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2024 MacBook Air still 8GB Unified Memory
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"Please select the amount of RAM you would like to download. One cannot simply Download too much RAM," the website claims. 😂
I downloaded a new 77 OLED TV last night, what’s the issue?
I will say, it took a while to download..
It kept saying “living room is full”
Get rid of the couch. Then you will have enough space.
Was that on Earth? When exactly?
Overly cynical. Their margins are high but not obscene on base products. Where the issue becomes pronounced is when adding RAM and especially storage. That's where Apple's pricing strategy becomes most brazen and unfortunate.
Some phones have 24gb/1tb. A computer is supposed to be more powerful, right?
You just joined the forum and are quite similar to Apple PR, hmmm….🤔I am borrowing a Macbook Air M1 8gb/512 storage and it is absolutely blowing my mind.
I'm an App developer. I've worked on the same 16gb Mac Mini Late 2012 for 12 years now. Honestly, I'd still be there if Xcode installed on macOS High Sierra. Alas, I finally had to start thinking about upgrading If I want to release & keep my iPhone Apps updated in the Appstore. Dang forced OS upgrades.
That's why I am borrowing this Macbook Air M1 from my wife. It. Is. AMAZING! So dang snappy! Plenty enough speed and memory to make iPhone Apps for me. So I've decided, I'm getting one of those Amazon deals of an M2 Mini (499!) to replace my old Mac Mini. Cheaper and way more powerful.
If I am a programmer why don't I update more often? I'm just happy making apps. I could do that on a rather old device so it's all good!
But I think now my plan will be get one of these Apple Silicon (M2 which will even further blow my mind) for only $499 and then trade it in for a M3 Mac Studio if they are announced at WWDC 2024!
I figure that's a computer I can probably sit on even longer than my old trusty 2012 Mac Mini!
Only if you take apple at their word that 8 GB of RAM and 256 GB of storage both cost $200.
Which is of course complete and utter nonsense.
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Yep, I'd be quite surprised if the base model M4 MBA gets 12GB of
I think the base model M5 MBA will get 12GB, and it will stay that way for several years (ie up to base model M9 or M10 MBA).
And even more controversial...MBA upgrade paths will be to 18GB ($200/£200/€200 extra) and 24GB ($400/£400/€400 extra).
Apple gives...and apple takes.
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That is simply not true. Tech nerds like us are not everyone.
My mother doesn’t need more than 8/256. I do, but there is no world in which she does. Why should she be forced to buy a more powerful machine than she needs/wants?
You can buy whatever configuration you want. People feeling the need to claim they know what strangers do and do not need is the height of arrogance.
Prices are a whole other ball of wax, but saying “everyone needs more than 8/256”is simply incorrect.
Edit: @Howard2k pointed out he was being sarcastic, for the record, but leaving this up since unfortunately there are those who actually believe everyone needs more.
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I know. I didn't specifically mark it as sarcasm because I thought it was so incredibly obvious. But yes, sarcasm.
Oh!!! So sorry, I missed that!I know. I didn't specifically mark it as sarcasm because I thought it was so incredibly obvious. But yes, sarcasm.
You’d think it would be obvious, but there are those who hold that opinion so I mistakenly jumped… apologies
For a lot of people 8GB is enough if they are only browsing the web, listening to music, taking notes, watching youtube/netflix but for an Apple product (due to how expensive they are) it is criminal to only offer 8GB.
Fortunately, I think Apple will "soon" finally boost the base RAM. If the rumors are true about a cheaper MacBook (chromebook competitor) then they will probably put 8GB in that and increase the Air. Also, MacOS this year will be interesting if they are going to go hard with AI like in iOS. AI needs more RAM and storage. AI will use as much RAM (on the GPU side but since it's unified I said RAM) as you can throw at it.
When the next redesign happens, with or without M4 chip, I bet they will boost the RAM to 16-18GB minimum with 24-36GB options for BTO.
Fortunately, I think Apple will "soon" finally boost the base RAM. If the rumors are true about a cheaper MacBook (chromebook competitor) then they will probably put 8GB in that and increase the Air. Also, MacOS this year will be interesting if they are going to go hard with AI like in iOS. AI needs more RAM and storage. AI will use as much RAM (on the GPU side but since it's unified I said RAM) as you can throw at it.
When the next redesign happens, with or without M4 chip, I bet they will boost the RAM to 16-18GB minimum with 24-36GB options for BTO.
For basic tasks, any laptop with an SSD from the last 15 years, be it a MacBook or another brand, is more than sufficient for most users. These can be found at very reasonable prices, eliminating the need to overspend on features that won't be utilized.
However, for those who require more advanced capabilities, investing in a new MacBook with a faster chip can be justified. It's all about matching the technology to the user's needs, which, as you rightly pointed out, haven't significantly changed for the majority of users in the last two decades.
The vast majority does not have any need for a MacBook M3 with any amount of RAM or storage. This is precisely why the choice of buying one with such enormous capabilities and having basic functionality hamstrung by measly storage and RAM or the alternative of overspending by 1000% is so utterly outrageous.
I think this is right on point. I truly believe these will be the new configurations once they finally find the courage to do so. Although I do think there is at least a 50% chance this will happen with the M4 rather than with the M5.
This may be a hot take, but the fact that Apple is shipping even their Pro laptops starting at 8GB of RAM gives me hope that they will prioritize keeping MacOS and software for it from being bloated and demanding. The last thing they want is Macs having a reputation of being sluggish, so if they are still confident putting out 8GB machines, they must intend for them to be able to run well for some years yet.
What percentage of MBA customers are doing significant video editing on their computers? Who would choose a fanless laptop as their primary device for professional video editing? I can understand doing an occasional simple iMovie or whatever, but if I were in the business of making wedding videos for a living, I would not be using a MBA. I would use a MBP.
This keeps happening, posts that overlay spec requirements on top of a MBA consumer base that does not exist.
Apple is still building computers as if it’s 2006 again.The base model still having 8GB RAM & 256 storage, but at least the higher build comes with 16GB RAM & 512GB storage.
Or just buy a PC and do everything on it your Mac can do. Cheaper. That’s the route I’ve gone. My wife’s near $5,000 studio Mac has had its storage replaced twice. And now it’s back at Apple for a motherboard replacement. She’s a software engineer and has had to resort to using a gaming PC I built last year.
She’s selling the Mac Studio and having me build her a computer with the money.
22 years of an old Apple family. Done. And gone forever.
You don't have to buy a 256GB phone, and you don't have to buy a 256GB MacBook. You can change the capacity of both devices at the time of purchase. As long as you make an informed purchasing decision you'll be good.