16GB or 24GB Memory on the M4 Mac mini? Why I Went With 24GB of Ram

Summary

In this video, the creator explains why they chose 24 GB of RAM for their M4 Mac Mini over the 16 GB option. Focusing on real-world tasks like video editing, web browsing, and using various apps, the video highlights how memory usage, including the potential for swap memory, impacts performance. While 16 GB may suffice for most users, the creator prefers the peace of mind and headroom offered by 24 GB to handle heavy workloads, especially with future software advancements. The decision is framed as a balance of cost, performance, and long-term usability for demanding tasks.

Takeaways

• 😀 The video is about why the creator chose 24GB of RAM for their M4 Mac Mini over 16GB, based on their specific usage patterns.
• 😀 Benchmarks are not the focus of this video, as real-world use cases and workloads are more important for decision-making.
• 😀 Swap memory is an important concept to understand; when RAM is full, the system uses swap space from the SSD, which can slow things down.
• 😀 The creator's system uses approximately 8GB of memory under typical usage without relying on swap memory, indicating ample headroom.
• 😀 Even with multiple applications like Safari, Notes, video editing tools, and graphics editors open, the system doesn't reach the 16GB RAM limit, maintaining good performance.
• 😀 Web browsing with many tabs can consume a significant amount of memory, but the system manages well with up to 20GB of RAM usage before swap memory is needed.
• 😀 As AI tools and new software features become more prevalent, having additional RAM like 24GB provides more flexibility and future-proofing for increased memory demands.
• 😀 The creator emphasized the importance of having a buffer zone in memory for peace of mind, especially when working on long-term or professional projects.
• 😀 The video demonstrates that 24GB of RAM is a good balance for the creator's video editing, web browsing, and multitasking workflow.
• 😀 Ultimately, the choice between 16GB and 24GB depends on individual workloads. Some users may find 16GB sufficient, while others may need 32GB or more for more intensive tasks like 3D modeling or coding.

Q & A

Why did the speaker choose 24GB of RAM for the M4 Mac Mini over 16GB?

The speaker chose 24GB of RAM over 16GB to provide more headroom for their typical workload, which involves video editing, multiple apps, and heavy web browsing. The 24GB allows for smoother performance and reducesQ&A Generation for Script the likelihood of using swap memory, which can slow down the system.

What is swap memory and how does it affect system performance?

Swap memory is used when the system runs out of physical RAM. It utilizes the SSD storage to extend memory temporarily. While Macs are good at handling swap memory, its excessive use can lead to slower system performance, including stutters, slow web page loading, and occasional beach ball spinning.

What happens to the system performance when the speaker runs out of RAM?

When the system runs out of RAM, it starts using swap memory, which can lead to slower performance, such as slower app responses, web page loading, and occasional delays in system actions. However, even with heavy usage, the speaker notices only minor slowdowns due to the high efficiency of macOS managing swap memory.

How much RAM does the speaker typically use during their workload?

During typical usage, the speaker uses between 14 to 20GB of RAM. With 24GB of RAM, they still have headroom, ensuring they don’t often hit the system's limit, which provides peace of mind for more demanding tasks.

What are some of the applications the speaker uses in their typical workflow?

The speakerRAM and System Performance uses a variety of applications, including Safari (for web browsing), Notes (for writing), CapCut or other video editing software (for editing videos), Keynote (for creating thumbnails), Numbers (for creating graphs), and Apple Music (for background music). Additionally, the speaker uses AI tools like Image Playground and sometimes QuickTime for screen recording.

Does the speaker think 16GB of RAM would have been enough for their needs?

While the speaker acknowledges that 16GB of RAM would likely suffice for most of their typical tasks, they chose to upgrade to 24GB for the added headroom and to avoid potential slowdowns in more demanding scenarios. It provides peace of mind for their workflow.

How does the speaker handle memory usage when opening many apps and websites?

The speaker opens many apps and websites at once, such as Safari, Notes, multiple video editors, music apps, and productivity tools. Even with all these open, they still stay under the 16GB threshold, and with 24GB of RAM, they avoid hitting the limit and prevent performance issues.

How does the speaker's workflow differ from a typical user?

The speaker's workflow involves heavy multitasking, including video editing, web browsing with many tabs, and working with large files. A typical user may not need to run as many applications simultaneously or use memory-intensive programs, meaning 16GB of RAM could be sufficient for them.

Why did the speaker upgrade to the M4 Pro chip in addition to increasing RAM?

The speaker upgraded to the M4 Pro chip to improve overall system performance, especially for tasks like video editing and to ensure faster processing times for their content creation. However, they acknowledge that for most people, the M4 chip would likely be enough.

How does the speaker’s memory usage compare to other users who may need more RAM?

The speaker's memory usage typically stays below 20GB, leaving them plenty of room before needing to use swap memory. However, users who work with 8K video, 3D modeling, or large-scale data processing may need more than 24GB, possibly upgrading to 32GB or higher depending on their specific needs.