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PSA: you probably don’t need 32 or 64Gb RAM unless you know you need it.
- Thread starter aevan
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For me it's pretty simple:
2005 Recommended 1GB, I bought 2GB, HDD 80GB. (PC)
2008 Recommended 2GB, I bought 4GB, SSD 64GB (PC)
2011 Recommended 4GB, I bought 8GB. SSD 160GB. (PC)
2014 Recommanded 8gb, I bought 8GB, SSD 128GB (Mac)
2016 Recommended 8GB, I bought 16GB. SSD 512GB (Mac)
2021 Recommended 16GB, I ordered 32GB. SSD 1TB (Mac)
Maybe that's why I don't change very often, who knows. I made the mistake in 2014 to buy the minimum, never again. But it's good to have some breathing room. Usually, I enjoy the extra ram (and extra SSD space) more in the second half of the life of the laptop.
If it was upgradable that would be the best, but it's not, and those machines are expensive. I prefer to pay $400 now and use it a few more years.
2005 Recommended 1GB, I bought 2GB, HDD 80GB. (PC)
2008 Recommended 2GB, I bought 4GB, SSD 64GB (PC)
2011 Recommended 4GB, I bought 8GB. SSD 160GB. (PC)
2014 Recommanded 8gb, I bought 8GB, SSD 128GB (Mac)
2016 Recommended 8GB, I bought 16GB. SSD 512GB (Mac)
2021 Recommended 16GB, I ordered 32GB. SSD 1TB (Mac)
Maybe that's why I don't change very often, who knows. I made the mistake in 2014 to buy the minimum, never again. But it's good to have some breathing room. Usually, I enjoy the extra ram (and extra SSD space) more in the second half of the life of the laptop.
If it was upgradable that would be the best, but it's not, and those machines are expensive. I prefer to pay $400 now and use it a few more years.
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Same with me - I bought 4 GB on the MacBook Pro 2011 knowing I will upgrade it later. I did it, to 16 GB, after its warranty lapsed. Computer lasted me 7 happy years in total. No way that 4 GB would have kept me satisfied.
Bought the minimum 8 GB in 2016, had to sell it two years later for various other reasons as well.
This time I have gone with 32. I know this will keep me satisfied for the time macOS stops receiving upgrades.
The problem is also how much Apple charge for 16gb, ($400) it should be $200. That would make the choice much easier. They could have bumped up the Max chip by $200. But it's done like this by design
Once you decided to get rip off by paying $400 for 16gb extra, every other upgrades after that are "might as well".
The problem is also how much Apple charge for 16gb, ($400) it should be $200. That would make the choice much easier. They could have bumped up the Max chip by $200. But it's done like this by design
Ohh the RAM prices are insane. But I wanted to go for M1 Max for the beefier GPU, and at that point decided to splurge for the top stock config as CTO configs would have taken time to arrive.
I have the M1 Pro/16GB/1TB @16inch at the moment. But I decided to order two custom config M1 Pro 32GB & M1 Max 24c. There is only $200 difference, not sure which one to pick. I still have time to decide and cancel one of the two before it ships somewhere in December...
I wanted to buy the base (the one I have), but I will return it. I saw the price I paid in my bank account and I was like, no no, I'm making a mistake, that's a lot of money. Better buy something that will serve me well for few more years. My 2015 (that I bought in 2016) served me well for 5 years. Before that I was upgrading every 3 years, so it's worth it now to spend a bit more.
Well, in 2008 that 64GB SSD drive wasn't cheap too... But I haven't used a computer with an HDD since then. I don't miss them.
Okay no one ever said Apple's products were cheap. But I will say that for me they are quality and you get what you pay for. AND yes, I know sometimes Apple can make lemons! (But I don't discuss my 2017 MBP keyboard or 2011 gpu issues.). Also there is a chip shortage and if you choose to bump up the memory Apple is bound to charge and use it as an excuse.
That said I did a BTO 2021 M1 Max/ 64GB /1TB and I love it. But I do a ton of video work and I have already had the fun of stressing this little beauty. This is the first time Apple has made a MBP that actually has professional capability. For someone who can work at home it is very sweet to be able to do that with a fast laptop that will crank out the work fast.
That said I did a BTO 2021 M1 Max/ 64GB /1TB and I love it. But I do a ton of video work and I have already had the fun of stressing this little beauty. This is the first time Apple has made a MBP that actually has professional capability. For someone who can work at home it is very sweet to be able to do that with a fast laptop that will crank out the work fast.
Speed of this machine makes me smile - just as with my first Mac. 2016 was a disaster.
My 2015 15inch was a nice machine. I still like it. The only problem was the fan noise.
That M1 is quiet, fast and the keyboard is even better. The speakers are better, the screen is beautiful. It's really a worthy upgrade. USB-C is nice too. Magsafe is still there (for me). I mean, it's a bit like the perfect laptop. I don't see myself upgrading again for another 5 years or more. In fact, if my 2015 was silent I would keep it a few more years. (And yes, it's been cleaned up, new battery by Apple, etc.)
But yeah, the RAM Police on this forum is a bit funny I must say.
No?
People are discussing how much RAM is needed for different things. There were a lot of people spreading misinformation about RAM requirements for certain workflows, ergo the discussion. No one is policing you.
There's a difference between: "no, 32Gb RAM is not required to use these apps" and "you are forbidden to buy 32Gb RAM!" 🙂 Some people would like validation for their buying choices, I guess, but denying them that is not policing anyone. They are still free to buy whatever they want for whatever reason they want.
Nope, this forum recommended 32Gb RAM in 2016. I remember it well. There was a big uproar because you couldn't get more in a MacBook Pro. The common line was "16 may be enough today, but you'll need 32 in a few years". It was BS then, it's BS now.
Again, that doesn't mean no one needed 32Gb and more then - because some people surely did. Same as now. If you need 32 or 64 for your workflow, you need them. But you don't buy RAM to have reserves for some hypothetical future requirement that this forum has been predicting for the past 5 years.
Lol, based on your list, you seem to buy a new computer every few years
If 16 is enough for you today, you will definitely be able to use it for a few more years (unless you change what you do on the computer). If it isn't, it already isn't enough today.
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It's a reaction to things like "32Gb is needed for a lot of browser tabs", "RAM usage will double in a few years" and "I checked my Swap file and it wasn't 0, this means I need more RAM".
Policing would be harassing anyone for buying more. And I think everyone agrees that: if you want to buy whatever amount you want - go for it. Say it proudly - "I wanted to buy this spec, and I did!". No problems whatsoever. Just lets not claim things that are uncorroborated.
I get that there are some who would be more comfortable if their choices were validated by others. I get that. Not talking about them.
I’m talking about the word ‘need’ being used casually for both either/ or. My issue is with the phrasing of it.
People post their workflows. If that’s workable in 8 GB, one shouldn’t say you don’t need 16 GB. The right thing to say is just that - that you can do this in 8 GB, but if you feel you will be happier with some more, spend more if you really want to.
Using the word ‘need’ here casually is what puts people off I believe. What’s a need? Do you really need an entire project to be in the RAM? No, you do not. Would you like it to be, for obvious benefits? Surely!
Talking about how SSD speeds are fast and how caching isn’t even noticeable and memory compression doesn’t hurt performance so everyone except those using the most demanding apps will ‘benefit’ or ‘need’ 32 or more is a fallacy. Compression and caching are techniques designed to be used when the system could do with RAM but it didn’t get it. If your workflow fits in your physical memory, there will be no compression - so I think. That can’t be bad, can it ? So, if people want it that way, they may go with 32 instead of 16. However, going to extremes such as buying 128 GB of RAM just to avoid swapping for whatever reasons - that’s a bit too much, yes. Because it’s beyond the point of diminishing returns.
I knew how I was using 16 when I did, and how my workflow changed subtly but noticeably to accommodate the downgrade to 8 GB. This time, therefore, I picked 32. Do I need it like I need water? No. Is it going to serve me and the system better everyday and when I start using memory-hogs? Indeed.
Agreed. Like I said, words being thrown about casually, diluting their meaning.
I'm happy I'm making you laughing out loud, you don't need much, but glad you're having a nice time.Lol, based on your list, you seem to buy a new computer every few years
That straight up gobbling isn’t a problem. It’s good - that means that apps are going to use all available memory.
Problem is if you start to notice slowdowns and issues and if your memory pressure is consistently in the yellow or higher. That’s an indicator that getting more memory will give the system more room to work with. Do you need it even then? No. But it would be nice to have.
That’s the whole point. More than absolutely necessary is a nice-to-have for times when your work makes it necessary.
Look at your memory pressure and the lack of memory used. You have clearly bought to much RAM if this is the usage running all those applications.
You are using 9 out of 32 Gb for operating system and applications.
Which is 1 more than the 8 GB I previously had. And that’s my minimal load at any given point. On my previous system, I would have some swap and compressed memory. So, this is an improvement that I paid for and appreciate.
I haven’t even begun opening multiple (and heavier) files within Publisher and done anything nearly close to coming to tax the system that I would usually be about.
If this is me having too much RAM, so be it. I appreciate having it, and paid for this.
Specifically for you and gentry with similar thinking: I am aware of what is/ would be too much for me, thank you. It would be 64 GB that would be having too much RAM in my case because I know I would never be able to saturate that capacity with what I do.
If I can saturate the capacity even once during the course of what I use it for, if I saturate even 75% of it, then that is not too much RAM for me. That’s my mindset. I would certainly have saturated 16 GB. 32 GB is the right amount for me - minimal compression, minimal swap. Just right.
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Apple's dictionary definition is quite helpful.
Need require (something) because it is essential or very important rather than just desirable
When some of us say a lot of people don't _need_ 32Gb we mean that their Mac will operate just fine with 16Gb almost all the time and there will be very few tangible differences which justifies paying $400 + taxes for it.
That’s the rub - affordability. Need became relevant in discussions because of the prices Apple charges for that upgrade.
And in a different way, you’re only proving the point I was making.
You should use the word desirable instead of need.
If you will we happier with 16 Gb, the correct thing would be to say "I need 16 Gb to be happy" and not "I need 16Gb to perform my workflow adequately".
But here we are talking about 16Gb vs 32Gb which means the set of people is even smaller for the 32Gb set.
This is where we as individuals need to do better when recommending something. I got recommended to "max out the RAM" on my 2019 i9 iMac coming from my 2010 Mac Pro with only 8GB. I only work in 1080p footage. While some of my footage is about 8 hours, even with the 128GB of RAM in my iMac, nothing improved for me AT ALL. 8GB of RAM is just fine for 1080p video editing. The ONLY difference I noticed was HEVC which has NOTHING to do with the RAM but the age of the 2010 Mac Pro.