I misread the pricing at one point so I have previously stated otherwise, but actually as far as I can tell the 32GB variant costs the same as before. So for the people buying 32GB of RAM, the amount in the base model didn't change anything. Which has been my argument all along: Please bitch about the price of the model you want to buy, not about the price of models you don't want to buy. A lot of the complainers here just got what they wanted, and it changed nothing.I suspect the “magic number” is going to be just a little more than whatever the base model provides. What else are the people here going to complain about, if not manufactured outrage?
Now that 16 is the norm, my guess is that it’s only a matter of time before attention turns to the 24 gb ram in the pro M models and how it seems like only a small boost over the default 16 gb and that Apple should provide 32 gb ram instead.
Or something along that line.
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Apple Silicon Unified Memory: How Much Mac RAM Do You Need?
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No, you weren't. You can stop trolling now.
This is a valid argument, which I have a lot more sympathy for than arguments that 8GB is not enough for anyone.
I have 16” Macbook Pro M2Max with 32 GB RAM. Should I sell it? Is it old?
I disagree - Apple is very likely making a healthy margin on everything they sell, including base models. Sure, they make even more when you upgrade, but there's no subsidizing going on. If everyone bought the base model, Apple would earn less -but the business case would very likely still hold up.
A big part of Apple being able to supply nicer hardware than most (if not all) competitors even in their base model, is the insanely high unit volume on each model, because their sales is not spread out on hundreds of model variants, like most of their competitors. This is an often overlooked reason for Apple's healthy overall margins - the concept of reaching many customers with few SKU's is a winning formula, that few have been able to imitate.
As long as people keep paying those prices they will stay. It’s unfortunate that the only alternative for many people is Windows, with a lot of software still not working on Linux, and Windows laptops are still lagging behind Apple Silicon.
The solution to change this is better competition and I just haven’t seen it.
The base Mac mini is definitely an insane machine. Perhaps even enough for some of my development tasks even though I would like 24-48 gb ram.
I don’t have a particular fondness towards any OS as I have used most for a good while, so my issue is upgrade cost for higher end macs just doesn’t work for me. A Mac with 32-48gb of ram costs more than a 32-48gb PC with a video card.
I can code and build with same efficiency and performance on Linux / headless Linux on an upgradable machine that will cost me less in the long term. There are times where I have thought of just getting a base mini just for Xcode only and move everything else to PC as the cost is definitely less. Something I might do once my current machine dies in a few years.
Sure the Mac is small but eh, not the deal breaker for me when considering pro work.
I don’t have a particular fondness towards any OS as I have used most for a good while, so my issue is upgrade cost for higher end macs just doesn’t work for me. A Mac with 32-48gb of ram costs more than a 32-48gb PC with a video card.
I can code and build with same efficiency and performance on Linux / headless Linux on an upgradable machine that will cost me less in the long term. There are times where I have thought of just getting a base mini just for Xcode only and move everything else to PC as the cost is definitely less. Something I might do once my current machine dies in a few years.
Sure the Mac is small but eh, not the deal breaker for me when considering pro work.
A good start, but without more specific application examples, not very useful. Or perhaps real world Intel usage versus Apple Silicon usage. 32GB under Intel is the same as 16GB under Apple Silicon and unified memory that Apple tells you isn't quite right.
When choosing a new Mac, one of the most important decisions you'll make is how much memory to configure. This guide helps you to work out how much RAM you need.
With the advent of Apple silicon and its unified memory architecture in 2020, the traditional understanding of RAM has evolved, leading to new considerations for users when selecting a memory option. Unlike traditional PC RAM, where separate components like the CPU and GPU each have their own dedicated memory pools, Apple's unified memory architecture allows all processing units to access a single, shared pool of high-bandwidth, low-latency memory.
As a result, in Apple silicon systems, data doesn't need to be copied between multiple memory areas, significantly improving speed and power efficiency. By uniting memory, Apple devices with this technology theoretically deliver superior performance across multitasking, creative workflows, and demanding applications while minimizing the latency typically associated with data transfer between separate memory types. With the optimizations of macOS, this means that less memory can go further than before, for most Mac users.
All Mac models now start with 16GB of memory, up from 8GB, with the option to upgrade to higher configurations with build-to-order models. However, choosing to do so can add considerable cost to the base price of a new Mac.
To help you make the best choice for your workflow and budget, here's a breakdown of who should choose each memory tier currently available in the entire Mac lineup and why it may be the right fit for you:
- 16GB: General users, students, and professionals with standard workloads should opt for 16GB. This configuration is perfect for those who primarily browse the web, stream content, use productivity apps, and perform multitasking. Thanks to the performance of Apple silicon and the efficiency of macOS, 16GB is more than sufficient for a smooth experience with everyday tasks.
- 24GB: Users who need slightly more headroom for multitasking and moderate creative work should consider 24GB. This tier is ideal for those who work with slightly heavier applications such as video editing, gaming, graphic design, or coding but do not push these tasks to the absolute extreme. It provides an additional buffer for users who run multiple intensive apps simultaneously and perform more multitasking than what 16GB can handle comfortably.
- 32GB or 36GB: Professionals engaging in intensive creative workflows, such as video editing in 4K, music production with multiple tracks, or large-scale coding projects, should opt for 32GB or 36GB. These configurations suit users who frequently use memory-heavy applications like Adobe Creative Cloud apps, Xcode, or virtual machines. It provides sufficient power for consistent performance without frequent reliance on disk swapping, even under substantial workloads.
- 64GB: Power users and creative professionals who manage high-resolution media and extensive multitasking should choose 64GB. It is ideal for those working on large 3D modeling projects, editing 8K video, or handling complex simulations and data analysis. This memory quantity should support running multiple virtual machines or advanced software development environments without any slowdown.
- 96GB: High-end creative professionals and developers handling intensive projects involving large datasets or media should consider 96GB. This tier offers significant overhead for those who need more than 64GB, ensuring seamless performance when editing multiple streams of high-resolution video, detailed 3D rendering, or working with substantial datasets that need to be kept in active memory.
- 128GB: Professionals in specialized fields like film editing, data science, or engineering should look at 128GB. This memory configuration is designed for workflows that involve extremely large projects and require vast amounts of data to be kept in active memory. It is perfect for those working on high-resolution visual effects in cinema, simulation-based software, or advanced scientific computations, providing robust multitasking and peak performance across demanding tasks.
- 192GB: Enterprise-level users, researchers, and industry professionals dealing with mission-critical, memory-intensive applications should opt for 192GB. This option is suitable for large-scale data processing, machine learning, or AI development, ensuring maximum efficiency and reducing the need for data swapping between RAM and storage. It is also ideal for developers working on complex server-side projects requiring powerful single-machine testing.
With Apple silicon's Unified Memory Architecture and macOS's efficient memory management, the base 16GB configuration now meets the needs of most users, providing a good balance of cost and performance for everyday computing tasks and moderate creative work.
The increasing importance of demanding artificial intelligence features like Apple Intelligence and the potential for more intensive applications over time mean that those with more demanding workflows or plans for longevity should consider upgrading the memory. Opting for 24GB or 32GB can provide an added buffer for the future, supporting heavier multitasking, creative software, and emerging AI features. Higher configurations, such as 64GB or more, are better for professionals in fields that require significant data handling, including video production, 3D rendering, and machine learning.
For users who already own an Apple silicon Mac, it will be worthwhile to evaluate your current system's performance to determine whether you'll need more memory next time around. Consider whether your current memory configuration handles your typical workload efficiently or if you experience slowdowns during multitasking or when using resource-intensive applications. Ultimately, your decision should balance your current workload, any anticipated future requirements, and cost—especially since adding memory can be expensive and it cannot be changed after purchase.
Article Link: Apple Silicon Unified Memory: How Much Mac RAM Do You Need?
Besides the business reasons which have already been correctly pointed out, there is the fact that RAM in a unified architecture like Apple Silicon provides is more expensive than RAM on a chip you can swap in and out. Particularly for AI purposes, unified memory is becoming a requirement for many purposes. People who are complaining about the cost/upgradability/amount of RAM in M-series machines seem to be unaware of this fact, and believe that RAM is just RAM. That is not the case.
I’m also a MacOS/Linux split user now for the same reason (easily upgradable and more cost-effective hardware), about the only OS I won’t touch is Windows. I’m considering getting a base model Mac mini to use alongside my Linux PC.
The PC is awesome for development work and gaming but MacOS is still better for some things like image editing. And fewer issues in general (partly my fault for choosing a notoriously difficult Linux distro and pairing it with an Nvidia GPU)
I'm pretty sure I know how much RAM I'll need in the M4 Mini I'm planning to buy. However, the big wild card as I see it is Apple Intelligence. It really appears that the main reason they made the minimum RAM spec 16GB was because 8GB was just not enough for Apple Intelligence. Does that mean I need to add 8GB onto what I think I need? Crap!
I was going to wait until early next year to purchase but am going to have to keep a close eye on availability as the Trump Tariff's are going to make absolutely everything unaffordable come late January early February next year.
I was going to wait until early next year to purchase but am going to have to keep a close eye on availability as the Trump Tariff's are going to make absolutely everything unaffordable come late January early February next year.
You are wrong when you say "before anyone says it's because of unified memory, it is not, competing architectures do this with expand-ability
Wrong. Although I abhor the term future proof because it implies doing something we cannot do, the statement "buy what you need now, no need to future proof" is wrong because a new box is only used in the future.
Planning for the future life cycle must be done. Choosing a short life cycle is fine, but is still in the future and should be planned for accordingly.
It's because of Apple Intelligence. LLMs har RAM hungry. If you can turn off Apple Intelligence and stop the LLM from loading into memory, 8Gb is still enough for a lot of people.
using the swap file at all is a sign that there's insufficient RAM for the apps you are currently using, even if you can't notice it due to the fast SSD.
My mid 2011 MacMini also has 8GB, and works just fine. No idea what the fuzz is about if one only uses it for light stuff. Max open apps are:
Safari
Firefox
Contacts
Calendar
Notes
iPhoto
MS Excel
some Garmin apps
Cmd-tab and I'm good. No waiting whatsoever.
64GB on my 27" iMac. Upgraded from the stock 8GB for $130.
Will spec 128GB on my next Mac for Blender, Creative Cloud, Unreal Engine, Studio One and lots of audio libraries and plugins. Thankfully with TB5 I'll be able to use a $600 8TB external SSD instead of paying $2,400 for Apple's hilariously rapacious 8TB internal drive. Winning.
Will spec 128GB on my next Mac for Blender, Creative Cloud, Unreal Engine, Studio One and lots of audio libraries and plugins. Thankfully with TB5 I'll be able to use a $600 8TB external SSD instead of paying $2,400 for Apple's hilariously rapacious 8TB internal drive. Winning.
That was exactly my point, people make it sound like it's the end of the world if the system swaps. I know very well I have too little RAM to run all those processes in RAM. But as a casual user, it is a non-issue that it swaps a little. People seem very gung-ho about having enough RAM that their system never swaps, and I'm sure it's very important for some use cases. But for the use I just described, it makes zero real world difference, at least for me. Would I notice if Safari was a little snappier? Maybe. Is it an issue? No. Is it a difference I want to pay more money for? Hell no.
I keep reading these horror stories about people's systems reporting errors and shutting down apps, etc. Maybe it just showcases how much of a casual user I am, but I simply can't get my computer to do it, with the apps I use. I probably could if I started 3 games at the same time, or tried to do gaming while batch-converting files or some other stupid ****, but that is very far outside of how I use my computer.
Apple AI so far has not been memory hungry on Macs, but that is observed with a 16GB Ram w/AS Mac. The big deal with memory was for iPhones and iPads so they could do most AI processing locally so they required 8 GB minimum for it to work. But as you know MacOS uses more memory then IOS so that seems to be why an obvious bump to 16 GB happened.
Sorry, but that doesn't make any sense at all. The article specifically says "16GB is more than sufficient". It doesn't say that you "need 16GB for the basics". It wouldn't make sense to talk about the use cases where 8GB would still be sufficient, since it is no longer possible to buy one with 8GB. I don't see any contradiction at all.
I never saw anywhere it stated that a Mac needed 16 GB for AI to function. 16 GB was more a future proof to the MacOS consuming more memory as time goes along. It's already used the 8GB for MacOS, VRAM with GPU, Apps and their caches, Safari with caches with each tab opened, and now these AI features which will only grow their memory usage as time goes on.
I can't really tell if this is a counter or a support to what I was saying? Or neither?
I need exactly 22.76432 GB of RAM and will not buy another Mac until they come out with this option......