Using only 8GB RAM for the latest MacBook version, is Apple overcharging?

In March 2024, Apple launched the lowest version of the MacBook Air M3 with only 8GB of RAM, priced at $1,099. Many Apple fans were quite disappointed, thinking they were transported in a time machine to the 2010s. To upgrade to an additional 8GB, MacBook users had to spend another 200 USD.

There is no denying the value of ARM chips from M1 to M3 on MacBooks, but laptop buyers at this time must really ask themselves "whether 8GB of RAM is enough for the present time, let alone 3-4 years". after?".

For easy comparison, the similarly priced Surface Pro 9 comes with 16GB, as well as a screen and stylus with licensed Windows. Many other Windows laptops in the same price range also often have 16GB as standard and can often be easily upgraded for as little as $40. So, why does Apple make it so difficult for users with RAM?

Using only 8GB RAM for the latest MacBook version, is Apple overcharging? Picture 1

In an interview with IT Home, Apple said that most users do not need more than 8GB of RAM.

Apple chief marketing officer Evan Buyze claims that most users only use their laptops for web browsing, streaming media files, basic video and photo editing, and "casual gaming." .

If that's true, then consumers may wonder why they should buy a thousand-dollar MacBook. They can save $400 on a comparable Surface Laptop Go 3 and perform all of the above tasks with ease. With those needs, even many Asus VivoBook laptops with a price range of 400-500 USD can meet them, and also come with 16GB of RAM.

Apple's advantage is design, experience and MacOS, of which much still depends on the subjective opinions and habits of users. Previously, Apple also boldly stated that their 8GB of RAM should be equivalent to 16GB of RAM on Windows laptops, but YouTuber Max Tech checked the reality and discovered that the truth was not like that.

Apple is about to lose its ARM chip advantage?

Qualcomm's much-hyped Snapdragon

In terms of performance, Snapdragon X Elite can even perform better than Apple's highest-end M3 Pro, while also being more affordable. Some preliminary reports also show that Microsoft has greatly improved the Windows on ARM operating system (commonly known as WoA), with higher performance than x86.

ARM processors are typically more power efficient than x86, providing cooler devices that use less battery while still being powerful enough. The downside is that Windows is designed by default for the x86 architecture, with decades of legacy programs, games, and tools needing to be emulated to run on ARM.

To deal with this shortcoming, Apple has a Rosetta solution, but it's likely that this advantage is about to be caught up by Microsoft, and users will no longer be limited to 8GB for $1,099.

Marvin Fry

Update 14 April 2024