Eric A. Meyer

I’m about to buy a new MacBook Pro, but waffling between 32GB RAM and the 4TB SSD, or 64GB RAM and the 2TB SSD (don’t quite have the budget to go 64GB/4TB). Leaning toward the 64G/2T setup, but I keep hearing that RAM isn’t as critical as it used to be, and storage space is good, so maybe 32G/4T is the better move?

Boy, computers are hard.

Feb 4, 2023 at 2:45amMetatext
Show threadEric A. MeyerFeb 4, 2023
Maybe it makes a difference if I state my intention to have this machine last me a decade, as did the MacBook Pro it will retire. So maxing out CPU and GPU is a given, but I do wonder if I’ll better appreciate more active RAM or more SSD over those ten years.
Show threadEric A. MeyerFeb 4, 2023
A strong majority make the case that more storage can be externally connected but RAM cannot, and over 10 years, software developers are likely to find ways to chew up all the RAM they can and then some. It’s a pretty good case. (And I’m totally going to claim that’s why I was leaning that way to begin with.)
Show threaddaniel s.Feb 4, 2023
@Meyerweb as an owner of three m1 devices, ram is critical and anyone who tells you it isn't is full of it. i have one device with 16G ram (m1 mini) and it CONSTANTLY tells me to close programs to free up memory.
Show threaddevoluteFeb 4, 2023
@selfagency @Meyerweb May I ask what you're doing with it? 16GB sounds like a lot and I can't recall seeing similar messages previously on older machines.
Show threaddaniel s.Feb 4, 2023
@devolute @Meyerweb web dev, so like running vs code, iterm, tower git client, two different browsers, a whole bunch of system tray utilities, docker, homebrew services including psql and redis, mail app, slack, and spotify
Show threaddevoluteFeb 4, 2023
@selfagency Almost identical to my setup. I'm not disagreeing with you, I'm just going to be spending some money soon and it's a concern. I wonder what out of that little lot is the hungry monster.
Show threadTomFeb 4, 2023
@Meyerweb And another search for epistemic closure ends where it was always going to … :-)
Show threadJoshua BryantFeb 4, 2023
@Meyerweb I would normally argue this case. Depends on the use case, but 32GB should be plenty of RAM for the foreseeable future. Might as well go for the extra storage if you want to spend the money.
Show threadCurioso 🍉 🇺🇦 (jgg)Feb 4, 2023

@joshuabryant @Meyerweb

I have 8GB, no troube. It depends on the use case indeed.

Show threadStu RobsonFeb 4, 2023
@Meyerweb whilst chewing up that RAM they'll also be after all that disk space in your node_modules folders 😭
Show threadEric A. MeyerFeb 4, 2023
@sturobson Yet another reason to never install it.
Show threadZach Inglis / PieFeb 4, 2023
@sturobson @Meyerweb `pnpm` helps a lot with this but life always finds a way.
Show threadEric A. MeyerFeb 4, 2023
@sturobson @pie And ‘life’ is an anagram for ‘file’, Illuminati confirmed
Show threadAndrew H – № 2025Feb 4, 2023
@Meyerweb yah I went back to my m1 and saw I made the same decision actually :) but I went maximum RAM and minimum storage which is why I’m running a bit short on the latter. With fast external interfaces (with M.2 enclosures, etc) now it’s much MUCH easier to extend storage
Show threadDohány TamásFeb 5, 2023
@Meyerweb
External RAM module is like OS on external hard drive? Just as portable as it is not working? :)
Show threadDaniel StockmanFeb 4, 2023
@Meyerweb If I had to choose between RAM or SSD, I would pick RAM, as storage can be offloaded (cloud, NAS, etc), but RAM cannot.
Show threadJoão PescadaFeb 4, 2023
@Meyerweb I was in a similar predicament a couple of weeks ago and went with more computing power > less storage. My 10yo MBP that this new replaced only had 512GB and I managed to keep at least 25% free. Disk "can" be upgraded, CPU/GPU/RAM not so easily I think.
Show threadAnthony SoraceFeb 4, 2023
@Meyerweb Both are probably fine, but: RAM. Bigger difference say-to-day, easier to offload storage if needed.
Show threadolivierlacanFeb 4, 2023

@Meyerweb early M1s were notorious with a bug that aged SSDs too quickly because of too little RAM and the seamlessness of disk swap with fast storage.

So as did others, I’d recommend maxing out RAM first.

Show threadMx. Aria StewartFeb 4, 2023
@Meyerweb I expect RAM; though how have your storage needs grown over the past decade? I find that's actually much more personal use case driven than by changes in what software expects. Networks remain slow, so how much data we acquire depends on what we do. RAM on the other hand, software loves to gobble.
Show threadDavid NelsonFeb 4, 2023
@Meyerweb Get the RAM. You can always attach fast external storage at a desk and if you really really have to you can use a low-profile SD card for slower overflow storage on-the-go.
Show threadGeorge SteelFeb 4, 2023
@Meyerweb Are either the RAM or the SSD socketed? If so, I'd max out the one you can't upgrade later.
Show threadE. Eggert 👉@[email protected]Feb 4, 2023
@Meyerweb If you don’t plan on doing a lot with graphics, maxing out GPUs sounds unnecessary. For web work, I would assume that you’re most of the time using the efficiency cores, occasionally dipping into performance cores. But that depends lots on your individual needs. In that case even the CPU is secondary. (Pro and Max chips have the same amount of efficiency cores.) RAM>Storage>CPU>GPU, I think.
Show threadE. Eggert 👉@[email protected]Feb 4, 2023
@yatil @Meyerweb Of course if you use Docker and compile browsers in your work, you’ll appreciate the performance cores more. Video rendering happens through dedicated chips, so it has little impact. @jsnell has a comparison/more info here: https://www.macworld.com/article/1483233/m2-pro-max-cpu-gpu-memory-performanc.html
M2 Pro vs M2 Max: Small differences have a big impact on your workflow (and wallet)

The new M2 Pro and M2 Max chips are closely related. They're based on the same foundation, but each chip has different characteristics that you need to consider.

Macworld
Show threadcodazFeb 4, 2023
@Meyerweb Had same dillema and went for 64/4 My expectation is that we'll have to upgrade in 4-5 years anyway due to exponentially accelerating tech and requirements.
Show threadPär BjörklundFeb 4, 2023
@Meyerweb I would go with at least 64GB ram in that case. It's easy enough to exhaust 32GB today
Show threadMatthew AbbottFeb 4, 2023
@Meyerweb honestly between USB3/TB and iCloud it’s pretty easy to expand storage to meet most workloads. As good as macOS’s memory management is, they still haven’t figured out how to add RAM as quickly as programmers eat it.
Show threadMax NordlundFeb 4, 2023
@Meyerweb I would definitely go with more RAM. You can always buy an external hard drive, but not external RAM (or at least it will never be as performant as builtin).
Show threadFrank StalloneFeb 4, 2023
@Meyerweb hands down, RAM. Yes, it’s incredible how Apple is handling RAM these days but external HDs are only getting faster and cheaper. Get that RAM to last you the decade.
Show threadDavid CollantesFeb 4, 2023
@Meyerweb what’s the price difference between the two? Is it that big?
Show threadDavid CollantesFeb 4, 2023
@Meyerweb is it a $600 difference? If you are spending that much, $600 more will not break the bank. 😊
Show threadThomas BrandFeb 4, 2023
@Meyerweb I would go with more storage.
Show thread☕️🥞 Jelly Doll 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️Feb 4, 2023
@Meyerweb I've been quite amazed at how well the Air does with only 8GB .. if I didn't have a specific task in mind for that much ram, then I would go for storage too.
Show threadcthos 🐱Feb 4, 2023
@0xc0ffea @Meyerweb Same! I've had a really good experience with the base M2 air for what I'm using it for.
Show threadJamie TalbotFeb 4, 2023

@Meyerweb got the 16” M2 Pro in its baseline config of 16GB and have been running XCode, Docker, VSCode, and browsers on it with other things in the background, and it hasn’t broken a sweat yet. YMMV, and I’m not doing any video editing stuff, but I’ve been very happy with what it’s doing.

I was skeptical of “don’t worry about memory as much as you think you should”, but so far so good!

Show threadAaron KFeb 4, 2023
@Meyerweb I’ve generally stuck with the idea of add as much RAM as you can afford, as you can get pretty solid performance out of external TB devices for added storage as needed but can’t add RAM later.
Show threadKevin/KeilyFeb 4, 2023

@Meyerweb as a lot of reviews show really depends on what you do. If you consider storage speeds and speeds off external storage, the only two reasons for more internal are projects with larger sustained write and if you don't want to carry external storage. The memory is more efficient but will still swap and low memory has shown a material impact in certain instances such as heavy video with effects.

Memory also does better to future proof device

Show threadAndrew H – № 2025Feb 4, 2023
@Meyerweb I’d lean more storage. That is getting eaten up much quicker than I expected while the RAM isn’t getting (or staying) saturated with any development or editing I do.
Show threadBud GibsonFeb 4, 2023
@Meyerweb I think you want to go 32 GB of RAM. It’s not clear what 64 GB will buy you unless you are doing a lot of high end video or app building. I also suspect 2 TB of drive is enough. These machines are head and shoulders above the Intel versions.
Show threadEric A. MeyerFeb 4, 2023
@BudGibson I probably will be doing some video editing, but not, like, VFX and cinematic editing and that kind of thing. Mostly YouTube-level stuff.
Show threadBud GibsonFeb 4, 2023
@Meyerweb I’d stick with 32. I have 16 and do occasional video stuff just fine. Where I note the limitation is when I have multiple browsers (safari and chrome) with multiple tabs open, and then only after days or weeks in that state. I have 14” MacBook M1 Pro with 16 GB memory and 1 TB drive. If I did it over again, I’d go 24 or 32. You get faster performance with at least a 1 TB drive in the new machines.
Show threadTim BrayFeb 4, 2023

@Meyerweb I went 32G/4T. My current Intel MBP has 32 and never runs short. Load mostly Lightroom, various IntelliJ products and recently insanely huge Word/PDF docs.

Also disk storage should be infinite.

Show threadEric A. MeyerFeb 4, 2023
@timbray Where’d you land on the size, 14” or 16”?
Show threadTim BrayFeb 4, 2023
@Meyerweb
14. I'm currently on a 16 but these days I'm working on an outboard 4k screen like 90% of the time.
Show threadFluzFeb 4, 2023
@timbray @Meyerweb I have literally said to myself with each he purchased “this disk space will never be filled” it always was somehow.
Show threadDan HonFeb 4, 2023
@Meyerweb I went from Intel 16/1T to Apple Silicon 32/2T. After 6 years, 1T was definitely Not Enough. Feeling v comfortable with 2.
Show threadDan HonFeb 4, 2023
@Meyerweb 6 months after purchase, I think I would keep at 32/2 and go for more GPU cores, for what I'm doing and playing with.
Show threadEric A. MeyerFeb 4, 2023
@danhon Yeah, I plan to max out the CPU and GPU. I want this thing to last me a decade, as did the MBP it will retire.
Show threadJami Feb 4, 2023
@Meyerweb My MBP just notched a decade as well (damn those are/were solid machines). Watching this convo with much interest. 🍿
Show threadEric A. MeyerFeb 4, 2023

@jamigibbs THEY‘RE SO GOOD

No lie, I have this fear that the next one won’t be as solid and will end up breaking my heart.

Show threadBrilliantcrankFeb 4, 2023
@Meyerweb I have a 16GB M1 14” and I’ve never run into a problem with a lack of RAM. That might be different if I edited 4K video, but for everything else…no problems. I love the 14” with an Apple Studio Monitor.
Show threadBeth DeanFeb 4, 2023
@Brilliantcrank @Meyerweb I am in the market for a new one too, how does carrying the 16” around feel? I had one of the 17” MacBooks circa 2007 and it felt like hauling the Ten Commandments around.
Show threadBrilliantcrankFeb 4, 2023
@bethdean @Meyerweb That is precisely why I got the 14”, the larger model feels so heavy.
Show threadlaura lemayFeb 4, 2023
@Meyerweb I replaced a 32Gb intel MacBook Pro with the 24gb m2 Air (the max it will take) and it is way more efficient than the intel is, like wayyyyyy. I probably could have easily gotten away with 16. I’d get the storage.
Show threadendicoFeb 4, 2023
@lemay @Meyerweb I recently got an M2 Air with 16gb and its pretty terrific. Hope I still feel that way in 10 years. I would max out memory over disk. You can always add an external drive. OTOH, the need to max out memory doesn't seem to be as much of a thing as it used to. That's why I settled for 16.
Show threadRob BallouFeb 4, 2023
@Meyerweb I did 64/2 and so far I’m happy but haven’t done much with it. I loaded all music (a first in a long time), photos, etc and still have 1.5TB left. Photo editing seems snappy, even can play a game my 1st ed touchbar MBP couldn’t handle
Show threadTedFeb 4, 2023
@Meyerweb my work-provided M1 MacBook Pro has only 16GB of RAM and honestly it *feels* like a lot more and I’m doing some heavy duty Premiere and AfterEffects work with it. 16GB on a SoC is not the same as what RAM used to be. I’d opt for more storage instead. And you’ll love how zippy it is, regardless.
Show threadElly LoelFeb 4, 2023
@Meyerweb you can get external storage but not external RAM, so I'd definitely go for 64GB/2TB
Show threadMichael GrantFeb 4, 2023
@Meyerweb You can always buy more (external) storage.
Show threadScottFeb 4, 2023
@Meyerweb I’m looking at getting the M1 air with 16GB and 1TBSSD. Been told it’s a fantastic machine by many a web dev. 32GB ram and a little extra on the SSD should be more than enough.