rMBP: Worth It?

[slackmachine]

I'm looking to get a 15" retina. I want 16gb of RAM (currently have 20gb in my iMac and use 12-13gb constantly in normal use, often more) but I tried the 8gb in store and it was ripping fast despite the base amount of RAM. A refurb 8gb RAM 256gb drive is about $1700, while a new 16gb with 256gb drive is about $2100 (education discount). Is the $400 worth it for the extra RAM? Thanks!

 

[leman]

If you do not use numerous virtual machines in your everyday work, then no, $400 is not worth it for 16Gb RAM.

 

[slackmachine]

If you do not use numerous virtual machines in your everyday work, then no, $400 is not worth it for 16Gb RAM.

I'm not running any virtual machines, the most intensive stuff I do is heavy raw photo work and, while doing that, often multiple browser tabs open and video going at the same time. Would the 8gb be fine for this?

 

[stefankendall]

Probably not.

With a video up and a couple tools, I'm at 8GB. Note that the other 8 isn't unused. It's used as a file cache to speed up reads.

 

[johnnylarue]

You'll also often find 2012/early-2013 refurbs with 256GB and 16GB for a little over $1800, so more like a $200 premium over the base model.

I went with 16GB myself as I plan to keep my computer for 4-5 years and some of the virtual instruments I use can be RAM hogs.

 

[slackmachine]

You'll also often find 2012/early-2013 refurbs with 256GB and 16GB for a little over $1800, so more like a $200 premium over the base model.

I went with 16GB myself as I plan to keep my computer for 4-5 years and some of the virtual instruments I use can be RAM hogs.

Where?! I've been looking for one for a while now!

 

[johnnylarue]

Where?! I've been looking for one for a while now!

They were pretty common when I was shopping for one three weeks ago. Be patient--I'm sure the refurb store will be refreshed often in the next few weeks.

 

[slackmachine]

They were pretty common when I was shopping for one three weeks ago. Be patient--I'm sure the refurb store will be refreshed often in the next few weeks.

Sorry last thing but any recommendations as to where to look besides the refurb apple store?

 

[ohbrilliance]

OS X treats RAM as a resource to be used. Just because your system is using 12GB or RAM doesn't necessarily mean it needs 12GB of RAM.

 

[bobcan]

Open Up.. Take a Look..

I'm not running any virtual machines, the most intensive stuff I do is heavy raw photo work and, while doing that, often multiple browser tabs open and video going at the same time. Would the 8gb be fine for this?

If you do not know what your 'RAM Usage' is now, open up Activity Monitor and find out.. I suspect you may be close to using 8GB at times, esp if having any Browsers open at the same time.. You can't upgrade, so buy accordingly, or Buy Again!!

 

[DarwinOSX]

If you do not use numerous virtual machines in your everyday work, then no, $400 is not worth it for 16Gb RAM.

There are MANY reasons people would use more than 8 GB of ram other than running VM's. Also upgrading from 8 to 16 is more like $200.

 

[johnnylarue]

Sorry last thing but any recommendations as to where to look besides the refurb apple store?

I don't know that the Craigslist market is like where you live, but I'd have no problem buying a used one provided it's still under warranty... And MacMall had some pretty good deals on 2012 models just before the Haswells came out.

Refurb store is a safe bet though--just check it once a day and you should see that config pop up before too long.

 

[slackmachine]

I don't know that the Craigslist market is like where you live, but I'd have no problem buying a used one provided it's still under warranty... And MacMall had some pretty good deals on 2012 models just before the Haswells came out.

Refurb store is a safe bet though--just check it once a day and you should see that config pop up before too long.

If I keep checking is it bound to pop up? I haven't seen that configuration before in the refurb store at all in the past few weeks. And Macmall doesn't have it.

Regarding the RAM, I'm using so much over 8gb on my iMac in typical use that I don't think 8gb will cut it

 

[johnnylarue]

If I keep checking is it bound to pop up? I haven't seen that configuration before in the refurb store at all in the past few weeks. And Macmall doesn't have it.

Regarding the RAM, I'm using so much over 8gb on my iMac in typical use that I don't think 8gb will cut it

Yeah, I really think the extra $200 for 16GB is worth the investment. Call it the "better safe than sorry tax."

As for the refurb store, I know for a fact they had the base model with 16GB RAM available when I ordered my BTO Haswell on November 2nd. I remember it distinctly because I forwarded the link to a friend of mine who was waffling about buying one. That was just a couple of weeks ago, and I would expect them to pop up again in the near future even if it's a less common configuration.