8 GB RAM or more SSD?
- Thread starter bubulol
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
GGJstudios
macrumors Westmere
It really depends on your particular needs. You could always store additional files on an external drive, if needed, but you can't add more RAM after purchase. While 4 GB of RAM may be be suitable for your needs, I probably lean toward getting 8 GB.
I currently have a 2013 i7/8g/512gb MBA but previously had a 2011 i5/4g/256gb MBA (4gb and 256gb were maximum you could get in 2011). Really, I was very happy with that machine and I ran Final Cut Pro, Logic Pro, Photoshop, VectorWorks and other professional software with no problem.
If it were me, I would get the 256gb SSD because I want to keep as much as possible onboard. And if I'm editing video it's especially nice to have enough space for a project or two.
Others will point out that the SSD is user upgradable but RAM is not. This is very true, however personally I don't think an SSD upgrade makes sense financially unless prices have dropped a lot, and I'm not sure if anyone even offers one for the 2013 models yet.
For me, 128gb just wouldn't be enough for what I want to keep on the laptop so that would be the deciding factor. But you need to decide that for yourself.
If it were me, I would get the 256gb SSD because I want to keep as much as possible onboard. And if I'm editing video it's especially nice to have enough space for a project or two.
Others will point out that the SSD is user upgradable but RAM is not. This is very true, however personally I don't think an SSD upgrade makes sense financially unless prices have dropped a lot, and I'm not sure if anyone even offers one for the 2013 models yet.
For me, 128gb just wouldn't be enough for what I want to keep on the laptop so that would be the deciding factor. But you need to decide that for yourself.
It also depends on how long you plan on keeping the MacBook Air.
If you're going to swap it out for a newer model in a couple of years, the 4GB RAM might be adequate. However, future versions of OS X will likely have more memory requirements, leaving less free memory available for running applications.
If you plan on keeping your Air until Apple obsoletes it from the OS X upgrades, you'll probably want to go with the 8GB version, since you can't upgrade RAM.
cerberusss
macrumors 6502a
I went with the bigger RAM. However, I do keep music off of my main drive, and often carry an external hard drive.
Basically, my disk looks like this:
25G for OS including swap and sleep files
25G for applications
5G for mail
20G for documents
5G in downloads that vary more or less in size
Basically, my disk looks like this:
25G for OS including swap and sleep files
25G for applications
5G for mail
20G for documents
5G in downloads that vary more or less in size
Mike in Kansas
macrumors 6502a
I think you should either buy a 256/8GB on refurb OR save for a couple more months or so. I think both the 128/8 and the 256/4 will be limiting in the long run. Kinda like getting a 16GB iPad. But that's just me...
Dweez
macrumors 65816
Quoted for truth and clarity.
Jonathanchasr
macrumors newbie
RAM or more Storage answer
Depends on what tasks you will be doing on that computer, If you will have more programs running at once then more RAM will be better and remember the RAM is soldered onto the board so you cannot upgrade in the future however the SSD is replaceable. If you do regular tasks such as web browsing, email and just documents then none of the upgrades are useful. More programs open means 8GB of RAM is more suited, if you have a lot of songs, photos and videos then the larger SSD will be a better choice. But you can always hook up a external hard drive to store your media. In my opinion I would choose 8GB of RAM due to the fact that I already have all of my media files stored in multiple hard drives.
Depends on what tasks you will be doing on that computer, If you will have more programs running at once then more RAM will be better and remember the RAM is soldered onto the board so you cannot upgrade in the future however the SSD is replaceable. If you do regular tasks such as web browsing, email and just documents then none of the upgrades are useful. More programs open means 8GB of RAM is more suited, if you have a lot of songs, photos and videos then the larger SSD will be a better choice. But you can always hook up a external hard drive to store your media. In my opinion I would choose 8GB of RAM due to the fact that I already have all of my media files stored in multiple hard drives.
ZBoater
macrumors G3
You have chosen wisely.
Attachments
cerberusss
macrumors 6502a
I won't, but it might be possible to desolder the RAM with a heat gun, and change them for ICs with a bigger capacity
