This is a good question, and one I'm currently debating.
As much as it is more than I ever thought of spending, I'm going to go for a MBP as it gives everything I'm looking for. The M4 Pro model comes with 24 Gb as standard, but I'm seriously thinking of sticking 32 Gb on it. Here's why:
* 8 Gb today is too tight, regardless of AI. This has been true for a while now
* 16 Gb is the new 8 Gb (I think everyone agrees there) but this is BEFORE we talk about AI...
* Apple are wanting to push some form of AI for some time in the future, as they have gone further than any other company and developed an AI engine they are actively including in processors and all current models of devices. It's UNLIKELY, but not impossible, that this will disappear in the next 5 years
* Given that AI is still extremely new, everyone is experimenting, and Apple may want to expand it in the future, the "new 8 Gb" 16 Gb memory spec could end up being worse than 8 Gb if it is being taken over by AI. So what is a safe level of memory to allow for AI bloat of the future?
Some models are coming with 24 Gb as standard, but this is because of architectural changes where memory is in blocks of 8 Gb instead of the traditional 16 Gb blocks.
OK... so you go 24 Gb. What does this mean? Well... if 16 Gb is the new 8 Gb, then it is acceptable today, but probably not as good as 8 Gb a decade ago.
24 Gb... how does this fare? Well it is 8 Gb more than 16 Gb. If 16 Gb is the new 8 Gb, in light of AI eating, for argument, 8 Gb of memory, then 24 Gb is really 16 Gb usable by the user allowing for AI...
Well... if 16 Gb would not have the longevity of 8 Gb a decade ago, and AI is the reason we lost 8 Gb of usable memory for our use, then 24 Gb in an AI world, is the new 8 Gb.
What to do?
Spec 32 Gb, to allow for AI insanity. That allows a comfortable 16 Gb with buffer to the AI madness, and 24 Gb at the present time, allowing for current AI requirements.
My previous Macs are still going strong after a decade, and I see no reason why this new Mac shouldn't.
My wallet will hate me, and my wife will kill me (even though she will get the old iMac), but it is the only real option.
