New Mac User - Air Questions

[austriak]

I’ve never owned a Mac but am considering getting a MacBook Air. I’ve used iPhones and iPads for a long time so the similar functionality and things working across all devices appeals to me.

I don’t plan on doing anything super intensive. It would mainly be documents, spreadsheets, email, web surfing, watching videos (e.g., Netflix, YouTube), occasional zoom call, and I’m sure other non-intensive things.

Looking around, I can’t find any MacBook Airs with 16gb of ram (not even on Apple’s site). Is 8gb of memory enough?

Also, I don’t need a ton of onboard storage because I won’t have a lot and most of it is in the cloud. Is there much of a difference between the 7 core and 8 core gpu? Is it worth the extra cost to get the 8 core?

Thanks for your help.

 

[Pirate!]

To answer one question, I just found a 16gb version 7 core gpu, 256gb under refurbished section. 2 day delivery. If you don’t mind refurbished, check that out.

 

[T'hain Esh Kelch]

I don’t plan on doing anything super intensive. It would mainly be documents, spreadsheets, email, web surfing, watching videos (e.g., Netflix, YouTube), occasional zoom call, and I’m sure other non-intensive things.

The MBA will be a perfect machine for you then.

Looking around, I can’t find any MacBook Airs with 16gb of ram (not even on Apple’s site). Is 8gb of memory enough?

For your needs, yes. But depending on how many years you plan to keep using it, 16GB may be preferable. These days you can fill up 8GB RAM with lots of tabs in browsers alone.

Also, I don’t need a ton of onboard storage because I won’t have a lot and most of it is in the cloud. Is there much of a difference between the 7 core and 8 core gpu? Is it worth the extra cost to get the 8 core?

No and no, unless you plan to do loads of 3D gaming.

 

[chabig]

8GB should be plenty for you. That's what I have and I do a lot with my machine. I never look at memory use because it doesn't really matter to me. The machine just works. I don't need to know how. And even if you look at it, it's just one data point that doesn't mean much. You might think it looks "full" but the machine just powers along, managing everything perfectly. I also think you would never see a difference between the 7 core and 8 core GPUs.

 

[Ray2]

8 gig of RAM and 7 cores are fine with your identified use case. My experience with MBA's is they are trouble free and last as long as you don’t abuse them. I've had 4, along with at least a dozen Powerbooks and MBP's (work). If you tend to hold into your machines for a while, I'd bump the ram to future proof.

It might be helpful if others chime in on the internal and keeping files in the cloud. I keep my desktop and documents in iCloud. They all consume space on my Air as well (they have to originate from somewhere and the files are used locally). However, I run a 2TB internal that’s half full. Not sure what happens when the internal starts getting full. Using iCloud, using other cloud storage providers.

SSD'S, like HDD's, like plenty of empty space. I order twice the space I need. Don’t know what the technical “right” amount is.

Last, I assume your cloud storage is well backed up. All the time. Do not assume your provider is backing up or can restore your data. I went on a trip once, iPad only, and added 2 gig to the cloud. That was the last time I ever saw that 2 gig. Over 5 gig was missing, 3 of it backed up locally before I left, the new 2 gig could not be retrieved. The cloud is purely convenience. Do not treat it like another local drive.

 

[Nbd1790]

I would say to go with 16gb if you can. Just gives you a little more headroom / future proofing. Might get a little more life out of the machine by going that route (especially if theres a chance you might want to do more intensive tasks at some point).

As far as hard drive space goes, it's also quite important. 15% headroom is required for any computer to operate efficiently. I know plenty of people who have 256/512 configs that nearly max it out and the computers start to lag and slow down regardless of the Ram config.

Obviously you're aware of what you would like to keep on your internal drive so you can make that judgement for yourself, but even cloud items are localized at times when in use (depending what you're using)

 

[jav6454]

I’ve never owned a Mac but am considering getting a MacBook Air. I’ve used iPhones and iPads for a long time so the similar functionality and things working across all devices appeals to me.

I don’t plan on doing anything super intensive. It would mainly be documents, spreadsheets, email, web surfing, watching videos (e.g., Netflix, YouTube), occasional zoom call, and I’m sure other non-intensive things.

Looking around, I can’t find any MacBook Airs with 16gb of ram (not even on Apple’s site). Is 8gb of memory enough?

Also, I don’t need a ton of onboard storage because I won’t have a lot and most of it is in the cloud. Is there much of a difference between the 7 core and 8 core gpu? Is it worth the extra cost to get the 8 core?

Thanks for your help.

If you like to keep lots of Tabs I would suggest you go with 16GB of RAM. Also, check the refurbished store at Apple. You might be able to find one.

 

[AudiHeel]

I get 20-30 tabs going plus other apps with 8GB and it blazes along. It's much better than an Intel Air with 8GB.

 

[Apple_Robert]

No need to waste money getting 16 GB of RAM. 8 GB of RAM is more than enough for what you do.

 

[tarsins]

Yep, 8GB will be fine. As well as doing similar things to you, I also use my M1 8GB to do some programming and remote server work. Personally I'd only consider 16GB for heavy photo/video editing or virtual machines.

 

[Saturn007]

512gb SSD and up are supposed to be much faster! Search for threads here.

 

[DavidChoux]

If it's any help I'm running an old 13" base spec MBP with 8GB and it still holds up fine. I even edit 1080p footage in FCPX on it and I had no issues whatsoever. So I'm sure 8GB would be fine for your use case.

 

[Texas26257]

Same usage for me outside sales and every thing I use is web based. I keep as much as possible in cloud. Word processing for work along with spread sheets so nothing at all intense. So one upgrade for me either ram or ssd. if I chose one upgrade ram or ssd

 

[jav6454]

Same usage for me outside sales and every thing I use is web based. I keep as much as possible in cloud. Word processing for work along with spread sheets so nothing at all intense. So one upgrade for me either ram or ssd. if I chose one upgrade ram or ssd

Smart on your part as any upgrade is expensive right now.