MacBook Air M1 8GB/512GB using over 15GB of ram! Im amazed by this.

[tps3443]

Hey everyone, I am a first time Mac owner. I purchased a MacBook Air M1 with the 8th GPU core, 8GB of ram, and 512GB of storage. I have had this laptop since March 23rd (So not very long). I am doing some thorough testing just to be certain that I'll be happy with it for years to come, or if I'm exchanging for a 16GB/1TB model for around $360 more. (I might) (Still unsure) (As I do love this one)

So anyways, one of the most demanding applications that I have played so far, is the game "Rust" this game requires 10GB minimum ram, to be ran smoothly. This was an initial concern for me. Because, most of us only have 8GB of ram. (Including my self)

I have been running the game Rust with some very heavy graphics settings applied (It looks stunning), and it uses around 15+GB of ram alone just for the game all by its self. Total system ram seems to float around the 15-17GB mark. And memory pressure says only 40-50-60%. ( How does this super sleek MacBook Air M1, even run this beautiful looking game so smoothly on battery power?)

I was absolutely ^ stunned by all of this ram usage though. The Swap storage feature is pretty nice for sure. You can quickly minimize the game, jump to YouTube and other apps seamlessly. As I am typing this, Rust says that it is using 13-15GB+ of ram in the background. Thats pretty cool! (This thing is a beast right?)

Anyways, I just figure id share my experience here. The 8GB MacBook Air is pretty solid so far! I am still a little undecided if I'm gonna just keep this one and be happy. Or will I exchange for the 16gb/1tb model. It seems like a waste thats not required, but I keep going back and forward on this. I want 16/1TB, but I don't really need it.

I have about a week left for the exchange policy. Any thoughts?

Great experience so far though! What a machine!


Heres a pic guys! One application using over 15GB of ram, on a 8GB Mac Air M1, not sure how but the thing just chews right on through! minimize the application thats sucking 15GB of ram, and quickly browse or work on other task. This would never happen on a windows PC lol.

 

[SoupyTwist]

You might be happier with a 16GB model if you can afford it. Although the M1 Macs swap very fast due to the speed of the SSD, you may be putting more wear on the SSD if you play this game and exceed the ram ceiling regularly. Going for the 16GB model may extend the life of your SSD (in comparison), since the Mac will likely not need to use swap memory as often.

 

[Cookie18]

Although it's great that it can do that I would be swapping it for a 16GB model after seeing that lol

 

[Taco1933]

There's nowhere to go but down from here. It's never going to run better than it is right now. If you're testing the limits this early, I'd think pretty hard about a swap. 8gb is probably better suited to the Microsoft Office and internet browser user than the gamer.

 

[xraydoc]

Although it's great that it can do that I would be swapping it for a 16GB model after seeing that lol

I have to agree. I'd also advise the OP if he/she isn't going to exchange it for the 16GB version to quit Safari and other background apps if he's going to run an application (or game) that requires more RAM than the machine actually has.

 

[tps3443]

I’ve got an appointment for tomorrow at the apple store. They have a 16GB/1TB model in stock with my school discount it is $1509.00.

Gonna swap over most likely.

(As long as I can exchange and pay the difference that is)

Id rather not have to buy the new one outright, and have to wait 10 days for a return on this one I already have.

 

[jmoore5196]

You should still be within the 14-day return window if you purchased the MBA directly from Apple. I'd return it and buy the 16GB unit instead. I am mighty pleased with my 8GB MBA, but I don't game.

 

[Adenitz]

There's nowhere to go but down from here. It's never going to run better than it is right now. If you're testing the limits this early, I'd think pretty hard about a swap. 8gb is probably better suited to the Microsoft Office and internet browser user than the gamer.

I read this too often. I still use MBA 2015 with 4 GB RAm and i5 Intel CPU. MS Office starts little slow, but once Word is started it is working without any problems. Also Safari works very fast and flawless. I don't understand why 8 GB RAM is suited for Offic apps and Safari. Really strange. I never had chance to try M1 yet.

 

[tps3443]

You should still be within the 14-day return window if you purchased the MBA directly from Apple. I'd return it and buy the 16GB unit instead. I am mighty pleased with my 8GB MBA, but I don't game.

Yes, I bought my current Macbook Air M1 directly from the Apple store that i’m going to tomorrow. They have a 16GB/1TB model in stock. So i’m only like 7 days in since my purchase date. They will let me exchange, and just pay the difference for the more expensive mode right?

Im unfamiliar with Apple stores exchange methods.

 

[Cookie18]

Yes, I bought my current Macbook Air M1 directly from the Apple store that i’m going to tomorrow. They have a 16GB/1TB model in stock. So i’m only like 7 days in since my purchase date. They will let me exchange, and just pay the difference for the more expensive mode right?

Im unfamiliar with Apple stores exchange methods.

It's been awhile since I did it but I'm almost certain that will be completely fine. Most likely they'll just refund the original before charging the new one.

 

[Taco1933]

I read this too often. I still use MBA 2015 with 4 GB RAm and i5 Intel CPU. MS Office starts little slow, but once Word is started it is working without any problems. Also Safari works very fast and flawless. I don't understand why 8 GB RAM is suited for Offic apps and Safari. Really strange. I never had chance to try M1 yet.

I'm not saying you need 8gb to run those things. That's just the minimum currently available. So if you're a basic user, you'd be fine with the minimum.

But I'm a fairly basic user and I sit between 8-10 gb used. So it's not a bad amount to have either.

 

[bag99001]

I'm running Final Cut pro doing 7 minute videos....multiple tabs open on Chrome and Safari and mail running and messages running in the background..nary a hiccup. I've got the M1 Macbook Air 8 gb. I think the rules are not the same as they used to be...there's some crazy mojo happening with the unified memory that's making 8 gb act like a typical system with 16 or 32 gb.

 

[tps3443]

I'm running Final Cut pro doing 7 minute videos....multiple tabs open on Chrome and Safari and mail running and messages running in the background..nary a hiccup. I've got the M1 Macbook Air 8 gb. I think the rules are not the same as they used to be...there's some crazy mojo happening with the unified memory that's making 8 gb act like a typical system with 16 or 32 gb.

Yeah the M1 runs fine even with around 17+GB of system ram being consumed. You can minimize applications, and jump to youtube videos and multitask without any issues at all (Even while double the systems ram is being utilized lol). When you resume the game that uses a ton of ram, it does pause for a second, but then quickly resumes smooth gameplay again (Seems to be normal for any system really)

Now im curious what a 16GB ram M1 can be put through. Like 32GB of system ram usage would be around maybe 50% memory pressure I suppose.

I guess people were being serious when they said. “16GB M1 is for serious work” I don’t see why these systems can’t be pushed to sub 40GB of ram usage and still run smoothly. Pretty wild if you ask me.

I might test this theory tomorrow. Hopefully my 16/1TB is still in store tomorrow when I arrive.

 

[bag99001]

Yeah the M1 runs fine even with around 17+GB of system ram being consumed. You can minimize applications, and jump to youtube videos and multitask without any issues at all (Even while double the systems ram is being utilized lol). When you resume the game that uses a ton of ram, it does pause for a second, but then quickly resumes smooth gameplay again (Seems to be normal for any system really)

Now im curious what a 16GB ram M1 can be put through. Like 32GB of system ram usage would be around maybe 50% memory pressure I suppose.

I guess people were being serious when they said. “16GB M1 is for serious work” I don’t see why these systems can’t be pushed to sub 40GB of ram usage and still run smoothly. Pretty wild if you ask me.

I might test this theory tomorrow. Hopefully my 16/1TB is still in store tomorrow when I arrive.

My *ONLY* issue is the lack of dual display for M1 laptops. And that is sadly just a processor/architecture issue at this point. I have a displaylink hub now that is finicky but "fakes" it...lots of unplugging/plugging in.

 

[tps3443]

got it guys!!

 

[jmoore5196]

Glad everything worked out for you. Let us know how the experience contrasts from your 8GB MBA.

 

[Cookie18]

Glad everything worked out for you. Let us know how the experience contrasts from your 8GB MBA.

Yes! I'd love to hear about how you find the difference in RAM.

 

[tps3443]

Will do guys, curious to see how Rust handles my new 16GB/1TB model.

Luckily, I could just exchange and pay the $380 price difference at the Apple store.

I was amazed they even had a 16GB model
in store. When I first tried to buy one. It showed any 16GB models for (Online order only)

 

[jdb8167]

Will do guys, curious to see how Rust handles my new 16GB/1TB model.

Luckily, I could just exchange and pay the $380 price difference at the Apple store.

I was amazed they even had a 16GB model
in store. When I first tried to buy one. It showed any 16GB models for (Online order only)

Certain models are generally available for immediate pickup. Any color MBA with base features are frequently available. 7 core GPU/8 GB/256. Any color 8 core GPU 8GB/512GB. Either Space Gray or Gold 8 core GPU 16GB/1TB but not Silver. Much the same for the MacBook Pro except the only available upgrades are Space Gray. The M1 Mac mini is only available for immediate pickup in the two base configurations with 8 GB RAM.

Not sure what Apple has against upgraded Silver MacBooks.

 

[tps3443]

Certain models are generally available for immediate pickup. Any color MBA with base features are frequently available. 7 core GPU/8 GB/256. Any color 8 core GPU 8GB/512GB. Either Space Gray or Gold 8 core GPU 16GB/1TB but not Silver. Much the same for the MacBook Pro except the only available upgrades are Space Gray. The M1 Mac mini is only available for immediate pickup in the two base configurations with 8 GB RAM.

Not sure what Apple has against upgraded Silver MacBooks.

100% This lol. When I was ordering my first MacBook Air M1 for in store pickup. I learned the available configurations pretty quickly. Only Spacegray for 16Gb/1Tb. And that's exactly what I picked up today.

 

[tps3443]

Hey everyone, my 16GB of ram model is running amazing guys! The game rust feels the exact same performance wise. both devices were (8 Core graphics) Although, the 16GB ram M1 will automatically default higher graphics settings. This game feels just as smooth as my 8GB MacBook Air M1, although I notice a huge difference when I minimize the game, and re-open it. There is no delay at all! As soon as you bring the game back up, it is immediate smoothness with the 16/1TB M1 Air. No skips, no kinks, no micro stutters to work out by spinning your camera around in the game really quickly.

SO far so good! the 950+GB of free space is also pretty nice too! You've gotta keep and eye on 256GB to maintain sufficient space, 512GB is much more forgiving, so you can install whatever usually. But 1TB is nice! No worries about storage space. Just roll with it.

Very happy with 16/1TB this model is $1,509 with student discount. Obviously taxes bring that to about $1,611 out the door. I had to add $384 to get this one.

Also the game RUST is using less ram with the 16GB model. I think the 8GB ram model is using excess ram for all of that SWAP storage that is being used. I notice rust shows around 12-13GB ram usage, instead of that 14-15+GB of ram usage on the 8GB ram M1.

One last thing, using air pods while playing a super demanding game like "Rust" (When you attempt to use the microphone by pressing V) the game hangs for about 2 seconds, this is due to the memory being slammed on the 8GB model. The 16GB model doesn't do this. And neither have this issue without using the AirPods. I am guessing this is because the Mac air attempts to control the bluetooth device, and fetch data externally, and the lack of memory just creates a pause for a couple seconds. (It was super annoying) Luckily the 16GB ram model doesn't do this at all! This problem only happen when using AirPods on the 8GB ram model. It goes to fetch data via Bluetooth, ram is full, and there is a delay due to storage swop being much slower than physical ram bandwidth I suppose. Only speculation of course. But the 16GB model doesn't have the problem at all.

Last but not least, my home is always set to 73F inside for the past week. My 8GB/512GB Mac air M1 was running around 41.0C-42.00C Temperature. I use an infrared laser to check between numbers 6, and 7 and right below the do not disturb key. This specific spot is the hottest area outside of the case. On the 16Gb/1TB model, I am seeing a maximum of 38.1C. So, the only thing I can think of, is that the M1 processor is under less load due to not using extreme amounts of swap. But the system is running cooler for sure. I tested temps on my last 8/512 M1 all the time, just out of curiosity.

And yes it has reached full equilibrium too. These numbers are obtained while running rust for several hours on both devices. One thing nice about these system, is neither of them have ever thermal throttled at all. I haven't noticed any performance degradation even after playing Rust for hours straight. Always pretty smooth ( Even on the 8Gb M1)


If you have a 8GB M1 Macbook. Your are totally good! The OS is genius and you’ve got a plenty capable system.