someone help me understand how memory works?

[Antidoll]

so my Macbook is supposed to have a 4 GB of memory... I have this application that shows you how much memory is free and it alway shows I have around 1.43 GB free the max I could get if I close everything is around 2 GB...

what is using the other 2 GB constantly???

 

[simsaladimbamba]

The operating system is probably using it. The browser is probably using it. Other applications are probably using it.

______________________________________________________
Have a look at Activity Monitor (Applications / Utilities /) and sort by "Real Memory" to see, what applications are using your RAM.

image below uses sorting by CPU as an example

Further reading:

Mac OS X: Reading system memory usage in Activity Monitor
Making The Most of Activity Monitor
What Is Activity Monitor (or How to Take Your Mac's Pulse)​

______________________________________________________​

Also know, that RAM is there to be used, the more there is free, that is not really that attainable.
I have 8GB RAM and i use it often to its fullest. I don't keep it half empty, as RAM is the fast access to content I work with.

http://www.ddrmemoryupgrades.com/what_is_ram.html

 

[Antidoll]

but even if I have NOTHING else running ( no browser/ no applications) I still don't get more than 2 GB of memory...

is it normal that the system would use the whole 2 GB?

 

[simsaladimbamba]

but even if I have NOTHING else running ( no browser/ no applications) I still don't get more than 2 GB of memory...

is it normal that the system would use the whole 2 GB?

What application do you use to measure the amount of free RAM?
Have you looked at Activity Monitor yet (don't forget to select SHOW ALL PROCESSES) and also at least read the link titled "Mac OS X: Reading system memory usage in Activity Monitor"?

My RAM usage after a RESTART:

 

[Antidoll]

I just restarted here's mine :

 

[LeandrodaFL]

Everything is fine bro...

 

[shardey]

If you are going to worry about it that much, consider buying 8gb, since it is very affordable right now.

 

[Wattser93]

If you are going to worry about it that much, consider buying 8gb, since it is very affordable right now.

About $40 on Newegg with free shipping.