32 GB ram in the future?

[studio347]

Can you tell us what software you use that is so "RAM hungry"? I suspect you are misinterpreting your RAM need. I can run Logic Pro, Photoshop, Parallels with Windows 7, iTunes, Handbrake, Safari, Mail, and just about anything else all at the same time in 8GB on my 11" Air and I have no problems.

Yes.. my job requires some heavy image process. For example, I need to work on 4~9 GB/ per image photoshop files. It's not about the image/print size... more with a lot of layers of big files. As we know, sometimes, we go for ... as much as possible to make it perfect. You know... the spirit...And ... capture one software which is image capture software requiring 4~10 GB ram easy....
I want to open mail and safari too...
For now, 32 GB would be perfect.
But I understand that I'm not a usual macbook pro user... a bit heavier side.
I think there is nothing wrong with it though....
so.. I'm not a person to want to have many rams just because bigger is better... but because my job and passion requires it.
Of course, mac pro would be perfect for it. But macbook pro with many rams would work nice too. Sometimes better since I move a lot with it. Also small computer has a strong merit ... I can be more easily comfortable with my computer, I mean, emotionally, which is not the point of discussion though..

 

[The Mercurian]

Can you tell us what software you use that is so "RAM hungry"? I suspect you are misinterpreting your RAM need. I can run Logic Pro, Photoshop, Parallels with Windows 7, iTunes, Handbrake, Safari, Mail, and just about anything else all at the same time in 8GB on my 11" Air and I have no problems.

If we were talking about buying servers for math intensive work would you still think we are "misinterpreting our RAM need" ? I want to be able to do server/workstation level computing AND be able to carry it on the road with me. Is that so strange ?

 

[dukebound85]

They will canibalize Mac desktops. 32GB enters in the workstation market. High performance computing doesn't need small input data being processed fast (i.e. small RAM, fast CPU, lots of I/O). It needs big input data being processed fast (i.e. tons of RAM, fast CPU, few I/O operations).

well workstations will have more support obviously

 

[Samuelsan2001]

If we were talking about buying servers for math intensive work would you still think we are "misinterpreting our RAM need" ? I want to be able to do server/workstation level computing AND be able to carry it on the road with me. Is that so strange ?

Not strange, just not reasonable with current technology, Apple prioritises battery life and portability over huge specs, and rightly so, for the majority of users this is the sensible compromise, the best computer is one you have with you and still has some charge.

If this is not what you need then an apple laptop is not currently for you.

Saying all that though, I think the 2016 15 inch rMBP will have a 32GB option it seems logical and they just doubled the RAM limit on the 5K iMac even if it's not an apple option, and currently it's becoming a far more available option in the laptop space.

 

[satinsilverem2]

This is going to start the whole do i need 32GB drama all over again. The reality is that with OS X's excellent memory management most people only need 8GB. There are a couple of situations that warrant 16GB but most don't need it. I however believe in future proofing so I always go with the max amount of RAM and the highest spec processor to extend the life of my Mac.

 

[dogslobber]

This is going to start the whole do i need 32GB drama all over again. The reality is that with OS X's excellent memory management most people only need 8GB. There are a couple of situations that warrant 16GB but most don't need it. I however believe in future proofing so I always go with the max amount of RAM and the highest spec processor to extend the life of my Mac.

You know, every year there are people who say you only need X GB of memory. Before that they used to say you only needed X MB of memory. Before that it was X KB of memory. These people are always wrong because you can never have too much RAM.

 

[dukebound85]

You know, every year there are people who say you only need X GB of memory. Before that they used to say you only needed X MB of memory. Before that it was X KB of memory. These people are always wrong because you can never have too much RAM.

I agree, the argument gets old. It's like people think the future will be like the present for some odd reason, even though time and time again they are proven wrong

 

[mariogt]

32GB will be nice for the next iteration of the high end Macbook Pro, why not ? I have the late 2013 MBP with 16GB and 500SSD, I want to replace it with the, yet to be released, new MBP - but only if the new one have a real advantage over the old one (like 32GB of ram) - not marginal speed gains like the 2014 and 2015 iterations. Almost all of us keep our MBPs for 2 o more years, and for future proofing my investment I always get the top of the line machine.

Note: some years ago nobody believe that you can use (or need) more than 2GB of ram, well I can tell you that your needs of ram will increase every year, google chrome can consume more than 2GB with a few tabs open, and for people that work with VMs 16GB is the bare minimum.

 

[zettabyte]

I'm in need of 32GB in a laptop and the absence of a rMBP that offeres 32gb has me looking at a gaming laptop to achieve having 32gb of RAM. Sucks, but there are no other choices at the moment.

I currently have a maxed out rMBP with 16GB of RAM and I'm always scratching the ceiling with my multi-tasking, VM etc... the reality is, having 8gb is now the standard over the 4gb and the 16gb is the new standard over the 8gb for power uses. It is what it is and it is not just a want...it is a necessity for many.

My only option right now is to opt for an Alienware or MSI gaming rig (narrowed it down to those two) to achieve the 32gb, while keeping my maxed out rMBP as a secondary. Even the top end gaming rigs to date only offer DDR3 of 32GB at 1600MHz and of course 16GB of DDR4 at 2133Mhz ....

So to think that Apple will offer anything close to 32gb in the near future might be of a stretch....

From the looks of it, it'll be years before Apple introduces 32gb in their rMBP line, let alone it'll be unjustifiably over priced with soldered madness. I could haul around a Mac Pro, (which I did think about doing) but that would be a little obsessive.

If there are any other ideas, please send them my way... I'm all ears...

 

[JoJoCal19]

I'm in need of 32GB in a laptop and the absence of a rMBP that offeres 32gb has me looking at a gaming laptop to achieve having 32gb of RAM. Sucks, but there are no other choices at the moment.

I currently have a maxed out rMBP with 16GB of RAM and I'm always scratching the ceiling with my multi-tasking, VM etc... the reality is, having 8gb is now the standard over the 4gb and the 16gb is the new standard over the 8gb for power uses. It is what it is and it is not just a want...it is a necessity for many.

My only option right now is to opt for an Alienware or MSI gaming rig (narrowed it down to those two) to achieve the 32gb, while keeping my maxed out rMBP as a secondary. Even the top end gaming rigs to date only offer DDR3 of 32GB at 1600MHz and of course 16GB of DDR4 at 2133Mhz ....

So to think that Apple will offer anything close to 32gb in the near future might be of a stretch....

From the looks of it, it'll be years before Apple introduces 32gb in their rMBP line, let alone it'll be unjustifiably over priced with soldered madness. I could haul around a Mac Pro, (which I did think about doing) but that would be a little obsessive.

If there are any other ideas, please send them my way... I'm all ears...

Same here. I work in InfoSec and my MBP (Early 2011) is my primary at home computer, hooked up to an ultra wide Dell monitor. I have dual 500GB SSDs and 16GB of RAM and use it not just for random home stuff, but also for labbing which means multiple VMs. With what I'm doing now, I'm about at the ceiling and really need 32GB to expand my labbing capability. I've held off on the rMBP due to them changing to ridiculously overpriced soldered RAM and only maxing out at 16GB. I too feel they may implement 32GB this year with the Skylake update but it will be way too overpriced.

I completely understand the OP and other people here who want the power to do modeling and labbing and other stuff and to have it mobile. I don't want to be stuck sitting in my home office when I could be doing this from my couch or anywhere else for that matter. But I also understand Apple is Apple (and I really like Windows 10) so I'm resolved to get a mobile workstation. Especially when I figure Apple is going to probably charge like $1000 for that 32GB upgrade. I'd rather take another $1000 and get a 17" mobile workstation with a better spec'd i7 proc (can even get a Xeon now), dual SSD capability, 4k screen, better GPU, and the ability do my own upgrade to 64GB of RAM.

 

[Queen6]

My only option right now is to opt for an Alienware or MSI gaming rig (narrowed it down to those two) to achieve the 32gb, while keeping my maxed out rMBP as a secondary. Even the top end gaming rigs to date only offer DDR3 of 32GB at 1600MHz and of course 16GB of DDR4 at 2133Mhz ....

I would be looking at the likes of a Dell Precision, HP Elite Book, or Lenovo ThinkPad W series not a gaming notebook, especially not AlienWare. These portable Workstation offer a great deal more flexibility and customisation, albeit at a cost which I doubt is a factor.

Q-6

 

[zettabyte]

I would be looking at the likes of a Dell Precision, HP Elite Book, or Lenovo ThinkPad W series not a gaming notebook, especially not AlienWare. These portable Workstation offer a great deal more flexibility and customisation, albeit at a cost which I doubt is a factor.

Q-6

I also game so having the option to swap out my gpu in the future and/or adding the Alienware amplifier to simply plug it in to run a desktop GPU is what separates Alienware from the rest.

 

[Queen6]

I also game so having the option to swap out my gpu in the future and/or adding the Alienware amplifier to simply plug it in to run a desktop GPU is what separates Alienware from the rest.

I would separate gaming & work personally, as for an external dGPU I would be more inclined to wait on a system with TB-3 over USB C as an external dGPU will be a non issue, they are coming as the new XPS 15 & 15 already has TB-3 over USB C, equally no 32GB option. The way I look at is I put my $$$$ into the systems that make money, those purely for entertainment are then of little concern

The XPS 15 interests me as performance & battery (85 Watt hr) is very strong, equally I am not convinced of Dell`s quality at this price point. Apple`s current high tier 15" rMBP is a $1500 system masquerading as $2500 notebook, I know you can pick them up with deep discounts stateside, however the rest of us are stuck with Apple`s rather amusing pricing. For your needs forget Apple as the best you can expect is a mediocre dGPU in the 15" if Apple even retain it...

Q-6

 

[zettabyte]

I would separate gaming & work personally, as for an external dGPU I would be more inclined to wait on a system with TB-3 over USB C as an external dGPU will be a non issue, they are coming as the new XPS 15 & 15 already has TB-3 over USB C, equally no 32GB option. The way I look at is I put my $$$$ into the systems that make money, those purely for entertainment are then of little concern

The XPS 15 interests me as performance & battery (85 Watt hr) is very strong, equally I am not convinced of Dell`s quality at this price point. Apple`s current high tier 15" rMBP is a $1500 system masquerading as $2500 notebook, I know you can pick them up with deep discounts stateside, however the rest of us are stuck with Apple`s rather amusing pricing. For your needs forget Apple as the best you can expect is a mediocre dGPU in the 15" if Apple even retain it...

Q-6

Very true of Apple being mediocre at best with a $1000 mark up. It's what we pay for all the time lol like clockwork, because our love for OSX more than the hardware itself. (At least I think anyway)...granted it's the best built machine build quality wise.

The new Alienware is TB-3 over USB-C, which is one of the big determining factors for me to go AW. I'm not a fan of Dell quality either, but for less than $1,500 out the door I can have me a solid Skylake i7 6700HQ, QHD screen, swappable GPU and most importantly the ability to swap out the DDR4 RAM, which is what I want. Future proof.

I am needing an all in one rig due to my frequent travels....

Not sure the other non gaming laptops can handle it....on the GPU side. It'll choke. Plus the ability to run the AW Amplifier is killer.

 

[Queen6]

Very true of Apple being mediocre at best with a $1000 mark up. It's what we pay for all the time lol like clockwork, because our love for OSX more than the hardware itself. (At least I think anyway)...granted it's the best built machine build quality wise.

The new Alienware is TB-3 over USB-C, which is one of the big determining factors for me to go AW. I'm not a fan of Dell quality either, but for less than $1,500 out the door I can have me a solid Skylake i7 6700HQ, QHD screen, swappable GPU and most importantly the ability to swap out the DDR4 RAM, which is what I want. Future proof.

I am needing an all in one rig due to my frequent travels....

Not sure the other non gaming laptops can handle it....on the GPU side. It'll choke. Plus the ability to run the AW Amplifier is killer.

Hear you on that one regarding OS X, Very much an OS X user here rather than an Apple user. I would still wait and see what 2016 delivers, I think that there will be far better options coming by end Q-1. AW was awesome, if not a little over stylised as a standalone, as part of Dell the same concerns apply. Skylake & Alpine Ridge can make a significant difference, I just hope it`s fully realised

Q-6

 

[yukari]

I hope so soon. I have 16G and I often bump into the 15-16G mem use. I have word, outlook, and Adobe Acrobat Pro open pretty much all the time as I need to switch back and forth between these programs. I also have excel and one or two browsers and voila I hit 16G limit. That happens pretty much every day.

 

[zettabyte]

I hope so soon. I have 16G and I often bump into the 15-16G men use. I have word, outlook, and Adobe Acrobat Pro open pretty much all the time as I need to switch back and forth between these programs. I also have excel and one or two browsers and voila I hit 16G limit. That happens pretty much every day.

Indeed....it's very common. This is the problem of being so proprietary like Apple does with soldering everything under the sun...

16GB is NOTHING these days. I'm determined to get the newest AW with the Skylake i7 so that it is at least DDR4...ie...future proof.

If Apple ever decides to launch a rMBP with 32GB of DDR4, I'm on it. But that can be a while....