New MacBook Pro 2023, but the same problem as before: are 8 GB of central memory really enough for most users? We give you advice.
8 GB of RAM in the MacBook Pro 2023
The discussion about whether 8 GB of RAM in a MacBook Pro is enough is much older than you think. In 2012, Apple released the first Retina MacBook Pro, with – precisely – 8 GB of RAM in the standard configuration. Even then, people were convinced that this amount would be far too little and that you should really upgrade to 16 GB.
Now it’s eleven years later and the standard configuration of a 14-inch MacBook Pro still contains 8 GB of memory. This has reignited the discussion.
Important difference between then and now
However, there is one important difference between the situation now and then. As you know, Apple no longer uses Intel processors in its Macs, but chips of its own making: the M1, M2 and M3. The difference with the past is that these chips combine all important hardware components on a single printed circuit board. The processor is there, the graphics unit, the caches and therefore also the working memory.
Because that is really different from the working memory of the past (which was never as well connected to the other components as it is now), Apple has named the concept ‘central memory’. Central memory is faster, more efficient and more flexible. A disadvantage is that the memory is soldered to the above-mentioned printed circuit board and you are therefore always stuck with the amount of RAM you chose when purchasing. Anyway, that has been standard on MacBooks for a while.
However, more memory is an expensive joke. For 16 GB of RAM you currently pay an extra 230 euros at Apple, 24 GB of RAM costs 460 euros. So you really want to know in advance whether the 8 GB or more is enough for you.
8 GB RAM or more in the MacBook Pro 2023?
You probably already expected it, but the answer to the memory question depends on what you want to use your MacBook for. Do you want to browse in Safari, watch movies on Netflix, type documents and edit some photos every now and then? Then 8 GB is still really enough. Modern Macs use memory compression and are smarter at allocating memory capacity. This also makes macOS run smoothly when you have to multitask a lot.
On the other hand, are you someone who edits films, works with 3D models, develops programs or in short: someone who really works professionally with his Mac? In that case, 8 GB of central memory may also be too little, as all software tricks cannot compensate. In that case, choose at least 16 GB of central memory.
In a nutshell
If you buy a MacBook Pro, 8 GB of memory is a cost-effective option if you have lighter usage requirements. It offers sufficient performance for everyday tasks. However, if you want to run more demanding programs, it may be worth buying more memory. This reduces the risk of memory becoming a bottleneck and ensures your Mac performs optimally.