I know that bec i build many computers by myself. I just mentioned how stupid apple acts. So - it is even worse now. the 8 Gigs of the base MBP even share the memory with that video card.
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Is 8GB of RAM Enough for MacBook Pro?
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8GB is not enough for anything. Screw any manufacturer who thinks otherwise
So you’re mad you can’t get ‘better’ or ‘best’ at a discount?
Personally work with Professionals that use 8GB in a MBP with FCP just fine for their needs. They’re doing a LOT of short videos regularly with it like butter.
Was expecting to see 12GB as the minimum RAM with M3. Hopefully Apple will increase it with M4
I doubt that for the M4, Apple, loves up-charging WAY too much. As long as Apple charges $200+ to go from 8G to 16G, 8G will be the base.
They’re not going to pay ANY more than if it were called a ‘MacBook’ without the ‘pro’!
The previous 13” MacBook ‘Pro’ (1” smaller and less ports and less power) was the best selling at 8GB as well.
Sticking to it over a decades alone already tell you the answer!
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'd love to have the option of the following without the monikers i.e. Air, Pro and it comes in these generic configurations with BTO as an option.
- Size
- Small -> Medium -> Large
- Performance
- Good -> Better -> Best
For example:
- Large screen laptop with base specs (Use case: a user doesn't want to use monitors), or
- A small portable laptop with the best specs (Use case: a travelling person who often has access to dual monitors at work but wants to bring the laptop home with them), or
- A small but good laptop (Use case: young student) etc
I need a USB-C port on the right hand side. And I loathe Windows and cannot stand libre office. Spending 1,800 € on a mba with limited connectivity is frustrating. I’d rather not buy that.
Limited connectivity, limited repairability, limited upgradeability. Limited saleability
It’s no wonder Mac sales are plummeting approaching 0 laptops sold in less than 4 years at this pace at -33%. 100 -> 66 -> 33 -> 0.
Of course there’ll be a spike in between because dead cats bounce
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For most people I think so. I use the main Adobe apps, including After Effects for short videos/animations, and I just get by. I really wish I had 32GB of ram and 1TB of storage though, After Effects likes as much disc space as it can get. And I need to restart my MacBook every now and then to clear up memory. Have to clear cache in after effects every few weeks.
But a 32GB/1TB MacBook costs so much money. I should have used my credit card to buy one instead of the 8GB/256GB M1 I did get. But hey at least I didn't buy one of the last Intels...
But a 32GB/1TB MacBook costs so much money. I should have used my credit card to buy one instead of the 8GB/256GB M1 I did get. But hey at least I didn't buy one of the last Intels...
I love Macs, but there are some dubious choices being made in the lineup. They’ve fixed a whole bunch of things that the Jonny Ive era Macs were bad at but to really meet customer expectations they should add some extra ports to the base spec machines and make 16 GB ram the minimum.
The problem is when Apple marketing are mis stating that 8Gb is equivalent to 16Gb, when its not. It would not be 8Gb alone, as requirements with unified memory are greater than non unified, so to get anywhere near 16Gb, it would require at least 8Gb of swapping (actually more because of system requirements). Apple blurb adds gaming to its sales techniques, and to do that offering 8Gb as a base may be considered mis selling, and the sad thing is many people buying in to the 8Gb = 16Gb will probably find its Ok for the present and most day to day tasks but anything heavy on RAM DOES result in significant performance degradation and significant loss of SSD life, and where the device would in all probability not be capable of doing the job it was sold for if more and more games are rolled out on the Mac platform. So you a new user would have the real problem of SSD failing after warranty expired, and significant performance curtailed, and in all likelihood more games equals more RAM requirement so the device may not even be able to run new generation games at all, which in my opinion would herald a class action by many.
It was disingenuous for an Apple executive to suggest that 8Gb equals 16Gb. Simply and provable untrue when consideration of swapping etc., are taken into consideration. Wintel could suggest a 16Gb machine is equal to 32Gb using the same flawed physics, if 16Gb + was via virtual memory/swapping.
Same with old macbook Air with 4Gb, did it booted the OS? yes, worked? "yes". I would like to know the real cost of implementing 18GB on the SoC, vs 8GB. 1€? 10? Shame on Apple for keeping 8GB for last 10 years. Base models, 16GB (or 18) minimum. 32 on PRO and, why not, 64 on MAX. And same with ssd, 512, not 256 please on base models. 8GB and 256 is the standard for a 400€ PC!!! And it's easy to find 16GB 512SSD laptops for less than half the macbook air cost.
I was hoping to buy a M3 Pro 14” with 16GB RAM after it launched but seeing the base model is only M3 and has just 8GB RAM I had enough of Apple. Been a Mac user since 2007 but this month I bought a Lenovo Legion 14” OLED laptop configured with 2.5TB SSD, 32GB RAM, AMD Ryzen 7840HS CPU, an RTX 4060 GPU and a beautiful 14” 2.8K 120Hz OLED display which is way better than MiniLED for AU$1799 after cashback which is around US$1190. I will keep using my iPhone and AirPods but I cant pay more for a “Pro” Apple laptop with just 8GB RAM. I mean honestly, the bloody iPhone 15 Pro models have 8GB RAM now!
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you could argue that 8GB is not even enough for the MacBook Air going into 2024. If it was possible to have 10GB, that would suffice. 
The question is also: why would you buy a M3 MBP with 8GB (and support for only 1 external screen...) if you can get a 16GB M2 Pro for less (refubished/open box). Only reason would be battery life?
Fun fact: the M3 MBP 8GB does not even run the Cinebench 24 GPU benchmark...(not enough ram...).
Fun fact: the M3 MBP 8GB does not even run the Cinebench 24 GPU benchmark...(not enough ram...).
"opting for 8GB of unified memory is a cost-effective option if you have light usage requirements"
You have a weird concept of cost-effective. If you have "light usage requirements" the base Macbook Air is already overpowered, but at least you'll save a bit. You can even consider a base iPad or a $300 Windows laptop (look, they have 8 GB too! or even more!).
Just leave these "pro" on the shelves.
You have a weird concept of cost-effective. If you have "light usage requirements" the base Macbook Air is already overpowered, but at least you'll save a bit. You can even consider a base iPad or a $300 Windows laptop (look, they have 8 GB too! or even more!).
Just leave these "pro" on the shelves.