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Buying my parents a MacBook Air...how much RAM

GrantMeThePower

GrantMeThePower

Platinum Member
I use an iMac so I immediately upped the ram before even turning it on the first time.

I'm going to be getting my parents a macbook air today and I know that you can't up the amount of RAM from what you order. Is the base 4GB sufficient? They are older (my dad turns 70 next month) and don't do any gaming or video processing or any of that stuff, but they are impatient when "stuff" starts running slowly.

Thanks for your insight.
 
If they're using the computer for typical old people tasks (email, photos, web surfing, tax preparation) then they will probably be fine with the 4GB for as long as they have the computer.

Notwithstanding iPhoto, which will use as much RAM as you have, and more, and still be slow. The SSD should help there, though.
 
dave_the_nerd said:
If they're using the computer for typical old people tasks (email, photos, web surfing, tax preparation) then they will probably be fine with the 4GB for as long as they have the computer.

Notwithstanding iPhoto, which will use as much RAM as you have, and more, and still be slow. The SSD should help there, though.
Click to expand...

That was kind of what I was thinking. i'm sure they will use iphoto, but not for anything more than importing from their camera and clicking the share to facebook button.
 
The SSD will help a ton with the perception of slowness. Are they going to be using OS X or Windows on it?

If Windows, might I recommend a made for Windows Ultrabook?
 
They will be using OSX. I switched my mom to an iMac a couple of years ago. The air will be mostly for my dad, but they will take it with them when they travel. He pretty much does just old people stuff-email and internet- and that shouldn't change too much going to OSX. But he is mighty click happy on links and (without starting a malware thread) he has totally trashed a few windows installs and I think this might help with that some.
 
The Golden Rule of RAM is "Buy as much as you can afford or as much as the computer can take, whichever comes first".

I do not care why it is being used, I always follow the Golden Rule and have never been disappointed (except when I could not afford a lot 😉).

MotionMan
 
Unless they are going to to some heavy work or run VM's I would say 4GB is enough. Paging to the SSD is not so bad as paging to a mechanical drive if they would run something that went over the top. Then again, going from 4GB to 8GB is not a huge cost.
 
I consider myself a "power user" and I still run on 4gb on an iMac. I'd imagine 4gb for your parents is fine.
 
MotionMan said:
The Golden Rule of RAM is "Buy as much as you can afford or as much as the computer can take, whichever comes first".

I do not care why it is being used, I always follow the Golden Rule and have never been disappointed (except when I could not afford a lot 😉).

MotionMan
Click to expand...

I second this.

Trust me. I have been through 2 Macbook Airs (2010 and newer), and the fact that you can't upgrade RAM (because they are soldered on) sucks... majorly.

When Apple decides to release a grand new app or a new OS update that sucks RAM like crazy, then you won't be sorry you didn't spend the extra $100 when you could.
 
runawayprisoner said:
I second this.

Trust me. I have been through 2 Macbook Airs (2010 and newer), and the fact that you can't upgrade RAM (because they are soldered on) sucks... majorly.

When Apple decides to release a grand new app or a new OS update that sucks RAM like crazy, then you won't be sorry you didn't spend the extra $100 when you could.
Click to expand...

Do the new MacBooks allow for aftermarket RAM upgrades? It may be cheaper to go that route (OWC)

MotionMan
 
MotionMan said:
Do the new MacBooks allow for aftermarket RAM upgrades? It may be cheaper to go that route (OWC)

MotionMan
Click to expand...

The Air and Retina Pro have soldered RAM. The 13" Pro and the non-Retina 15" have socketed RAM. They are both just spec bumps over last week's models.

Strictly speaking so is the Air, so nothing new there.
 
4 GB is fine for that usage. That's what I run on my MacBook Pro and I haven't felt the need to upgrade.

Going to 8 GB will just be a waste of money.
 
Thanks guys. It isn't really the money as much as the timing. I can't get a one with 8gb by sunday, which is father's day, and I'd really like to have it by then. If it was a big deal, i'd wait and just give him a card, but it sounds like its kind of split.

Thank you again for all of your opinions.
 
I will say that I have had 2 GB, 4 GB, and 8 GB in my MBP and not really noticed a difference in general desktop use. The MBA is a blisteringly fast machine in day-to-day use and I would be stunned if your dad, as you describe him, were ever frustrated by its speed.
 
Don Vito Corleone said:
I will say that I have had 2 GB, 4 GB, and 8 GB in my MBP and not really noticed a difference in general desktop use. The MBA is a blisteringly fast machine in day-to-day use and I would be stunned if your dad, as you describe him, were ever frustrated by its speed.
Click to expand...
I found going from 2 GB to 4 GB (MBP) was pretty noticeable. However, going from 4 GB to 12 GB (iMac) didn't help much with the usage the OP describes.
 
Eug said:
I found going from 2 GB to 4 GB (MBP) was pretty noticeable. However, going from 4 GB to 12 GB (iMac) didn't help much with the usage the OP describes.
Click to expand...

4GB is a good number if you are doing day to day stuff. More than enough for now, plus a buffer for the future. 8GB is better, but it is a $100 difference.

I put 16GB into my desktop when I built it a few months back, but it was $35 for 8GB, so it was a no-brainer financially.
 
Did you end up getting one? Will be a nice Fathers day present. I would think the stock one will be more then fine for there usage.
 
Ashenor said:
Did you end up getting one? Will be a nice Fathers day present. I would think the stock one will be more then fine for there usage.
Click to expand...

I did get one. I ordered online for in store pick up, which is why I needed to ask the question. They only had the 4gb on hand. 8gb would not be ready until the 23rd or 27th...something like that. 🙂
 
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