Max RAM limit, how important?

Always go with the most ram you can afford

 

Depends on what you use your computer for. For most people, 4 GB vs. 8 GB isn't a big deal. For more serious users it can be very important.

 

But NEVER buy RAM from Apple!

 

Some people would rather pay the premium rather than opening up their Mac themselves... they just aren't comfortable with it. To them, it is worth it. To each his/her own.

Woof, Woof - Dawg

 

Ram is important. My 2.16 ghz maxed out at 2gb, and it is not enough. On my Dell, I am usually addressing 5.3Gb of ram. This is holding me back on getting a MBP refurb.

 

This is just my honest opinion. Most average computer users don't need any more than 2Gb on a day to day basis. I went ahead and maxed out my 2.16GHz Core 2 Duo MBP out at 3Gb and its plenty. If you've got a machine that supports 4-8Gb, you're more than fine unless you're doing some hardcore processing and lots of multitasking.

 

The answer is it depends what you use your Mac for. I have 2GB in a Mini and a PC. Neither one has ever needed even half that RAM. While I'm not manipulating 2 Gig photos in Photoshop, I bet you aren't either.

I bet you'll never notice the difference. Or at least not before the rest of the computer is obsolete.

 

4 GB will be plenty. These days, the 1 GB you are talking about can't even be purchased standard in an Apple, and for good reason. I'm running my Rev. A MBA and sometimes the 2 GB does limit me and what I can do. Using Safari 4 can sometimes lock up a lot of your ram, and I'm just getting into photography. With iPhoto it can slow a little (especially with safari / itunes / mail) all running, so I haven't even gotten brave enough to try editing with Aperture on this thing. Also, I am forced to use Boot Camp because I basically cannot run a VM on here while using any Apple programs.

But if you just get the model and max it to 4 GB, you'll be safe. Especially for your use.

 

$599 Mac Mini comes with 1GB. Pretty crappy eh? Especially considering how cheap 2 gigs is.