So, I've been wondering whether it makes sense to purchase additional ram on an an MBA 11" that I plan to get. Here's some background:
I currently have an MBA 13", Late 2010 with 4gb ram. I don't remember ever having been 'ram' challenged, as I'm mostly a business user. My main apps:
- Chrome (8-10 tabs)...Safari has gotten to be too unstable
- full screen tweetdeck
- Full screen Reeder
- Mail
- Evernote
- Reminders
- Adium
- Calendar/Fantastical
- 1password
I also run a few 'background apps':
- Google Drive
- Hazel
- popclip
- Skitch
- Textexpander
I'm probably forgetting a few, but my current system memory usage indicator shows (roughly):
Free: 104 MB
Wired: 871 MB
Active: 1.58 MB
Inactive: 1.45 GB
Used: 3.89 GB
I don't quite understand the usage metrics here, but again, I don't ever remember being pressed for ram. I don't expect my typical MBA usage to change all that much for the next 24mos - the planned time until I do a refresh.
So, does continuing with 4gb RAM make sense?
If you're curious as to why downsize from an 13" to 11", well the more mobile I become, the more I'm looking for smaller devices. I just switched to an iPad Mini from an iPad3, and boy that was a huge positive on many fronts. I'm willing to live with a smaller screen and less battery life in the MBA 11".
I currently have an MBA 13", Late 2010 with 4gb ram. I don't remember ever having been 'ram' challenged, as I'm mostly a business user. My main apps:
- Chrome (8-10 tabs)...Safari has gotten to be too unstable
- full screen tweetdeck
- Full screen Reeder
- Evernote
- Reminders
- Adium
- Calendar/Fantastical
- 1password
I also run a few 'background apps':
- Google Drive
- Hazel
- popclip
- Skitch
- Textexpander
I'm probably forgetting a few, but my current system memory usage indicator shows (roughly):
Free: 104 MB
Wired: 871 MB
Active: 1.58 MB
Inactive: 1.45 GB
Used: 3.89 GB
I don't quite understand the usage metrics here, but again, I don't ever remember being pressed for ram. I don't expect my typical MBA usage to change all that much for the next 24mos - the planned time until I do a refresh.
So, does continuing with 4gb RAM make sense?
If you're curious as to why downsize from an 13" to 11", well the more mobile I become, the more I'm looking for smaller devices. I just switched to an iPad Mini from an iPad3, and boy that was a huge positive on many fronts. I'm willing to live with a smaller screen and less battery life in the MBA 11".