M2 Mac - 8GB vs 16GB RAM - Avoid This Costly Mistake!

Summary

In this video, software developer Chris addresses the dilemma of choosing between different RAM and SSD configurations for a new Mac. He explains the functions of RAM and SSD, using the analogy of a whiteboard and chalkboard, and discusses the impact of swap memory usage on performance. Chris recommends an 8GB RAM and 256GB SSD base model for most users, suggesting upgrading to 16GB RAM for heavy workloads. He advises against expensive built-in SSD upgrades, instead recommending affordable external SSDs like the Samsung T5 or T7 Shield for additional storage.

Takeaways

• 💡 RAM is the computer's short-term memory, quick but not persistent for file storage.
• 📚 SSD is the computer's long-term memory, retains data but can degrade over time with frequent writes.
• 🔄 Swap memory acts as an overflow when RAM is full, using the SSD as temporary storage for data.
• 🛠️ For most users, swap memory usage is minimal and won't significantly impact SSD lifespan or performance.
• 🚀 Professionals with heavy workloads, like video editing or heavy multitasking, may benefit from more RAM to reduce swap usage.
• 💻 The base model MacBook Air with 8GB RAM and 256GB SSD is recommended for average users to save cost.
• 🔧 Upgrading to 16GB RAM is suggested for those with heavier workloads or who can afford the extra performance.
• 💰 Built-in SSD storage upgrades are often overpriced; external SSDs offer better value for additional storage.
• 🔗 External SSDs like Samsung T5 or T7 Shield provide substantial storage at a lower cost than internal upgrades.
• 👨‍💻 The speaker used a base model MacBook Air effectively for over a year in a demanding development career before upgrading.
• ⚙️ Upgrading to an M1 MacBook Pro with 16GB RAM and 512GB storage, along with external SSDs, was a cost-effective solution for the speaker's needs.

Q & A

What is the main topic of the video script?

The main topic of the video script is discussing the decision-making process for choosing the right specifications for a new Mac, focusing on the trade-offs between RAM and SSD storage, and the role of swap memory usage.

Who is the speaker in the video script?

The speaker in the video script is Chris, a software developer who shares his experience and insights on choosing Mac specifications.

What does RAM stand for and what is its function in a computer?

RAM stands for Random Access Memory, which is like the short-term memory of a computer. It's quick and powerful but forgetful, as files or documents cannot be stored on it permanently.

How does the speaker compare RAM to a whiteboard in an online classroom?

The speaker compares RAM to a whiteboard in an online classroom where information stays as long as it's needed but is gone once the board is wiped clean, illustrating the temporary nature of RAM.

What does SSD stand for and what is its role?

SSD stands for Solid State Drive, which is like the long-term memory of a computer. It's good at remembering things but can get cluttered and slower over time due to repeated writing and erasing.

How does the speaker explain the concept of swap memory using the chalkboard analogy?

The speaker explains swap memory as using a chalkboard for additional space when the whiteboard (RAM) is full. The chalkboard represents the SSD being used to temporarily write data that should have been handled by RAM.

What is the recommendation for most people according to the speaker?

For most people, the speaker recommends saving money and going with the base model MacBook Air with 8 gigs of RAM and 256 gigs of SSD storage, as swap memory usage is unlikely to be a significant issue for them.

What group of people should consider upgrading from 8 gigs to 16 gigs of RAM or more?

People who work on power-hungry tasks such as heavy multitasking, rendering all day, or 4K editing should consider upgrading from 8 gigs to 16 gigs of RAM or more to avoid noticeable slowdown and damage to their SSD.

Why does the speaker recommend external SSDs over built-in SSD storage upgrades?

The speaker recommends external SSDs because they are more cost-effective compared to the overpriced built-in SSD storage upgrades offered by manufacturers.

What are the two external SSD options mentioned by the speaker?

The two external SSD options mentioned by the speaker are the Samsung T5 and the Samsung T7 Shield, both offering one terabyte of storage.

What was the speaker's personal experience with using a base model MacBook Air?

The speaker used a base model MacBook Air for the first year and a half of his full stack development career without any issues, even with multiple browsers, apps, and instances of VS Code open, until he started adding 4K video editing and rendering.

Outlines

00:00

💻 Mac Upgrade Decision Guide

This paragraph introduces the dilemma of choosing between different built-in upgrades for a new Mac, such as SSD size and RAM capacity. The speaker, Chris, a software developer, shares his personal experience and the importance of understanding swap memory usage when making such decisions. He uses the analogy of a whiteboard for RAM and a chalkboard for SSD to explain their functions and limitations, emphasizing the impact of swap memory on performance and SSD lifespan, especially for users with heavy workloads like video editing or rendering.

Keywords

💡Mac

Mac refers to a line of personal computers designed, developed, and marketed by Apple Inc. In the video, the term 'Mac' is central to the discussion as the creator is advising on whether or not to invest in built-in upgrades for a new Mac computer. The script discusses the pros and cons of different configurations, making 'Mac' a foundational keyword for understanding the video's theme.

💡RAM

RAM stands for Random Access Memory, which is the short-term memory of a computer. It is quick and powerful but does not retain data when the power is turned off. In the video, RAM is compared to a whiteboard, illustrating that it is used for temporary data storage during active tasks. The script discusses the debate between 8GB and 16GB of RAM, emphasizing its importance in deciding the right Mac configuration.

💡SSD

SSD stands for Solid State Drive, which is a type of non-volatile storage device used in computers for storing data. In the video, SSD is likened to a chalkboard, indicating it is used for long-term data storage. The script explains the wear and tear associated with SSDs over time, which is a critical factor when considering storage upgrades for a Mac.

💡Swap Memory

Swap memory is a portion of a computer's storage used as virtual memory when the physical RAM is full. The video uses the analogy of writing on a chalkboard to explain swap memory, where the SSD is used as temporary storage when the RAM is overloaded. This concept is crucial for understanding the potential slowdown and damage to the SSD when heavy multitasking or power-hungry tasks are performed.

💡Software Developer

A software developer is a person who designs, codes, and maintains applications or systems software. In the video, the creator identifies as a software developer, which adds credibility to his advice on choosing the right Mac configuration for different needs. The script reflects on the creator's personal experience with using a base model MacBook Air during his development career.

💡Multitasking

Multitasking refers to the ability of a computer to perform multiple tasks simultaneously. In the context of the video, multitasking is a scenario where the use of swap memory might become significant, especially for power users who run many applications at once. The script uses this term to highlight when an upgrade from 8GB to 16GB of RAM might be necessary.

💡Rendering

Rendering in the context of the video refers to the process of generating a two-dimensional image from a three-dimensional model. It is a power-hungry task that can cause significant swap memory usage and SSD wear. The script mentions rendering as an example of a task that might necessitate a higher RAM configuration.

💡4K Editing

4K Editing refers to the process of editing video footage that has a resolution of 4K, which is significantly higher than standard HD video. In the video, 4K editing is given as an example of a demanding task that can lead to increased swap memory usage and potential SSD slowdown, influencing the decision to upgrade RAM and SSD storage.

💡Upgrade

An upgrade in the context of the video means enhancing the specifications of a Mac, such as increasing the RAM or SSD storage. The script discusses the cost-effectiveness of upgrades, suggesting that for most users, the base model is sufficient, while a small percentage with heavier workloads might benefit from upgrading to 16GB of RAM.

💡External SSD

An external SSD is a portable storage device that connects to a computer via a USB or other interface. The video recommends using an external SSD for additional storage as a cost-effective alternative to built-in storage upgrades. Examples given include the Samsung T5 or Samsung T7 Shield, which offer large storage capacities at a lower cost than internal upgrades.

Highlights

The importance of understanding swap memory usage when deciding on hardware upgrades for a new Mac.

RAM is compared to a whiteboard, representing the computer's short-term memory, which is quick but not persistent.

SSD is likened to a chalkboard, symbolizing the computer's long-term memory that can become cluttered and damaged over time.

Swap memory is explained as an overflow for RAM, using the SSD as temporary storage when RAM is full.

For most users, swap memory usage is not significant and does not impact the SSD noticeably.

Heavy multitasking, rendering, or 4K editing may lead to noticeable slowdown and SSD damage due to increased swap memory usage.

Upgrading RAM from 8GB to 16GB is recommended for users with power-hungry tasks to avoid swap memory issues.

The base model MacBook Air with 8GB RAM and 256GB SSD is suggested for users without heavy workloads.

For those with heavier workloads or additional budget, upgrading to 16GB RAM is advised.

Built-in SSD storage upgrades are considered overpriced, with external SSDs being a more cost-effective option.

Examples of affordable external SSDs are the Samsung T5 or Samsung T7 Shield, both offering 1TB of storage.

The presenter's personal experience using a base model MacBook Air for development without issues until the addition of 4K video editing.

The decision to upgrade to an M1 MacBook Pro with 16GB RAM and 512GB storage, along with external SSDs for additional storage.

The presenter's preference for saving money by choosing cost-effective upgrades rather than overpriced built-in options.

A comparison of the presenter's workflow before and after the upgrade, highlighting the impact of swap memory usage on performance.

The recommendation to assess one's specific needs and budget before deciding on hardware upgrades for a new Mac.

Transcripts

so you're in the market for a new Mac

and you're on the fence about whether or

not you should spend the extra cash on

built-in upgrades like a larger SSD or

more RAM well if you're new to the

channel my name is Chris and I'm a

software developer who was recently in

your shoes also watching YouTube videos

just trying to get other opinions on

things like eight gigs of ram versus 16

256 gigs of SSD versus a terabyte and so

on and so forth

and what I noticed was that a lot of the

videos left out a crucial piece of

information for a decision like this and

that is swap memory usage now

understanding swap memory usage is

critical for decision like buying a new

Mac and it can save you some serious

cash to better understand swap memory

usage let's start with ram and SSD now

Ram stands for random access memory

which is like the short-term memory of

your computer it's quick and Powerful

but forgetful since you can't store

files or documents on it think of ram

like this whiteboard Pretend We're in an

online classroom and I'm showing you how

to solve an extremely complex equation

everything I read on this whiteboard

will stay here as long as it's needed

but once it gets wiped clean it's gone

forever an SSD stands for solid state

drive which is like the long-term memory

of your computer it's fantastic at

remembering things but can and does get

cluttered over time think of it like

writing on this chalkboard we can write

as much as we want on it but sooner or

later we'll need to erase everything to

be able to reuse it and as we write and

erase over time the chalkboard starts to

get smart judged and messy making it

much harder to write on similarly to how

writing and rewriting onto the

chalkboard damages it over time the

repeated writing and rewriting of files

and data onto an SSD causes damage

resulting in loss of storage capacity

and it becoming slower over time now

what about swap memory usage well let's

go back to the online classroom example

assume I'm walking you through another

extremely complex problem on the

Whiteboard and run out of space we

obviously need more space to finish the

problem so we start writing the

chalkboard to finish it and sure this

allows for more work to be done while

the Whiteboard is out of space but it'll

all end up getting erased to make room

for the next problem

swap memory is the same thing when your

workflow overloads your macbook's RAM

swap memory comes into play and

similarly to how we use the chalkboard

for additional space for the problem

your computer recruits the internal SSD

to temporarily write data that should

have been done with ram if there was

enough space now for the vast majority

of people swap memory usage isn't that

big of a deal because it's unlikely that

you'll use a significant amount of it

during normal use and even if you do it

takes a tremendous amount of read and

write Cycles to have any noticeable

negative effect on the SSD however if

you're part of the group who work on

power hungry tasks like heavy

multitasking rendering all day or 4K

editing it is likely that you'll run

into a noticeable slowdown and damage to

your SSD and this is when upgrading from

8 gigs to 16 gigs of RAM or more should

be considered so what's my

recommendation well if you're part of

the 90 to 95 who won't be using your new

Mac for rendering all day running a

dozen apps at the same time or

multitasking for hours and hours on end

using a ton of memory three trust me

when I say just save your money and go

with the base model MacBook Air with 8

gigs of RAM and 256 gigs of SSD storage

if you're part of the five to ten

percent who know that they have heavier

than average workloads or you just have

the extra cash to spend I do recommend

upgrading to 16 gigabytes of RAM but

hardly ever do I recommend paying the

offensively overpriced rates for

built-in SSD storage upgrades if

anything buy an external SSD like the

Samsung T5 or the Samsung t7 Shield both

have one terabyte of storage and can be

picked up for under a hundred dollars at

the time of this video and to put this

into perspective I used a base model

MacBook Air for the first year and a

half of my full stack Development Career

when I would have multiple Chrome

browsers open several tabs each multiple

apps and several instances of vs code

open for coding while running servers at

the same time without any issues it

wasn't until I started adding 4K video

editing and rendering that the swap

memory usage caused enough damage and

slow down over time that forced me to

upgrade and even then as someone who

prefers to save as much money whenever

possible I chose to upgrade to an M1

MacBook Pro with 16 gigs of RAM and 512

gigs of storage and I also picked up a

couple of external ssds for that

additional storage