16GB vs 24GB RAM M2 MacBook Air & Pro - Were We WRONG?!

Summary

In this comprehensive performance comparison of the M2 MacBook Air and MacBook Pro with 16GB versus 24GB of RAM, the findings reveal minimal differences for typical users. While the 24GB model showed slight advantages in specific tasks like photo exporting, the 16GB model efficiently handled multitasking and various applications without significant slowdowns. Video editing performance remained largely identical across both configurations, indicating that 16GB is sufficient for most workflows. Ultimately, for users not engaging in highly demanding tasks, opting for the 16GB model is more cost-effective, allowing for budget allocation towards storage or accessories.

Takeaways

• 😀 The M2 MacBook models now offer a 24GB RAM option, making it more accessible compared to the previous minimum of 32GB.
• 🖥️ The testing compared real-world productivity performance between the 16GB and 24GB RAM configurations using various applications.
• 📊 Opening multiple web browsing tabs (up to 20) showed that both RAM configurations handled light tasks similarly.
• 🖼️ In Lightroom, the 24GB model completed image exports in 1:08, while the 16GB took 1:18, demonstrating a 10% performance improvement.
• ⚙️ Xcode compiling times were nearly identical between the 16GB and 24GB models, suggesting that additional RAM did not significantly impact performance.
• 🎮 Blender rendering tests indicated minimal differences in performance, reinforcing that 16GB RAM suffices for most projects.
• 🎥 Final Cut Pro video editing performance was also similar, with both models showing nearly identical export times for complex tasks.
• 🔄 Both configurations exhibited some use of swap memory, but the 16GB model managed to maintain performance effectively under load.
• 💻 Multitasking capabilities were strong for both models, with the 16GB version proving adequate even when running multiple applications simultaneously.
• 💵 The extra $200 for the 24GB RAM upgrade may not be justified for most users, making the 16GB model a more economical choice for typical usage.

Q & A

What was the primary objective of the video?

The primary objective was to compare the performance of the 16 GB and 24 GB RAM models of the M2 MacBook Air and MacBook Pro in real-world productivity applications.

How much more does it cost to upgrade from 16 GB to 24 GB RAM?

Upgrading from 16 GB to 24 GB RAM costs an additional $200.

What initial memory usage was observed when opening the Creative Cloud application?

The system was using close to 5 GB of RAM with only the Creative Cloud application open.

How did the 24 GB model perform in Lightroom Classic compared to the 16 GB model?

In Lightroom Classic, the 24 GB model finished a photo export in 1:08, while the 16 GB model took 1:18, indicating a roughly 10% speed advantage for the 24 GB model.

What was observed regarding memory pressure and swap usage during the tests?

Both models used swap space, with the 16 GB model reaching 4.6 GB of swap and the 24 GB model using 2.4 GB, despite having lower overall memory pressure when fewer applications were open.

Did Xcode show any significant performance differences between the two RAM models?

No significant differences were observed in Xcode performance; the export time was nearly identical for both models.

What performance did both models achieve when exporting video in Final Cut Pro?

Export times in Final Cut Pro were practically identical, with the 16 GB model taking 1:37 and the 24 GB model taking 1:39.

How did multitasking affect the performance of the 16 GB and 24 GB models during video exports?

Both models performed well under multitasking conditions, with the 16 GB model maintaining competitive export times and responsiveness, often matching or exceeding the 24 GB model.

What was the conclusion about the necessity of 24 GB RAM for most users?

The conclusion was that for most users, the 24 GB upgrade does not provide significant benefits, and it may not be worth the additional cost unless specific high-memory tasks are regularly performed.

What is recommended instead of upgrading to 24 GB RAM?

It is recommended to stick with the 16 GB model and use the extra budget for storage upgrades or accessories.