Right. Exactly.
Either that, or the 8GB machines are usable for the majority, and they’re not seeing millions of returns.
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Is 8GB of RAM Enough for MacBook Pro?
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Right. Exactly.
Either that, or the 8GB machines are usable for the majority, and they’re not seeing millions of returns.
It's psychology. Apple knows that when people drop $1600 on a machine, they're generally going to be more inclined to try to find ways to say "this was a GOOD purchase, not a subpar one." Nobody wants to feel like they've spent that kind of money and then compromised in some way.
The problem is that a lot of the opinions people have posted were by people who either had 8GB or had 16GB Macs, but who hadn't tried both on the same (or similar Apple Silicon) SOCs to report the differences. The majority of opinions have mostly been from users who just haven't really compared both machines and don't have a point of reference to compare to.
The 8GB crowd seems to think that 16GB Macs won't perform any better, and the 16GB crowd seems to think that the 8GB Macs aren't suitable for anything.
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Eventually upgrades occur without price rises, or we'd still be using 1990s tech or paying 1 million dollars for it...
How did you not notice that prices of electronic components have dropped through history?
1st-world problems.
And this issue is especially click-bait for the childish, those who don't understand that a "professional", which is not an euphemism for YouTube Content Creator (i.e., end-user marketing), buys what they need to do their job.
This whining over base configurations has entered the territory of Satanic-books-in-the-school-library!!! demagoguing that is so popular in the US around election times.
And this issue is especially click-bait for the childish, those who don't understand that a "professional", which is not an euphemism for YouTube Content Creator (i.e., end-user marketing), buys what they need to do their job.
This whining over base configurations has entered the territory of Satanic-books-in-the-school-library!!! demagoguing that is so popular in the US around election times.
I recently bought a refurbished M2 Pro MBP with 32 GB ram and 1 TB for the price of an M3 Pro base model. Refurbished is the way to go if you want the best bang for your buck.
I used an 8gb ram MB Air a few years and I was not a fan of it, coming off of a MBP 32gb before that. Needless to say I went back to a MBP with 16gb of ram and have never looked back at going back to a 8GB MacBook since. Even though I'm not the typical Pro User, the difference is noticeable, as is in using a a regular M-series chip vs M Pro and even M-Max, as you move up the tiers the experience does change imo in even in the most basic of tasks. I'll be getting the MBP 16" with the M3 Max Chip with the base 32gb ram early next year and can't wait.
8 gig of non upgradable ram for what is supposed to be a pro laptop is a joke in my opinion.
Yeah, with it supporting only up to High Sierra, I can imagine it being fine. But some people want a newer OS, like 6 operating systems newer.
No No NOOOOOOOOOOOO
The debate over whether 8GB of RAM is sufficient for a MacBook Pro has long been a topic of contention. The controversy goes back to at least 2012, when Apple launched the first MacBook Pro with Retina display, which started with 8GB of RAM. In 2023, Apple still offers 8GB as the base configuration for its latest 14-inch MacBook Pro. Coupled with the significant cost of upgrading to higher memory options, Apple's decision has once again sparked discussions about the adequacy and value of this configuration.
Of course, Macs have changed a lot over the last decade. For one, Apple no longer relies on Intel processors to power its machines, having developed its own Apple silicon, which is faster and more power efficient. This is because Apple's custom chips use "system-on-a-chip" (SoC) architecture, which integrates several processing cores (CPUs), graphics cores (GPUs), cache memory, and several other components within a single physical package.
Apple's M-series of chips also use something called "unified memory," which sits alongside the SoC. Apple's adoption of this high-bandwidth, low-latency memory means the main chip avoids having to communicate data between different memory locations, and it makes the memory pool available for both the CPU and GPU, allowing it to be allocated dynamically depending on the task at hand.
- Apple Silicon Buyer's Guide: Which Chip Should You Choose?
- Late 2023 MacBook Pro Buyer's Guide: 14-Inch vs 16-Inch Models
While the overall result of this integrated SoC architecture is better performance and efficiency, the downside is that Apple's unified memory is fixed at the point of purchase and cannot be upgraded at a later date.
Opting for more unified memory is not cheap either. For instance, going from the base 8GB of unified memory to 16GB or 24GB costs an extra $200 and $400, respectively. Therefore, it's important when buying a new Mac that you choose the right amount for your individual needs. User opinions on this topic are diverse, with some finding 8GB adequate and others feeling constrained. Ultimately, it comes down to what you want to do on your Mac. Here are the main factors to keep in mind.
8GB or More RAM?
- Daily Tasks and Light Usage: For basic tasks like web browsing, document editing, and media consumption, 8GB of RAM generally suffices. Modern Macs use features like memory compression and intelligent allocation, which help macOS run smoothly even during multitasking.
Professional and Creative Workloads: For more intensive tasks such as video editing, 3D modeling, or software development, 8GB may be limiting, and can cause slower performance and reduced efficiency, as independent tests have shown. This is especially true if you work on advanced projects that require enormous files and content libraries.
Wrapping Up
Ultimately, when buying a MacBook Pro, opting for 8GB of unified memory is a cost-effective option if you have light usage requirements, and it offers adequate performance for everyday tasks. However, if you intend to use more demanding applications, it may be worth paying the extra for more memory. This will reduce the risk of the memory acting as a system bottleneck, and allow the Apple silicon in your Mac to perform at its maximum potential.
Starting at $1,599, Apple's 14-inch M3 MacBook Pro comes with 8GB of unified memory, and choosing 16GB or 24GB costs an extra $200 and $400, respectively. However, bear in mind that after factoring in the extra $200 for 16GB, an M3 Pro model with 18GB and several other extra features is only $200 more at $1,999.
Article Link: Is 8GB of RAM Enough for MacBook Pro?
People who say yes don't know how CPU's and RAM work. First OSX is taking 2GB for itself. Then too little RAM, the CPU has to use swap and swap a lot. Swapping chews up a lot of CPU cycles and creates latency.
You spend all that money for a fast computer and with only 8GB RAM just attached an anchor to the CPU's slowing it down.
You can, but only directly from Apple, and that's the whole story. A base of 16, more people would buy from whatever outlet they prefer / have an existing account etc.
The debate over whether 8GB of RAM is sufficient for a MacBook Pro has long been a topic of contention. The controversy goes back to at least 2012, when Apple launched the first MacBook Pro with Retina display, which started with 8GB of RAM. In 2023, Apple still offers 8GB as the base configuration for its latest 14-inch MacBook Pro. Coupled with the significant cost of upgrading to higher memory options, Apple's decision has once again sparked discussions about the adequacy and value of this configuration.
Of course, Macs have changed a lot over the last decade. For one, Apple no longer relies on Intel processors to power its machines, having developed its own Apple silicon, which is faster and more power efficient. This is because Apple's custom chips use "system-on-a-chip" (SoC) architecture, which integrates several processing cores (CPUs), graphics cores (GPUs), cache memory, and several other components within a single physical package.
Apple's M-series of chips also use something called "unified memory," which sits alongside the SoC. Apple's adoption of this high-bandwidth, low-latency memory means the main chip avoids having to communicate data between different memory locations, and it makes the memory pool available for both the CPU and GPU, allowing it to be allocated dynamically depending on the task at hand.
- Apple Silicon Buyer's Guide: Which Chip Should You Choose?
- Late 2023 MacBook Pro Buyer's Guide: 14-Inch vs 16-Inch Models
While the overall result of this integrated SoC architecture is better performance and efficiency, the downside is that Apple's unified memory is fixed at the point of purchase and cannot be upgraded at a later date.
Opting for more unified memory is not cheap either. For instance, going from the base 8GB of unified memory to 16GB or 24GB costs an extra $200 and $400, respectively. Therefore, it's important when buying a new Mac that you choose the right amount for your individual needs. User opinions on this topic are diverse, with some finding 8GB adequate and others feeling constrained. Ultimately, it comes down to what you want to do on your Mac. Here are the main factors to keep in mind.
8GB or More RAM?
- Daily Tasks and Light Usage: For basic tasks like web browsing, document editing, and media consumption, 8GB of RAM generally suffices. Modern Macs use features like memory compression and intelligent allocation, which help macOS run smoothly even during multitasking.
Professional and Creative Workloads: For more intensive tasks such as video editing, 3D modeling, or software development, 8GB may be limiting, and can cause slower performance and reduced efficiency, as independent tests have shown. This is especially true if you work on advanced projects that require enormous files and content libraries.
Wrapping Up
Ultimately, when buying a MacBook Pro, opting for 8GB of unified memory is a cost-effective option if you have light usage requirements, and it offers adequate performance for everyday tasks. However, if you intend to use more demanding applications, it may be worth paying the extra for more memory. This will reduce the risk of the memory acting as a system bottleneck, and allow the Apple silicon in your Mac to perform at its maximum potential.
Starting at $1,599, Apple's 14-inch M3 MacBook Pro comes with 8GB of unified memory, and choosing 16GB or 24GB costs an extra $200 and $400, respectively. However, bear in mind that after factoring in the extra $200 for 16GB, an M3 Pro model with 18GB and several other extra features is only $200 more at $1,999.
Article Link: Is 8GB of RAM Enough for MacBook Pro?
I find it both funny and interesting that this sort of issue constantly comes up with Apple products. All of them.
The Scenario:
Apple introduces the all new (insert Any BASE MODEL iPhone, iPad, Mac etc. here)
The foot stomping begins as a respective key metric is woefully missed or weak (Insert ridiculously low RAM, SSD, Battery Life, Screen Resolution or Camera Pixel Count issue here)
Suddenly, the press, tech reviewers and us end users - All of us mind you happen to know both what a good deal is (or isn't) and more importantly we all morph - for a day or two into Apple VP of Marketing types. Yes, it is us who know best what Apple needs to do next to continue growing! Why won't they listen to us? They must as we know what all the millions Apple spends in market research yearly failed to explain to Tim and team Apple before making this latest disastrous move. A move BTW that for sure this time would be their downfall!!
When I look at this situation at face value, I come to two conclusions.
First, we've always felt that Apple was our friend and surely wanted to give us everything we crave, deserve, desire and its always been just around that damn next corner. sigh... Well actually no they have never given us any of those bleeding edge features we literally prayed for. Apple found the goldilocks zone of marketing. They hooked us, sold a promise of Steve distortion reality field.
Apple has never wavered moving forward dangling that carrot and watching us spend and spend. They got so good at it, heck they were even able to pivot into some really abusive tactics you just don’t see today. You remember when they took the earphones out of the box for the iPhone? Then they got even boulder and took out the headphone jack on the phone so you couldn’t use anybody’s! And let’s not forget how they were going to save the planet by taking the power adapter out of the iPhone box, hell I’m surprised we still get the box! When the competition heated up the way to maintain margins was to pull those things away and tell you it was for the common good! Fact is, there’s probably more waste generated now when we go out to buy new adapters and cables and such, but nobody talks about that. We can also look at the adapters. Total abuse! Until recently, they never even considered using commonly available adapters with the first iPod. They started with that 30-pin connector. Then they came up with lightning. Then, with USB-C on the horizon, they were suddenly future forward by pulling all the computer inputs we needed at that time in favor of a still scarce USB-C, forcing us to buy even more! All of us, and I mean to a man and a woman have at least one big box full of outdated adapters, worth hundreds of dollars! No wonder Mother Earth was so pissed at Tim at the iPhone 15 event. Apple has been the biggest polluter of them all up until we got those slick new $60.00 recycled water bottle cases to offset that nasty leather! Do you think Apple has lost big time sales dumping leather for plastic on iPhone cases? Doubt it! We bought the dream - At the same price as leather we take plastic (combed of course)
The second conclusion is obvious everyone I’m sure. They sell an 8 GB MacBook Pro for $1600 because we keep buying them and when it’s not enough we spend ridiculous amounts of money upgrading to the next levels. I’ve done it myself so many times it’s embarrassing.
So my answer to this authors question at the beginning? To Apple the 8 GB MacBook Pro at $1600 is perfectly adequate as are all the upgrade options cynical to add a apples bottom line of course!
I wonder if they will take away the power port on the iPhone 16…
They always overcharged for RAM, even in the days it was user upgradable. I remember buying a new Mac and then going to another site to buy the RAM upgrade. It was Macmall for a while then OWC.
There are a lot of morons out there that truly believe it makes a difference.
Some people like MacOS better than Windows, but hate Apple’s hardware strategy/pricing.
That makes more sense than anything else I've read here.
Still... I wonder why so many get so irritated by Apple's decision to have a base 8 GB version that would meet the needs of many Apple customers. Seems like a huge waste of time getting riled up over something as mice nuts as that. Especially as it's something they'd likely never purchase.
So your saying that you would not buy the 8GB machine, if the upgrade was cheaper, or essentially that it should not have an 8GB base model but a slightly more expensive upgraded base model.
yes.
if not, buy more ram. not hard. stop complaining.
if not, buy more ram. not hard. stop complaining.
I know. That's why - below 16 gigs - it isn't professional. It's like a Ferrari with a 2-Gallon-Tank. Grandma can get to the supermarket and back; but you can't win a race with it.