Is 2GB of RAM enough for me?

[major7]

why isnt the 128GB version "upgradable" to 2.13GHz? Does that mean anything about how unnecessary having 2.13GHz is on this machine?

 

[KPOM]

why isnt the 128GB version "upgradable" to 2.13GHz? Does that mean anything about how unnecessary having 2.13GHz is on this machine?

For the same reason that some trim lines of cars aren't equipped with GPS. Apple likely thinks 10 configurations of the Air are more than enough, and that 12 might be too much to manage efficiently given the expected sales volumes.

 

[silverblack]

After reading 3 pages of debates between the "2 GB" and "4 GB" camps, I have the following conclusions:

From the "4 GB" camp:

1. Many the people supporting 4 GB have not received (or not ordered) their 4 GB-MBAs. Many based their decision on previous experience of older MBAs. Others use the future-proof argument... although the resell-lost usually is greater for more expensive models.

2. The point about the relatively inexpensive option to go to 4 GB was stated over and over again. However, for many people the issue is not the money, but the BTO wait time.

From the "2 GB" camp:

1. Those that did buy the new MBA with 2 GB seemed to be happy with not having 4 GB. No one claimed that they really regretted. Either they are truly happy with 2 GB, or they didn't want to admit their mistake (who knows?).

2. It is clear that for intense applications, 2 GB is not enough, such as VMs... and we all know that the computer will slow down (not explode) when running out of ram. But the ultimate question has not been answered - how bad would it slow down, say when we use VMW fusion on a base model 11.6 MBA???? There was another thread about it. Lots of comments, but no one answered the question... although there was a report on Rev B MBA (XP on fusion) - https://forums.macrumors.com/posts/11318693/

Conclusion:
So it remains unclear: for those that use heavy apps less than a few % of the time, how bad would it slow down with only 2 GB? Someone please post a youtube video showing fusion or parallel on the base model soon.

[EDIT] found the youtube video, here's the link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=olmTB4Y8ojU

 

[teerexx52]

Guys, I am still confused on this page ins and page outs. If someone can clarify a bit better for me I would appreciate it. After all day on my computer I gave 1.2GB of page ins. I have 1.2MB of page outs. A small bit of swapping. Is this all bad????? Thanks

 

[wirelessmacuser]

However, for many people the issue is not the money, but the BTO wait time.

Let's talk about BTO wait time.

Why would we let a few extra days, say worse case - 10 days, stop us from ordering 4GB ram?

How did you survive before you placed your order? Suddenly we're so impatient ?

Me?

I ordered the 4GB upgrade and by some miracle I'm still alive... 🙂

I don't know about the rest of you, but I plan on keeping my new MBA at least 18 months. Why suffer with less than I want?

I've owned enough computers to know that this topic can & will be argued for years.

In the meantime I will be enjoying the fact that I don't have to think about it. That's worth a few days and 100 bucks to me.

 

[johannnn]

My 2GB gets eaten quite fast once a few apps are opened. However, using VM havnt really been an issue due to the fast SSD. So for me personally, I got the Air faster and cheaper and I wont notice much of a difference.

 

[tigres]

After reading 3 pages of debates between the "2 GB" and "4 GB" camps, I have the following conclusions:

From the "4 GB" camp:

1. Many the people supporting 4 GB have not received (or not ordered) their 4 GB-MBAs. Many based their decision on previous experience of older MBAs. Others use the future-proof argument... although the resell-lost usually is greater for more expensive models.

2. The point about the relatively inexpensive option to go to 4 GB was stated over and over again. However, for many people the issue is not the money, but the BTO wait time.

From the "2 GB" camp:

1. Those that did buy the new MBA with 2 GB seemed to be happy with not having 4 GB. No one claimed that they really regretted. Either they are truly happy with 2 GB, or they didn't want to admit their mistake (who knows?).

2. It is clear that for intense applications, 2 GB is not enough, such as VMs... and we all know that the computer will slow down (not explode) when running out of ram. But the ultimate question has not been answered - how bad would it slow down, say when we use VMW fusion on a base model 11.6 MBA???? There was another thread about it. Lots of comments, but no one answered the question... although there was a report on Rev B MBA (XP on fusion) - https://forums.macrumors.com/posts/11318693/

Conclusion:
So it remains unclear: for those that use heavy apps less than a few % of the time, how bad would it slow down with only 2 GB? Someone please post a youtube video showing fusion or parallel on the base model soon.

[EDIT] found the youtube video, here's the link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=olmTB4Y8ojU

Good summary: I will pipe in on my bto I received yesterday to replace my rev B 1.86 SSD.

The machine is substantially quicker on all fronts. I ordered the 2.13 256ssd 4gb model.

I run VM 3.0/XP, along with multiple proprietary financial software under the windows environment. Additionally, Office 11, Adobe pro, Enclose, Adium, pathfinder, pages, RDC along with others. My old MBA would get the beach balls w/fans at 6200 rpm pretty much all day. It worked, but was bogged down by processes and lack of ram.

This new machine did not miss a beat today. Hooked up to a bt keyboard and mouse, along with a 23" monitor. Fans never kicked up over 2400, nor did I get the beach balls but a couple of times (mostly with adobe).

It had a good first day at the office. Only thing I hate... missing bl keyboard, that's a ..tch

 

[rrl]

@aberrero and Quash

You're right, I was totally out of my tree. Thanks for setting me straight.