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iPad Pro Do M4 iPad Pros with 8GB of RAM actually have 12GB?

layerstack said:
You need to enter it in the field that says 'FBGA Code'. Apple's Micron RAM chips often don't have the Micron logo and two lines of text as Micron chips made for other customers, so it might not be obvious at first.
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I got it, than you
 
The extra 4GB of RAM could do wonders to app management. Apps and Safari tabs could stay in the memory longer without reloading.

I have both M4 iPads. A 1TB Cellular and 256GB Wifi. The 256GB model with 8GB RAM is noticeably poor in keeping Safari tabs and apps unrefreshed state for more than a day.
 
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I was hoping that iPadOS 18 would unleash those 12GB of physical RAM, to make extra room for the needed memory for Apple Intelligence while respecting the current 8GB for the system…
 
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Given how cheap ram was up until a few weeks ago, it could have just been that it's cheaper for Apple to use larger RAM chips and skip the device testing and verification steps for 4gb RAM chips. Or maybe they didn't want to create a different internal SKU to track different parts. Or maybe RAM and motherboards are assembled at one factory, and the M4 is put on at a different factory, so it's easier to just have every motherboard available for every potential option.

Honestly, how much does a custom 4gb chip + verification for that SKU cost Apple versus just... not doing all of that work? I doubt that the lower end iPad Pro is a best seller.
 
lapstags said:
given that the m5 comes with 12gb of ram did this team out to be true
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No. The iPad Pro M4 continues to report 8 GB RAM. Anyhow, all we know is that some of those came with 12 GB RAM (with only 8 GB functional). It's very possible there is a mix of 12 GB and 8 GB units out there for chip supply reasons, but all of those will only have 8 GB functional regardless of what OS is installed.

EugW said:
Like the OP, I too find it interesting. We may never know for sure Apple’s reasoning, but it does provide some interesting discussion as to the possible reasons. It could just be cost and availability, but it could also point the possibility that the M4 MacBook Air, M4 MacBook Pro, and M4 Mac mini will finally come with 12 GB RAM base.

FWIW, I had been considering buying a used 8 GB M1 or M2 MacBook Air to replace my wife’s 2017 i5 MBA, but at the point I may just wait for a 12 GB M4 MBA next year instead, unless I can find that M1/M2 uber cheap.
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It turns out the M4 MBA came with 16 GB RAM, so I bought one. Even better!

However, I wonder what the rumoured A-series MacBook will come with.
 
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Apple_Robert said:
As a side question to the general topic, does anyone know of a good app that shows current usage and stats of memory, battery, CPU etc. for the iPad? (Like iStats for Mac)
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I don’t know if it qualifies as “good” but I have had this one for years, one-time purchase.

apps.apple.com

System Status Pro: hw monitor App - App Store

Download System Status Pro: hw monitor by Techet on the App Store. See screenshots, ratings and reviews, user tips, and more games like System Status Pro: hw…
apps.apple.com apps.apple.com
 
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EugW said:
No. The iPad Pro M4 continues to report 8 GB RAM. Anyhow, all we know is that some of those came with 12 GB RAM (with only 8 GB functional). It's very possible there is a mix of 12 GB and 8 GB units out there for chip supply reasons, but all of those will only have 8 GB functional regardless of what OS is installed.
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yes, 1tb and 2tb M4 = 16gb ram
 
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