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MBA 13" : Is is worth topping up the ram to 8GB?
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I agree. It's better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it.
I have the 2011 13" with 4GB. I don't use it for heavy work, but can honestly say that the SSD makes up for any shortfall in RAM. It's all about what you use your Air for...From what you post I'd say 4GB would be ample, but then you consider re-sale and 8 is going to be better. Your call.
I'll echo what wescole stated. I just ordered the 11" MBA and opted for 8GB RAM. The memory on these machines is not upgradable later and for $100 up front you essentially extend your laptop's future. And I don't think the resale aspect can be overstated. Performance bumps here and there will separate your machine from the pack when you go to resell.
I had a harder time shelling out for the 256GB SSD. But decided to do so because 128 is just too small.
I had a harder time shelling out for the 256GB SSD. But decided to do so because 128 is just too small.
I would agree with others that the $100 for the extra 4GB is probably the best upgrade for the price. That said, most people won't need it. I got it because I like to run Windows on my MBA as well and I would prefer being able to dedicate the extra RAM to the VM.
Since the RAM is soldered onto the machine, it makes sense for me to get it now, since I can't get it later. With the SSD, although there is currently no 3rd party for anything different, it can technically be replaced. I expect OWC to have something in the not too distant future. So if in two years I want something with higher capacity, I could probably go that route and replace it. But RAM you're stuck with.
Since the RAM is soldered onto the machine, it makes sense for me to get it now, since I can't get it later. With the SSD, although there is currently no 3rd party for anything different, it can technically be replaced. I expect OWC to have something in the not too distant future. So if in two years I want something with higher capacity, I could probably go that route and replace it. But RAM you're stuck with.
Same here.. 8 gig because I constantly run parallel to vpn into work stuff through windows while doing my own thing on osx side.. It's awesome.. Really the best of both world in one awesome looking laptop.. Now.. if it can only get here soon enough(just finish ordering)
8GB RAM will be fine for you for the next 5 years (ie., at least 1 OS after Mountain Lion), as a Specialist at the Apple Store told me tonight.
I had 512mb RAM on my Powerbook and a lot of people told me at the time I bought it that that wouldn't be enough. Well, I'm currently typing this post on that machine with iChat, iTunes, and Mail open. It's still running like as smooth as the first day I bought it.
I had 512mb RAM on my Powerbook and a lot of people told me at the time I bought it that that wouldn't be enough. Well, I'm currently typing this post on that machine with iChat, iTunes, and Mail open. It's still running like as smooth as the first day I bought it.
Do some apple stores sell the base 13 with 8 gigs? Because I'm splitting the cost with my mom and she tends not to like to buy things online.
On other threads about memory people have said that Apple stores don't have 8GB models. One user said that a NY store stocked them, but most don't seem to.
Just get your mother to give you the funds and then buy from the online store.
I can confirm that the NYC apple stores have both the 11' and 13' with 8GB ram options, but only with an a i7 chip bundled as well.
You can't upgrade it later and the upgrade to 8Gb is not that expensive, so I think definitely, yes
In all honestly, for light PhotoShop, web browsing and MicroSoft Office, you won't notice the difference between 4gb and 8gb RAM.
However, if in the future you scale up your work load, 4gb RAM might bottleneck your system. Upping to 8gb RAM future proofs your laptop, specially considering it's just $100.
However, if in the future you scale up your work load, 4gb RAM might bottleneck your system. Upping to 8gb RAM future proofs your laptop, specially considering it's just $100.
Story of my life right now. I am still waiting on an i5 versus i7 benchmark to purchase my MBA, but for a long time I struggled between whether or not to get the 256 GB SSD. I didn't even think twice before getting more RAM, though.
Probably the best (and most diplomatic) way to say it really. The only downside is $100, but it saves you from that time in the future where you really want/need 8GB and could save you the hassle of selling and re-buying etc.
I've just ordered the '12 MBA with the 2.0GHz & 8GB RAM upgrade. If i'd have to pick one or the other, it'd be the RAM upgrade, cause i'd rather have the ability to run multiple tasks than the overall improvement in processing horsepower that the processor upgrade will give me.
Get the extra RAM. If there's a new shiny OS in a year or two, you'll be ready. Plus that extra memory can't hurt. I'm still hesitating between the Retina and the Air, but it will be at least 8Gb no matter what the machine.
My GF has a mini with 2Gb RAM and it gets sluggish if she has Word and PowerPoint running at the same time on Lion. I've got an older spec mini with 4Gb (Lion too) and it still runs really well.
P.S. Yeah, yeah... I know... we should really be running iWork. But our bosses won't let us...
My GF has a mini with 2Gb RAM and it gets sluggish if she has Word and PowerPoint running at the same time on Lion. I've got an older spec mini with 4Gb (Lion too) and it still runs really well.
P.S. Yeah, yeah... I know... we should really be running iWork. But our bosses won't let us...