与Windows PC(Windows PCs)不同,选择具有更多RAM 的(RAM)Mac并不像在需要时插入更多模块那么简单。为了让您的Mac(Mac)永不过时,您需要从一开始
就购买适量的RAM 。
现代Mac 的(Macs)规格通常至少为 8 GB RAM。这听起来像是一个小数目,特别是当您花费数千美元购买一台计算机时,但是这个RAM足够(RAM)Mac使用吗?

为什么 RAM 在您的 Mac 中很重要?
随机存取存储器(Random Access Memory)( RAM ) 是计算机内存的一种形式,用于临时存储计算机当前使用或处理的数据。之所以称为“随机访问”,是因为计算机可以直接访问内存的任何部分,而不需要遍历一系列内存位置。
RAM是计算机的重要组成部分,因为它决定了计算机一次可以处理多少数据以及访问该数据的速度。当计算机耗尽RAM时,它可能会变慢甚至崩溃,因为它需要使用较慢的内存形式(例如硬盘驱动器)来存储数据。
拥有足够的RAM对于同时运行多个程序或使用资源密集型应用程序(例如视频编辑软件、图形设计、游戏或运行虚拟机)尤其重要。
Mac可以配备多少RAM?
MacBook Air和MacBook Pro笔记本电脑的最新型号通常标配 8GB 或“千兆” RAM,但一些高端型号可以配置高达 16GB 甚至 32GB 或更多的RAM 。MacBook Air(MacBook Air)、MacBook Pro 13英寸、Mac mini和 iMac 台式电脑通常也标配 8GB RAM,但在高端型号中也可以配置 16GB RAM、32GB RAM或更多,例如配备M1 Max或M1 Ultra的Mac Studio(Mac Studio)。
Mac RAM 升级问题

Mac的 RAM 配置并非在所有型号上都可以升级(upgradeable),尤其是在较新型号的MacBook (RAM)Air(MacBook Air)、MacBook Pro和Mac mini上。在这些情况下,RAM被焊接到主板上,购买后无法升级。
一般来说,对于大多数普通用户来说,8GB RAM应该足以运行基本应用程序和一些浏览器选项卡。但是,如果您正在做繁重的工作,例如视频编辑、渲染、运行虚拟机,或者打开许多浏览器选项卡,那么您应该考虑获得更多RAM,特别是如果您使用的是较旧的Mac。
为什么特别适合较旧的Mac?这就是事情变得有点复杂的地方,因为较旧的基于 Intel 的Mac(Macs)需要更多的RAM才能完成与Apple Silicon Mac相同的工作。
英特尔(Intel)和苹果 Silicon Mac 使用 RAM 的方式不同(Apple Silicon Macs Use RAM Differently)

(Macs)配备Intel处理器的(Intel)Mac和使用Apple Silicon处理器的(Apple Silicon)Mac(Macs)具有不同的RAM使用方法。
(Macs)使用英特尔处理器的(Intel)Mac使用传统的内存架构,其中RAM通过内存控制器从外部连接到处理器,该控制器根据主板和处理器的代数
以不同的速度运行。(different speeds)
另一方面,使用Apple Silicon处理器的(Apple Silicon)Mac(Macs)使用统一内存架构(UMA),其中RAM和处理器紧密集成,并共享相同的物理芯片封装。在UMA中,内存在CPU和GPU之间共享,使两个组件能够更有效地协同工作,并使RAM量不再成为性能瓶颈。

实际上,这意味着配备Apple Silicon处理器的(Apple Silicon)Mac即使在(Mac)RAM较少的情况下也可能比具有相同RAM量的基于 Intel 的Mac表现得更好。这也意味着在Apple Silicon Mac上,升级(Apple Silicon Mac)RAM带来的性能提升不如基于 Intel 的Mac显着。
需要注意的是,在这两种情况下,拥有更多RAM对于同时运行多个应用程序或运行内存密集型任务仍然有利,但(RAM)Apple Silicon的统一内存架构使RAM量不再成为性能瓶颈。
Apple Silicon Mac(Apple Silicon Macs)能够使用较少RAM 的(RAM)另一个关键原因是其紧密集成的SSD(SSDs)。您可能还记得我们提到过RAM如何帮助计算机避免诉诸硬盘等速度较慢的存储。一般来说,情况仍然如此,但由于Apple Silicon SSD 速度(Apple Silicon SSDs)非常快,因此它们可以在多任务处理时充当高速缓冲区。例如,在M1 MacBook Air上, (M1 MacBook Air)SSD 的(SSD)写入速度为 2.2GB/s,读取速度为 2.8GB/s。这意味着在 8GB 系统上,它可以在不到四秒的时间内将RAM的全部内容移入或移出SSD 。因此,将当前不使用的后台应用程序转储到SSD可能会在用户不知情或注意到性能下降的情况下发生。
更多 RAM,更少 SSD 磨损
拥有更多RAM可能会减少配备(RAM)Apple Silicon处理器的Mac SSD(固态硬盘)的磨损。
当计算机耗尽RAM时,它会开始使用一种称为“虚拟内存”的功能,该功能是计算机RAM和硬盘驱动器的一部分的组合。虚拟内存允许计算机使用硬盘作为RAM的扩展,有效地增加系统可用的内存量。然而,使用SSD作为虚拟内存可能会导致额外的磨损。
通过拥有更多RAM,计算机可以在RAM中存储更多数据,并减少对SSD虚拟内存的依赖。这减少了SSD(SSD)需要执行的读写次数,有助于延长其使用寿命。
还值得注意的是,SSD(SSDs)比传统硬盘更耐用,即使频繁使用也可以使用数年。macOS 等现代操作系统经过优化,可以更有效地使用闪存,减少磨损。
现在大多数 Mac 都具有统一内存

在Apple Silicon Mac(Apple Silicon Macs)和一些带有集成显卡的基于 Intel 的Mac(Macs)中,内存 ( RAM ) 在(RAM)CPU和GPU之间共享。这意味着CPU和GPU可以访问同一个内存池并共享数据,这样可以提高系统内存的使用效率。
GPU功能及其局限性也值得考虑。某些集成GPU 的内存和性能可能有限,并且(GPUs)RAM的数量可能会影响GPU的性能,因此对于这些情况, RAM的最佳数量至少为 16GB。
考虑到M2 和M1 Mac中的(M1 Macs)GPU 的(GPUs)性能分别与PlayStation 4和Xbox Series S相当,只有 8GB RAM可能会限制这些(RAM)GPU(GPUs)能够处理的纹理质量。这不仅适用于Mac游戏(正在复兴),还适用于任何受益于更多纹理内存的 3D 创意和专业应用程序。
如果您想尝试最新的Mac视频游戏端口或任何类型的 3D 加速应用程序,那么购买 16GB 或更多内存可能值得。话虽如此,在我们长期使用基础型号 8GB MacBook Air M1的过程中,即使是像《古墓丽影》(Tomb Raider)这样的大型游戏也能以 1080p 的分辨率运行。
底线:8GB对于Mac来说(Bottom Line)够用(Enough)吗?

那么让我们直接回答这里的主要问题。毕竟,如果您购买一台配备 8GB RAM的新(RAM)Mac ,那么如果不购买全新Mac ,您将没有机会获得更多RAM,因此这是一个重要的决定。不同内存(RAM)配置的型号之间的价格差异很大,这也无济于事!
为了方便起见,我们分解了一些示例用例,其中现代Mac中的 8GB (Mac)RAM就足够了。请记住,这不包括Intel Mac(Intel Macs)(2019 年及更早版本),如上所述,它使用RAM 的(RAM)方式与后来的Apple Silicon系统不同。
如果您拥有一台配备 8GB RAM的(RAM)Intel Mac,并且它仍然以您满意的速度执行您所需的所有操作,那么这足以结束争论。但是,如果您想购买当前的Mac,以下是使用案例:
- 基本的日常计算,例如在Safari或Chrome中浏览网页、文字处理或电子表格。
- 4K 基本视频编辑,或者更多涉及使用Luma Fusion、Adobe Premiere或Final Cut Pro等应用程序进行 1080p 编辑。我们的 4K YouTube 频道(YouTube channel)是在具有 8GB RAM的(RAM)M1 MacBook Pro ( MBP ) 上编辑的。随时欢迎更多订阅者!
- (Photo)使用Adobe Photoshop(Adobe Photoshop)和Lightroom等应用程序编辑照片。除非您要编辑具有真正疯狂分辨率或数百层的图像,否则新MacBook Pro或Air中的 8GB (Air)RAM就足够了。
- 流式传输Netflix、Amazon Prime或YouTube视频。在Spotify(Spotify)或Apple Music上聆听音乐。
- 1080p 游戏设置为中等到高,具体取决于游戏的年代。例如,我们在配备M1 芯片的(M1 chip)8GB MacBook Air上玩(MacBook Air)《古墓丽影(Tomb Raider):崛起》(Rise)和《异形隔离》(Alien Isolation)时,在此分辨率下没有出现任何问题。
如果您的需求超出了这些一般场景,并且如果您想让您的Mac(Mac)面向未来、打开数十个Chrome选项卡、在Xcode中进行编程,或者如果您希望在最终获得一台新计算机时获得更好的转售价值,那么您可能应该选择 16GB 而不是入门级选项。
Is 8GB RAM Good Enough for a Mac?
Unlike Windows PСs, gоing for a Mac with more RAM isn’t as simple as popping in more modules when you need them. To future-proof your Mac, you need to buy the right amount of RAM from the start.
Modern Macs generally have specs with at least 8 GB of RAM. This sounds like a small amount, especially when you’re paying thousands of dollars for a computer, but is this RAM enough for a Mac?

Why Does RAM Matter In Your Mac?
Random Access Memory (RAM) is a form of computer memory used to temporarily store data that the computer is currently using or processing. It is called “random access” because the computer can access any part of the memory directly rather than going through a sequence of memory locations.
RAM is an important component of a computer because it determines how much data it can work with at one time and how quickly it can access that data. When a computer runs out of RAM, it can slow down or even crash because it needs to use a slower form of memory, such as a hard drive, to store data.
Having enough RAM is particularly important for running multiple programs at once or using resource-intensive applications such as video editing software, graphics design, gaming, or running virtual machines.
How Much RAM Can You Get With a Mac?
Recent models of the MacBook Air and MacBook Pro laptops usually come with 8GB or “gigs” of RAM as a standard configuration, but some higher-end models can be configured with up to 16GB or even 32GB of RAM or more. The MacBook Air, MacBook Pro 13”, Mac mini, and iMac desktop computers also typically come with 8GB of RAM as a standard configuration, but they can also be configured with 16GB RAM, 32GB RAM, or more in high-end models such as the Mac Studio equipped with an M1 Max or M1 Ultra.
The Mac RAM Upgrade Problem

The RAM configuration of a Mac is not upgradeable on all models, especially on newer models of MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, and Mac mini. In those cases, the RAM is soldered to the motherboard and can’t be upgraded after purchase.
In general, for most regular users, 8GB of RAM should be enough for running basic applications and a few browser tabs. But if you are doing heavy lifting like video editing, rendering, running virtual machines, or work with many browser tabs open, then you should consider getting more RAM, especially if you’re using an older Mac.
Why especially for an older Mac? This is where things get a little more complicated since older Intel-based Macs need more RAM to do the same job as an Apple Silicon Mac.
Intel and Apple Silicon Macs Use RAM Differently

Macs with Intel processors and Macs that use Apple Silicon processors have different approaches to RAM usage.
Macs that use Intel processors use a traditional memory architecture, in which the RAM is externally connected to the processor via a memory controller that runs at different speeds depending on the motherboard and processor generation.
On the other hand, Macs that use Apple Silicon processors use a unified memory architecture (UMA), in which the RAM and the processor are closely integrated and share the same physical chip package. In UMA, the memory is shared between the CPU and the GPU, allowing the two components to work together more efficiently and making the amount of RAM less of a bottleneck for performance.

In practice, this means that a Mac with an Apple Silicon processor might be able to perform better even with less RAM than an Intel-based Mac with the same amount of RAM would be able to. This also means that on an Apple Silicon Mac, the performance increase from upgrading RAM is not as significant as on an Intel-based Mac.
It’s important to note that in both cases, having more RAM is still beneficial for running multiple applications simultaneously or running memory-intensive tasks, but the unified memory architecture of Apple Silicon makes the amount of RAM less of a bottleneck for performance.
Another key reason that Apple Silicon Macs can get away with less RAM is thanks to their tightly Integrated SSDs. You’ll recall we mentioned how RAM helps the computer avoid resorting to slower storage such as hard drives. That’s still true in general, but because Apple Silicon SSDs are so fast, they can act as a high-speed buffer when multitasking. On an M1 MacBook Air, for example, the SSD can write 2.2GB/s and read 2.8GB/s. This means that it can move the entire contents of RAM to and from the SSD in less than four seconds on an 8GB system. So dumping background apps you aren’t currently using to the SSD can happen without the user knowing about it or noticing performance degradation.
More RAM, Less SSD Wear
Having more RAM can potentially reduce wear and tear on the SSD (solid-state drive) of a Mac with an Apple Silicon processor.
When a computer runs out of RAM, it starts using a feature called “virtual memory,” which is a combination of the computer’s RAM and a portion of the hard drive. Virtual memory allows the computer to use the hard drive as an extension of RAM, effectively increasing the amount of memory available to the system. However, using the SSD as virtual memory can cause additional wear and tear.
By having more RAM, the computer can store more data in RAM and rely less on the SSD for virtual memory. This reduces the number of reads and writes that the SSD needs to perform, which can help prolong its life.
It’s also worth noting that SSDs are more durable than traditional hard drives and can last for years even with frequent use. Modern operating systems like macOS are optimized to use the flash storage more efficiently, reducing wear and tear.
Most Macs Have Unified Memory Now

In Apple Silicon Macs and some Intel-based Macs with integrated graphics, the memory (RAM) is shared between the CPU and GPU. This means that the CPU and GPU can access the same memory pool and share data, which can improve the efficiency of the system’s memory usage.
It’s also worth considering the GPU capabilities and its limitations too. Some integrated GPUs may have limited memory and performance capabilities, and the amount of RAM may affect the performance of the GPU, so for these cases, the optimal amount of RAM would be at least 16GB.
Considering that the GPUs in M2 and M1 Macs are comparable in power to the PlayStation 4 and Xbox Series S, respectively, having only 8GB of RAM may limit the quality of the textures these GPUs are capable of processing. This doesn’t just apply to Mac gaming (which is undergoing a revival), but any of the 3D creative and professional applications that benefit from having more texture memory.
If you want to try the latest Mac video game ports or any sort of 3D-accelerated application at all, it’s likely worth springing for 16GB or more. That being said, in our long-term use of a base model 8GB MacBook Air M1, even heavy games such as Tomb Raider run just fine at 1080p.
The Bottom Line: Is 8GB Enough For a Mac?

So let’s get down to directly answering the main question here. After all, if you buy a new Mac with 8GB of RAM, you’ll have no opportunity to get more RAM without buying a whole new Mac, so it’s an important decision. It doesn’t help that the price difference between models with different RAM allocations is substantial!
To make it easy, we’ve broken down some example use cases where 8GB RAM in a modern Mac is enough. Keep in mind that this does not include Intel Macs (2019 and earlier) which, as mentioned above, use RAM differently to later Apple Silicon systems.
If you have an Intel Mac with 8GB of RAM and it still does everything you need at a speed you’re happy with, then that’s enough to end the debate. If you’re looking to buy a current Mac however, these are the use cases:
- Basic day-to-day computing such as web browsing in Safari or Chrome, word processing, or spreadsheets.
- Basic video editing in 4K, or more involved editing in 1080p using apps like Luma Fusion, Adobe Premiere, or Final Cut Pro. Our 4K YouTube channel is edited on an M1 MacBook Pro (MBP) with 8GB of RAM. More subscribers are always welcome!
- Photo editing with apps like Adobe Photoshop and Lightroom. Unless you’re editing images with truly insane resolutions or hundreds of layers, 8GB of RAM in a new MacBook Pro or Air is more than enough.
- Streaming Netflix, Amazon Prime or YouTube videos. Listening to music on Spotify or Apple Music.
- 1080p gaming at medium to high settings depending on the age of the title. For example, we played Rise of the Tomb Raider and Alien Isolation on an 8GB MacBook Air with an M1 chip without any issue at this resolution.
If your needs exceed these general scenarios, and if you want to future-proof your Mac, open dozens of Chrome tabs, program in Xcode, or if you want to have better resale value when you eventually get a new computer, then you should probably opt for 16GB instead of the entry-level options.