Macbook Pro Retina RAM Advice

I'm looking at purchasing the entry level retina Macbook Pro (2.3 GHz, 256 GB SSD). The only question I have is on the $200 RAM upgrade from 8 GB to 16 GB. I'm aware that the RAM is soldered in, and can't be upgraded after purchase.

I'm hoping to get 3+ years out of this laptop. I will use it primarily for photos (viewing only, non-pro editing), web browsing, and maybe some limited gaming.

I don't mind waiting for the BTO (3-4 weeks), but I want to make sure the upgrade is worth it.

Thoughts on 8GB or 16 GB RAM?

Thanks!

 

if thats really all your doing, 8GB is probably more than you need.

 

8 is more than enough, 4 is enough unless you edit photos and run VM's. And 200 for 8 more is complete ripoff, don't do it.

 

Even for photo editing and running a virtual machine, 4GB would be enough RAM to live comfortably. 8GB is going to be more than what most consumers require for a long time. 16GB would be necessary only if they planned on playing some heavy duty games while running a couple of virtual machines at the same time.

 

You're hoping to get three years out of the laptop.

To go from 8GB to 16GB is $200.

$200/36 is $5.56 per month. Roughly 18 cents per day.

$5.56 per month is an insurance fee against some future tech that requires more than 8GB. Likely? No. But anything can happen.

 

I would keep the $5.50 / month. That could be used to purchase software, a large external storage drive, other accessories, or other types of insurance against more likely scenarios, such as accidental damage.

Also, as fun not-so-aside:

Anyone here willing to pay me $5.50 / month for alien abduction insurance?

 

I found 8GB to be perfect for gaming (sc2/wow/d3) and having multiple different browsers running, with a 1080p movie playing at the same time. It might be different for a notebook versus an iMac and a custom gaming PC, but you're probably not going to be running 3 monitors and doing all that multitasking at the same time, are you.

 

I'm with the 8GB crowd, 16GB's is overkill for what you're going to be doing.

 

Even if you get the base configuration... you are going to be waiting 3-4 weeks (just throwing that out there). I'll board the 8gb boat... if you are asking this question, odds are you are not really going to see the full potential of 16gb because you don't do any significant engineering,video-pic editing, etc... In 3 to 4 years, its the SSD (replaceable) and the CPU that are going to hold you back.

 

Is it? I though it was custom/soldered on???

 

the SSD is not soldered afaik. However, it isn't a standard form factor drive, so you'll have to find a company selling a compatible part. Shouldn't be too hard.

 

I'd get the 16 GB because I know I would use for it. Back in 2009, 8GB was like "whoa!". That was only 3 yrs ago. Most newer machines back in 2009 were happy just having 4GB or less.

Now, I'm reaching my limit at times with having 8gb but still very comfortable.. YEP, virtual machines and experimenting/testing Oracle 11gR2 and latest Oracle Apps in a linux env and SQL Server 2008 R2 (in windows).

Within another three years I'm really going to NEED 16GB in a MBP or else retire from Macs altogether and keep to DELL. Lately, I'm using my DELL laptop more and more often and looking to upgrade it to 32GB soon. So it is a no brainer for me, I'd get 16GB if I were buying a new MBP. But if you don't know of a specific reason or idea WHY you would need it, then you probably are okay with 8GB.

 

Lucky you, you don't need to run 10 VMs simultaneously

I'd consider this machine if it has the option for 32GB (user upgradeable). Otherwise, will have to pass ...

 

Yeah, I've just had a look at the iFixit tear down and it seems it's not soldered in place so hopefully some compatible form factors will start showing up from reputable manufacturers/resellers.

 

I have opted for 8gb after running a usage test on my existing MacBook Pro. Most of the time I am running with 5gb free, so 8 is plenty for my 18 month lifecycle.

Just wondering about opinions of being able to add additional RAM to the SSD board in the future by third party suppliers... Anyone think that would be possible?

 

The RAM? No, that is directly soldered onto the logic board and is specifically non-replaceable. I highly doubt a solution will ever come out for that simply because the MBA has been in the same position for 2 years now and there hasn't been a single company that is willing to take the RAM out (which would require an extensive amount of work and likely damage the logic board) and upgrade it (requiring even more work). All-in-all, upgrading the RAM is impossible.

The SSD has a better shot of being user upgradable. OWC already offers upgrade options for the 2010 and mid-2011 MacBook Airs. I think it is only a matter of time before they figure out the 2012 MBA and RMBP.