First time Mac buyer

[nayak]

I am a first time buyer of MacBook Pro. I am a software developer and mostly going to use it for programming, movies and listening music. Some times I run heavy duty java applications, so having more ram is ideal for my use case. Considering price and portability, I decided to go for $1499 13" MacBook Pro.

If I go for 8Gb RAM, how much memory will be available for OS usage and how much will be used by graphics. Is it worth spending extra $200 for 16 GB?

 

[TechZeke]

I am a first time buyer of MacBook Pro. I am a software developer and mostly going to use it for programming, movies and listening music. Some times I run heavy duty java applications, so having more ram is ideal for my use case. Considering price and portability, I decided to go for $1499 13" MacBook Pro.

If I go for 8Gb RAM, how much memory will be available for OS usage and how much will be used by graphics. Is it worth spending extra $200 for 16 GB?

This is another 8 vs 16 GB RAM thread in disguise.

If you can afford it, get the 16GB. Honestly, if you have to ask, you probably don't need it.

Will the admins/mods/whatever PLEASE make a RAM sticky thread?

 

[yjchua95]

I am a first time buyer of MacBook Pro. I am a software developer and mostly going to use it for programming, movies and listening music. Some times I run heavy duty java applications, so having more ram is ideal for my use case. Considering price and portability, I decided to go for $1499 13" MacBook Pro.

If I go for 8Gb RAM, how much memory will be available for OS usage and how much will be used by graphics. Is it worth spending extra $200 for 16 GB?

Since it's not upgradeable post-purchase, max it out if you can afford it.

I always buy more than what I need now, because down the road, software requirements will increase over time, along with my needs.

 

[maflynn]

You probably don't need the 8GB but for peace of mind, especially of the plan is to keep the machine for a 3+ years its not a bad decision.

 

[glenthompson]

If you plan to ever run a virtual machine for software development you will want the 16gb. Running Parallels with Windows is the only time I need 16. Running just Mac apps 8 is usually fine.

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If you plan to ever run a virtual machine for software development you will want the 16gb. Running Parallels with Windows is the only time I need 16. Running just Mac apps 8 is usually fine.