i'm honestly surprised. program usage hasn't changed in a while. there's a reason why a lot of windows laptops and macbook air only come with 4gb standard. it's because most people don't need 8gb yet. i think 8gb will be around for at least 3-4 years
Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
16 GB vs 8 GB - Is 16 G overkill?
- Thread starter Omar Comin' Yo
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
Woot!? Where do you live? Just checked the Finnish Apple Store, the 11" MBA starts at 1049...
Exactly.
If I had a new Mac Pro I'd check the "about this mac" info every hour just to remind myself how awesome my computer is.
Having set up an nMP for a client the most awesome thing apart from its speed is hearing practically nothing. He blew some Cuban cigar smoke at the bottom of it earlier today on FaceTime and it swirls like a slow motion tornado
RAM was the ultimate upgrade before SSDs because smarter operating systems would keep most used apps on it making them load faster. After SSDs, apps can be swapped between RAM and SSD without so much lagging.
However, RAM is still worth upgrading when you have to deal with tons of data at once with recursive functions or big matrix operations. However, this scenario will probably like even more than 16GB... you'll only see a performance bump at 64 or 128GB. So, I'd say, for heeeavy math processing, even 16GB isn't enough, or it is as enough as 8GB.
16 GB vs 8 GB - Is 16 G overkill?
I've got a first gen rmb pro, 2.6GHz with 512GB storage... And unfortunately, only 8GB RAM. I needed it that weekend couldn't wait 3-6 weeks for a CTO.
Honestly, the only limitation to the machine, year and a half later... Is the RAM. 16GB should be standard, IMHO. However, the ssd is fast enough and 10.9 seems decent enough at memory management that it is still tolerable.
If you plan on keeping the machine for over a year or don't consider it disposable and sell it/trade up in a year or so, do yourself a favor and get the 16GB now. It looks like OP wants to keep it for 3+ years, I'd say 16GB is mandatory. You won't regret it.
I've got a first gen rmb pro, 2.6GHz with 512GB storage... And unfortunately, only 8GB RAM. I needed it that weekend couldn't wait 3-6 weeks for a CTO.
Honestly, the only limitation to the machine, year and a half later... Is the RAM. 16GB should be standard, IMHO. However, the ssd is fast enough and 10.9 seems decent enough at memory management that it is still tolerable.
If you plan on keeping the machine for over a year or don't consider it disposable and sell it/trade up in a year or so, do yourself a favor and get the 16GB now. It looks like OP wants to keep it for 3+ years, I'd say 16GB is mandatory. You won't regret it.
Yeah sure ... apple still sells 4gb machines as standard but everything with less than 16gb is obsolete next year.
....
..... Your commentary is the most enlightened yet. /end sarcasmYeah sure ... apple still sells 4gb machines as standard but everything with less than 16gb is obsolete next year.
....
I really do <3 these forums. They remind me why I only lurk and very rarely post on forums anymore.
If you're happy with a computer with 4GB RAM, go ahead and stick with that. I mean, who needs more than 64K memory am i rite? Personally, I'm sticking with recommending 16GB to anyone who is even a semi power user or is going to grow into the machine over the next several years. A MacBook Pro is an investment, and these days with soldered on RAM, you're stuck with what you get when you buy it.
Saying that someone that uses 8gb now will absolutely need 16gb next year is nonsense.
It has been explained in this thread by various people that its not that clean cut.
Dont transfer your own needs onto others since you need a new macbook every year.
I was going by the OP's mention of keeping the machine for 3+ years. It was in anticipation of future proofing the machine for maximum enjoyment and usability over the lifetime of the computer.
this is a pet peeve of mine. if macbook pro is an investment, you should spend the least amount of money possible on it as required versus buying as much s you can just in case.
So in your estimate:
1. How much RAM is consumed by OS X?
2. How much RAM does each browser tab use?
the op stated his needs. He obviously doesn't need 16gb.
In fact any MacBook from the last 5years will suffice for his needs except maybe fcp.
More ram doesn't "future proof" and computers are not investments because their value strongly decreases.
----------
what's the point of ur question.
1. Open up safari
2. Open up 100tabs
... Does it lag?
Still makes me wonder how many people open up so many tabs...
Hey guys
On the next few day i'll be making my final decision about my new rMBP. I was looking for the 13-inch rMBP, with 2.4GHz, I5, 256GB SSD and i was thinking in 16GB of RAM. But a few days a go i received some cash, and now i'm thinking to get the 15-inch, the basic BTO model (the money i received is enough to upgrade the 13-inch 16GB of RAM to a 15-inch 8GB, but not enough to upgrade the 15-inch model to 16GB).
I'm a engineering student, so i'll be using parallels in coherence mode to run programs like Matlab and others (i'll be running other programs on OSX as well). I also do a very light video and photo editing, the hard job i do on my iMac, which has 20GB of RAM and i'll be adding a SSD soon. I wanna know from people who have the 8GB rMBP and do the same (or similar) activities then i do.
On the next few day i'll be making my final decision about my new rMBP. I was looking for the 13-inch rMBP, with 2.4GHz, I5, 256GB SSD and i was thinking in 16GB of RAM. But a few days a go i received some cash, and now i'm thinking to get the 15-inch, the basic BTO model (the money i received is enough to upgrade the 13-inch 16GB of RAM to a 15-inch 8GB, but not enough to upgrade the 15-inch model to 16GB).
I'm a engineering student, so i'll be using parallels in coherence mode to run programs like Matlab and others (i'll be running other programs on OSX as well). I also do a very light video and photo editing, the hard job i do on my iMac, which has 20GB of RAM and i'll be adding a SSD soon. I wanna know from people who have the 8GB rMBP and do the same (or similar) activities then i do.
It really doesn't matter if you need it or not. If you are tempted to get it because after you make your purchase you can't upgrade, then go ahead and get the 16gb.
I would almost guarantee that a 16gb Retina machine will fetch close to $200 more than a 8gb machine when it's time to resell. That doesn't account for the time value of that extra $200, but otherwise you will get your money back in the end.
I would almost guarantee that a 16gb Retina machine will fetch close to $200 more than a 8gb machine when it's time to resell. That doesn't account for the time value of that extra $200, but otherwise you will get your money back in the end.
Matlab in Parallels? You're going to need all the RAM you can get.
Go for a 13" with 16GB of RAM.