Should have gotten the 16GB version

[EugW]

This happened to me shortly after purchasing this MacBook Air. High memory compression on just 8GB of RAM.
Then I understood that newer models tend to use more memory than older models, like my 2010 MBP.

As you can see, apps opened on that moment were merely Safari, Spotify, Pixelmator and iTunes... Yes, quite a lot tabs on the browser, but nothing exaggerated, I guess 20-25 tabs.

My recommendation for everyone remains the same: If you can afford those extra 250$, go for the 16GB of RAM.

I wonder if the Apple App Store has a memory leak, because it's using 1.72 GB in your screenshot. In my case it's PowerPoint 2016 - horrible memory leak.

 

[kreasonos]

It’s so tempting to go with the 256/8 model because of the price but I know I’ll be bummed without the 512 ssd.

 

[Mansali]

If you need 16 GB of ram that means you prob need the processing power too. Which means you should go for the MacBook pro. I have a 15 inch pro too and am thinking of getting an air for its ease of use on the go. I know exactly what I am getting with an air hence if I needed the 16 gb I would just turn on my pro.

Also by the time 16 gb becomes relevant I bet the current macbook air processor will probably also become a bottleneck.

 

[Populus]

Today I've hit the red zone on my RAM compression graphic, just with Safari with a lot of tabs open.
I know I should close the tabs I'm not using, but still, this never happened to me on my old 2010 MacBook Pro.

So definitely, I'm a 16GB RAM type of user. I will return this MacBook Air because of this, and other reasons.
Don't get me wrong, I'm loving this Air, but I feel a MacBook Pro would suit me better, so my hopes are on the 2019 nTB MacBook Pro, if Apple updates it this year with Sunny Cove and 16/32 GB of LPDDR4.

 

[EugW]

If you need 16 GB of ram that means you prob need the processing power too.

That's not necessarily true. If you multitask even with just business applications, you can chew through RAM quickly.

The reverse isn't true either. You can need tons of processing power and not need much RAM.