Macbook Pro memory requirements

Hi all...

I currently use a 2014 Macbook Air for my day to day computing and photo editing... its a fairly basic model with only 4gb ram and a 128gb SSD... that said it does the job better than any well specced windows based laptop I have (current other laptop is a core i5 with 16gb ram and win 10)

I am looking to upgrade now to a Macbook Pro... have looked at windows based stuff but win10 does my nut in (I have win 7 installed on my gaming PC )

I am no apple fan boi I should mention... I work in IT, I use windows daily, have an Android phone and tablet and only got the Air as it was cheap for a much better screen than any laptop the right side of £1000

I have to say I do like it alot now but my little un wants it for college so will get a new macbook...

Anyway... rambling over... I have decided that I will be getting a 13" non touch bar with 256gb ssd... only issue I have is should I go for 16gb or is 8gb going to be enough for the next few years... I have survived quite well on 4gb ram tbh... a windows machine would be on its backside with that spec... really quite impressed how well the Air copes with the spec...

Dilemma is budget... and me being a tight a55

I can get the 256gb/8gb model for £1250 (retail £1449)... if I want the 16gb upgrade though only option seems to be through apple which is then £400 ish more for another 8gb (£180 option on the £1449)

So... is 16gb that much better that its worth another £400? I'm not chasing numbers and I am a casual user... I won't be doing video either

Thanks

<tuffty/>

8 should be okay, but of course the more the merrier, you never know what future requirements might be.

I have 6 in a older MacBook and do fine.

Thanks dude... plan would be to change it in 3 to 4 years I suspect anyway but struggling to justify £400/$550 on 8gb ram at the moment

I read the latest Lightroom Classic CC recommends 12gb ram but suspect thats more likely going to benefit Windows than MacOS

<tuffty/>

Ok... kind of a moot point now but I went and bought an 8gb one... mainly due to finding a decent discount on HDEW where I bought my 7D2 from...

At £1179 (about $1640 at todays exchange rate) it was too much of a bargain not to give it a go tbh

Obviously now I need to hunt down a decent USB C to any normal port adaptor... seems there are loads out there to choose from so any suggestions would be gratefully received

<tuffty/>

I have a 2017 13" with 8gb and have no problem running any of the Adobe Apps that I use, PS, LR, IN Design..Muse is slow on it, but it's slow on my 2017 iMac with 24gb of ram too.

I'd go 16gb...but really it depends on your typical workflow and the resolutions you're working with. Basic LR stuff, 24mp or so...8gb should be ok if you don't go too crazy. PS with several layers, and higher resolution cameras: 16gb would be the minimum I'd get. I've got 16gb on an old 2012 MBP, 500gb SSD, i7, dedicated gpu...and working in PS with D800e files it slowed down rather quickly. Working with 24mp files or in LR it was ok; not great, but usable.

Thanks dude... all my bodies are 20mp or less so not a problem... I have bought an 8gb model... should serve me for for the next few years hopefully

<tuffty/>

Great choice! I would go with as high of a memory configuration as you can. 4GB is pretty little these days, given the complexity and the demand of most operating systems and software.

I started with 8 on my MBP.
Upgraded to 16 after I moved from Apple aperture to creative cloud.
I found the upgrade worthwhile. Mostly in photoshop.
I have an older MBP (late 2011 with an i7). I have also upgraded the HD with a hybrid drive.

Thanks all for your input... as I mentioned a couple of posts ago I settled on an 8gb model... the decision was down to value for money vs benefit...