M4 Macs could boost base RAM to 16GB for the first time, saving you $200
by https://www.facebook.com/dujkan, Christian Zibreg · iDownloadBlog.comM4 Macs could boost base RAM to 16GB for the first time, saving you $200
Christian Zibreg ∙ August 26, 2024
Upcoming Mac computers powered by Apple’s M4 chip could double the base RAM from 8 to 16GB, saving you $200 in upgrade costs.
Mark Gurman reported on Bloomberg that Apple is testing four new unreleased Mac computers powered by M4 chips. All models allegedly come with either 16GB or 32GB of unified memory. No, Apple hasn’t become a Good Samaritan. The minimum system requirements for Apple Intelligence include eight gigabytes of RAM, but that’s only for the AI features. Your Mac also needs RAM to run its operating system software and apps, hence the sudden need to double the base RAM on Macs.
This is only a rumor, but Mark Gurman is usually correct. Apple is expected to unveil new phones, watches, and earbuds on September 10. However, new Macs powered by M4 chips should be unveiled at a separate event in October.
Anyone deeming 8GB of RAM inadequate needs to pay at least $200 for a RAM upgrade from Apple because the company solders the RAM, preventing future upgrades. That’s especially the case with Apple silicon Macs (models released from 2020 onward) because the RAM is directly soldered to a system-on-a-chip comprising the CPU, GPU and other components.
How Apple uses the RAM to upsell customers
All base models of Apple’s consumer computers like the MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, iMac and Mac mini are equipped with just eight gigabytes of RAM (this excludes higher-priced configurations and pro systems like the Mac Studio and Mac Pro). The logic is that Apple’s operating systems and software need less RAM to perform smoothly than Windows because Apple makes both hardware and software, which optimizes everything to work more efficiently.
This is the same old tiring argument as 20 years ago, but I’m not buying it anymore. It may have been technically true before, but not anymore—macOS and Windows are now pretty well optimized regarding RAM requirements. Such an explanation in 2024 sounds like a lame excuse that Apple’s PR department would create as a talking point against claims that RAM is one of the ways Apple rips off its customers.
It’s also what you do on your computer that matters RAM-wise. People run web browsers with dozens of open tabs, email and chat clients, productivity and creative software and what have you, often all at once. And then they open huge documents, gigapixel photographs and 4K HDR videos to edit, etc. All those assets contribute to the RAM strain a lot, in addition to the OS and apps.