Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

New owner

RedNova6289

RedNova6289

macrumors member
Original poster
Aug 6, 2022
37
5
I just bought my new green iMac for a good price.

My configuration: 8/8 8GB/256GB with mini keyboard and trackpad.

I'm a basic user - I mainly use the web and streaming services - editing in Apple's Photos application is enough for me.

I also avoid Rosetta 2 emulations and stick to Apps from the App Store.

Despite this, I still think about upgrading to 16GB after hearing so many warnings about the future.

The problem is that the price difference would be 500 euros.

I would like to keep this machine 4 or 5 years.

What do you think about it?

Thank you and my apologies for my English.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Don't put too much stock into the hype you hear about RAM. 8GB is PLENTY for your needs and even more for 4-5 years. Heck, I did just fine with 4GB on my old Macbook Air doing far more than just browsing and streaming, and I only sold that because it could no longer run the latest version of macOS.

That being said, it obviously doesn't hurt anything to have more RAM, so as long as that extra 500 euros isn't going to make you homeless or starve, then go for it, lol! The only reason I installed 64GB on my iMac is because it was a model users could still upgrade on their own, so I was able to get the extra RAM MUCH cheaper than Apple would've charged, so I figured might as well max it out.

While I have never regretted having "too little" RAM, I HAVE regretted getting too little SSD storage*. That was my mistake when I purchased my 2019 iMac. I should've gone with at least 1 TB. So I'd suggest investing in more storage over memory if you have to choose.

*to clarify, I understand, of course, that one can add external storage, but to me it's far more convenient to have a single volume of internal SSD storage. And the convenience goes even further it it's a laptop/portable.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: niteflyr, Isamilis and russell_314
Great English!

8 GB is fine, unless you run a ton of browser tabs, your streaming video, Photos, and perhaps office applications all at the same time. Will it be as good in 5 years as it is now? I don't know, but it will at least still be usable. For 500 Euros extra, it's not worth it with your described usage. And even if it's only good for say 4 years, then you can use your 500 Euros (plus interest) to buy a new machine then. Don't let the MacRumors geeks bully you into getting extra memory you don't need.

Also, check out my post in my M2 MacBook Air memory thread here:


I've linked a YouTube comparison of 8 GB, 16 GB, and 24 GB, and the conclusion is as expected, that 8 GB is very good for your usage.


usagora said:
While I have never regretted having "too little" RAM, I HAVE regretted getting too little SSD storage. That was my mistake when I purchased my 2019 iMac. I should've gone with at least 1 TB. So I'd suggest investing in more storage over memory if you have to choose.
Click to expand...
The thing about storage though is that you can add external storage. I have 3 TB for my iMac, plus another 2 TB for Time Machine. Performance of USB-C drives like the Samsung T7 Shield are so good now that external is very good for most mainstream users. It's not good for stuff like video production, but the OP won't be doing that, and even if s/he were to do that, s/he could just get a Thunderbolt drive.
 
  • Like
Reactions: RedNova6289 and russell_314
My advice to someone getting ready to buy an Apple Silicon Mac is (and will remain):
DO NOT get 8gb of RAM, it will not be "enough" -- get 16gb instead!
16gb is "the new 8".

BUT...
You already bought one.
So... my advice is to just use it as it is.
It may work just fine for you, as you said your needs aren't too demanding.

BUT...
NEXT TIME...
Get 16gb!
 
EugW said:
The thing about storage though is that you can add external storage. I have 3 TB for my iMac, plus another 2 TB for Time Machine. Performance of USB-C drives like the Samsung T7 Shield are so good now that external is very good for most mainstream users. It's not good for stuff like video production, but the OP won't be doing that, and even if s/he were to do that, s/he could just get a Thunderbolt drive.
Click to expand...

Of course, but I'd much rather have a single volume of high speed SSD storage onboard than two separate ones (one on board and one dongled), especially on a MacBook that I intended to use outside the house/office a lot, but even on an iMac or Studio.
 
Last edited:
I know how much this subject is constantly being revisited so I would like to start by thanking you all !

Once I become an owner, it's always the same question: did I make the right choice?

The 16GB configuration is only available here through the Apple Online Store and without discount.

With Apple, I feel like I'm never completely satisfied when I simulate a configuration.

Yesterday I ordered the maximum options for cancel it twice !

So I think I'll stay with 8GB and enjoy my computer as long as possible under the current conditions - maybe I'll stay with Monterey, I don't know.

And then, several happy events are planned like my wedding, these 500 euros will not be too much.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Nguyen Duc Hieu
RedNova6289 said:
I know how much this subject is constantly being revisited so I would like to start by thanking you all !

Once I become an owner, it's always the same question: did I make the right choice?

The 16GB configuration is only available here through the Apple Online Store and without discount.

With Apple, I feel like I'm never completely satisfied when I simulate a configuration.

Yesterday I ordered the maximum options for cancel it twice !

So I think I'll stay with 8GB and enjoy my computer as long as possible under the current conditions - maybe I'll stay with Monterey, I don't know.

And then, several happy events are planned like my wedding, these 500 euros will not be too much.
Click to expand...
Congratulations on the planned wedding, and good luck with everything.

PS: I try to spend more on memory, whereas with storage, one can always add a USB drive :)
 
  • Like
Reactions: RedNova6289
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back