Is 8GB of RAM Enough for a Mac in 2024?

[MacRumors]

The debate over whether 8GB of RAM is sufficient for a Mac has long been a topic of contention. The controversy goes back to at least 2012, when Apple launched the first MacBook Pro with Retina display, which started with 8GB of RAM. Apple still offers 8GB as the base configuration for its 14-inch MacBook Pro, not to mention its M3 iMac and the latest MacBook Air models. Coupled with the significant cost of upgrading to higher memory options, Apple's decision has once again sparked discussions about the adequacy and value of this configuration.

Of course, Macs have changed a lot over the last decade. For one, Apple no longer relies on Intel processors to power its machines, having developed its own Apple silicon, which is faster and more power efficient. This is because Apple's custom chips use "system-on-a-chip" (SoC) architecture, which integrates several processing cores (CPUs), graphics cores (GPUs), cache memory, and several other components within a single physical package.

• Apple Silicon Buyer's Guide: Which Chip Should You Choose?
• Late 2023 MacBook Pro Buyer's Guide: 14-Inch vs 16-Inch Models
• MacBook Air Buyer's Guide: Comparing the Generations

Apple's M-series of chips also use something called "unified memory," which sits alongside the SoC. Apple's adoption of this high-bandwidth, low-latency memory means the main chip avoids having to communicate data between different memory locations, and it makes the memory pool available for both the CPU and GPU, allowing it to be allocated dynamically depending on the task at hand.

While the overall result of this integrated SoC architecture is better performance and efficiency, the downside is that Apple's unified memory is fixed at the point of purchase and cannot be upgraded at a later date.

Opting for more unified memory is not cheap either. For instance, going from the base 8GB of unified memory to 16GB or 24GB costs an extra $200 and $400, respectively. Therefore, it's important when buying a new Mac that you choose the right amount for your individual needs. User opinions on this topic are diverse, with some finding 8GB adequate and others feeling constrained. Ultimately, it comes down to what you want to do on your Mac. Here are the main factors to keep in mind.

8GB or More RAM?

• Daily Tasks and Light Usage: For basic tasks like web browsing, document editing, and media consumption, 8GB of RAM generally suffices. Modern Macs use features like memory compression and intelligent allocation, which help macOS run smoothly even during multitasking.
  Professional and Creative Workloads: For more intensive tasks such as video editing, 3D modeling, or software development, 8GB may be limiting, and can cause slower performance and reduced efficiency, as independent tests have shown. This is especially true if you work on advanced projects that require enormous files and content libraries.

Wrapping Up

Ultimately, when buying a Mac, opting for 8GB of unified memory is a cost-effective option if you have light usage requirements, and it offers adequate performance for everyday tasks. However, if you intend to use more demanding applications, it may be worth paying the extra for more memory. This will reduce the risk of the memory acting as a system bottleneck, and allow the Apple silicon in your Mac to perform at its maximum potential.

• 8GB RAM on M3 MacBook Pro 'Analogous to 16GB' on PCs, Claims Apple

Starting at $1,599, Apple's 14-inch M3 MacBook Pro comes with 8GB of unified memory, and choosing 16GB or 24GB costs an extra $200 and $400, respectively. However, it's worth noting that after factoring in the extra $200 for 16GB, an M3 Pro model with 18GB and several other extra features is only $200 more at $1,999.

Of course, if your main concern is affordability and/or portability, it may be worth considering a MacBook Air instead. Starting at $1,099, the new 13-inch MacBook Air with M3 chip has a 16GB configuration option for $200 extra, totaling $1,299. If you're looking for a bigger display, the 15-inch MacBook Air starts at $1,299, with the 16GB option taking the price up to $1,499.

Bear in mind that the M3 version of the MacBook Pro has a HDMI 2.1 port and SDXC card slot, while the MacBook Air models do not. The entry-level MacBook Pro also offers 22 hours of battery on a single charge, compared to 18 hours on the M3 MacBook Air. In addition, the M3 MacBook Air models have an LCD display, whereas the M3 MacBook Pro uses a superior mini-LED display.

Article Link: Is 8GB of RAM Enough for a Mac in 2024?

 

[dricci]

For a Walmart PC? Yes.
For a Mac at Apple's pricing? No.

 

[erikkfi]

It’s enough to ensure people see a tolerably low price for each Mac lineup that starts there, and enough to give customers the opportunity to opt for a too-expensive upgrade with a huge profit margin.

 

[User 6502]

No, it is not enough and it is embarrassing Apple sells macs that only have 8 GB.

 

[Delivered]

It’s enough to ensure people see a tolerably low price for each Mac lineup that starts there, and enough to give customers the opportunity to opt for a too-expensive upgrade with a huge profit margin.

Apple stopped being consumer friendly it seems.

 

[Scrundel]

Pretty surprised how little actual useful content is in this article. No technical discussion, just another article about how 8GB “feels wrong”

 

[dmk1974]

8gb "works", but I mean jesus, the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max have 8gb ram. Shouldn't the laptops have at least 12gb?

 

[Xavier]

Maybe if all you do is surf the web. 8GB of ram is absolutely not enough for mostly everyone else.

 

[ItsASpider]

For basic tasks like web browsing, document editing, and media consumption, 8GB of RAM generally suffices. Modern Macs use features like memory compression and intelligent allocation, which help macOS run smoothly even during multitasking.

Here's the neat thing tho; if that's all you do with your laptop, you are paying way to much if you go for a MacBook. The argument that it is enough for "the basic tasks" is just absurd. You don't buy a $1000 laptop for "basic task" and then go "ooh, I should just pay more" when you want to get some slightly more complex work done.

Come on... stop defending this. We all know that the only reason these SKUs exist is to market the low price for an SKU nobody should want in the first place.

 

[TheLinkster]

No, of course not.

We all know this is about Apple maximizing profit. It would cost Apple pennies to increase the amount of RAM with little manufacturing complications (obviously, otherwise the on-die RAM chips wouldn't be as scalable as they already are). RAM is cheap, and so is Apple.

 

[dz5b609]

Simple answer is NO.

Also this article reads a lot like it's written by AI.

 

[Fishrrman]

Been posting this for a few years:

With the m-series Macs,
16gb is "the new 8" ...

 

[iBluetooth]

8 GB is enough for many users just browsing, watching video and playing music and doing some school work. Other users may choose to increase the memory and the disk size.

 

[k1121j]

For an Apple computer yes it’s way too low. This is a premium brand not some Acer disposable laptop.

 

[iBluetooth]

Simple answer is NO.

Also this article reads a lot like it's written by AI.

The simple answer is YES, unless you know that you need more - those users know

 

[David1964]

No, it is not enough and it is embarrassing Apple sells macs that only have 8 GB.

That is absolutely not your call to make.It IS sufficient for light users.

 

[Steve121178]

Here we go again....

 

[k1121j]

Been posting this for a few years:

With the m-series Macs,
16gb is "the new 8" ...

lol and it’s shared with video memory 🙄

 

[August West]

My M1 MBA was an emergency buy when my old MBA died so I just picked up the cheapest model I could at the time. It basically resides on the sofa and does basic internet tasks which make 8gb acceptable. But it doesn't take much to push the memory pressure into the yellow. If I was ordering an M3 MBA today I'd spring for the 16gb model which should be standard in this day and age but that would affect Apple's profits so I don't expect to see that happen anytime soon.

 

[dz5b609]

The simple answer is YES, unless you know that you need more - those users know

Dude 8GB is pushing it just doing basic standard work environment multitasking (text editor/spreadsheets, browser and playing music for example). Apple needing to resort to software tricks with multitasking for you to do basic multitasking means it's not enough.

 

[sdwaltz]

Unpopular opinion around here, but I think 8gb is enough for at least 50% of people with the way Macs handle RAM.

 

[Nekronos]

Apple stopped being consumer friendly it seems.

Apple hasn't been consumer friendly in decades.

 

[DaveEcc]

For an M3 Air, going from 8GB to 16GB is $200, yes, but it automatically adds the $100 GPU upgrade, so it's really a $100 GPU upgrade and a $100 RAM upgrade, not a $200 RAM upgrade.

 

[ghanwani]

8GB is a joke in this day and age. But then again, so is almost every Apple product that has been released in the last few years.

 

[Mrjoedot]

16 GB at least. Decent enough should be 24 & above