What would make you upgrade from 24GB to 48GB on M4 Pro?

[freesosa]

Hey all, first time poster here. I've ordered the 14" M4 Pro base model that comes with 12/16, 24GB RAM and 512GB HDD. I think this will be fit for purpose. But there's something about the 24GB RAM configuration that is confusing me a little.

My current use case is Figma, Miro, LucidSpark, Safari tabs ~10, Chrome tabs ~10, other collaboration apps (nothing crazy), 4K video editing, Claude.ai and ChatGPT use. Rarely running all of this at the same time. I typically only use 1-2 large apps at once (I am not a crazy multi-tasker, and prefer to minimise distractions).

I think the 24GB should be okay? But a little hard to anticipate Apple Intelligence requirements and keep me covered RAM wise for the next 2-3 years.

I know its impossible for people to tell me what I need but am curious to know what people consider to be appropriate workflows for 24GB and 48GB and/or what would make someone upgrade from 24GB to 48GB.

Thanks!

 

[DELLsFan]

Future-proofing your machine with twice the RAM you THINK you need is a modest investment that has no downside - considering you can't upgrade the RAM later and all machines using AI (including Apple Intelligence) will certainly benefit from the additional RAM.

 

[kitKAC]

Hey all, first time poster here. I've ordered the 14" M4 Pro base model that comes with 12/16, 24GB RAM and 512GB HDD. I think this will be fit for purpose. But there's something about the 24GB RAM configuration that is confusing me a little.

My current use case is Figma, Miro, LucidSpark, Safari tabs ~10, Chrome tabs ~10, other collaboration apps (nothing crazy), 4K video editing, Claude.ai and ChatGPT use. Rarely running all of this at the same time. I typically only use 1-2 large apps at once (I am not a crazy multi-tasker, and prefer to minimise distractions).

I think the 24GB should be okay? But a little hard to anticipate Apple Intelligence requirements and keep me covered RAM wise for the next 2-3 years.

I know its impossible for people to tell me what I need but am curious to know what people consider to be appropriate workflows for 24GB and 48GB and/or what would make someone upgrade from 24GB to 48GB.

Thanks!

24Gb will be fine. Apple has only just made 16Gb the base for Macs, they're not going to introduce Apple Intelligence features that won't work on 16Gb machines in the next 5 years.

I don't use any AI stuff like Claude.ai and ChatGPT but aren't both server-based? None of the actual AI stuff runs locally on the machine?

 

[freesosa]

24Gb will be fine. Apple has only just made 16Gb the base for Macs, they're not going to introduce Apple Intelligence features that won't work on 16Gb machines in the next 5 years.

I don't use any AI stuff like Claude.ai and ChatGPT but aren't both server-based? None of the actual AI stuff runs locally on the machine?

Hey, yeh that’s right, both server based but Claude.ai usually open in the background on Safari or Chrome.

Yeah that’s fair, I just am getting thrown off by the jump to 48GB if I did want to upgrade. I really wish 32GB was an option on that model.

 

[T'hain Esh Kelch]

If it was 200$ for the upgrade, then I would do it. Otherwise no. 24GB will likely serve me perfectly the next ten years.

 

[freesosa]

If it was 200$ for the upgrade, then I would do it. Otherwise no. 24GB will likely serve me perfectly the next ten years.

This is the issue, in Australia it's $600AUD to go from 24GB to 48GB which is just absurd to think about. 1/5 the price of the machine to add 24GB of RAM...

 

[Alameda]

This is the issue, in Australia it's $600AUD to go from 24GB to 48GB which is just absurd to think about. 1/5 the price of the machine to add 24GB of RAM...

I would not spend so much, especially since you’re sane and you’re mindful not to run 3,000 things at the same time.

 

[BrianBaughn]

I know its impossible for people to tell me what I need but am curious to know what people consider to be appropriate workflows for 24GB and 48GB and/or what would make someone upgrade from 24GB to 48GB.

Thanks!

Someone that uses a lot of virtual instruments in an app like Logic Pro would lean that way.

 

[FreakinEurekan]

I also see no need to go beyond 24GB for your use case. There certainly are circumstances where more RAM is needed, but if you’re in one of those situations you’ll probably know it 😉

 

[Leachb31]

I also see no need to go beyond 24GB for your use case. There certainly are circumstances where more RAM is needed, but if you’re in one of those situations you’ll probably know it 😉

Just having a web browser open with a few tabs in this day and age can easily gobble up 16GB's+. 16GB is an absolute minimum. 32GB is comfrtable 48-64GB if you want to future proof that mac for the next 8-10+ years.

 

[FreakinEurekan]

Just having a web browser open with a few tabs in this day and age can easily gobble up 16GB's+. 16GB is an absolute minimum. 32GB is comfrtable 48-64GB if you want to future proof that mac for the next 8-10+ years.

Nonsense. People are running dozens of tabs on 8GB every day.

Sure, a basic web browser will USE 16GB if it’s there. But that’s not the same as “requiring“ it.

 

[Weaselboy]

Sure, a basic web browser will USE 16GB if it’s there. But that’s not the same as “requiring“ it.

Yep.. macOS will take advantage of any unused RAM to cache things.

I had a MBP with 8GB and after all day browsing etc it would usually be using around 6GB.

Just traded in a 2021 MBP with 16GB and same usage would end the day using around 11GB.

Just setup my new M4 MBP with 24GB and same usage gobbles up around 16GB.

So yeah, macOS will definitely use the RAM if it is there.

 

[Derek Morton]

Hey all, first time poster here. I've ordered the 14" M4 Pro base model that comes with 12/16, 24GB RAM and 512GB HDD. I think this will be fit for purpose. But there's something about the 24GB RAM configuration that is confusing me a little.

My current use case is Figma, Miro, LucidSpark, Safari tabs ~10, Chrome tabs ~10, other collaboration apps (nothing crazy), 4K video editing, Claude.ai and ChatGPT use. Rarely running all of this at the same time. I typically only use 1-2 large apps at once (I am not a crazy multi-tasker, and prefer to minimise distractions).

I think the 24GB should be okay? But a little hard to anticipate Apple Intelligence requirements and keep me covered RAM wise for the next 2-3 years.

I know its impossible for people to tell me what I need but am curious to know what people consider to be appropriate workflows for 24GB and 48GB and/or what would make someone upgrade from 24GB to 48GB.

Thanks!

Mo Memory = Mo Better!

 

[Basic75]

Someone that uses a lot of virtual instruments in an app like Logic Pro would lean that way.

Someone who regularly uses virtual machines would want a lot of RAM, too.

 

[Thirio2]

Keep in mind that 16 GB is the new 8 GB. My suspicion is that Apple thinks you will need that much RAM to run future OS and features smoothly. My decision will be based on how much I spend on the new MacBook. I am older and want a larger display. I have been thinking of a 15” MBA. If, after looking at the new models side by side, I decide I can live with the 14” or 15” I will probably stay with the base configuration since 24 GB should be enough. If I decide on the 16”, I will upgrade the RAM just because I would have spent so much already that the upgrade should make the machine useful longer.