Loving my 8GB/512GB M1 MBA!

[motm95]

I’m coming from a mid-2012 MBP that I upgraded to 16GB RAM and 1TB SSD. Gotta say, this MBA smokes. No issues with 8GB RAM but I am a light user. Others with heavier workloads might feel differently.

I love the MBA screen, keyboard, and overall feel. Most importantly: no fans. Silence is golden.

This is the best Mac laptop I’ve bought in 20 years.

 

[AVBeatMan]

So you’d say 8GB RAM is fine? I’m also a light user but still wondering if I should get the 16GB?

 

[DroidBro]

I’m seriously debating a 13” m1 MacBook Pro but I’m wondering if the 8gb or ram is good enough or not.

op are you having a good experience with the 8gb of ram?

 

[AVBeatMan]

I’m seriously debating a 13” m1 MacBook Pro but I’m wondering if the 8gb or ram is good enough or not.

op are you having a good experience with the 8gb of ram?

I’ve ordered a 8GB RAM MBP off Amazon to try out. I also have a 16GB RAM on order with Apple but delivery isn’t until Jan 14 so I’m going to see how I get on with 8.

Everyone keeps saying 8GB is plenty for a light user but I’m still not sure. I think Amazon have a 30 day return policy?

 

[Apple_Robert]

I’ve ordered a 8GB RAM MBP off Amazon to try out. I also have a 16GB RAM on order with Apple but delivery isn’t until Jan 14 so I’m going to see how I get on with 8.

Everyone keeps saying 8GB is plenty for a light user but I’m still not sure. I think Amazon have a 30 day return policy?

Amazon 30 day return only applies to unopened devices.

———————

“New desktop, laptops, or tablets (excluding Kindle E-readers and Fires) purchased from Amazon.com that didn't start when they arrived, arrived in damaged condition, or is still in an unopened box can be returned for a full refund within 30 days of purchase.
Amazon.com may test computers that are returned because they didn't start when they arrived and impose a customer fee equal to 15 percent of the product sales price if the customer misrepresents the condition of the product.
Any returned desktop, laptop or tablet that is damaged through customer misuse, is missing parts, or is in unsellable condition due to customer tampering may result in the customer being charged a higher restocking fee based on the condition of the product.“

———————-

For light app use, 8GB is more than adequate.

 

[SO8]

FWIW I have had an 8GB M1 MBA 512GB (8 core GPU version) for a few weeks now and just took delivery of a 16GB M1 MBP 1TB today.

Geekbench 5 shows :

1729 single core for the 8GB MBA
1730 for the 16GB MBP

7550 multi core for the 8GB MBA
7568 for the 16GB MBP

I bought the larger Ram MBP for photo editing but TBH could have done all I needed on the MBA !!

Those wondering re 8 or 16GB Ram need to think what exactly they are going to use it for as I, for one, could have saved money. Both are lovely machines though

 

[anubis1980]

I have the MBA m1 base. I used to have a fully specced out 2015 MBP with 16gb ram. The M1 machine beats it in every way.

I am a light user, I have lots of tabs open in safari, YouTube videos in 4k playing , tried some games and I am yet to see a slow down with 8gb ram. Granted I don't use intense heavy apps, but for what I use it for, 8gb is more than enough. Sure I'd have liked the 16gb , but I'm glad I got the 8 as its shown me that I overbuy where Ram is concerned on Macs.

I use Zwift on it and it runs so much better than my old MBP, very smooth and no ram issues.

 

[The Cockney Rebel]

Just been reading a post where the fella had two M1s: One with 8gb and the other with 16gb.

He stated clearly that the 16gb version was much “snappier” than the 8gb unit.

 

[DroidBro]

Is there any way to see which Apple stores have the m1 pro with 1tb/16gb of ram? I’ve been checking the Apple store app but lately they haven’t gotten any in my area.

 

[The Cockney Rebel]

Is there any way to see which Apple stores have the m1 pro with 1tb/16gb of ram? I’ve been checking the Apple store app but lately they haven’t gotten any in my area.

I think the app will be up to date on stock levels, buddy.

That’s why I ended up ordering mine online.

 

[AVBeatMan]

Can I also ask. What about 512GB Storage? How much can you get on this? I mean, like how many songs? How many photos'? I know this thread is about RAM but what about storage? Thanks

 

[AVBeatMan]

Here's another great video; Explains a lot;

 

[AVBeatMan]

 

[motm95]

Sorry for the slow response...

For those asking me about 8GB of RAM, yes, I have had an excellent experience with it. Again, my usage is very light: emails, browsing, youtube, drafting/editing documents, music and photo management (not photo editing - just the native Photos app), messaging, financial stuff with Quicken, etc. No heavy duty work, no gaming.

The machine flies. It really does.

As for storage, I have about 200 GB of music (~9000 songs), which is not my entire music library, plus 50 GB of photos, 10 GB of email, 5 GB of messages, and applications are about 20GB. I still have something like 140 GB free.

 

[AVBeatMan]

Sorry for the slow response...

For those asking me about 8GB of RAM, yes, I have had an excellent experience with it. Again, my usage is very light: emails, browsing, youtube, drafting/editing documents, music and photo management (not photo editing - just the native Photos app), messaging, financial stuff with Quicken, etc. No heavy duty work, no gaming.

The machine flies. It really does.

As for storage, I have about 200 GB of music (~9000 songs), which is not my entire music library, plus 50 GB of photos, 10 GB of email, 5 GB of messages, and applications are about 20GB. I still have something like 140 GB free.

Did you get the 512GB then? I'm a similar user to yourself so another thumbs up for 8GB ??

 

[motm95]

Did you get the 512GB then? I'm a similar user to yourself so another thumbs up for 8GB ??

Yes - see title of the thread.

 

[SO8]

Is there any way to see which Apple stores have the m1 pro with 1tb/16gb of ram? I’ve been checking the Apple store app but lately they haven’t gotten any in my area.

I think anything over base spec is normally to order only unless they have a cancelled order. My 16Gb 1Tb was ordered.

 

[SO8]

Just been reading a post where the fella had two M1s: One with 8gb and the other with 16gb.

He stated clearly that the 16gb version was much “snappier” than the 8gb unit.

I have both and can see/feel no difference at all.