I have joined your ranks

[jav6454]

I know that, I don't have a problem grasping such things, which is why I don't put a 450 Hemi in my Ford Fiesta (for lack of a better comparison). In other words, if I really needed a computer with 16GB RAM I would get a 15" Pro or the like. I believe the 13" Air is intended as an on-the-go computer. I do not need to edit 4k video with 250 open browser tabs in a coffee shop.

If I had to buy into all this future proofing hype I would be regretting my 8. I am not. I am as happy as a pig in ***t with my choice, and it is already capable of way more than I need it to do right now. If you really need 16 RAM you should know it already and should not need to ask such questions. The fact that people ask means they are doubting, in which case I just say get the entry level machine and be done with it.

Oh, and who needs to put over 200GB of apps on a 13" entry level laptop? I'm genuinely curious.

And for the record, I have no problem with people buying specced out machines, it's their money. I only share my experience so those who think they may have similar needs can make an informed decision.

Your analogy makes no sense. While 8GB makes sense for you, it might not make it for someone else.

Also, 200GB of apps is what? 3 big ones? That's it? Remember, this is a portable computer. While it's nice to share experiences, I'd rather tend to focus on what the poster actually needs as it's their needs we have to address.

 

[GuruZac]

They do. That’s where Citrix comes into play. It makes remoting into their various applications, many home grown, easier regardless of what platform I am on.

Yep, I have to launch Citrix before Allscripts opens. I use VM Hardware app to run Epic when I’m on in patient rounds.

 

[wineandcarbs]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but it seems like even fairly basic tasks can end up using a lot of memory these days. Heck it seems like even browsing (without 19350185 tabs open) can sometimes end up using a fair amount of memory (I realize it depends on the website, if one is watching videos, etc.).

 

[GuruZac]

I know that, I don't have a problem grasping such things, which is why I don't put a 450 Hemi in my Ford Fiesta (for lack of a better comparison). In other words, if I really needed a computer with 16GB RAM I would get a 15" Pro or the like. I believe the 13" Air is intended as an on-the-go computer. I do not need to edit 4k video with 250 open browser tabs in a coffee shop.

If I had to buy into all this future proofing hype I would be regretting my 8. I am not. I am as happy as a pig in ***t with my choice, and it is already capable of way more than I need it to do right now. If you really need 16 RAM you should know it already and should not need to ask such questions. The fact that people ask means they are doubting, in which case I just say get the entry level machine and be done with it.

Oh, and who needs to put over 200GB of apps on a 13" entry level laptop? I'm genuinely curious.

And for the record, I have no problem with people buying specced out machines, it's their money. I only share my experience so those who think they may have similar needs can make an informed decision.

I think your perception of MacBook Air performance may be operating under the Intel based models. The M1 MacBook Air changed everything. It is more powerful than the 2019 i7 and i9 16” MacBook Pro in many processor intensive tasks. It’s not a browsing and light work only machine. It can handle serious workloads, especially if you up for the 16GB RAM model.

 

[Cognizant.]

I think your perception of MacBook Air performance may be operating under the Intel based models. The M1 MacBook Air changed everything. It is more powerful than the 2019 i7 and i9 16” MacBook Pro in many processor intensive tasks. It’s not a browsing and light work only machine. It can handle serious workloads, especially if you up for the 16GB RAM model.

Yeah, the M1 is a breakthrough in performance for ultra portable laptops.

 

[eicca]

I haven't had a problem with the 8GB of RAM, but I would be curious to do a back to back test with a 16GB machine.

I have noticed that, very infrequently, the M1 Air will lag ever so slightly.

My ancient Mac Pro never lags. Ever. Wonder if it has to do with the 24GB of RAM I have in it.

 

[GuruZac]

I haven't had a problem with the 8GB of RAM, but I would be curious to do a back to back test with a 16GB machine.

I have noticed that, very infrequently, the M1 Air will lag ever so slightly.

My ancient Mac Pro never lags. Ever. Wonder if it has to do with the 24GB of RAM I have in it.

I wonder if it may be either bugs in being first gen Apple silicon or bugs in the software causing the slight lags you’re seeing. The slowest apps for me seem to be the Microsoft office suite of apps, but they still open substantially faster than they did on my 2017 13” MacBook Pro.

 

[exoticSpice]

I haven't had a problem with the 8GB of RAM, but I would be curious to do a back to back test with a 16GB machine.

More RAM defintely helps

 

[jav6454]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but it seems like even fairly basic tasks can end up using a lot of memory these days. Heck it seems like even browsing (without 19350185 tabs open) can sometimes end up using a fair amount of memory (I realize it depends on the website, if one is watching videos, etc.).

Just open a Youtube tab and see the memory go bye-bye. One Youtube tab managed to grab 1.2GB of RAM. Crazy.

 

[eicca]

Just posting another real-world comparison here. At work I use a 2020 i5 MacBook Air. I watched the WWDC keynote in Picture-in-Picture at 1080p 30fps. The computer got pretty laggy and nice and hot while doing my usual web-based work.

As part of my M1 Air tests, I made it play a 4k HDR 60fps video in the background while I went about my business. Couldn't even tell the video was there. Smooth and cool.

 

[jav6454]

Just posting another real-world comparison here. At work I use a 2020 i5 MacBook Air. I watched the WWDC keynote in Picture-in-Picture at 1080p 30fps. The computer got pretty laggy and nice and hot while doing my usual web-based work.

As part of my M1 Air tests, I made it play a 4k HDR 60fps video in the background while I went about my business. Couldn't even tell the video was there. Smooth and cool.

Goes to show that the M1 packs a punch many people ignore. Instead of being obsessed with the M2, take a step back and look at the M1. It's here, it's cheaper and runs laps around even modern CPUs.