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poll - how much RAM did you get in your M1 MBA?
- Thread starter ghanwani
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It doesn’t use 8GB any better than under x86. The difference is the faster SSDs so swapping is faster. You’ll likely see almost identical memory pressure readings on the M1 and an identically speced Intel system under the same loads.
That's not entirely presise.
The unified memory architecture means data doesn't need to be copied to different adresses to be used by eg. the GPU, which saves space (and time): How “Unified Memory” Speeds Up Apple’s M1 ARM Macs.
Stephen Hall, over at 9to5Mac also tried to answer the question: Under what circumstances is the base-level $999 MacBook Air with the M1 and 8GB RAM powerful enough? That's an interesting read, and slightly unexpected conclusion.
BTW, I got 16GB for my Air. And probably would have, even if I ordered after reading those two (and similar) articles.
Fair enough. I guess I should say while the unified memory architecture does make it slightly more efficient, people really need to stop spreading this idea that 8GB is magically going to act like 16GB.That's not entirely presise.
The unified memory architecture means data doesn't need to be copied to different adresses to be used by eg. the GPU, which saves space (and time): How “Unified Memory” Speeds Up Apple’s M1 ARM Macs.
Stephen Hall, over at 9to5Mac also tried to answer the question: Under what circumstances is the base-level $999 MacBook Air with the M1 and 8GB RAM powerful enough? That's an interesting read, and slightly unexpected conclusion.
BTW, I got 16GB for my Air. And probably would have, even if I ordered after reading those two (and similar) articles.
The question is not whether 8GB can magically act like 16GB. It is about whether, given a certain usage/workload, a user will perceive any difference going from 8GB to 16GB.
I spent ages thinking about 8GB and 16GB and probably read most of the threads on here about 8GB vs 16GB for the M1 chip. For context, I have a 2018 13" MBP with 16GB of RAM (usually sits around 25-50% memory pressure) and a 2017 12" MB with 8GB of RAM (usually sits around 50% memory pressure).
Decided to try out the 8GB and see if it is sufficient for my usage - if it wasn't, I'd return it to Apple and either stick with my current devices or get a 16GB. So got an 8/8/512 M1 MBA today.
Have spent the last couple of hours loading all my apps and things onto the M1 MBA with 8GB of RAM. So far the memory pressure is around 25-50% with about the same types/numbers of apps open as on my MBP with 16GB of RAM. Will keep using and monitoring over the next couple of weeks before making a final decision, but at the moment it seems to be that 8GB is sufficient for my use.
My usual computer usage: I tend to keep multiple Safari tabs open, multiple Preview windows/tabs with pdfs (usually just a few pages, but the occasional couple thousand page textbook too), Goodnotes with multiple notes open, usually Word/Powerpoint on the side, Whatsapp, and Zoom on occasion. Sometimes also Spotify and a TV show/movie. I don't do video editing or Adobe.
Edit to update - half a day of decent use later, and I am now questioning whether the 8GB is enough for my use. Apparently Goodnotes takes up more RAM than expected at 0.5-1GB, Whatsapp another 0.5GB, and Safari anything from 2GB upwards. Plus a couple more other things running in the background, it means that my memory pressure has been hovering around 40-50%, mainly still staying in the green zone but it did go into the yellow a couple of times for a short while.
Might try out the 8/16/1TB M1 MBA if I see it available for store pickup, if not will go for an 8/16/512GB. Suspect I'll feel more comfortable with the extra RAM...
Edit 2 - memory pressure just went yellow again. The system doesn't feel like it has slowed down at all, just that I feel like I'll be happier with more of a buffer for RAM. I think I'll probably return this 8/8/512 and get a config with 16GB...
Decided to try out the 8GB and see if it is sufficient for my usage - if it wasn't, I'd return it to Apple and either stick with my current devices or get a 16GB. So got an 8/8/512 M1 MBA today.
Have spent the last couple of hours loading all my apps and things onto the M1 MBA with 8GB of RAM. So far the memory pressure is around 25-50% with about the same types/numbers of apps open as on my MBP with 16GB of RAM. Will keep using and monitoring over the next couple of weeks before making a final decision, but at the moment it seems to be that 8GB is sufficient for my use.
My usual computer usage: I tend to keep multiple Safari tabs open, multiple Preview windows/tabs with pdfs (usually just a few pages, but the occasional couple thousand page textbook too), Goodnotes with multiple notes open, usually Word/Powerpoint on the side, Whatsapp, and Zoom on occasion. Sometimes also Spotify and a TV show/movie. I don't do video editing or Adobe.
Edit to update - half a day of decent use later, and I am now questioning whether the 8GB is enough for my use. Apparently Goodnotes takes up more RAM than expected at 0.5-1GB, Whatsapp another 0.5GB, and Safari anything from 2GB upwards. Plus a couple more other things running in the background, it means that my memory pressure has been hovering around 40-50%, mainly still staying in the green zone but it did go into the yellow a couple of times for a short while.
Might try out the 8/16/1TB M1 MBA if I see it available for store pickup, if not will go for an 8/16/512GB. Suspect I'll feel more comfortable with the extra RAM...
Edit 2 - memory pressure just went yellow again. The system doesn't feel like it has slowed down at all, just that I feel like I'll be happier with more of a buffer for RAM. I think I'll probably return this 8/8/512 and get a config with 16GB...
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No, only sometimes system response is 1 second delayed. (switching among apps)
It is about 200GB. One thing about unified memory. I think, system uses machine learning, because for the first week or so, memory was sometimes in yellow or even red, but after system learned my use case, it looks like it is ok even with 8GB.
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That’s a lot at ~80% usage. I read an article a while back that said write performance of the SSD begins to degrade at 75% usage, so one should stay below that if possible.
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I’m not sure if that holds true today or if Apple does anything to help with this (like have extra space that is not user accessible).
I went with the base MBA model and haven't experienced any slow-downs or stalling.
It should not be problem. After I will delete some data and write another they will be on part of ssd that was written less times. It is called TRIM. I do not have 200GB of data that will be there forever but they will be changed. It is truth that you should have 20-25% of SSD free for best SSD life.That’s a lot at ~80% usage. I read an article a while back that said write performance of the SSD begins to degrade at 75% usage, so one should stay below that if possible.
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I’m not sure if that holds true today or if Apple does anything to help with this (like have extra space that is not user accessible).