6 ms·

Is this the year where Apple increases the memory on the base model above 8GB? Will they finally allows you to have 32GB of memory on the macbook Air? Will Appl

Is this the year where Apple increases the memory on the base model above 8GB? Will they finally allows you to have 32GB of memory on the macbook Air? Will Apple finally do like all other computer manufacturers and allow you to connect two external display while having your clamshell open? Or will they just force you to buy the macbook pro max ultra ultimate m4$ if you want any feature?

snarkyturtle 2y ago
> Is this the year where Apple increases the memory on the base model above 8GB Nope, the opposite. They're doubling down. > In an interview with IT Home, Mac marketing executive Evan Buyze spoke in favor of Macs equipped with 8GB of RAM. According to Buyze, the 8GB of RAM in entry-level Macs is enough for most of the tasks that most users do with these computers. He used web browsing, media playback, light photo and video editing, and casual gaming as examples. Source: https://9to5mac.com/2024/04/12/apple-8gb-ram-mac/ https://9to5mac.com/2024/04/12/apple-8gb-ram-mac/
- zshrc 2y ago
  For today, sure. For 5 years down the line, probably would be a different story... Also note that he's probably not using a Chromium-based browser for his "web browsing" experience... base Safari does fine with 8GB, even with a large amount of open tabs.
  - s1gsegv 2y ago
    I also think we should progress past 8GB baselines but an interesting point: I said this “5 years down the line” back when the M1 first came out, in 2020. Maybe memory requirement inflation is truly starting to slow down.
    - RetroTechie 2y ago
      > I also think we should progress past 8GB baselines Perhaps the contrary: 8GB is already a humongous RAM size. Especially if backed up by a fast SSD. That really should be enough for everyday jobs like the examples mentioned (waaay more than enough, imho). As for pro-level / servers / serious gamers / engineering jobs etc: sure, go ahead and deck it out to whatever budget & product offerings allow. Just remember this is a decidedly different market segment than average consumer.
      - qwytw 2y ago
        There is still no reason not to have >= 16 GB besides Apple wanting to upcharge its customers since they have no choice. Also no, it's hardly enough unless you're using you Mac the same way you'd use an iPad..
      - s1gsegv 2y ago
        > Especially if backed up by a fast SSD Ooh, relying on swap to your limited write cycle irreplaceable mass storage seems like a bridge too far to me. I know they do it, but I worry it will shorten the device lifespan if it’s relied on too much. I am not a fan of the idea that we’d engineer a device to consume a limited resource like that in normal operation.
    - randomopining 2y ago
      I think use cases stopped expanding.
- littlecranky67 2y ago
  I was in the same department but changed my opinion - when my 32GB 2019 Macbook Pro 16" died of sudden heat death, I bought a base-model 8GB M2 MacMini (retail price 650€) and was amazed that it actually is faster for all my day-to-day tasks - this includes software development (C#/ASP.NETcore, TypeScript/React both using VSCode) plus running some (smaller) docker containers. Originally intended as an interims solution, I am still on the MacMini with no intention to upgrade - there is no way I could tell it has only 8GB RAMs and never run into any problems - it is in all matters of regular daily use faster than my ~3000€ 32GB MBP16.
  - mixmastamyk 2y ago
    16GB is under $40 today. Less when buying by the million. No reason to limit device longevity besides propping APPL earnings.
    - deleted 2y ago
      [deleted]
    - brokenmachine 2y ago
      I can't wait until 2 years from now they're touting how amazing and groundbreaking 32Gb is and how much better it is than those 2024 laptops with only 8Gb.
      - littlecranky67 2y ago
        Who is they?
        brokenmachine 2y ago
        Apple and their victims.
  - qwytw 2y ago
    > TypeScript/React both using VSCode If you're using any Jetbrains IDE and want to also run your app/nodejs/etc. you mac will start freezing and and input lagging. Of course it's a pretty bloated Java app that could be optimized a bit more but I can't really blame them, RAM is so cheap nowadays that there is no reason why you'd have less than 16GB or even 32... Also having any mildly memory intense app + Chrome (with > 10-20 tabs opened) is a no go etc.
- blackeyeblitzar 2y ago
  I think that is in context of the recently launched M3 MacBook Air. The future ones may be different and they’ll change their narrative then.
DrScientist 2y ago
The core of Apple's problem at the moment is to some extent the opposite - the base M1 Macbook Airs were such a leap forward, that for many people there is no need to buy the M2 or M3 etc. So while I agree that creating what looks like arbitrary limitations some of the lower models is very annoying ( particularly around external monitor support [1] ) - you can see why commercially they might have done so. ie when your base computer is 'fast enough' how do you segment the market? ( bearing in mind Apple doesn't have that hardcore gaming market to drive sales at the high end ) Local AI ? Perhaps - their unified memory arch could give them an edge here.
- pocketarc 2y ago
  > the base M1 Macbook Airs were such a leap forward, that for many people there is no need to buy the M2 or M3 etc. Yeah, I'm still on an M1 MBP. I remember when I upgraded, it 2x'd my code's performance, and... it's more than good enough. The -only- reason it's an MBP is for the external displays. If it wasn't for that segmentation I'd happily be on an MBA.
  - lamroger 2y ago
    I'm on an Intel MBP still - not coding as much but still working great
- dimmke 2y ago
  This is where I feel both good as a consumer but I understand why companies are so disincentivized to make good products now. I'm still on my M1 MBP from when they launched in Fall 2021 and I feel like I could use this thing for another several years easy. There's no chance of the average programmer hitting a wall (except maybe people deeply involved in running local LLMs) that requires an upgrade and they pretty much fixed every single issue with their laptops in one shot. I do see these artificial limitations in their product lineup. For example, you can't get a 1TB SSD in their 16" MBP unless you get the M3 Max as opposed to the M3 Pro which is a $600 upgrade. Vs in their 14" you can get a 1TB at their middle configuration for only a $200 upgrade from their base configuration. What else can they really do to get people on an upgrade treadmill ala iPhones (another area which has slowed down significantly)? If they let you configure the base models with 32GB of ram and a 1TB SSD there'd be literally nothing else to upgrade. They already introduced a new color for the conspicuous consumption types (I haven't even seen one of those super dark gray ones in the wild.)
bdcravens 2y ago
Are these features that most people want, or features that power users who prefer the cheaper MBA want? FWIW, you can get multiple displays on an MBA with a DisplayLink hub. > macbook pro max ultra ultimate m4$ The 14" MBP starts at $1599.
- gorbypark 2y ago
  I recently discovered that the MBA supports two external monitors if one of them is an iPad via sidecar. I've been using an iPad as an extra screen for my mobile setup (MBA M2) when on the road for a while , and recently upgraded to a 14" portable monitor and was pleasantly surprised that both work at the same time. Side note: the 14" monitor is a game changer if your priorities are light weight and portability. Roughly half the weight of an iPad and even bigger and only like 60 euros. I went with the 2K resolution model and it's great price/quality ratio wise (using BetterDisplay to bump up into HiDPI mode).
  - jwells89 2y ago
    Sidecar works really well. Been using my 12.9” iPad with it and with a cheap folding stand with this setup I’m almost as productive traveling as I am back home with dual 26” monitors.
- dangus 2y ago
  Notable, the 14” MBP that is $1599 has the same display limitation because it doesn’t have the Pro chip. You need the $1999 one with the Pro chip. But I agree with you as a generality: there’s a lot of ways for savvy people to buy an Apple system at a somewhat reasonable price that has the features that are segmented away to Pros. For example, get a previous model. The M2 Pro 14” either Apple refurbished or lightly used. You can also get the current models refurbished (that’s full warranty and essentially new condition). Could go all the way back to the M1 Pro and it’s really a very similar machine. Another example: the education discount they’ll give to anyone without verification. Further example: authorized resellers. Costco has the M3 Pro for $1799.
  - 2y ago
overstay8930 2y ago
It makes sense from Apple's perspective. Normal users don't do anything other than light usage, but businesses need more. Thus they can charge businesses more while home users can still buy a nice laptop for cheap, since consumers are realistically a smaller market and highly price sensitive, while businesses don't care that much about paying a few extra hundred bucks for a computer when they're paying the user of said computer significantly more. Dell does the same thing in the business world. You void your sales contract if you open up those laptops, too.
fooker 2y ago
If they are selling like hotcakes, do they have to do all of these? I think you'll find that they don't.
- pquki4 2y ago
  First sentence of the article has "boost sluggish computer sales" in it. And you can read Apple's earnings report yourself to confirm that. So I am not very sure about "selling like hotcakes".
grecy 2y ago
> Is this the year where Apple increases the memory on the base model above 8GB? Will they finally allows you to have 32GB of memory on the macbook Air? This reasoning makes no sense. You are talking about the cheapest and lowest spec laptop Apple sell, designed for consumers, not pros. Do you complain the base level Porsche is slow? Do you complain the base level Tesla has a short range? Do you complain Nvidia’s base card can’t run monster models? None of those make any sense, those are the cheapest base model from each company, and each company sells higher spec versions of those products. The base model is slow and cheap. If you need higher performance, buy the model that has ‘pro’ in the name, that is what its for.
- qwebfdzsh 2y ago
  > Do you complain the base level Porsche is slow? It's certainly not "slow" though... > Do you complain the base level Tesla has a short range? Again, the range is still pretty good compared to most other EVs > The base model is slow and cheap. I RAM is relatively cheap and the impact on price would be minimal. However Apple's business model is in large part based on making money from upgrades because they can charge obscenely inflated prices for memory/storage because their customers don't have a choice.
  - grecy 2y ago
    You missed the point entirely. The base level Porsche is absolutely slow compared to the top-end. The base level Tesla has vastly less range than the top-end. The base level card from NVidia is a joke compared to the top end. Companies make a range of products to suit a range on consumers and needs. The idea that the cheapest, smallest and lightest laptop Apple make should be more geared towards pros is laughable, doubly so when they literally have a product called "Pro" that doesn't precisely what you want.
    - qwebfdzsh 2y ago
      > The base level Porsche is absolutely slow compared to the top-end. It's still very fast compared to a 100 hp budget car (HP is selling 8GB laptops for $300 and you can get a 16 GB one for $500 with 512 GB of storage, the Air starts at $1000, is Porsche offering models with 100 engines?) > The base level Tesla has vastly less range than the top-end. Vastly is an exaggeration but let's say so. It still has a much larger battery than budget EV with ~30 kWh batteries) > You missed the point entirely. I don't think so. > geared towards pros is laughable I didn't say anything about pros. A 16GB + 512GB laptop is certainly not "geared towards pros" and Apple only gives you half that. > Companies make a range of products to suit a range on consumers and needs. Maximizing profits comes first in this case. Apple uses segmentation to up charge their customers for upgrades (at obscene margins) because their clients have no other options if they want macOS. Again an extra 8GB would cost peanuts...
andrewmcwatters 2y ago
Who needs 32 GB of memory on a MacBook Air? If you even know what gigabytes are, and you want more of them, you're likely not the target audience.
- throwaway44773 2y ago
  No one needs 32GB, the same way no one needs a MacBook Air: you could very well lug around an iMac or a tower PC if you don't actually need macOS. That doesn't stop me from being annoyed at the arbitrary market segmentation that Apple enforces to get me to buy one of their "Pro" machines just because I want more memory, thereby sacrificing the portability of the device for slightly better thermal management or a CPU with better performance. Also, in the past, I could have bought the base device and bought a couple sticks of memory to upgrade the memory. Now, I cannot do this because of anti-consumer decisions that apple made to prevent user upgrade of memory. The least they could do is offer me the possibility to pay their inflated price for more ram.
- qwytw 2y ago
  Why would you need a Macbook pro if you could get a >= 32GB MacBook Air unless thermal throttling is an issue for your use case?
  - grecy 2y ago
    Better screen. Better speakers. Better connectivity. Bigger Battery.
ksec 2y ago
I believe the new M4, if it was really designed with on device AI in mind, would have at least 12GB as basic. ( 6GB x2 ) Making customer want to upgrade Mac with new AI capabilities. Apple would likely keep M2 or M3 Mac around with 8GB Ram as entry level with limited AI capabilities or with enhancement from cloud.
blackeyeblitzar 2y ago
It would be strange if they didn’t increase it since their phones are getting an increase according to leaks.

snarkyturtle 2y ago

> Is this the year where Apple increases the memory on the base model above 8GB Nope, the opposite. They're doubling down. > In an interview with IT Home, Mac marketing executive Evan Buyze spoke in favor of Macs equipped with 8GB of RAM. According to Buyze, the 8GB of RAM in entry-level Macs is enough for most of the tasks that most users do with these computers. He used web browsing, media playback, light photo and video editing, and casual gaming as examples. Source: https://9to5mac.com/2024/04/12/apple-8gb-ram-mac/ https://9to5mac.com/2024/04/12/apple-8gb-ram-mac/

zshrc 2y ago
For today, sure. For 5 years down the line, probably would be a different story... Also note that he's probably not using a Chromium-based browser for his "web browsing" experience... base Safari does fine with 8GB, even with a large amount of open tabs.
- s1gsegv 2y ago
  I also think we should progress past 8GB baselines but an interesting point: I said this “5 years down the line” back when the M1 first came out, in 2020. Maybe memory requirement inflation is truly starting to slow down.
  - RetroTechie 2y ago
    > I also think we should progress past 8GB baselines Perhaps the contrary: 8GB is already a humongous RAM size. Especially if backed up by a fast SSD. That really should be enough for everyday jobs like the examples mentioned (waaay more than enough, imho). As for pro-level / servers / serious gamers / engineering jobs etc: sure, go ahead and deck it out to whatever budget & product offerings allow. Just remember this is a decidedly different market segment than average consumer.
    - qwytw 2y ago
      There is still no reason not to have >= 16 GB besides Apple wanting to upcharge its customers since they have no choice. Also no, it's hardly enough unless you're using you Mac the same way you'd use an iPad..
    - s1gsegv 2y ago
      > Especially if backed up by a fast SSD Ooh, relying on swap to your limited write cycle irreplaceable mass storage seems like a bridge too far to me. I know they do it, but I worry it will shorten the device lifespan if it’s relied on too much. I am not a fan of the idea that we’d engineer a device to consume a limited resource like that in normal operation.
  - randomopining 2y ago
    I think use cases stopped expanding.
littlecranky67 2y ago
I was in the same department but changed my opinion - when my 32GB 2019 Macbook Pro 16" died of sudden heat death, I bought a base-model 8GB M2 MacMini (retail price 650€) and was amazed that it actually is faster for all my day-to-day tasks - this includes software development (C#/ASP.NETcore, TypeScript/React both using VSCode) plus running some (smaller) docker containers. Originally intended as an interims solution, I am still on the MacMini with no intention to upgrade - there is no way I could tell it has only 8GB RAMs and never run into any problems - it is in all matters of regular daily use faster than my ~3000€ 32GB MBP16.
- mixmastamyk 2y ago
  16GB is under $40 today. Less when buying by the million. No reason to limit device longevity besides propping APPL earnings.
  - deleted 2y ago
    [deleted]
  - brokenmachine 2y ago
    I can't wait until 2 years from now they're touting how amazing and groundbreaking 32Gb is and how much better it is than those 2024 laptops with only 8Gb.
    - littlecranky67 2y ago
      Who is they?
      - brokenmachine 2y ago
        Apple and their victims.
- qwytw 2y ago
  > TypeScript/React both using VSCode If you're using any Jetbrains IDE and want to also run your app/nodejs/etc. you mac will start freezing and and input lagging. Of course it's a pretty bloated Java app that could be optimized a bit more but I can't really blame them, RAM is so cheap nowadays that there is no reason why you'd have less than 16GB or even 32... Also having any mildly memory intense app + Chrome (with > 10-20 tabs opened) is a no go etc.
blackeyeblitzar 2y ago
I think that is in context of the recently launched M3 MacBook Air. The future ones may be different and they’ll change their narrative then.

DrScientist 2y ago

The core of Apple's problem at the moment is to some extent the opposite - the base M1 Macbook Airs were such a leap forward, that for many people there is no need to buy the M2 or M3 etc. So while I agree that creating what looks like arbitrary limitations some of the lower models is very annoying ( particularly around external monitor support [1] ) - you can see why commercially they might have done so. ie when your base computer is 'fast enough' how do you segment the market? ( bearing in mind Apple doesn't have that hardcore gaming market to drive sales at the high end ) Local AI ? Perhaps - their unified memory arch could give them an edge here.

pocketarc 2y ago
> the base M1 Macbook Airs were such a leap forward, that for many people there is no need to buy the M2 or M3 etc. Yeah, I'm still on an M1 MBP. I remember when I upgraded, it 2x'd my code's performance, and... it's more than good enough. The -only- reason it's an MBP is for the external displays. If it wasn't for that segmentation I'd happily be on an MBA.
- lamroger 2y ago
  I'm on an Intel MBP still - not coding as much but still working great
dimmke 2y ago
This is where I feel both good as a consumer but I understand why companies are so disincentivized to make good products now. I'm still on my M1 MBP from when they launched in Fall 2021 and I feel like I could use this thing for another several years easy. There's no chance of the average programmer hitting a wall (except maybe people deeply involved in running local LLMs) that requires an upgrade and they pretty much fixed every single issue with their laptops in one shot. I do see these artificial limitations in their product lineup. For example, you can't get a 1TB SSD in their 16" MBP unless you get the M3 Max as opposed to the M3 Pro which is a $600 upgrade. Vs in their 14" you can get a 1TB at their middle configuration for only a $200 upgrade from their base configuration. What else can they really do to get people on an upgrade treadmill ala iPhones (another area which has slowed down significantly)? If they let you configure the base models with 32GB of ram and a 1TB SSD there'd be literally nothing else to upgrade. They already introduced a new color for the conspicuous consumption types (I haven't even seen one of those super dark gray ones in the wild.)

bdcravens 2y ago

Are these features that most people want, or features that power users who prefer the cheaper MBA want? FWIW, you can get multiple displays on an MBA with a DisplayLink hub. > macbook pro max ultra ultimate m4$ The 14" MBP starts at $1599.

gorbypark 2y ago
I recently discovered that the MBA supports two external monitors if one of them is an iPad via sidecar. I've been using an iPad as an extra screen for my mobile setup (MBA M2) when on the road for a while , and recently upgraded to a 14" portable monitor and was pleasantly surprised that both work at the same time. Side note: the 14" monitor is a game changer if your priorities are light weight and portability. Roughly half the weight of an iPad and even bigger and only like 60 euros. I went with the 2K resolution model and it's great price/quality ratio wise (using BetterDisplay to bump up into HiDPI mode).
- jwells89 2y ago
  Sidecar works really well. Been using my 12.9” iPad with it and with a cheap folding stand with this setup I’m almost as productive traveling as I am back home with dual 26” monitors.
dangus 2y ago
Notable, the 14” MBP that is $1599 has the same display limitation because it doesn’t have the Pro chip. You need the $1999 one with the Pro chip. But I agree with you as a generality: there’s a lot of ways for savvy people to buy an Apple system at a somewhat reasonable price that has the features that are segmented away to Pros. For example, get a previous model. The M2 Pro 14” either Apple refurbished or lightly used. You can also get the current models refurbished (that’s full warranty and essentially new condition). Could go all the way back to the M1 Pro and it’s really a very similar machine. Another example: the education discount they’ll give to anyone without verification. Further example: authorized resellers. Costco has the M3 Pro for $1799.
- 2y ago

overstay8930 2y ago

It makes sense from Apple's perspective. Normal users don't do anything other than light usage, but businesses need more. Thus they can charge businesses more while home users can still buy a nice laptop for cheap, since consumers are realistically a smaller market and highly price sensitive, while businesses don't care that much about paying a few extra hundred bucks for a computer when they're paying the user of said computer significantly more. Dell does the same thing in the business world. You void your sales contract if you open up those laptops, too.

fooker 2y ago

If they are selling like hotcakes, do they have to do all of these? I think you'll find that they don't.

pquki4 2y ago
First sentence of the article has "boost sluggish computer sales" in it. And you can read Apple's earnings report yourself to confirm that. So I am not very sure about "selling like hotcakes".

grecy 2y ago

> Is this the year where Apple increases the memory on the base model above 8GB? Will they finally allows you to have 32GB of memory on the macbook Air? This reasoning makes no sense. You are talking about the cheapest and lowest spec laptop Apple sell, designed for consumers, not pros. Do you complain the base level Porsche is slow? Do you complain the base level Tesla has a short range? Do you complain Nvidia’s base card can’t run monster models? None of those make any sense, those are the cheapest base model from each company, and each company sells higher spec versions of those products. The base model is slow and cheap. If you need higher performance, buy the model that has ‘pro’ in the name, that is what its for.

qwebfdzsh 2y ago
> Do you complain the base level Porsche is slow? It's certainly not "slow" though... > Do you complain the base level Tesla has a short range? Again, the range is still pretty good compared to most other EVs > The base model is slow and cheap. I RAM is relatively cheap and the impact on price would be minimal. However Apple's business model is in large part based on making money from upgrades because they can charge obscenely inflated prices for memory/storage because their customers don't have a choice.
- grecy 2y ago
  You missed the point entirely. The base level Porsche is absolutely slow compared to the top-end. The base level Tesla has vastly less range than the top-end. The base level card from NVidia is a joke compared to the top end. Companies make a range of products to suit a range on consumers and needs. The idea that the cheapest, smallest and lightest laptop Apple make should be more geared towards pros is laughable, doubly so when they literally have a product called "Pro" that doesn't precisely what you want.
  - qwebfdzsh 2y ago
    > The base level Porsche is absolutely slow compared to the top-end. It's still very fast compared to a 100 hp budget car (HP is selling 8GB laptops for $300 and you can get a 16 GB one for $500 with 512 GB of storage, the Air starts at $1000, is Porsche offering models with 100 engines?) > The base level Tesla has vastly less range than the top-end. Vastly is an exaggeration but let's say so. It still has a much larger battery than budget EV with ~30 kWh batteries) > You missed the point entirely. I don't think so. > geared towards pros is laughable I didn't say anything about pros. A 16GB + 512GB laptop is certainly not "geared towards pros" and Apple only gives you half that. > Companies make a range of products to suit a range on consumers and needs. Maximizing profits comes first in this case. Apple uses segmentation to up charge their customers for upgrades (at obscene margins) because their clients have no other options if they want macOS. Again an extra 8GB would cost peanuts...

andrewmcwatters 2y ago

Who needs 32 GB of memory on a MacBook Air? If you even know what gigabytes are, and you want more of them, you're likely not the target audience.

throwaway44773 2y ago
No one needs 32GB, the same way no one needs a MacBook Air: you could very well lug around an iMac or a tower PC if you don't actually need macOS. That doesn't stop me from being annoyed at the arbitrary market segmentation that Apple enforces to get me to buy one of their "Pro" machines just because I want more memory, thereby sacrificing the portability of the device for slightly better thermal management or a CPU with better performance. Also, in the past, I could have bought the base device and bought a couple sticks of memory to upgrade the memory. Now, I cannot do this because of anti-consumer decisions that apple made to prevent user upgrade of memory. The least they could do is offer me the possibility to pay their inflated price for more ram.
qwytw 2y ago
Why would you need a Macbook pro if you could get a >= 32GB MacBook Air unless thermal throttling is an issue for your use case?
- grecy 2y ago
  Better screen. Better speakers. Better connectivity. Bigger Battery.

ksec 2y ago

I believe the new M4, if it was really designed with on device AI in mind, would have at least 12GB as basic. ( 6GB x2 ) Making customer want to upgrade Mac with new AI capabilities. Apple would likely keep M2 or M3 Mac around with 8GB Ram as entry level with limited AI capabilities or with enhancement from cloud.

blackeyeblitzar 2y ago

It would be strange if they didn’t increase it since their phones are getting an increase according to leaks.