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Again: I run 4gb/500hdd, 4gb/256gb and 8gb/256gb
None of these machines show any beachballs for more then a fraction of a second. Even with medium video editing, photoshop and definitly not with hd.
Wtf r u doing that would give you beachballs all the time?
I was thinking about updating from hdd to ssd and add some ram but i honestly wouldnt need it at all.

My IDE is a hog (500 MB), flash, lots of photoshop files, audacity. I wasn't getting getting beachballs all the time but it enough that it caused a few short seconds of lag that the 8MB made everything so much more snappy.
 
I went backwards and forwards on this point for several days but definitely getting 16 GB now.
 
It all depends on the user. Computers these days are quite future proof. If you're just watching movies and doing typical things, you won't need the 16GB of ram. I would be fine with 2GB. :)

OS's are getting optimized a lot better (Vista was stupid).

SSD + Decent CPU/GPU and you're set for quite awhile.
 
Don't forget the dual gpu with 3gb and a quad core cpu!!

For future proofing definitely!
I can already feel the lag on my dual core.
So if u r a college student u better get another job. Because trust us:
You will need that 15" top end model.
 
It all depends on the user. Computers these days are quite future proof. If you're just watching movies and doing typical things, you won't need the 16GB of ram. I would be fine with 2GB. :)

OS's are getting optimized a lot better (Vista was stupid).

SSD + Decent CPU/GPU and you're set for quite awhile.


2gb? Really.. I need 16gb minimal

Ram Speeds

win.png
 
Pretty much disagree.

For 95%+ of people 8gb will still be fine even 5 years from now.

very few people are using their computer for tasks that would come close to needing 16gb.

Also the resale value won't justify the added expense. The machines that depreciate the least are the ones close to base models.
And when your usage pushes you from barely under that 95% into the 5%, then you are looking at another $2k+ layout for another machine.
 
And when your usage pushes you from barely under that 95% into the 5%, then you are looking at another $2k+ layout for another machine.
If it takes you 5 years to reach that point, your machine had a good run, and you might just be due for an upgrade.

Assume that the extra 8GB buys you an extra year of usage, something we cannot validate as it will depend on the user. So you spend $200 for an extra year. How much more does your machine depreciate for that extra year? That's one more model past what you already have.

For most people, this is not some sort of $200 guarantee. It assumes no hardware failures out of warranty, no damage caused by the user, no theft, etc. No other parts, like the CPU or the SSD, becoming a limiting factor.

If it takes less than 5 years, then you aren't in the 95% that iluvbeer99 mentioned.
 
Trust me, those are the same people who will be starting threads in 3 years wondering what they can do to speed up their computer and the answer will be nothing since the RAM is soldered to the logic board.
Who the hell uses the same computer for 3 years?:confused:
1 year is enough, buy the new one when it's released and sell your old one.
It's faster, safer (you won't be using an old machine that could fail in any moment and will probably cost you a fortune to repair it) and not very expensive. (keep in mind you don't need apple care).

I can't even imagine using a 2010 macbook pro.
Core 2 Duo, dual core, TN screen, low-res, usb 2.0.
Haha, what a joke!
 
Who the hell uses the same computer for 3 years?:confused:

The vast, vast, vast majority of people.:rolleyes:

Considering Apple replaced my machine for free with a better one at the two year mark, I'm ahead of someone who takes the biggest depreciation hit and sells their machine every year. It might not cost a lot to upgrade every year, but it still costs more than someone who keeps their machine longer - it's no different than a car depreciation.
 
Who the hell uses the same computer for 3 years?:confused:
1 year is enough, buy the new one when it's released and sell your old one.
It's faster, safer (you won't be using an old machine that could fail in any moment and will probably cost you a fortune to repair it) and not very expensive. (keep in mind you don't need apple care).

I can't even imagine using a 2010 macbook pro.
Core 2 Duo, dual core, TN screen, low-res, usb 2.0.
Haha, what a joke!

If you calculate inflation into that method, its perhaps the worst financial advise I've seen on this board.
 
Who the hell uses the same computer for 3 years?:confused:
1 year is enough, buy the new one when it's released and sell your old one.
It's faster, safer (you won't be using an old machine that could fail in any moment and will probably cost you a fortune to repair it) and not very expensive. (keep in mind you don't need apple care).

I can't even imagine using a 2010 macbook pro.
Core 2 Duo, dual core, TN screen, low-res, usb 2.0.
Haha, what a joke!


7 years here. Still handles 60% of my needs.
 
Just bought :
15-inch MacBook Pro with Retina display

$2,299.00

With the following configuration:

• 2.3GHz Quad-core Intel Core i7, Turbo Boost up to 3.5GHz
• 16GB 1600MHz DDR3L SDRAM
• 256GB PCIe-based Flash Storage
• Backlit Keyboard (English) & User's Guide
• Accessory Kit

I went to the apple store and easily hit 7.68GB of usage under a mild scenario .. No VMs were used. I'm sorry, but 8GB is the minimum for a 2013 machine. For all of those making jokes, you'd be amazed at how much memory chrome uses once you get several tabs loaded. Further, if you have any understanding of how a computer's memory hierarchy works or how modern Operating systems work, you'd understand the more RAM you have, the more things can be cache'd.

If i'm already paying $2,000 for a machine, I'm sorry, but an extra $200 isn't ***** to ensure it is going to be a solid machine for ~4-5 years... $40 more a year.. big woop. My problem would be actually be with dropping $2,000 on a machine and then within a year noting that I am hitting the RAM limits.. and oh wait :eek:, I can't upgrade it. If you are pushing into the 15" mbp space, you are already deciding you want performance. If 8GB was suitable, I would have opted for the Feb 13' MBP w/ a dual core and not quad core processor.

But whatever... To each is their own. I have the machine I need and I guess for others 8GB is just fine for 4-5 years.

----------

7 years here. Still handles 60% of my needs.

My 2007 17" MBP can't even play HD youtube videos w/o the fans going ballistic.. it burning a hole in my leg and both cores new 70-80% usage... and that's after putting a SSD drive in it.. 4GB RAM.
 
Yeah Im sure the base MacBook Pro can not handle photoshop :roll eyes: .....at all ..... in fact editing pictures will cause several minutes of lag and beach balling.
Dude, u gotta be kidding right?

No wonder there is clueless folks starting threads on what rmbp they should get for their extensive need tasks of emailing and web browsing.

To clarify once again: The rmbp with 4gigs of ram can photoshop, aperture, iMovie, play some netflix and have 20 tabs in safari open, all at the same time, without any glitch whatsoever.
U can't be telling me apple sells u a machine for 1300,- that opens ****** emails!!

i got a brand-new mba at home with haswell and yes ! 4gigs of ram.
it runs and multitasks like greased lightning.
It actually fells faster than the 8gig haswell rmbp i am writing on at the moment. maybe cuz it doesn't hav to support the retina.

Say what? My Mavericks 2011 13" MBP 2.7ghz 8gb ram is lagging with photoshop (2 photos open), Adobe bridge, Chrome (5 tabs), Aperture (main library open), iTunes, and couple PDF files open.

$200 on a $2000+ laptop should not be considered an issue.

If all you do is watch movies, go on the internet and email, go for the 8gb. Hell if thats all you do, the 11" MBA is just as fine.

I remember back when 8gb was such a godsend. God damn it people, buy 16gb's if you need it. If you don't, feel free to make a thread in 5 years asking how to speed up your computer.
 
I'm inclined to agree with OP's assessment.

I'm not, because it's an asinine, blanket claim without regard to how different people use their computers. For some users, 16GB absolutely makes sense. For others, depending on their usage and their upgrade horizons, 8GB makes sense.

Telling people what they "need" to do, and basing that statement on a whole bunch of assumptions, is the height of arrogance.
 
Who the hell uses the same computer for 3 years?:confused:
1 year is enough, buy the new one when it's released and sell your old one.
It's faster, safer (you won't be using an old machine that could fail in any moment and will probably cost you a fortune to repair it) and not very expensive. (keep in mind you don't need apple care).

I can't even imagine using a 2010 macbook pro.
Core 2 Duo, dual core, TN screen, low-res, usb 2.0.
Haha, what a joke!
Must be lonely looking down your nose at everyone else.

I have a family who gets hand me down computers. I use a mid-2012 cMBP with 16gigs of RAM(4->16). The misses uses my old 2.53Ghz C2D with 8 gigs of RAM(upgraded twice). My son used my older still, 1.83 CD(RAM upgraded once) for playing minecraft.

Perhaps I should just spend $6k every year then, right?

SMH
 
If i'm already paying $2,000 for a machine, I'm sorry, but an extra $200 isn't ***** to ensure it is going to be a solid machine for ~4-5 years... $40 more a year.. big woop.

Your conclusion is flawed because your assumption—that the extra RAM suddenly will make it a "solid machine" half a decade later—is flawed. Moreover, your entire calculus is flawed. Saving that $200 now and earning a reasonable rate of return on that, and in turn upgrading your computer sooner, makes a lot of sense. It is especially logical given that add-ons like RAM depreciate more steeply than a basic machine itself.
 
Guys, get 16 GB.

My 2007 17" MBP can't even play HD youtube videos w/o the fans going ballistic.. it burning a hole in my leg and both cores new 70-80% usage... and that's after putting a SSD drive in it.. 4GB RAM.

Didn't say it was fun.

9 months ago, I put in an SSD to buy time for Haswell.

As much as I love this old slugger, I'm not going to miss it.

Things I can't do with it, 4GB ram and SSD:
- HD YouTube
- 1080p mkv
- Lightroom without beach balling every time I move a slider.
- Photoshop anything.


I can still have 60 tabs spread across 3 browser windows for research though.
 
If you calculate inflation into that method, its perhaps the worst financial advise I've seen on this board.

Actually, his advice was sound. You're assuming some things about resale and purchase values that are incorrect. I've been using yearly upgrade cycles since 2004. It can be incredibly cost effective, done right.
 
Say what? My Mavericks 2011 13" MBP 2.7ghz 8gb ram is lagging with photoshop (2 photos open), Adobe bridge, Chrome (5 tabs), Aperture (main library open), iTunes, and couple PDF files open.

$200 on a $2000+ laptop should not be considered an issue.

If all you do is watch movies, go on the internet and email, go for the 8gb. Hell if thats all you do, the 11" MBA is just as fine.

I remember back when 8gb was such a godsend. God damn it people, buy 16gb's if you need it. If you don't, feel free to make a thread in 5 years asking how to speed up your computer.

we have no idea if ram is actually your issue :)
 
Must be lonely looking down your nose at everyone else.

I have a family who gets hand me down computers. I use a mid-2012 cMBP with 16gigs of RAM(4->16). The misses uses my old 2.53Ghz C2D with 8 gigs of RAM(upgraded twice). My son used my older still, 1.83 CD(RAM upgraded once) for playing minecraft.

Perhaps I should just spend $6k every year then, right?

SMH

You're poor!:rolleyes:
 
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