RAM question: since iMac ram is not upgradable what is enough?

[blackxacto]

I'm contemplating the 10 core M4 iMac w 1TB ssd. My question is 16gb RAM enough for Affinity Photo 2? I'm not doing any video work, nor huge image manipulation, I'm retired. I wanted to just buy the Mac mini, but there is no way to connect to my 19,1 iMac. So the M4. Anyone using an M4 iMac and experiencing a need for more RAM?

 

[IGHOR]

As for single running app Affinity Photo 2 16GB RAM is for sure ok.

 

[Ray2]

16 makes sense.

 

[opeter]

If you wont be doing too complex graphics with many many layers and will not have open a lot of applications all at once and hundreds of tabs in web browser, than it should be fine.

 

[mmkerc]

I agree with all the current posters that for your stated use 16GB ram is sufficient for your needs.

However, given the advancement of technology, (AI, voice assist, and streaming) and assuming the extra cost is not a major factor I suspect the 32 GB would given you 5 to 10 more years of longevity with your computer (i.e. 10 -15 years if not longer). I did a similar assessment about 13 years ago for my FIL who is now 92 and been using that iMac (obvious very different specs) and it still meets his needs. Prior to that we were getting him a new computer every 5-7 years.

 

[Fishrrman]

If you have "an eye on the future", 16gb IS NOT "enough".
Get 32gb instead. Then you know you'll be "set" for at least 5-7 years into the future.

 

[CharlesShaw]

I wanted to just buy the Mac mini, but there is no way to connect to my 19,1 iMac.

Hmmm, I think the experience of having to replace my 27" 5K display after 6 years (for a smaller one) would turn me off to iMacs. Have you ruled out the Studio Display ($$) and a base M4 mini?

 

[padams35]

I'm currently using a little over 12GB out of 16GB installed for casual/light photo/video work on an M1-Pro. 16GB is comfortable enough today, but with AI tools coming 24GB may be nice to have in future years.

 

[AlaskaMoose]

Hmmm, I think the experience of having to replace my 27" 5K display after 6 years (for a smaller one) would turn me off to iMacs. Have you ruled out the Studio Display ($$) and a base M4 mini?

Yes, agree with. That's the main reason why I decided to not buy a new iMac to replace my 27" screen of my 2019 iMac. The second reason, which is quite important to me is both to not being able to upgrade the amount of RAM with Crucial or another non-Apple RAM, as well as paying the high cost of Apple storage. I am still using my 2029 iMac that I loaded with Crucial RAM, and its Apple 2TB HDD.

I may not have any other choice but to pay the exorbitant price for a Mac M4 studio with 128GB RAM and a 2TB SSD, but the monitor is not going to be an Apple Studio. Instead, it will be a 32" BenQ, or a 27" 5K monitor of the same brand.

 

[CharlesShaw]

but the monitor is not going to be an Apple Studio. Instead, it will be a 32" BenQ, or a 27" 5K monitor of the same brand.

And looking at all those ports on the 27" that would be handy. I have to connect a Windows Laptop for WFH, so I was never in the market back in 2020 for anything except 4K from LG.

 

[960design]

I'm contemplating the 10 core M4 iMac w 1TB ssd. My question is 16gb RAM enough for Affinity Photo 2? I'm not doing any video work, nor huge image manipulation, I'm retired. I wanted to just buy the Mac mini, but there is no way to connect to my 19,1 iMac. So the M4. Anyone using an M4 iMac and experiencing a need for more RAM?

Are you working with 50MP images?
As others have said, are you on a 3 year refresh cycle? If yes, 16GB is plenty. If you hope to keep the computer for 7+ years (pushing into obsolete territory) then 32GB may be a better choice for future proof.

 

[960design]

Instead, it will be a 32" BenQ, or a 27" 5K monitor of the same brand.

I like the Pro Art monitors by Asus. I have an Apple Studio Display and use that for daily work.

 

[AlaskaMoose]

And looking at all those ports on the 27" that would be handy. I have to connect a Windows Laptop for WFH, so I was never in the market back in 2020 for anything except 4K from LG.

View attachment 2521178

Yes, and those are powered ports. The BenQ monitors I have referred to have powered ports, too

Also agree with you about the Pro Art monitors. I just prefer the BenQ monitors for color adjustments and accuracy for photo-editing. The 5K BenQ 27" monitor is not cheap, and the 32" 4k monitor is a little cheaper. The 5k one as shown at the B&H Photo & Video website:

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1871575-REG/benq_pd2730s_27_5k_ips_60hz.html

 

[OldMacs4Me]

FWIW with my M4 mini 16GB RAM/512 SSD is more than adequate for Affinity Photo and other photo editing apps I have tried. That said if there was any way to get that machine to run in Sonoma I would do it in a heart beat (make that a day or two given how slow my internet connection is). The AI bloat is unforgivable. If I don't want to run AI at least give me the option of not loading it onto my HD. Obviously I won't be downloading any newer systems to get even more bells & whistles I don't want and will never use.

Other than that so far I have been unable to use XtraFinder to generate colored labels, something that I find extremely useful on the old MacPro 4,1.

 

[OldMacs4Me]

I like the Pro Art monitors by Asus. I have an Apple Studio Display and use that for daily work.

I've gotten a good match between my ProArt and uncorrected photoprints from London Drugs in western Canada. Sadly Walmart which is much closer to home insists on using auto correct, so their prints are guaranteed to fail no matter how much you spend on a monitor.