5 ms·

Can anyone explain why they don't put more RAM in modern Mac computers? I think I can remember debating 8 versus 16 almost ten years ago. Why are they still stu

by there4 11y ago

Can anyone explain why they don't put more RAM in modern Mac computers? I think I can remember debating 8 versus 16 almost ten years ago. Why are they still stuck on 8?

nerdwaller 11y ago
Because not everyone is a techie that reads HN. Most people I know, even many developers, could easily get by with 8g of RAM.
- protomyth 11y ago
  Its a struggle with 10.10 and 10.11. The RAM requirement went up and it is a lot more sluggish. I got a lot of complaints and we ended up putting 16g in every iMac. The airs just became painful.
jeswin 11y ago
The 27" iMacs aren't using soldered RAM and has 4 slots. So it would probably be cheaper to buy and install RAM separately. 32GB would be about $180 instead of the ridiculous $600 Apple wants.
- Wonnk13 11y ago
  Can you actually install additional RAM? I didn't know you could take apart an iMac; i thought that changed after their "unibody" one piece aluminum design.
  - Tepix 11y ago
    Apple has a guide at https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201191 https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201191
  - ctdonath 11y ago
    Yes, the 27" model has a panel and slots for upgrading RAM.
  - madeofpalk 11y ago
    You can't take apart the iMac, but the 27" model does have user-accessible RAM. Funnily enough, it's probably easier to replace the RAM in one of those Mac than any other consumer PC. https://youtu.be/1nQp_Yb8YW0?t=55 https://youtu.be/1nQp_Yb8YW0?t=55
    - thrownaway2424 11y ago
      It is by far the easiest! It is a very thoughtful design, nothing like your average PC where upgrading the RAM is the same experience as it was 20 years ago.
Tepix 11y ago
I had 16GB in my Hackintosh 3 years ago. I noticed that 8GB seem to be enough for more of the things I do, even with some big apps such as XCode and Final Cut Pro X in simultaneous use. I think my next Macbook will only have 8GB. Apple tends to charge a huge premium on extra RAM and SSD space anyway.
robin_reala 11y ago
I doubt it. In 2005 a 1GB Corsair stick was $189 [1]. Going to 16GB from 8Gb would have set you back an extra $1500, even assuming your motherboard could have taken it. [1] http://www.statisticbrain.com/average-historic-price-of-ram/ http://www.statisticbrain.com/average-historic-price-of-ram/

by there4 11y ago

Can anyone explain why they don't put more RAM in modern Mac computers? I think I can remember debating 8 versus 16 almost ten years ago. Why are they still stuck on 8?

nerdwaller 11y ago

Because not everyone is a techie that reads HN. Most people I know, even many developers, could easily get by with 8g of RAM.

protomyth 11y ago
Its a struggle with 10.10 and 10.11. The RAM requirement went up and it is a lot more sluggish. I got a lot of complaints and we ended up putting 16g in every iMac. The airs just became painful.

jeswin 11y ago

The 27" iMacs aren't using soldered RAM and has 4 slots. So it would probably be cheaper to buy and install RAM separately. 32GB would be about $180 instead of the ridiculous $600 Apple wants.

Wonnk13 11y ago
Can you actually install additional RAM? I didn't know you could take apart an iMac; i thought that changed after their "unibody" one piece aluminum design.
- Tepix 11y ago
  Apple has a guide at https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201191 https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201191
- ctdonath 11y ago
  Yes, the 27" model has a panel and slots for upgrading RAM.
- madeofpalk 11y ago
  You can't take apart the iMac, but the 27" model does have user-accessible RAM. Funnily enough, it's probably easier to replace the RAM in one of those Mac than any other consumer PC. https://youtu.be/1nQp_Yb8YW0?t=55 https://youtu.be/1nQp_Yb8YW0?t=55
  - thrownaway2424 11y ago
    It is by far the easiest! It is a very thoughtful design, nothing like your average PC where upgrading the RAM is the same experience as it was 20 years ago.

Tepix 11y ago

I had 16GB in my Hackintosh 3 years ago. I noticed that 8GB seem to be enough for more of the things I do, even with some big apps such as XCode and Final Cut Pro X in simultaneous use. I think my next Macbook will only have 8GB. Apple tends to charge a huge premium on extra RAM and SSD space anyway.

robin_reala 11y ago

I doubt it. In 2005 a 1GB Corsair stick was $189 [1]. Going to 16GB from 8Gb would have set you back an extra $1500, even assuming your motherboard could have taken it. [1] http://www.statisticbrain.com/average-historic-price-of-ram/ http://www.statisticbrain.com/average-historic-price-of-ram/