16GB of RAM Could Be the New Minimum in Apple's Upcoming M4 Macs
Apple plans to set 16GB of RAM as the new standard for its M4 Macs, addressing criticism of 8GB's inadequacy for professional use and enhancing performance for future AI capabilities.
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Apple is expected to set 16GB of RAM as the new standard for its upcoming M4 Macs, moving away from the long-standing base of 8GB. This change comes as Apple tests four new Mac models featuring the M4 chip, all equipped with either 16GB or 32GB of unified memory. The shift to 16GB may be influenced by the need for enhanced performance, particularly for future AI capabilities under the Apple Intelligence initiative. Critics have long argued that 8GB is insufficient for professional workflows, especially for devices marketed as "Pro." Currently, users can upgrade to 16GB or 24GB for an additional cost, but these configurations cannot be modified later due to Apple's unified memory architecture. The anticipated change to 16GB as the minimum is seen as a response to user feedback and a recognition of the evolving demands of creative professionals. This development is likely to be welcomed by users who have expressed dissatisfaction with the previous RAM offerings.
- Apple is likely to make 16GB of RAM the new minimum for its upcoming M4 Macs.
- The change addresses long-standing criticism regarding the adequacy of 8GB RAM for professional use.
- Users currently pay extra for RAM upgrades, which cannot be modified later.
- The shift may be influenced by the need for improved performance for future AI features.
- This move is expected to enhance the appeal of Apple's Mac lineup among creative professionals.
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8 commentsLlama 8G loads and runs pretty well on the new M-series Macs with a reasonable amount of RAM.
Sometimes people will reply to this saying it's not a problem, because Apple is more than happy to take your upgrade money. They are, yes, but that's not to say there aren't also problems: not every customer will upgrade, and even those who do upgrade might badmouth the company, which might make friends and family less likely to buy an Apple product. I'm also not convinced Apple likes to disrupt their customers' usual purchase cycle, as that introduces uncertainty in their financial projections to shareholders.
But happen to be wrong this time around. Given how much margin Apple's saves on using M4 getting 16GB baseline shouldn't be much problem.
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