Macbook Air 4GB RAM

yzT

My GF needs a new laptop, and we are considering a Macbook Air. However, Apple doesn't ship to my island, so we can't buy a customized one. I'm doubtful about the 4GB RAM restriction... I checked the one that was working at the shop, and the RAM usage was 3.5/4 GB.

She's going to use it just for browsing, playing music and office suite, anything else. I guess that would be enough, but I'm afraid that it may be outdated quickly, next OS X version or the one after that...

What do you think? Is it worth it to buy a Macbook Air with 4GB nowadays? (expecting 5 years of use at least)

NetworkNewb

If you aren't doing anything fancy I'm pretty certain 4GB is just fine. And I actually think Apple makes great computers that last a long time. Just not a fan of the OS. I'd get the Air and load up Windows 10 when it comes out Heard it actually runs pretty good on Apple computers.

I have a MacBook Pro from about 8 years ago that still runs great. The only reason I don't use it is because the stupid charger connector on those things kept breaking. Have bought like 4 or 5 of them. Pretty sure they have redesigned the chargers since then though.

BlackBeret

Funny you bring this up, I'll be selling the one SANS is giving me as soon as it shows up. I've seen some on Ebay from new dealers with different configurations. You might find one configured how you want from a dealer on there if you can pay shipping.

kohr-ah

yzT wrote: »

My GF needs a new laptop, and we are considering a Macbook Air. However, Apple doesn't ship to my island, so we can't buy a customized one. I'm doubtful about the 4GB RAM restriction... I checked the one that was working at the shop, and the RAM usage was 3.5/4 GB.

She's going to use it just for browsing, playing music and office suite, anything else. I guess that would be enough, but I'm afraid that it may be outdated quickly, next OS X version or the one after that...

What do you think? Is it worth it to buy a Macbook Air with 4GB nowadays? (expecting 5 years of use at least)

Honestly if you want to get 5 years usage out of it, even for as little as she is doing, I would go with 8GB RAM if you can find it. Even if you have to wait.

GreaterNinja

I have a 2014 Macbook Air I5, 4gb ram I might be willing to part with. I need an I7 and at least 8gb ram for games :P

NotHackingYou

IMO 4GB of RAM is not enough

N2IT

Nice machine!

Perfect for mobile travel and coffee/cigar shop chilling. Even a solid machine to use to putz around the house or draft up documents. I agree any heavy analytics or virtualization you'll be hurting. i7 all the way

Even at 4 GB's I find the processor is the bottleneck when processing heavy formulas etc.

NetworkNewb

For his GF just using it to browse the web, play music, and use Office I'm pretty sure 4gb is more than enough. If she was doing any gaming or running a VM on there then sure, get a nice comp, but doesn't sound needed here.

How to: How much RAM do you really need? - PC & Tech Authority

I think that MacBook Air would be perfect for her. Nice and small and looks nice.

kohr-ah

I agree on the device choice but on the one I am using right now the OS alone is using 2GB, and Chrome is using 1.3GB (because of extensions and tabs) and I am not doing any dev things, etc. That is 3.3 of the 4. That is why I would suggest 8GB if he can find it.

The 4 would definitely do the job.
Also check to see if that model macbook air is the one with soldiered ram or not. Maybe can upgrade on own?

N2IT

8 gb is a ton of ram for a normal non IT person. Even in corporation you see users getting 4 and 6 still used. The accountant that sits next to me has a small form factor with 4 gbs of ram and i5 processor. I've had her do a stress test and the processor surprisingly enough hits the ceiling before the ram. Most office apps in larger enterprises are 32 bit and can only utilize 4 gbs of ram.

Mooseboost

I think I have 4GB in my air and it handles just about everything I want it to. I don't use it for much other than studying and surfing though.

yzT

kohr-ah wrote: »

I agree on the device choice but on the one I am using right now the OS alone is using 2GB, and Chrome is using 1.3GB (because of extensions and tabs) and I am not doing any dev things, etc. That is 3.3 of the 4. That is why I would suggest 8GB if he can find it.

The 4 would definitely do the job.
Also check to see if that model macbook air is the one with soldiered ram or not. Maybe can upgrade on own?

We are going to buy a new one, so it's going to be the soldered version. What you mention about the RAM usage is what bothered me, there is a lot of RAM already in use without doing so much. Definitively, I'd like to have 8 GB.

tpatt100

Chrome on OS X is known to use a lot of ram, the thing is the newer Apple laptops the ram is permanent so if you get 4 gb and find you want more your stuck with 4gb

OfWolfAndMan

Yeah my OSX sucks up about 3.5 gig when I'm not doing much. Go with 8

yzT

Definitely, not going to buy the 4GB version.

I think I'll look at a cheaper Windows laptop and put on it a SSD.