MBA M1 8 Core 512GB Question about Ram - 8GB or 16GB? Future Proof?

[clutchm3]

For the new M1 Macbook Air, I want to get the 8 Core 512GB but Will 8GB ram vs 16GB ram really make a difference? Anyone know a review on that comparison?

I have been searching all day. To be frank, the computer is for someone that basically web browses/office suite and doesn't do anything performance wise. But more thinking for "future proof" because I don't want to upgrade this persons computer too often.

Is the 8GB enough or should I spend a bit more for the 16GB. Price is not the option, just legitimately don't know what to do. Thanks!

 

[sniffies]

I was going through the same dilemma. I got the 8GB to test-drive it until Jan 8 (the last day to return it). Hopefully by then, I will have made up my mind. My usage is somewhat light (plus Lightroom and Photoshop once in a blue moon).

The general advice especially for those keeping their Mac for several years: YES, get as much RAM as you can afford

 

[edhchoe]

If you do what you describe, 8gb is plenty.
i tested with my imac 2011 last night.
i opened all the programs i use daily at the same time. About 7 of them.
Activity monitor showed RAM use was going up to 5.3 gb at the highest peak. It has 12gb total available.

 

[jclardy]

I'd say most people will be fine with 8. The thing with this machine is the SSD is so fast that you will barely notice that swap is being used if you do go over the RAM limit. The other thing that people aren't taking into account - on prior Intel Air's the GPU reserved 1.5GB of RAM. In the case of the M1 the memory is completely shared, so in cases where you need less "VRAM" it can be used by the CPU instead (So you truly have 8GB total memory, vs 6.5 system/1.5 video)

SSD wear could be an issue 5 years down the line with really heavy usage, but I think that is likely a non-issue for the majority of people - the only time I would take it into consideration is if they maxed out the disk space constantly and continued to hammer swap space (IE 500GB of data and a constant 50 chrome tabs open for years...) forcing the SSD to write over the same locations.

 

[Wags]

Looks like the 8GB seems to be just as fast as 16. Seems like going unused unless really pushing machine. One reviewer had the 7 core with 8gb and ran editing software great.

 

[clutchm3]

Looks like the 8GB seems to be just as fast as 16. Seems like going unused unless really pushing machine. One reviewer had the 7 core with 8gb and ran editing software great.

Mind linking this review?

 

[Kalabalik]

A good rule of thumb is "if you have to ask if you need more RAM, you don't need more RAM".

 

[OSX15]

A good rule of thumb is "if you have to ask if you need more RAM, you don't need more RAM".

Normally I would agree, but with M1 architechture It might be different​

 

[Wags]

Mind linking this review?

 

[OSX15]

Just ordered the 16GB / 256GB version with an insanely fast external SSD for thunderbolt

 

[Fidgit]

I think we might need to change our perception of what ram means in these new machines, or at least stop comparing directly with intel machines. Closely integrated memory could mean that 8gb on ‘m’ provides the same performance as 16gb on an intel based machine for example. I mean does anyone notice that the iPhone 12 has only about a third of the ram of its competitors?

 

[mikethebigo]

I think we might need to change our perception of what ram means in these new machines, or at least stop comparing directly with intel machines. Closely integrated memory could mean that 8gb on ‘m’ provides the same performance as 16gb on an intel based machine for example. I mean does anyone notice that the iPhone 12 has only about a third of the ram of its competitors?

At some point, data is data. The memory being unified doesn't mean that files will somehow magically have smaller sizes. RAM is just storing program information.

What we will see is insanely fast swap speeds, that more than anything negates the need for a ton of RAM.

 

[utente__mac]

At some point, data is data. The memory being unified doesn't mean that files will somehow magically have smaller sizes. RAM is just storing program information.

What we will see is insanely fast swap speeds, that more than anything negates the need for a ton of RAM.

Memory is compressed nowadays. Probably M1 gets better HW acceleration for (de)compressing memory pages too. Plus M1 doesn’t need to copy data back and forth between system memory and GPU memory.
There are many other variables involved.
For the tests I’ve seen so far 8GB M1 often easily outperforms 16-32GB Intel systems.

 

[Sodner]

Most of the reviews from reputable Mac publishers have said 8 GB isn't showing any limitations in their use. Unless of course they so some crazy things to purposely try and bring the M1 to its knees. But, I've not seen one review state what 16 GB gives you. How much better is it?
Having worked with computers since the Apple 2e, its soooooooo difficult to click BUY on a PC with only 8 GB of RAM. I have both a 8GB and 16GB on order and hope to decide which to cancel before either ships.

 

[IngerMan]

In short M1 8GB = Intel 16GB, 16=32 etc.

 

[clutchm3]

In short M1 8GB = Intel 16GB, 16=32 etc.

Yup, I just decided to get the 16GB to future-proof whatever I can. I would hate not too. I will eat the extra $ now in order to have more memory down the line since it can't be upgradeable.

 

[gammamonk]

I don't think I could buy a computer with 8GB today. My Early 2011 13" MBP has 8GB. She runs El Capitan like a dream though.

 

[DaMax85]

I'm leaning towards ordering the base model to see if it meets my needs (basic tasks + FCP). Most of the Youtube reviews I've watched suggest 8GB is enough unless you have every Adobe program open and rendering all day every day. I don't use Chrome much (use Safari as default) and am pretty good about managing how many tabs I have open.

I've always had good luck with base models, but I do feel crazy for wanting to spend $1k on a computer with only 8GB's of ram in 2020.