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just how much storage?

kp98077

kp98077

macrumors 601
Original poster
Oct 26, 2010
4,331
2,771
Whistler, BC
So, I purchased a 2018 MBP TB 256, but I just realized that the storage it is already occupied with ~81.93GB of the 256GB with "system" storage + my photos of 70GB + Misc. of 20GB, that puts me at a total of 171GB of 256GB (or 67% full) already! wondering if I should have got the 500GB. I didn't think I needed that much space.
The configuration I got was also 8GB of RAM.
Wondering what the best configuration would be without gong broke-lol
 
Only you can say for sure how much storage is enough...

Do you have external drives you can store data on?
Are you using iCloud (w/ a fee) to offload storage?
Is this your only computer and you intend to "do it all"?
Do you store a ton of stuff on your device or leverage various cloud sources?
etc.
 
LogicalApex said:
Only you can say for sure how much storage is enough...

Do you have external drives you can store data on?
Are you using iCloud (w/ a fee) to offload storage?
Is this your only computer and you intend to "do it all"?
Do you store a ton of stuff on your device or leverage various cloud sources?
etc.
Click to expand...
Thanks ! No external drives for me. That’s too much to do extra :). I do use I cloud but for some reason it still counts in cloud and on computer. I’m sure it’s something I just don’t get ...seems odd I’m
Already so close to the 256 mark
 
kp98077 said:
Thanks ! No external drives for me. That’s too much to do extra :). I do use I cloud but for some reason it still counts in cloud and on computer. I’m sure it’s something I just don’t get ...seems odd I’m
Already so close to the 256 mark
Click to expand...

If you're using iCloud be sure to enable Optimize Storage and it will automatically purge iCloud stuff from local storage when needed.

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT206996
 
Honestly, this day and age, 128GB baseline is insane and 256 is not cool. But you can’t really dwell on it now unless you’re within the return period.

I thought 128 would do it but it was clear I was going to do more. Returned it and got the 256. Then returned that when the 512GB model went for cheaper than 256. 512 should be the baseline or 256....
 
LogicalApex said:
If you're using iCloud be sure to enable Optimize Storage and it will automatically purge iCloud stuff from local storage when needed.

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT206996
Click to expand...
thank you and that is helpful, saved me about 20GB... :)
[doublepost=1556151664][/doublepost]
currahee2100 said:
Honestly, this day and age, 128GB baseline is insane and 256 is not cool. But you can’t really dwell on it now unless you’re within the return period.

I thought 128 would do it but it was clear I was going to do more. Returned it and got the 256. Then returned that when the 512GB model went for cheaper than 256. 512 should be the baseline or 256....
Click to expand...
yes! 128 is a joke....I am still well within the return period and Best Buy now has the 500gb model -250 off...hmmmmm
 
I use 256GB locally and NAS.

Don’t forget you also need a backup strategy and if you’re using external storage of whatever kind you need to incorporate that into your backup strategy.
 
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kp98077 said:
thank you and that is helpful, saved me about 20GB... :)
[doublepost=1556151664][/doublepost]
yes! 128 is a joke....I am still well within the return period and Best Buy now has the 500gb model -250 off...hmmmmm
Click to expand...

If you buy it, keep an eye out. I was able to buy a touchbar 512GB 13" for 1499 at Best Buy, 1399 after a $100 off coupon. They may lower it and you could get a price adjustment. That was a one day sale, so really keep an eye out..
 
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kp98077 said:
thank you and that is helpful, saved me about 20GB... :)
[doublepost=1556151664][/doublepost]
yes! 128 is a joke....I am still well within the return period and Best Buy now has the 500gb model -250 off...hmmmmm
Click to expand...

return it and get that 500gb one, youi future self will thank you if you want to thie computer to last long time without external drives
 
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kp98077 said:
Thanks ! No external drives for me. That’s too much to do extra :). I do use I cloud but for some reason it still counts in cloud and on computer. I’m sure it’s something I just don’t get ...seems odd I’m
Already so close to the 256 mark
Click to expand...
I think you can save some storage if you optimize iPhoto storage and leave them in the cloud.

Go to Photos-Preferences-iCloud check "optimize Mac storage."

Not sure how much iCloud space you have---if you're just using the 5GB free tier, probably won't be useful.
 
Have you tried removing apps like GarageBand that are installed by default if you don't use them? GarageBand by itself can take several gigabytes. Use an app like appcleaner to remove related files that are not in the applications folder.

I have a late 2013 256gb and it's been juggling for space since not too long after I bought it. But then I had a company doing video analysis and I’ve been playing around with virtual machines. Next one will probably get 1TB.
 
OP wrote:
" ...with "system" storage + my photos of 70GB + Misc. of 20GB"

Think long and hard about this:
Do you really, really need 70 gigabytes worth of photos on the internal drive?
How many of them do you regularly look at...?

I'd get a good external (even an external SSD, these are small, easy-to-carry, reasonably priced), and off-load a lot of that stuff.
 
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Lee_Bo said:
Today my minimum specs on any computer is 500 gig SSD and 16 gigs ram.
Click to expand...

For me it's 1tb and 16 gigs of ram, but I mess with video. Also a firm believer in external drives, both for extra storage and back-ups.
 
MSastre said:
For me it's 1tb and 16 gigs of ram, but I mess with video. Also a firm believer in external drives, both for extra storage and back-ups.
Click to expand...

And I go one step further. During a photo shoot, I dump all SD card images to an external drive. When I get home, I dump that external drive to a computer with an external drive that's also being backed up via Backblaze.
 
currahee2100 said:
If you buy it, keep an eye out. I was able to buy a touchbar 512GB 13" for 1499 at Best Buy, 1399 after a $100 off coupon. They may lower it and you could get a price adjustment. That was a one day sale, so really keep an eye out..
Click to expand...
When was this?? The best I saw for that price was TB 256....
 
I have 184 of 250 GB used on my 2016 MBP. Since I'm not planning on adding any more content that requires large amounts of disk space, this is just fine with me. Do you anticipate your storage needs increasing in the near future? There's nothing wrong with 67% usage if you don't plan on using up the remaining space any time soon. Anything below 90% is perfectly fine.
 
When buying a new MacBook is it always 81 gig that’s taken up by system? Also does anyone know how much Final Cut Pro will take up when adding it to the build to order option on Apple’s website? 512GB may be my option when I buy a new Mac.
 
I’ve got the 500’ish GB model, it feels cramped when I start working with video. I’ve got a few TB of external SSD’s on order which will help.
 
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