8gb or 16gm ram to go with 512 SSD?

[Infamous1050]

I finally pulled the trigger on 512ssd 4k Retina. But should I spend another $200 and go for 16gb ram? I'm already over my budget since I wanted to shoot for 1TB Fusion drive.

I won't be using ant professional programs except maybe some beginning coding in future for fun.

Any ideas?

I used my late 2009 iMac for 8 years and I plan on getting at least 4-5 years with this new machine.

 

[nambuccaheadsau]

Go with the 16GB, particularly if this is the 21.5" as Apple has designed them no to be user upgradeable.

If this is a 27"model go with 8GB and update via Crucial or OWC after you get it. Much , much cheaper.

 

[UL2RA]

Go with the 16GB, particularly if this is the 21.5" as Apple has designed them no to be user upgradeable.

If this is a 27"model go with 8GB and update via Crucial or OWC after you get it. Much , much cheaper.

Exactly this. Been doing this for a decade without any issues.

 

[Santabean2000]

I'd go 16GB, especially if you hold on to your Macs for a while.

 

[MCAsan]

I ordered our iMacs with 8GB then ordered 16GB of Crucial memory from B&H. So we have 24GB for less cost that 16GB from Apple.

 

[Infamous1050]

I ordered our iMacs with 8GB then ordered 16GB of Crucial memory from B&H. So we have 24GB for less cost that 16GB from Apple.

I'm guessing this is for 27" one?

 

[MCAsan]

No guessing involved as users can't add memory to 21" iMac.

 

[Infamous1050]

No guessing involved as users can't add memory to 21" iMac.

Apple.....SMH

 

[fathergll]

16gb - Don't cheap out on ram as you will be kicking yourself for not getting it a few years from now.

 

[Samuelsan2001]

Apple.....SMH

You can upgrade he RAM in the 21.5 inch; it’s dificult fiddly and may well void your warranty but it is possible. Take a look at the guide in iFixit.com before you decide.

 

[Altis]

I'd get the base 27" iMac with 8 GB of RAM and the 256 GB SSD option, which is $1899.

Assuming you're looking at the base 4k with 16 GB of RAM and 512 GB SSD, it's the same $1899 USD.

So they both cost exactly the same, but the 27" has a far more usable screen size and slightly better processor and graphics.

Then, when you have some additional funds laying around and you feel you actually need to, you can add RAM and a second SSD (in the free bay) for a fraction of what Apple would charge.

 

[Infamous1050]

I'd get the base 27" iMac with 8 GB of RAM and the 256 GB SSD option, which is $1899.

Assuming you're looking at the base 4k with 16 GB of RAM and 512 GB SSD, it's the same $1899 USD.

So they both cost exactly the same, but the 27" has a far more usable screen size and slightly better processor and graphics.

Then, when you have some additional funds laying around and you feel you actually need to, you can add RAM and a second SSD (in the free bay) for a fraction of what Apple would charge.

I already put in my order, but this sounds very logical and you managed to get in my head ugh.....BUT I don't think I'll ever need more than 16gb ram, and I have multiple external hard drives that I can use if I ever fill up my 512gb SSD.

The way I have my Imac set up, 27" screen will look too big. I use my mac mostly to watch movies and I feel very comfortable being up so close to my 21.5" inc. With 27", I would need to stay a little further back which I'd hate to do.

 

[Altis]

I already put in my order, but this sounds very logical and you managed to get in my head ugh.....BUT I don't think I'll ever need more than 16gb ram, and I have multiple external hard drives that I can use if I ever fill up my 512gb SSD.

The way I have my Imac set up, 27" screen will look too big. I use my mac mostly to watch movies and I feel very comfortable being up so close to my 21.5" inc. With 27", I would need to stay a little further back which I'd hate to do.

If you have external drives and aren't worried about RAM, then the 27" at the same price (as spec'd above) would be far better value since you aren't blowing cash on Apple's rip-off upgrade prices.

 

[fathergll]

I use my mac mostly to watch movies and I feel very comfortable being up so close to my 21.5" inc. With 27", I would need to stay a little further back which I'd hate to do.

I don't know how picky you are about PQ with movies but they are generally very soft on the 27" 5K iMac even with decent 1080p sources. This is because a 1080p source is about 2.1MP and it will look soft when displayed on a 5K monitor. You can't get 4k movies on the iMac unless you are finding ripped ones(which from my understanding are extremely rare)

I'd imagine the 21" 4k Retina iMac is better but still not ideal. Honestly a Mac Mini hooked up to a $100 1920x1080 monitor will look better for movies than dropping close to 2 grand for the 4k Retina iMac.