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New 13" Macbook - 8gb vs 16gb
- Thread starter mac-jam
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I have an 8GB MBPro and haven't hit the wall on memory. It all depends what you're using it for, and you don't provide any details on that.
I'd say it's likely I'll go for 16GB if I was buying today, but it's not a slam drunk. 16GB or a backup drive for Time Machine? I'd take the backup drive for my uses.
I'd say it's likely I'll go for 16GB if I was buying today, but it's not a slam drunk. 16GB or a backup drive for Time Machine? I'd take the backup drive for my uses.
This is true. I don't do video editing or other memory intensive things, but I got 16GB anyway on my 15 inch MBP. I have never seen my system go above 8 GB, or even 6 GB. It's nice to have the extra RAM, but like the poster said, it all depends on what you use the system for.
8 GB is perfectly fine, in fact that’s what I have on my iMac 5k and I run multiple chrome tabs, Logic Pro X with 40vsts and Final Cut Pro X at the same time. Never reached the maximum, I guess macOS knows how to handle the Ram management. If you want to use virtual machines or want to keep the MB a little more future proof then go for 16GB. If you want to save some money and still having a great performing machine then stay with 8GB.
I would say we would need more info on the users needs. For many 8gb is still reasonable, although 16gb is more future proof. I wouldn’t advise anyone to get 32GB ram unless they know outright that they need it (for pros using VMs or editing 4K videos). As a rule, if you have to ask if it’s worth upgrade, you likely don’t need it.
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In order to better advise we really need more details on your intended usage of the machine. Also I would check you activity monitor on your current machine (assuming you have one of course), and see what your memory pressure is. If you have 8Gb RAM currently and you are not pressing it hard, like less than 50% pressure, I’d say don’t bother with an upgrade yet. If you are hitting 60-75% memory pressure then it might be worth the upgrade.
I think currently have a 2016 13" 8Gb and just ordered an 18 15" 16Gb. Was considering a 13" again and would have got 16gb just to give me buffer room. Just feel like 8gb was always getting close to maxing out. While I never did max out just like the idea of having room to grow.
I would go for the 16GB (actually, I did go for the 16GB).
The main reasoning is that MacBooks tend to be used far, far longer than windows laptops. Maybe it is because of their cost.
So you are likely to still be using the laptop in 3-5 years. And in 3-5 years the 16GB will be the norm rather than the 8GB.
The main reasoning is that MacBooks tend to be used far, far longer than windows laptops. Maybe it is because of their cost.
So you are likely to still be using the laptop in 3-5 years. And in 3-5 years the 16GB will be the norm rather than the 8GB.
I’d say if you can afford it, get the 16 GB of RAM. You can’t add more to a MacBook Pro later and you might need it sometime in the future.
Yeah, sitting idle it'll not use much, but load up a filter in FCP and it'll be bouncing off 16GB in no time. Mine is constantly out of RAM.
It’s one thing if you can update it like an iMac. My first 2016 13” I only got 8GB Ram. I had an app memory clean and spent way to much time monitoring my memory. My 2nd machine I got 16GB and deleted the app. It’s more enjoyable for me with 16 if I need it or not.
With those uses you won’t need 16 GB. But if you can afford it, why not? It’s ultimately not a large amount of money and may come in handy if you decide to do things like running virtual machines.
i would opt for 16,
one, better resale value down the road,
two if you don't restart ur mac for long period time like me you will frequently hit 10gb+, ( i'm at 12.81gb atm)
three, there is nothing you can mediate when you max out ur ram, with hard storage at least you can plug in a flash drive and transfer files out, but with ram there is no external device that can magicallly boost your ram.
one, better resale value down the road,
two if you don't restart ur mac for long period time like me you will frequently hit 10gb+, ( i'm at 12.81gb atm)
three, there is nothing you can mediate when you max out ur ram, with hard storage at least you can plug in a flash drive and transfer files out, but with ram there is no external device that can magicallly boost your ram.