13'' MacBook Pro 8GB vs 16GB RAM

[Koda650]

I preordered the new 13'' MacBook Pro with touch bar, 512GB SSD, and 8GB of RAM. However, I am wondering if I should cancel my preorder and get the same machine with 16GB. This would push my order back by 2-3 weeks.

I plan on keeping this machine for about 5 years. I will use it primarily for media consumption, web browsing, excel, and other basic things as such. Probably the most intensive thing I would use it for somewhat often is Photoshop. Right now I am sitting at 5.5GB of memory used on my 2010 15'' MacBook Pro with 8GB total.

Since I plan on keeping it for 5 years, is it worth the money if I cancel my preorder to get the 16GB and push the delivery date back to future proof myself?

 

[torana355]

8gb is more then enough, tbh 4gb is enough for your usage. Ive got the same usage and I got the 8gb option on my 2016 rMBP aswell.

 

[Hyloba]

For basic things even 4gb is sufficient. I guess if your usage doesn't change, 8 will be enough for the coming 5 years.

 

[magamo]

A few weeks of patience and 5 years of peace of mind vs. a few weeks of quick satisfaction and 5 years of anxieties about nice software/OS that requires more than 8GM RAM luring somewhere in the near future. If money is not an issue, I'd choose the former. Your usage may change in the course of 5 years anyway.

Of course, technically, it may not be 5 years of peace of mind because 16GB may not be good enough either. In that case, think of being stuck with 8GB in a world where even 16GB is not good enough.

With that said, 8GB seems plenty enough for your basic needs, at least for a while (and by "a while," I mean years rather than months). So, it's all up to you.

 

[NickPhamUK]

My go-to answer to this type of question is:

If you have to ask about it, then you don't need it.

(Seriously, people who need the extra upgrades already know what they are doing).

 

[T'hain Esh Kelch]

8GB is fine for your usage patterns.