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8 vs 16 GB for 2018 MBP 13” ?

W

waziazi

macrumors regular
Original poster
Aug 3, 2018
100
51
USA
So I have narrowed down the machine I am getting. First I had to decide between the 15 and 13 inch. Then i5 vs i7. And now I need to figure out if 8 or 16 GB is best for me. Some questions:

1. Does the next MacOS update handle memory more efficiently?

2. Is 8GB enough for photoshop and general use? I do no video editing.

3. Will switching to safari over chrome help a lot?
 
cryptodude said:
So I have narrowed down the machine I am getting. First I had to decide between the 15 and 13 inch. Then i5 vs i7. And now I need to figure out if 8 or 16 GB is best for me. Some questions:

1. Does the next MacOS update handle memory more efficiently?

2. Is 8GB enough for photoshop and general use? I do no video editing.

3. Will switching to safari over chrome help a lot?
Click to expand...

if you intend to keep the laptop for any length of time - 16GB.., same with storage, as high as you can. CPU is less important.
 
I got 16 GB even though I don't really need it, I thus broke my rule of only getting the base of whichever model I get. I am sure it will bite me in the ass resale wise in a year or so when I will want to switch.
 
I think 16 is a no brainer, primarily for the future... I’m sure 8 will get you by for a time, but ultimately won’t be sufficient
 
Storage I don’t need much of as I’ve never exceeded 128gb. Ram is still an unknown. Would the system consume more ram once hooked up to an external 4K display?

I plan on keeping it for 2 yrs. Until the new redesigned MacBooks are out. Which I assume is 2020
 
maflynn said:
I think 16 is the safe bet.
Click to expand...
I think so too. Will go with 16. I’ll have to wait a week but it’s no big deal. Lastly what is the best place you recommend ordering it from online? I usually go with macmall. But I’m wondering if there is another place with a better return policy. I believe macmall has a 15% restocking fee for opened laptops. And B&H doesn’t even accept returns. Any suggestions?

Oh and is AppleCare+ worth it? I only dropped my laptop once and that was because I was very clumsy. Usually that doesn’t happen.
 
cryptodude said:
Lastly what is the best place you recommend ordering it from online?
Click to expand...
I just stick with Apple.

AC+ is a completely different can of worms.

Your credit card may offer a free extended warranty. For instance, I purchased my MBP using my Amex, so I get a second year of coverage through American Express.

Apple offers two extended warranties - AppleCare + and AppleCare; the later is a pure extended warranty covering your laptop for 2 additional years (for a total of 3). AppleCare + adds accidental damage to the extended warranty but costs almost 400 dollars and the service fees for the repairs can run you as high as 300 dollars. Only you can tell if its worth it, personally, I don't think it is.

You have up to 60 days to purchase AppleCare Plus, and 365 days to purchase AppleCare.

Here's a nice little write up on AC+ which may help make up your mind.
Should you get AppleCare+ for your MacBook or MacBook Pro?
 
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cryptodude said:
Would the system consume more ram once hooked up to an external 4K display?
Click to expand...

Inevitably, but probably not enough to be significant.

Photoshop is a piece of string: if you're using many layers at high resolution you might be complaining that 32GB isn't enough, but if you're cropping and retouching photos a 4GB machine could get the job done.

The eaters of RAM are things like 4k video editing, audio production with loads of sampled instruments, virtual machines etc. 8GB should be fine for "general use" provided you're not an obsessive hoarder of open, ad-laden browser tabs (assuming that really is a RAM problem and not a CPU one).

That said, by all means get 16GB if it won't break the bank - with a MBP, if you get your RAM requirements wrong there's no upgrade path, so if I got a new MBP then, unless I was certain it was only going to be used for the basics (in which case I'd probably be looking at the non-TB MBP or the Air anyway) I'd probably play safe and go for 16GB.
 
Ordered the 16GB model from B&H. They had no taxes so I went with them. Now MacMall adds a tax unfortunately.

I think I’m happy now. I spent a lot of time deciding between the 15 and 13 and then i5 vs i7 and finally decided on the RAM. Final purchase i5/16/256/silver. Should be here in a week or two. I am upgrading from a 2014 15” MBP 2.2/16/256. Hope it will be a nice improvement. I am curious how the Iris Pro compares to the Iris Plus in the new MBPs. We’ll see.

Now I am thinking about getting the Apple leather sleeve. Will have to give that some thought and do more research. I would prefer a slim carrying case that can also house the power adapter and cable. Any suggestions on that? One that is a perfect fit for the 13 inch. And is there a alternative slim usbc power adapter better suited for travel as opposed to the brick included with the MacBook?

Thanks for all your help everyone!
 
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