Future proofing?

[Bri in Mtl]

I, and perhaps others too, would like to understand this "future proofing" talk that's mentioned in so many different posts.
Is it simply that within a certain time frame more and more apps/programs will need the additional RAM and/or processor speed to work or operate better?
Also, how far down the road do you folks feel this "future" point in time is?

 

[ElderBrE]

I, and perhaps others too, would like to understand this "future proofing" talk that's mentioned in so many different posts.
Is it simply that within a certain time frame more and more apps/programs will need the additional RAM and/or processor speed to work or operate better?
Also, how far down the road do you folks feel this "future" point in time is?

Depends on what you will do with the machine. Generally speaking, future proofing is mostly about RAM, since HDD space can always be handled by moving stuff externally and CPU speed within a same architecture will not make you hold for an update any longer. Basically, you want to get as much RAM as you will need in 2-3 years or longer if you plan to hold onto the machine.

However, Mavericks first reports about RAM compression are amazing, and it makes going in with less RAM less of an issue for the future.

These issues are of course relative to the non-possibility of upgrading the components as they are soldered or can't reach them easily.