Question on MacBook Air M2 memory / SSD

[dcaccount]

Hello,
I need to buy a new laptop and I have planned to buy latest M2 MacBook Air.

I need it for office purposes and sometimes to run a Windows 11 or Linux machine under VMware Fusion.
My doubt is easy, are 8GB enough or shall I order the 16GB?

Or on the contrary shall I stick with the 8GB and choose the 512GB SSD instead of the 256GB?

Then I would like to buy a “long lasting” machine without the need to replace it as it has become unusable or outdated.

What is your suggestion? Please advise.

Thanks,
Daniele

 

[MmkLucario]

Hello,
I need to buy a new laptop and I have planned to buy latest M2 MacBook Air.

I need it for office purposes and sometimes to run a Windows 11 or Linux machine under VMware Fusion.
My doubt is easy, are 8GB enough or shall I order the 16GB?

Or on the contrary shall I stick with the 8GB and choose the 512GB SSD instead of the 256GB?

Then I would like to buy a “long lasting” machine without the need to replace it as it has become unusable or outdated.

What is your suggestion? Please advise.

Thanks,
Daniele

If you’re going to be running virtual machine, the best option is to get 16GB of RAM. That way you’re not constrained by the RAM.

 

[F23]

depends on your budget, more is always better

 

[haralds]

I am using Parallels Desktop. Definitely go for 16GB or more. Memory assigned to VMs is locked and not available to Mac apps.
BTW, I have been a long-term user of VMware Fusion but have switched to Parallels Desktop in the last three years. Their Windows and Linux Guest support is more comprehensive and they support macOS Guest within the limits provided by the macOS HyperVisor.

 

[Toutou]

16 GB because of the VMs, and the SSD is really up to you. And your budget. I could fit let's say a 50 GB Windows VM and a 20 GB Linux one on my machine, but people usually hoard quite a bit more than I do.

 

[martint235]

Personally for VMs I’d go with 16gb (I did for the Mac mini)

 

[TechnoMonk]

For your usecase Upgrade RAM before storage, if budget is tight. 16GB/512 is a good combo if you keeping the machine for a long time.

 

[thecautioners]

Have you considered Apple refurbished? If it's available in your location. It might make it a little easier to jump up to 16gb/512gb. I got a refurbished M2 Air and I couldn't be happier.

 

[dcaccount]

Thanks for your replies, sounds clear, I will go for the 16gb/512!

 

[Yebubbleman]

Hello,
I need to buy a new laptop and I have planned to buy latest M2 MacBook Air.

I need it for office purposes and sometimes to run a Windows 11 or Linux machine under VMware Fusion.
My doubt is easy, are 8GB enough or shall I order the 16GB?

Or on the contrary shall I stick with the 8GB and choose the 512GB SSD instead of the 256GB?

Then I would like to buy a “long lasting” machine without the need to replace it as it has become unusable or outdated.

What is your suggestion? Please advise.

Thanks,
Daniele

Get at least 16GB of RAM (24GB might be better, given that you plan to run Windows 11 and Linux). Definitely also get a 512GB SSD; though, depending on how large your VMs are going to get, you might want to get 1TB. You cannot upgrade RAM or storage after the fact.