Vratislav Holub Operating memory is an integral part of every computer. Very briefly, it can be said that it is a really fast memory used for reading and writing data of currently running files and processes. Just as the frequency and number of processor cores or storage sizes increase, so do the possibilities of operating memories - whether in terms of their speeds or capacities. But in most cases this only applies to "more expensive" models. For years, the idea has been spreading in the computer world that 8 GB of RAM is the most optimal option for regular use, or even for occasional gaming.
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Logically, therefore, a rather interesting discussion opens up. Can 8 GB of operating memory still be considered fully sufficient? Alternatively, how is it, for example, with Macs from Apple?
8 GB once vs. 8 GB today
Although the size of the operating memory at first glance has practically not changed in several years, it is necessary to perceive a rather fundamental difference. While the sizes (capacity) remain more or less the same, both the memory modules themselves and their speeds have changed significantly. This can be well illustrated on concrete types. While RAM memories of the DDR2 type often relied on a frequency of 800 MHz or DDR3 on 1600 MHz, modern DDR5 modules even offer speeds of up to 6000 MHz. It clearly follows that the total capacity does not at all determine how the given memory will be in terms of its efficiency.
Now let's focus on the case of Macs. Apple computers underwent a fundamental transformation in 2020. Apple stopped using traditional processors from Intel, replacing them with its own chipsets from the Apple Silicon series. Macs have thus completely changed their architecture and the way they more or less work. Even before that, traditional operating memories of the RAM type were used. But now the giant relies on the so-called unified memory. The unified memory is already part of the Apple Silicon SoC (System on a Chip) itself. It already integrates all components together – CPU, GPU, Neural Engine, unified memory and other co-processors. The unified memory is then shared between the individual parts, which noticeably raises its possibilities to a completely new level.
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Is 8 GB enough for basic models?
From time to time, Apple users are also discussing whether it is time to finally drop the 8GB memory and increase its capacity even in the case of basic models. However, we will definitely not see such a change in the foreseeable future. As we mentioned above, the Cupertino giant ensures flawless functionality thanks to its special design, which does not limit the size of the memory in any way. Thanks to its sharing and lightning speed, it is more than sufficient in the case of basic models.
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But the truth is that someone can have major problems with it. In this case, however, they are professionals who are engaged in demanding operations - for example, software development, work with video, 3D graphics, and the like. However, these users definitely do not find the basic models of Macs. It is crucial for them to have significantly higher performance available, which is offered by up to 14″/16″ MacBook Pro or Mac Studio. It is these computers that start with 16 GB or 32 GB of unified memory.
