Is 2GB of RAM enough?

2GB isn't 'plenty'. It's limiting. It's the bare minimum. But combined with the SSD it's not so bad. 2GB of RAM and a SSD is still going to start FireFox in 1 second instead of 8 seconds like a 16GB of RAM in a Macbook Pro with the slow factory HD will. But having 2GB instead of 4GB is not going to make the system unusable in any way.

You'll get lugged down if you start doing a bunch of heavy stuff at one time. But if you're just a light user, you'll be fine even if you start hitting a 1GB swap file on your 2GB machine. It won't be lightning fast but then again you've got a tiny computer with a 1.4GHz CPU, what are you expecting? You're also probably using the slow wifi at a coffee shop, airport, or mobile hotspot. When you're barely getting 1mb downloads, having the world's fastest computer isn't going to make surfing the web any faster. These are tiny laptops and not desktop workstations where you're going to do a ton of photoshop, edit video...

And we're really talking about $400-$600 2GB Airs on the used market. When you're spending only that much money, you're making compromises and you're not expecting the latest and greatest. Besides, you can't even get a new Air with less than 4GB so it's kind of moot point.

My girlfriend is a journalist and has a 11" 2010 1.4GHz, 2GB 128GB 10.8.2 for writing, mailing, research, surfing, iTunes etc. The mac was used, mint condition and cost 500€. The mac does everything nearly instantly. So why should one spend more money on a computer if its not necessary? If you don't need it don't buy it

2IS said:

Yes, those who think 2GB is enough for a modern OS, programs and web content certainly have no idea how RAM is utilized. I'm sure that isn't you though, since you know what it does. No matter though, the OP made the right choice going with 4GB

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What are you going on about....??

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iPhysicist said:

My girlfriend is a journalist and has a 11" 2010 1.4GHz, 2GB 128GB 10.8.2 for writing, mailing, research, surfing, iTunes etc. The mac was used, mint condition and cost 500€. The mac does everything nearly instantly. So why should one spend more money on a computer if its not necessary? If you don't need it don't buy it

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Exactly!! That is it in a nutshell, if you don't need it...then you don't need it, simple as that.

Beanoir said:

What are you going on about....??

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Exactly!! That is it in a nutshell, if you don't need it...then you don't need it, simple as that.

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You ever heard of anyone upgrading the memory on a computer? Yes? That there is a gaping crack in your "nutshell" which means its not as simple as that. Add to that the fact that a memory upgrade down the line on an MBA will cost you $1500 vs $100 to do it during your purchase. So yeah, it's a simple choice, in the exact opposite sense that you're thinking though.

2IS said:

You ever heard of anyone upgrading the memory on a computer? Yes? That there is a gaping crack in your "nutshell" which means its not as simple as that. Add to that the fact that a memory upgrade down the line on an MBA will cost you $1500 vs $100 to do it during your purchase. So yeah, it's a simple choice, in the exact opposite sense that you're thinking though.

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FOR YOU yes, it clearly is a priority because your needs/wants etc require you you to have more RAM.

NOT EVERYBODY is the same as you, has the same requirements or uses their computer in the same way as you or expects it to perform how you do.

Accept that and then it's simple, until then it just your opinion, because the fact its there are plenty of people that can and do use perfectly functional computers with modern OS and don't have any issues whatsoever with how their computer performs on RAM less than what you think is the required amount for your needs.

Everybody is different, as are their RAM requirements.

2IS said:

You ever heard of anyone upgrading the memory on a computer? Yes? That there is a gaping crack in your "nutshell" which means its not as simple as that. Add to that the fact that a memory upgrade down the line on an MBA will cost you $1500 vs $100 to do it during your purchase. So yeah, it's a simple choice, in the exact opposite sense that you're thinking though.

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Nothing you said addresses this post, not sure why you quoted it in your reply. And EVERYBODY would have to buy a new MacBook Air if they found themselves needing more memory down the line because they chose to save $100 and equip their premium laptop with Acer netbook capacity memory modules. Quite simply its not a wise decision, you see it as spending $100 more, I see it as spending $1400 less. The OP went with 4GB so good for him, he made the smart choice.

2IS said:

Nothing you said addresses this post, not sure why you quoted it in your reply. And EVERYBODY would have to buy a new MacBook Air if they found themselves needing more memory down the line because they chose to save $100 and equip their premium laptop with Acer netbook capacity memory modules. Quite simply its not a wise decision, you see it as spending $100 more, I see it as spending $1400 less. The OP went with 4GB so good for him, he made the smart choice.

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First sign of madness talking to yourself fella

Beanoir said:

First sign of madness talking to yourself fella

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Did I over-estimate your IQ by not quoting the both of us and thinking you'd know what I was referring to? My apologies.

depends on what you are doing but i would say no, i normally use 4gb very minimum