Ordered basic MB Air... now worried 4GB Ram won't be enough

[halledise]

Apple have a great no-questions-asked return policy for 14 days.

if you still have any misgivings by the time it arrives, you can aways send it back for a full credit and order same model with 8gb memory 😉
(which is what I'd be doing. makes it easier to sell, come the time)

in fact you could even use it for a few days before packing it up to return, which'd lessen the time you'd be without one, assuming you have the spare $ to effectively pay for 2 until Apple credit your a/c with the $ for the 1st one.

 

[robdrj45]

A factory optional 4G-to-8G RAM upgrade for $100 is a decent deal, IMO. They're making plenty of profit on the upgrade, I'm sure, but I think it's a fair price. Even if you could upgrade the Air's RAM, by the time you bought the hardware and paid for installation (for argument's sake), you'd probably have near that amount invested. Plus, you may loose the warranty.

 

[lonewolf604]

Stupid question but if you order from apple online do they charge for shipping and are there any hidden taxes? A lot of you are making the 8gb ram upgrade seem like a necessity.

Also, can you order a custom macbook from an apple store? (so you can pick it up at the store when it is shipped).

 

[jena55]

A factory optional 4G-to-8G RAM upgrade for $100 is a decent deal, IMO. They're making plenty of profit on the upgrade, I'm sure, but I think it's a fair price. Even if you could upgrade the Air's RAM, by the time you bought the hardware and paid for installation (for argument's sake), you'd probably have near that amount invested. Plus, you may loose the warranty.

I agree $100 is not much to upgrade RAM.... but I don't want to upgrade it if I don't really need it. If 4 gb will get the job done without much difference, than why drop the $100. I have 2 GB RAM in my IMac from 2008 and I have never upgraded. I see the beach ball occasionally, but not much. I just can't imagine 4 GB not being good enough, but then I am no expert, so that is why I am asking here. Also, I am guessing I keep this laptop a couple years, but if retina displays are introduced in a 13" mac, I will eventually upgrade to that. So, I don't see myself keeping this computer for 5 years or something like that.

 

[GREEN4U]

I agree $100 is not much to upgrade RAM.... but I don't want to upgrade it if I don't really need it. If 4 gb will get the job done without much difference, than why drop the $100. I have 2 GB RAM in my IMac from 2008 and I have never upgraded. I see the beach ball occasionally, but not much. I just can't imagine 4 GB not being good enough, but then I am no expert, so that is why I am asking here. Also, I am guessing I keep this laptop a couple years, but if retina displays are introduced in a 13" mac, I will eventually upgrade to that. So, I don't see myself keeping this computer for 5 years or something like that.

4GB will definitely be fine then. Even 4GB will last you at least 5 years.

I suggest you go to the Apple store and test drive the Airs. Their demos are base models. Bring a USB flash drive and open up all the files and applications (or similar) at once if it were your own computer and see how it performs.

 

[robdrj45]

Stupid question but if you order from apple online do they charge for shipping and are there any hidden taxes? A lot of you are making the 8gb ram upgrade seem like a necessity.

Also, can you order a custom macbook from an apple store? (so you can pick it up at the store when it is shipped).

Are you in the USA? It's probably best to call Apple and ask them about sales tax (or other possible taxes). But as far as I know, you will be charged sales tax if you are sending it to an Apple store located in a state that charges sales tax. Or if you live in a state that charges sales tax and also has an Apple store which sells its products there, you will be charged sales tax if you send it directly to your home. There was no charge for standard shipping (at least when I ordered), but quicker delivery service does cost extra (2nd day, etc.).

I would have preferred running down to Best Buy or the Apple store and picking up a base machine (instant gratification and all), but the RAM upgrade was too hard to pass up. I asked at the Apple store and they said a custom built Air cannot be ordered there. It can be picked up there, but it must be ordered online.

 

[lonewolf604]

Are you in the USA? It's probably best to call Apple and ask them about sales tax (or other possible taxes). But as far as I know, you will be charged sales tax if you are sending it to an Apple store located in a state that charges sales tax. Or if you live in a state that charges sales tax and also has an Apple store which sells its products there, you will be charged sales tax if you send it directly to your home. There was no charge for standard shipping (at least when I ordered), but quicker delivery service does cost extra (2nd day, etc.).

I would have preferred running down to Best Buy or the Apple store and picking up a base machine (instant gratification and all), but the RAM upgrade was too hard to pass up. I asked at the Apple store and they said a custom built Air cannot be ordered there. It can be picked up there, but it must be ordered online.

I live in Vancouver BC Canada.

Hmm....I can't really wait any longer. I don't think I really need the 8 gigs because hell, I'll be upgrading in 3-4 years anyway....I've had a 2008 white Macbook up until now (it died on me a few weeks back), so I think i should be fine.

 

[Stein357]

How long do you plan on keeping the computer?

$100 isn't bad to semi future proof.