Memory Usage

[theimp]

I've had my mac for a few weeks now. I just installed this iStat nano thing. I have a 24" iMac with 1 gig of ram. When I start my computer up, for a good while (doing all my normal things), the memory usage bar is halfwayish. After having my computer on for a while, the memory usage bar is almost full at all times and stays that way until a restart. However, I don't think I notice a difference in performance. Is this a bug in the program, or is something wrong with my computer?

Thanks!

 

[rstorm]

OSX handles memory issues much better than M$. It will free up ram when another program needs it. Mine is always showing low mb's left in available ram but perf still rocks.

 

[WildCowboy]

The important thing to remember is that inactive RAM is essentially the same as free RAM. Inactive RAM contains data from programs that were previously open but have now been closed. If you choose to open that program again, the data in RAM is already there and the program will open much more quickly than it otherwise would have. But if you end up needing that RAM for something else, OS X will go ahead and use it.

 

[EM87]

I have a little thing to say which is a little OT but I need to say it.

I got my iMac with 1Gb or RAM as everyone here told me to get 1Gb over 512Mb and I almost always have around 500Mb that is not being used! Mac OS X is dam good as it does not seem to use the RAM just because it is there, unlike Windows which will suck 1.5Gb while just running Word, iTunes, Firefox, Limewire and MSN.