Realistically, how much RAM needed for Leopard?

[K-Funk]

I think one of the major drawbacks of Windows Vista is that you need at least 2 GB of RAM for it to run well. Will that also be the case with Leopard? If I get a new MacBook with 2GB of RAM, will I feel like I barely have enough RAM?

[Eidorian]

As much as you need. You can run OS X on 512 MB of RAM. Just expect page outs from running more then one or two applications.

My personal preference is at least 2 GB for what I do.

[66217]

I suppose 1GB would be more than necessary for the normal user.

If not, Apple would be including a default of 2GB in their Macs. You don't want angry people because they bought a new Mac that is not prepared to run Leopard.

[wrldwzrd89]

Leopard doesn't have any of that fancy prefetching technolgy to deal with that's new in Vista - in fact, Leopard doesn't really need it, with all the application caching and boot caching Mac OS X does already. That prefetching stuff is the primary reason Vista became so RAM hungry. Mac OS X, on the other hand, has already taken that hit in RAM usage in previous editions, so I'd expect Leopard to require 512 MB of RAM but perform better with 1 or 2 GB, much like how Tiger requires 256 MB but performs better if given 512 MB or 1 GB.

[yippy]

How much you need is dependent on what applications you run. Leopard by itself only needs 256-512MB and with most basic uses 1GB total should be fine. However, if you have a lot of photos in iPhoto or use RAM heavy apps you will probably want more.

[bousozoku]

When I'm talking about Tiger, I think 512 MB is enough just for the operating system and because Leopard has so many more visual effects, I'd say it's going to take 768 MB to 1 GB.

At the same time, I'm 99 % certain that the necessary RAM for good performance on Intel-based machines will be less than it has been for Tiger--that Leopard will run better with the same machine, a lot better.

[clevin]

1. my vista box runs perfectly good with 1G RAM
2. minimum RAM for Tiger is 256MB. But you need 512 to run it ok, 1G to run it smooth.

now, minimum requirement for leopard is 512MB (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mac_OS_X_v10.5), if the experience from Tiger is applicable to leopard, you probably need at least 1G to run it smoothly.

[Gav]

Leopard runs very nicely on 1.5GB Ram. I know a person running the beta who has open the following apps on 1.5GB (Just asked him on IM):


Firefox
aMSN
Mail
FTP
iTunes
Transmission
iMovie 08
iPhoto '08
Numbers
Skitch
Dreamweaver CS3
AND he also has a 720p Movie playing on VLC...
So 1.5GB seems pretty good

[treblah]

How many page outs?

1GB should be fine, 2GB is preferred.

Leopard runs very nicely on 1.5GB Ram. I know a person running the beta who has open the following apps on 1.5GB (Just asked him on IM):


Firefox
aMSN
Mail
FTP
iTunes
Transmission
iMovie 08
iPhoto '08
Numbers
Skitch
Dreamweaver CS3
AND he also has a 720p Movie playing on VLC...
So 1.5GB seems pretty good

[MorzillA]

....hmmmmm this thread is sure an eye opener!!! Know I know that Im going to need at least the 1.5Gb Thx pesoas!!!

[Krevnik]

When I'm talking about Tiger, I think 512 MB is enough just for the operating system and because Leopard has so many more visual effects, I'd say it's going to take 768 MB to 1 GB.

At the same time, I'm 99 % certain that the necessary RAM for good performance on Intel-based machines will be less than it has been for Tiger--that Leopard will run better with the same machine, a lot better.

The RAM usage doesn't escalate like that. More effects does not always equal more RAM. Considering the GUI sits on top of OpenGL, CoreAnimation leverages OpenGL technology for the animation, making most animations just a series of commands sent to your GPU, like everything in the UI already does.

That said, for home use I recommend about 1GB. 2GB is fine for heavy use (development, etc). If you are a professional content type... you should already have 4GB of RAM...

[Cassie]

I'd imagine 384 MB at a minimum, maybe for grandma, 512-768 to be for the average user, 1-1.5 GB for more frequent users, and 2 GB+ for Pro's.

[techlover828]

I think 2GB would be perfect

[iBookG4user]

I'd say you want at least 1GB of RAM for normal usage, 768MB might get you by though.

[Grape]

If a MacBook Pro, get 4GB.
If a Mac Pro get 16GB.

[DisturbedSith]

Leopard (WWDC 07) runs pretty darn good on a 12" Powerbook (1.5Ghz and 512MB Ram). And from what I've read and heard, the latest build is even faster with the same configs. They are doing some amazing optimization, so I wouldn't doubt that 512MB would be enough for the light users with 1GB being a sweet spot for normal users.

[Siemova]

Might as well chime in. :cool: When I first installed the WWDC build, I had 1Gb RAM and it ran perfectly fine for average use... usually around 700Mb in use. Sometimes it would slow down if I tried to do anything intensive, though. Now I have 2Gb installed, and usage might go as high as the 1200's if I'm messing with BT or something. But 9A466 has debugging code active, so I imagine final release should use less.

All that to say, I think 1GB would be plenty for the average user, and 1.5 or greater should be enough to avoid even occasional slowdown. Unless you're a pro user, of course, in which case the more the merrier!

[bousozoku]

Leopard (WWDC 07) runs pretty darn good on a 12" Powerbook (1.5Ghz and 512MB Ram). And from what I've read and heard, the latest build is even faster with the same configs. They are doing some amazing optimization, so I wouldn't doubt that 512MB would be enough for the light users with 1GB being a sweet spot for normal users.

It's difficult to believe that it runs well at all with 512 MB but nevertheless, it will likely run more poorly once they finish the bug fixes. Every other beta has looked good up until the end and then, performance slows a lot as correct operation is more than somewhat desirable.

[iBunny]

I Got 4GB of Ram in my MBP for Leopard.

I want the fully expirance, and want to run it without speed issues if possible.

With all that I do, I find that 2GB is just enough. So if I ever want to do something extra... I go over that limit.

so 4GB for me. I guess it just depends on what you do.

For the Average person, I would not try to run Leopard with anything other than at least 1GB of Ram.

[FJ218700]

okay, so two of my PPC's that will be ugraded to Leopard (dual 867, dual 1.25) have the RAM maxed at 2 GB. However, the VRAM is only at 32, and 64, respectively. I know I am going to ugrade the cards in the towers, but will 128 be sufficient, or should I go to 256? I'd rather not spend the extra money for these old systems. Just want them both to last through Leopard. I don't do to much graphics work, mainly editing /creating scientific figures for publication. Everything works well enough at the moment with Tiger.

Any suggestions from beta users on G4 towers would be appreciated.

[Cassie]

okay, so two of my PPC's that will be ugraded to Leopard (dual 867, dual 1.25) have the RAM maxed at 2 GB. However, the VRAM is only at 32, and 64, respectively. I know I am going to ugrade the cards in the towers, but will 128 be sufficient, or should I go to 256? I'd rather not spend the extra money for these old systems. Just want them both to last through Leopard. I don't do to much graphics work, mainly editing /creating scientific figures for publication. Everything works well enough at the moment with Tiger.

Any suggestions from beta users on G4 towers would be appreciated.

I've read it's a bit slow, like running Tiger on a G3,(Which I can vouch for) but it is completely do-able.

128 should do it, but if they take 256, go for it.