While many experts believe that 8 GB of RAM is no longer sufficient for today’s needs, Apple still considers it OK.
In 2024, Apple continues to sell laptops equipped with only 8 GB of RAM. This decision attracted a lot of criticism, especially during the presentation of the latest Apple M3 products.
In an interview with Chinese media Ithome, Evan Buyze, product marketing manager at Apple, confirmed that according to Apple, 8 GB of RAM is sufficient for various tasks. This is the second time he has made such a statement.
However, many specialists do not share this opinion. And the tests confirm… Vadim Yuryev from the Max Tech YouTube channel, who had already compared MacBooks in 8 and 16 GB RAM configuration. He also carried out the tests with a laptop equipped with 16 GB of RAM that the Apple machine was compared and the result is again clear.
Why is 8 GB of RAM no longer enough in 2024?
RAM is an essential component of any computer. It allows you to temporarily store the data used by the processor. The more RAM, the more data the computer can process simultaneously, resulting in faster and smoother performance.
With the evolution of software and applications, RAM requirements have increased significantly. Modern web browsers, for example, consume much more RAM than their predecessors. Likewise, photo and video editing apps, games, and productivity tools all require a significant amount of RAM to function properly.
In this context, 8 GB of RAM, even if unified, can quickly become a bottleneck, especially for users who run multiple applications at the same time. This can lead to slowdowns, delays, and a less satisfying overall user experience. Not to mention, AI.
The impact of AI on RAM requirements
Because the rise of artificial intelligence has further accentuated the need for significant RAM. AI applications, especially those that run on the terminal side, directly on the device, have high memory requirements. This is particularly the case for generative AI, which requires a significant amount of RAM to function correctly.
It’s true that Apple has equipped its M-series chips with a unified memory architecture, which should in theory make it easier to run generative AI. However, the question of RAM remains unresolved. Apple has confirmed that its Apple Silicon chips are AI-ready, with a dedicated NPU, but the company has not addressed the issue of RAM.
Moreover, in the interview, Apple mentioned that it would share more AI news later this year. Certainly during the WWDC 2024 Worldwide Developers Conference from June 10 to 14.
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