RAM section just for posts about this 🤣
There has to be thousands of threads about this topic now. They should make a separate section of the form like they have for the iPhone and Mac. An 8 GB MacBook RAM section just for posts about this 🤣
I agree that 8 GB is fine for a lot of users at this moment, but AI is memory hungry and that could cause trouble for the future. Perhaps the new Macs will be released with minimum 12 GB.
The issue is that for most Apple users (except for the Mac Pro users) the only way to “upgrade RAM” is to replace you entire machine.
If I decide to move to a 15” MBA, I will wait until the M4 version is released. Based on the iPad Pro DRAM configs (8GB/16GB), the M4 will probably max out at 24GB just like the M2 and the M3.
I don’t know. With all of the discussion of possible 12GB DRAM chips being installed (but not fully utilized) in the M4 iPad Pro. I think the RAM configurations for the M4 MacBook is still not clear.
Oh, by upgrade I meant purchase an MBA with more RAM than the base model.
I just checked, the M3 MBA maxes out at 24. The problem is I could get by with 8GB because my main box is a 32G Studio but I always future proof if I can afford it because I hang on computers for a long time. I mean, my 2015 MBP with 16GB more than suits my needs now but when security updates stop, I upgrade. I don’t need an MBP any more since I’m WFH (thank God, has anyone looked at those prices)??? so an MBA is fine. The one thing I did notice is that my daughters M1 15” MBA weighs about as much as my MBP. That’s insane
I forgot about that little tidbit. I’m guessing it will be a game time decision by Apple. If they think the market will bear another round of 8GB/16GB/24GB, they will do it. Based on the rumblings of the community and even mainstream bloggers and YouTubers, the M4 might be Apple’s 16GB iPhone moment for the Mac. I would be fine with 12GB/24GB/36GB configurations if Apple leaves the $200 price delta the same. That’s actually a move I can see Apple making. More memory, same $200 up charge.