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Is it worth it to spend $100 upgrading from 4GB to 8GB RAM?
- Thread starter OrlandoTragic
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Depends what you use the machine for, for me my 2011 MBA with 4gb of ram is more then enough for what i do. For browsing the web ect getting 8gb of ram is just a "mines bigger then yours" situation.
Good point. Really depends on your usage. If you already have 4gb ram and have a high utilization then it probably makes sense to upgrade. Otherwise for most people 4gb is more than enough
same question as OP
I have same question. 4GB or 8GB? The computer will mostly be used for web browsing, so maybe 4GB is enough. However, I'm thinking 8GB just for future proofing because the next version of MacOS may need it. Heck, even the current version may need it, I don't know.
I am assuming the RAM is non-upgradable on these, correct? In that case I would think it would be prudent to go for the 8GB.
I have same question. 4GB or 8GB? The computer will mostly be used for web browsing, so maybe 4GB is enough. However, I'm thinking 8GB just for future proofing because the next version of MacOS may need it. Heck, even the current version may need it, I don't know.
I am assuming the RAM is non-upgradable on these, correct? In that case I would think it would be prudent to go for the 8GB.
Think about resale value
If your purchasing one of these puppies, go top end all the way, and with the new MBA, the only one I've ever considered getting to-date due to Haswell, its worth maxing out RAM and move to i7 - Storage upgrade to 512G is step too far, you can purchase a 500G portable wireless Seagate for what Apple's asking - top end models with max RAM and i7 processors seems good option and remember top end model holds used price better than basic low end model.
However, as a bit of a dinosaur I'm waiting a little longer to see if Macbook Pro 13in is upgraded just one more time - I still like my optic, more RAM and bigger mechanical HDD - Haswell in what gives me goosebumps and is a good compromise for a laptop with a little grunt too boot, otherwise, by Xmas will have one of these puppies and will take a few back to UK with, price difference is £400 between Honkers and UK price, which is a lot, indeed, if I utilise EDU discount I can get the top end 13in model, 8G Ram, i7 CPU and Applecare for less than price of low end 11in model in UK - as I travel and some planes don't have USB charge capability, the additional battery life is really welcome as is HD5000 - pity its not IRIS though, one can dream!
If your purchasing one of these puppies, go top end all the way, and with the new MBA, the only one I've ever considered getting to-date due to Haswell, its worth maxing out RAM and move to i7 - Storage upgrade to 512G is step too far, you can purchase a 500G portable wireless Seagate for what Apple's asking - top end models with max RAM and i7 processors seems good option and remember top end model holds used price better than basic low end model.
However, as a bit of a dinosaur I'm waiting a little longer to see if Macbook Pro 13in is upgraded just one more time - I still like my optic, more RAM and bigger mechanical HDD - Haswell in what gives me goosebumps and is a good compromise for a laptop with a little grunt too boot, otherwise, by Xmas will have one of these puppies and will take a few back to UK with, price difference is £400 between Honkers and UK price, which is a lot, indeed, if I utilise EDU discount I can get the top end 13in model, 8G Ram, i7 CPU and Applecare for less than price of low end 11in model in UK - as I travel and some planes don't have USB charge capability, the additional battery life is really welcome as is HD5000 - pity its not IRIS though, one can dream!
Do 8GB RAM and i7 have a higher battery usage? If so, I'd rather stick to the lower i5 and 4GB to maximize battery life.
The i7 has the same power draw as the i5. The additional ram might reduce the battery life by a few minutes. In other words, don't worry about the battery when you're considering these upgrades.
I generally also always go with the higher ram option as I don't like it being non-upgradable but it is worth keeping in mind that the ssd speeds for the 2013 MBAs are supposed to be crazy fast. Benchmarks from Engadget and Anandtech seem to suggest read and write speeds that are faster than the theoretical limit for SATA III. So if you are on the border of needing more ram (maybe you'll occasionally swap but you won't constantly be running out) it might actually be ok this time to go with 4gb?
I don't know for sure but it would be nice if some early adopters could check this out for the rest of us
The main issue that many here are forgetting is the the 8gb ram upgrade can only be ordered online for $100. Otherwise you must bundle it with the processor upgrade ($150) which gets expensive. Some people (say if they need to sell their old computer and buy immediately) need to be able to buy from a brick and mortar store rather than waiting for shipping (and BTO is always slower).
I don't know for sure but it would be nice if some early adopters could check this out for the rest of us
The main issue that many here are forgetting is the the 8gb ram upgrade can only be ordered online for $100. Otherwise you must bundle it with the processor upgrade ($150) which gets expensive. Some people (say if they need to sell their old computer and buy immediately) need to be able to buy from a brick and mortar store rather than waiting for shipping (and BTO is always slower).
Do you know if the Apple stores will carry Max Ram options? Its been a while since I stepped foot in an apple store. I kinda wanna buy one on the 12th.
Yes, I configured it (13"/128GB/i5/8GB) that way for $1199 on the Apple website. Are you saying that would be a BTO (build to order)? What does that mean? They don't actually produce them this way from the factory? Apple stores don't stock them configured that way (13"/128GB/i5/8GB)?
Yup, in the Apple Stores they only stock the 4 gig versions. If you want more ram/bigger hard drive, etc.. You have to have it BTO online from Apple.
Im also debating between 4 and 8 gb of ram. I do some lightroom and web browsing... Im telling myself I only need 4 but want 8.... what do you guys think? trying to spend as little money as possible.
That is not true. Many Apple stores stock ultimates as well as different ram configurations now. You would of course have to call ahead and find out as not all of them do.
All depends on how long you intend to have it I'd say and what you want to use it for?
I bought a Mac Air 2012 with 4GB of RAM. I have quite a few applications open and also run a Windows 7 VM using VMware Fusion - I've never seen the Activity Monitor less than 500MB of RAM.
When I bought it I got it from Currys so the only choice was 4GB but I ended up getting 128GB, i5, 4GB RAM for £829 with a 6 year old laptop trade in. I expected to have it a couple years then upgrade.
Long term / high intensity work then its worth it.
Short term (2 years) / general browsing I wouldn't say so.
I bought a Mac Air 2012 with 4GB of RAM. I have quite a few applications open and also run a Windows 7 VM using VMware Fusion - I've never seen the Activity Monitor less than 500MB of RAM.
When I bought it I got it from Currys so the only choice was 4GB but I ended up getting 128GB, i5, 4GB RAM for £829 with a 6 year old laptop trade in. I expected to have it a couple years then upgrade.
Long term / high intensity work then its worth it.
Short term (2 years) / general browsing I wouldn't say so.
Yes for me, but maybe not for everyone, I plan on selling my 2012 Base MBP and getting a 13" with 8GB and 256GB with the 1.7 CPU and keeping it until it doesn't run anymore, plus getting Apple Care.
Not everyone needs the max memory, but it seems that 8GB is more of a standard then 4GB is anymore, however with the way OSX opperates, it may be fine with 4GB.
I do some video editing, and I am getting into Photography, plus I need the 13 for the SD card slot.
Not everyone needs the max memory, but it seems that 8GB is more of a standard then 4GB is anymore, however with the way OSX opperates, it may be fine with 4GB.
I do some video editing, and I am getting into Photography, plus I need the 13 for the SD card slot.
Apple stores often carry "Ultimate" versions of their laptops. But not necessarily. The Ultimate machines will have max upgrades possible. -> I7 8G 512G drives.
For in-between configurations, they will often have common upgrades in the store as well. 256G only drives, or 8G only memory. If it isn't in stock, the store will BTO for you, for in-store pickup.
What I meant is that at least in my experience (and I live near a big apple store) they don't stock computers with ONLY the 8gb ram upgrade. It is always bundled with the higher processor option. So if you want to buy from the store you aren't looking at only $100 upgrade. Same for refurbs. Last year I couldn't get an i5 8gb machine I had to get the i7 even though i didn't want to. Maybe it will be different this time?
I use mine to surf the web and check\reply to email when I travel (I travel 300,000 miles per year).
Here's what went into my decision, and hopefully it'll help others....
What I use it for:
- Surfing the web
- Email
What I have now is a 2012 11" "Ultimate"... My hard drive has next to nothing on it, my i7 runs warm, and the battery life is terrible (3-4 hours).
I am planning on buying the new base model 11" 1.3ghz\4gb\128gb because everything I do can be accomplished without any difference on the new model, but the absolute primary driver is portability with long battery life, and the new model absolutely solves that issue.
If it's a primary computer, max that thing out as best as you can for the dollar, but many people are like me who use it almost like a netbook, just when traveling.
I travel to many countries, often times poor\developing countries, and I know I'll feel better knowing I have a $999 laptop in my bag vs my old $1750 model.
But as always, there is no right or wrong.... if you are an average user, you won't notice a bit of difference between 1.3 and 1.7, nor the difference between 4gb and 8gb. Most people who use the 11" use it for websurfing, and word processing, none of which are significantly noticeable when bumping the specs. People will argue till they're blue in the face, but try it yourself, and you'll see.
Here's what went into my decision, and hopefully it'll help others....
What I use it for:
- Surfing the web
What I have now is a 2012 11" "Ultimate"... My hard drive has next to nothing on it, my i7 runs warm, and the battery life is terrible (3-4 hours).
I am planning on buying the new base model 11" 1.3ghz\4gb\128gb because everything I do can be accomplished without any difference on the new model, but the absolute primary driver is portability with long battery life, and the new model absolutely solves that issue.
If it's a primary computer, max that thing out as best as you can for the dollar, but many people are like me who use it almost like a netbook, just when traveling.
I travel to many countries, often times poor\developing countries, and I know I'll feel better knowing I have a $999 laptop in my bag vs my old $1750 model.
But as always, there is no right or wrong.... if you are an average user, you won't notice a bit of difference between 1.3 and 1.7, nor the difference between 4gb and 8gb. Most people who use the 11" use it for websurfing, and word processing, none of which are significantly noticeable when bumping the specs. People will argue till they're blue in the face, but try it yourself, and you'll see.