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Guys, get 16 GB.
- Thread starter puma1552
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This is exactly why 16GB of RAM will likely be unnecessary for so many people. Plenty of people will buy a rMBA to use in much the same way they use a tablet. Consume content, post messages to Facebook or on forums, light word processing and email. Being a laptop running a computer OS, it will have more overhead, which is why the "middle-road" option of 8GB isn't a bad choice for anyone, however that does not mean that everyone that buys a rMBP will use it as a productivity device.
You don't generate 15-20% returns with below average volatility. No, ya don't. You can tell us that until you're blue in the face, but you're full of crap and I'm calling you on it.
By the way, you are the most arrogant person in this entire thread. Your entire tone sucks and does nobody but yourself a disservice.
Why are you even bringing up ROI in a thread about RAM? Compensating for something else? Seriously, who the hell starts bragging about their mad tyte investing skills in a thread about RAM?
GTFO.
Got a question for you guys. I'm deciding between ordering the 13" 2.6 i5 dual core with 16gb memory vs 15" 2.0 i7 quad core with 8gb memory. Gonna be using this for internet browsing and watching movies and what not. But I'm also going to install VM fusion with Windows 7 for Visual Studio for my programming class.
Which would be better for me? The 15" basic or 13" with 16 gb memory? Not sure if the quad core would be better than the 16gb..
Which would be better for me? The 15" basic or 13" with 16 gb memory? Not sure if the quad core would be better than the 16gb..
Exactly. A MBP esp a quad-core i7 equipped one is for people creating and producing content for the masses to consume on their Ipads. As a shareholder, its great that people who browse the web want to drop $2 grand for one, but I'm sorry, for anyone who buys such a machine, you're already off the reservation w.r.t to buying something far and beyond your requirements. The weakest link in this machine is the 8GB it comes standard w/. Given the amount of web surfer users in this thread, I first of all can't imagine you even using more than 15% of the capability of the processor in the base model 15"... So, yes... If you are that kind of person, getting 16GB isn't going to make a bit of sense to you.
After reading this entire thread, I am no longer going to get 16GB. I'll stick with the Mid Stock configuration with 8GB of ram.
If that is the case, you are already a clown for paying the premium to get a quad-core i7 processor to browse the web 2 tabs at a time. You're not even utilizing 85% of what the processor in the base model is capable of. So, if money is that much of an issue for you and your use case is two browser tabs, you've already blown a grand on something you don't need. So, as someone who needs these specs, I'm already looking at that type of user foolishly for having dropped $1k on something they dont need
Don't buy either one. Send your money to John to invest and you'll be a millionaire in no time.
How much time do you have before you need to make a purchase? I bought the 13" with 16GB Of RAM and all the bells and whistles (no, I don't need an i7, and I certainly don't need 1TB, but...well... why not.) with the intent of running Windows virtualized to run Visual Studio and SQL Server Management Studio. Once I get it, assuming no immediately obvious IR issues, I'd be happy to post my findings.
Whether or not this type of user needs a rMBP is a separate argument. This is about whether or not most users, which will include many people just like this, need 16GB of RAM if they decide to buy a rMBP.
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MBPs are and have always been built for professionals who need a powerful laptop. That is the user this machine was intended for. As to the other randos who just want a shiny MBP to impress their friends, thanks for blowing $1000 more than you had to. Keep your 8GB configuration and enjoy your fancy Ipad. Oppossed to what you believe, you are not the user that this laptop was made for... you're already off the reservation and probably could have been best served by :
I agree that it's the weakest link. Where I don't agree is the value, in money terms. If money is no object, or you don't care about value, then by all means spring for it. However, in doing so, one should recognize that it's mostly lost in resale value. Since the whole point of this discussion is for people who don't upgrade frequentlywhich could be for reasons of convenience, or could be for reasons involving moneyI'm simply suggesting that people in the latter boat evaluate total cost of ownership (TCO) calculations and consider pocketing that money and upgrading, say, one cycle sooner. That's it. I don't understand why this would even be controversial advice.
I hope you weren't referring to me with this line.
Oops, it was unimac. But you decided to involve yourself and call me a liar (about which you were wrong). So really, if anyone's responsible for derailing this, it was you with your replies. If you want this to end, it's easy. Stop replying. If you want to continue it, keep replying. Really, I don't care. Apparently others have found the discussion interesting. But don't moan at me for "derailing" your thread when you've been the guy keeping it going. That's as silly, as well, telling everyone they need to get 16GB of RAM in their laptop.
You mentioned opportunity cost of $200 as if you could turn that into gold if spent elsewhere. You mentioned opportunity cost in the context of having bought a $2,000 machine and an extra 10% in a reasonable upgrade that eliminates the weakest link of the machine. You mentioned utility and financially sound spending on a machine whose base model, under the scenario you put forth, is only 15% usage.
Excuse me for pointing it out, but if you drop 2 grand on a machine that you are only going to use 15% of in which there are several other lower cost options, aren't you the clown and not me whose pointing out the most reasonable upgrade to make the system well rounded?
So ignoring what other machine would best serve these people if they pick a rMBP and use it exactly as we have both described, as a shiny Chromebook, what is the best amount of RAM for their use case?MBPs are and have always been built for professionals who need a powerful laptop. That is the user this machine was intended for. As to the other randos who just want a shiny MBP to impress their friends, thanks for blowing $1000 more than you had to. Keep your 8GB configuration and enjoy your fancy Ipad. Oppossed to what you believe, you are not the user that this laptop was made for... you're already off the reservation and probably could have been best served by : [CHEEKY IMAGE]
Anyone that works with servers and have a real budget for said servers has seen high numbers for RAM. Even those of us without a decent budget know how high the numbers can go if you have the cash behind it. Me, I have a minimal budget and am forced to stretch a bunch of IT VMs with 8GB RAM as far as they can go, and these machines with only 8GB of RAM have performed admirably, running Windows no less.
We aren't talking about power users, we are talking about average users.
In the last six years, the minimum ram has increased from 2GB to 4GB. Fast forward another six years, and we're looking at an increase to 8GB. And that's not taking into account recent efficiencies such as memory compression. 16GB is a waste of money for the 'average' user.
Speaking as somebody still using 4GB, and having no trouble running Lightroom, Netbeans, XCode, iTunes, Safari, Libre Office, etc.
Speaking as somebody still using 4GB, and having no trouble running Lightroom, Netbeans, XCode, iTunes, Safari, Libre Office, etc.
Simple question : Why the heck are you spending $2,000 on a 15" MBP base model if you only intend to use 15% of what it is capable of? What financial sense does that make? I'd seriously love to hear your answer to this one...
TCO/Opportunity cost/depreciation ....
I have a 2007 17" MBP that I'm going to take out in my front lawn w/ my friends and go office space on when my new MBP arrives:
Wtf do those terms mean to me? I'm a working class professional and this thing is a tool by which I make my money .. And that's who it is intended for.. What do I look like sitting around worrying about a $200 sensible upgrade on a $2000 machine that will yield me far and above that in terms of utility?
You remind me of the guy who goes and buys a $70k BMW and then complains because it takes premium gas and not regular.. I don't buy tools I dont need. I don't own a tablet because I think it's nothing more than a big arse iphone... and that's exactly what it is. I spend the majority of my time creating things that people consume... I need a MBP. I don't buy a MBP to sit around reading about the things that other people are creating....
Now that's real utility ... Try to sort out the difference
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Pass me a Guinness bro ! lmfao
Why do you keep insisting that I'm only going to use 15% of its capability? You haven't even asked what I do with it. You haven't asked what my reasons for using a Mac over a PC are. You continue to make an absurd number of assumptions, and that's why your arguments continue to be fundamentally flawed.
No, I referred to creating TCO models and figuring out what makes the most financial sense, and considering an accelerated upgrade cycle as a result. Do you not understand what I'm saying?
See above. It negates the entirety of everything you wrote in that post.
Also, it's more than $200, although I hate to get on that tangent. Remember, you're paying for a BTO from Apple. That means sales tax. In most states, many resellers don't assess sales tax. So adjust your costs accordingly.
So.... for an average user who is buying a professional grade power usermachine to use as a chromebook, you've already made a financially unsound decision. You could have bought a chromebook for the cost of the RAM upgrade... Your best bet at this juncture, if money is an issue, which it seems it isn't from the purchase you already made, is to stick w/ the base config.
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