They’re raising it because of RAM needs of browsers and GNOME.

If you’re a shell nerd like me, you’ll still be fine running it on a potato.

It’s an illuminating experience to go to a store with Apple computers on display, and browse to a RAM-heavy unoptimized website like YouTube or even Reddit now. Open a few tabs. Open a dozen. You’d be surprised what a decently coded OS can pull off without compromising on the visuals.

This is something people who call themselves tech nerds often don’t understand, they only seem understand “bigger number better!”. I have a vastly more enjoyable experience with a Mac than most Windows machines, (for many reasons, but most importantly for what you said).