Do I absolutely need 8GB RAM for my uses?

[MacAndMic]

If it needs ram, it will swap to the SSD. The SSD's in these things are very fast, it's not like when you use a mechanical disk.

I appreciate when people say to "future" proof the device but how long are you going to actually keep it? 5 years maybe (if you are conservative with having to have the latest and greatest). Do you see programs requiring another 4gb of memory in the next 5 years, I don't. And even if they did, the processor and graphics would need an upgrade as well....hence you'd be upgrading to a new device.

Now if the air came with a mechanical disk, heck yeah I'd upgrade the ram but like I said,the SSD is very fast.

 

[Bach2011]

I would like to get i5/256GB/8GB RAM too but it seems to be only available through Apple which total cost including tax ($110) is above $1,5xx. If I go with 4GB RAM from Amazon, it will cost around $1,235. That means about $300 for 4GB RAM which I think it's way too much. Even there is educational discount at this moment but it's not cash back.

just my 2 cents

 

[Appledreamer]

I need a computer now and can't wait for the shipping. Here are things I'll be running. Would 4GB run fine?

Xcode 5

Firefox

Spotify

Pixelmator

I'll probably buy a MacBook Pro Retina 15" in December. Quick question, can I transfer my Xcode project from a Mac to a different Mac and have everything work seamlessly?

Thanks

no.

 

[scaredpoet]

no it isn't. you're on the Macbook Air forum, remember? It's not a Ferrari, it's a work horse. I would agree with you if we were talking about the Pro.

Actually, I've always seen it as the other way around: The MacBook Pro is the workhorse (hence, Pro), intended for hard labour, everyday work, but in use cases where a desktop won't do. The Air is the Ferrari: quick, light, built for looks.

A better car/tyre analogy for this case would be to claim that upgrading is like putting racing tyres on your 4cyl accord. If you're doing work that really requires 8 gigs maybe the pro is the better machine for you?

I guess people's use case opinion differ, but I honestly think a lot of people would eventually be sorry they bought 4GB if they intend to keep their MBA for anything longer than a year.

 

[m98custom1212]

I would like to get i5/256GB/8GB RAM too but it seems to be only available through Apple which total cost including tax ($110) is above $1,5xx. If I go with 4GB RAM from Amazon, it will cost around $1,235. That means about $300 for 4GB RAM which I think it's way too much. Even there is educational discount at this moment but it's not cash back.

just my 2 cents

go to b and h has many macbook airs configs

 

[Bach2011]

go to b and h has many macbook airs configs

They even offer freebies! Thanks.

 

[DisplacedMic]

Actually, I've always seen it as the other way around: The MacBook Pro is the workhorse (hence, Pro), intended for hard labour, everyday work, but in use cases where a desktop won't do. The Air is the Ferrari: quick, light, built for looks.



I guess people's use case opinion differ, but I honestly think a lot of people would eventually be sorry they bought 4GB if they intend to keep their MBA for anything longer than a year.

i hear you - i suppose it is a matter of opinion. but once again, if the pro is the workhorse and the air is "built for looks" then i still don't think the extra ram is as essential as has been stated.
either way the car analogy breaks down - especially when we are talking about a 6-figure sports car and comparing it to Apple's "economy" macbook.

 

[Viantef]

Just do it... its only 90 bucks over 3+ years of you owning the machine. What if one day you need it?

I'll probably sell this machine and buy a Pro Retina in December. I think I'm just going to go with 4GB.

I'm 16, so I my computer would be likely upgraded before I go off to college in the summer of 2015.

 

[beautifulcoder]

Actually, I've always seen it as the other way around: The MacBook Pro is the workhorse (hence, Pro), intended for hard labour, everyday work, but in use cases where a desktop won't do. The Air is the Ferrari: quick, light, built for looks.

********. Portability aside, the 2013 MBA can do all the same things the 2012 rMBP can do better. The only thing missing is Retina. My MBA is a total beast, btw.

 

[B...]

No you don't. But you might 4 years from now.

 

[hockeyfanatic]

When I took C+ in school we had 64MB Ram.
4GB Ram will be overkill.

 

[AXs]

********. Portability aside, the 2013 MBA can do all the same things the 2012 rMBP can do better. The only thing missing is Retina. My MBA is a total beast, btw.

Oh good, your new laptop is better than outdated technology.

Once the new Retinas come out in September with 2.4ghz i7 and Iris Pro 5200, your definition of 'beast' will change very quickly.

 

[ZBoater]

Oh good, your new laptop is better than outdated technology.

Once the new Retinas come out in September with 2.4ghz i7 and Iris Pro 5200, your definition of 'beast' will change very quickly.

I don't get this. And when the 2014 MBAs come out, it will change yet again. So what? A 1 year old laptop is now "outdated technology"???

The FACT is that there is an overlap in performance between the Air and Pro lines. So don't get too excited about the upcoming Pros. The difference ain't all that, and most people wouldn't care or notice (except the extra weight and size carrying the things around). Those who care won't be confused by the "beastliness" of the MBA....

 

[AXs]

Your argument makes no sense whatsoever. Actually I'm not even sure what your premise is, to your argument.

I'm guessing what you're trying to say is that last year's MBP isn't outdated? That ivy bridge isn't outdated?

Do you know what outdated means? No one is saying they're no longer usable... But fact is they are no longer current.

Why is he comparing a new Haswell Which is the current technology, to an Ivy Bridge? Makes no sense.

Of course it is supposed to be better.

And yes, when Haswell-E comes out along with DDR4 next year, my 2013 MBA will also be obsolete. Still very functional and fits my requirements, but nevertheless it will be outdated hardware.

 

[DisplacedMic]

Do you know what outdated means?

Do you?

 

[ZBoater]

Do you know what outdated means? No one is saying they're no longer usable... But fact is they are no longer current.

Yes, I do.

out·dat·ed [out-dey-tid]
adjective
no longer in use or fashionable; out-of-date; outmoded; antiquated.

The 2012 MBPro is not outdated. And even if you stuck to the "not being current" definition, the 2012 MBPro is still not outdated. The 2013 MBPros are not out, so the 2012 MBPros ARE current.

 

[throAU]

Just do it... its only 90 bucks over 3+ years of you owning the machine. What if one day you need it?

Or, for the bean counters out there: roughly 10 cents per day.


edit:
I find it amusing people whining bout spending 10c per day on RAM "in this economy" and then in the same breath implying that if you want to do real workhorse type stuff you need to buy a MBP.

LOL

The MBA is a beast of a machine. Don't cripple it because you're too cheap to spare 10c per day over 3 years.

And that's theoretical anyway, because in 3 years time, you'll actually be able to sell an 8 gig model for a good hundred bucks more than what the 4 gig will sell for, because they're both non-upgradable, and as 8 gigs becomes more necessary, the 4 gig models will become pretty useless.

And if your time is worth anything (my work rate is about 60/hr, i consider my spare time worth double that as I have little of it), then if it saves me 1 hour of my life over 3 years, it's already paid for itself....

 

[Cheffy Dave]

$100, if that kills the deal for you, shouldn't be buying Apple,

 

[AXs]

Look guys. By no means is the Ivy-Bridge expired.

Still, it's no longer the latest technology available by Intel.

That means it is outdated. Because we have Haswell.

If you guys disagree further, then sure, whatever makes you happy.

But Haswell will too be out of date next year when ddr4 comes out.

But for now, Haswell is the the latest tech.

 

[ZBoater]

And if a Haswell-based MBPro existed TODAY, then it would be current. But to call the current MBPro "outdated" is silly.

 

[DisplacedMic]

Or, for the bean counters out there: roughly 10 cents per day.


edit:
I find it amusing people whining bout spending 10c per day on RAM "in this economy" and then in the same breath implying that if you want to do real workhorse type stuff you need to buy a MBP.

LOL

The MBA is a beast of a machine. Don't cripple it because you're too cheap to spare 10c per day over 3 years.

And that's theoretical anyway, because in 3 years time, you'll actually be able to sell an 8 gig model for a good hundred bucks more than what the 4 gig will sell for, because they're both non-upgradable, and as 8 gigs becomes more necessary, the 4 gig models will become pretty useless.

And if your time is worth anything (my work rate is about 60/hr, i consider my spare time worth double that as I have little of it), then if it saves me 1 hour of my life over 3 years, it's already paid for itself....

this is nonsense. A MBA with 4 gigs of RAM is not "crippled"

 

[throAU]

this is nonsense. A MBA with 4 gigs of RAM is not "crippled"

Give it 3 years.

 

[racoop]

Give it 3 years.

What is all this crippled stuff? OP, I'm still using my 2010 MBA 11" with 4GB/128GB/1.6GHz, and it works absolutely fine three years later. In no way way has it been put out to pasture - because it still rocks. Sure, a new machine might shave 30 seconds off my day, but I don't call that crippled.

 

[throAU]

What is all this crippled stuff? OP, I'm still using my 2010 MBA 11" with 4GB/128GB/1.6GHz, and it works absolutely fine three years later. In no way way has it been put out to pasture - because it still rocks. Sure, a new machine might shave 30 seconds off my day, but I don't call that crippled.

Yes, and if you had have ordered the modern day 4GB equivalent in 2010 (i.e. 2GB), you'd currently have a machine no body wants that is of limited use.

 

[AXs]

And if a Haswell-based MBPro existed TODAY, then it would be current. But to call the current MBPro "outdated" is silly.

Bro, as a laptop - no, it's not outdated.

But the cpu is last year's CPU. The ram is last year's- DDRL.

In the IT world, new tech is expected minimum yearly.

There's nothing wrong with using last year's Mac tech though!

Dont be offended by that. Next year when people talk about how awesome their MBA ddr4 is... I'm still going to use my Haswell MBA to fulfill EVERYTHING I need to do.


Yes, I will admit that the cpu and ddr3 will not be as pimp as next year's tech, but I will still be fully proud to tell EVERYONE I use a Haswell... up till 3 years when I get a new Mac.

I use an S3 too. Not updating to S4. There's no need to get the latest tech always. Just be content with what you have. Then it doesn't matter what anyone says.