by Hartley Charlton
Apple's high-end 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro offers the M1 Pro chip with 16GB of RAM as standard, but you can upgrade to 32GB of RAM for $400.
When choosing your M1 Pro MacBook Pro configuration, should you upgrade to the 32GB memory option, and does it justify its cost? Our guide helps to answer the question of how to decide which of these two memory options for the high-end MacBook Pro is best for you.
Unified Memory Architecture
Macs and PCs have traditionally needed to use multiple chips for the CPU, RAM, I/O, and more. With Apple silicon chips, these technologies are combined into a single System on Chip (SoC), delivering a new level of integration for improved performance and power efficiency.
Like the M1 and M2 chips, the M1 Pro features a unified memory architecture. This brings together high-bandwidth, low-latency memory into a single pool within a custom package. This allows all of the technologies in the SoC to access the same data without copying it between multiple pools of memory, which significantly improves performance and efficiency.
The MacBook Pro's substantially different memory hardware is the basis for its improved memory performance, but the M1 Pro MacBook Pro is also bolstered by 200GB/s unified memory and a faster, 7.4GB/s SSD, which means that the memory is much quicker and the system can swap with the SSD faster. Overall, this means that the new MacBook Pro's memory performance is massively improved compared to previous MacBook Pro models, as well as most PCs.
Decisions about getting either 16GB or 32GB of memory should therefore be rooted in the understanding that the MacBook Pro's memory is not conventional RAM, but rather a much faster unified memory architecture.
macOS Optimization
macOS intelligently optimizes memory usage in the background, filling up much of the available RAM for better performance. This means that high memory usage does not necessarily indicate that you need additional memory.
Using the faster SSD in the high-end MacBook Pro, the system can also swap data on the memory with the SSD if it needs to do so. As evidenced by the performance of previous Apple silicon Macs, macOS is able to optimize the unified memory pool extremely well. As a result, the extent and effectiveness of macOS optimization should be factored into decisions about paying for the $400 32GB memory upgrade.
Real-World Tests
The YouTube channel Max Tech recently compared the 16GB and 32GB MacBook Pro models when performing a number of intense tasks to give an indication of how the two memory configurations weigh up.
In Lightroom Classic, Max Tech found that the 32GB MacBook Pro performed exports just two seconds faster than the 16GB model. With multiple memory-hungry applications open in the background, the gap between the machines only increased by one second.
When exporting 4K ProRes RAW video, the 16GB MacBook Pro was just six seconds slower than the 32GB version. When exporting 8K ProRes RAW video, this gap was reduced to just a single second.
In Xcode, the 16GB model compiled a project in 137 seconds, compared to the 32GB model's 115 seconds. When performing photo editing, video editing, audio editing, coding, and heavy browsing, the 32GB model did not substantially outperform the 16GB model.
Max Tech did not notice any tangible slowdowns on the 16GB model, even when simultaneously running large and resource-heavy Logic Pro X and Final Cut Pro X projects. The narrowness of the difference between the two models was shown in practice when the 16GB model did not noticeably need to reload browser tabs more often than the 32GB model, despite a large number of intense tasks being active in the background.
We did our own memory test, comparing the base 14-inch MacBook Pro, which has 16GB RAM, with the high-end 16-inch MacBook Pro equipped with 32GB RAM. This was a real-world memory test, so we loaded up a series of apps that one might use in a video editing workflow, like Final Cut Pro, Lightroom, Chrome, Safari, Music, and a few others, and there were zero performance hiccups with either machine, with the 16GB MacBook Pro performing as well as the higher-end model.
Final Thoughts
Unless you are configuring your MacBook Pro with the M1 Max chip, which starts with 32GB of memory, you likely do not need the $400 add-on. In real-world tests, the 32GB MacBook Pro is not significantly outperforming the 16GB model, even during intense workflows.
Memory is often the limiting factor for older workstations, leading some observers to claim that upgrading to more memory is a worthwhile long-term investment. It should be remembered that other parts of the machine will inevitably age over time, so it is up to you if you feel the $400 upgrade is worthwhile for potential future-proofing. Alternatively, this money could be saved to spend on a future machine instead.
Apple's unified memory architecture and excellent memory management in macOS appear to be getting much more out of its memory compared to machines that do not have an Apple silicon SoC. The high-end 14 and 16-inch MacBook Pro models benefit from much faster SSD and memory, enabling them to swap memory even faster. This is the basis for the excellent memory performance of the 16GB model and why it should suffice for most users.
Moreover, it is important to understand that intense tasks often also heavily rely on the CPU or GPU. This means that memory is not always the choke-point for performance lag. You may max out other hardware before you begin to push the limits of the unified memory, resulting in slowdowns regardless of the amount of memory you have.
Generally, if you need 32GB of memory, you will know that you need it for extremely intense workflows such as running virtual machines or heavy video editing with multiple 4K or 8K streams. That being said, most customers with workflows of sufficient intensity to warrant 32GB of RAM will opt for the M1 Max chip over the M1 Pro.
Related Roundup:
Buyer's Guide:
Related Forum: MacBook Pro
8 comments
Top Rated Comments
pilgrim2812
4 weeks ago
Most people buy computers for the here and now. When I bought my MacBook Pro in 2013, I blew it out to 16GB RAM and 1TB of SSD which was a ridiculous overkill at the time. 10 years later my MacBook Pro is much more modest by today's standards, but its still very relevant and can still keep up with whatever I need to do. When you spec a new Mac, keep longevity in the back of your mind.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Abstract
9 weeks ago
I had to check the date of the article to make sure that it wasn’t 2021. ?
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
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FAQs
Is 32GB RAM overkill MacBook Pro? ›
Unless you are configuring your MacBook Pro with the M1 Max chip, which starts with 32GB of memory, you likely do not need the $400 add-on. In real-world tests, the 32GB MacBook Pro is not significantly outperforming the 16GB model, even during intense workflows.
Is there a big difference between 16GB and 32GB RAM? ›When compared to a 16GB RAM system, a 32GB RAM system offers two times the memory capacity for loading software, applications, and browser tabs.
Is 16GB RAM enough in MacBook Pro? ›Depends. If you are working on either Premiere or Final Cut Pro, 8 to 16 GB of RAM is enough (with 8GB being the recommended amount specified by Adobe), but if you are going to work in Avid Media Composer you need a minimum of 8GB of RAM and at least 24GB if working with UHD.
Is it worth upgrading from 16GB to 32GB RAM? ›In conclusion, 32GB RAM is a great option for gaming. It can offer a significant boost in performance and help future-proof your PC. It's also a good choice for video editing and other memory-intensive tasks. However, it's unnecessary for all games and may not be worth the extra cost for casual gamers.
Is 32GB RAM high end? ›32GB of RAM is becoming increasingly popular amongst gamers, and the increase in FPS from 16GB is likely to be a key reason. With 32GB, you will have graphically enhanced gameplay, while still being able to do multiple things in the background, like livestreaming and using Chrome, system software, or Spotify.
Is 32GB RAM overkill for productivity? ›32GB of RAM is considered high and is generally overkill for most users. For most everyday use and basic tasks such as web browsing, email, and basic office work, 8GB of RAM is more than enough. Even for gaming or video editing, 16GB is typically sufficient.
Is 32 GB RAM really necessary? ›Those who are rendering large files or doing other memory intensive work, should consider going with 32GB or more. But outside of those kinds of use cases, most of us can get by just fine with 16GB.
Do I need 16 or 32 GB of RAM? ›If you use your computer for light tasks such as browsing the web or working on office applications, 16GB of RAM will be more than enough. But if you use your computer for intensive memory usage tasks such as video editing or machine learning, I recommend getting at least 32GB of RAM.
When would you need 32GB of RAM? ›32GB of RAM might seem like a lot but when you're running PhotoShop, Illustrator, InDesign, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Word, a CRM, Microsoft Outlook, Virtual Linux, numerous web development tools, a browser with 50 tabs open, and multiple other tools - 32GB of RAM is necessary to keep your computer from slowing down ...
How much are RAM do you need for your MacBook Pro? ›Apple has updated its MacBook Pro line with Intel's latest processors, bringing a welcome speed boost to the laptops. But if you want to take full advantage of the new processors, you'll need at least 16GB of RAM. Here are the best RAM upgrades for your MacBook Pro.
Is 32GB RAM overkill for video editing? ›
32GB. This is the optimal capacity of RAM a computer needs for video editing. 32GB will allow you to edit all kinds of files, and you will be able to work with longer videos.
Is 16GB RAM enough for Photoshop? ›In general, you need a minimum of 8GB of RAM for Photoshop. However, Adobe recommends at least 16GB of RAM, while industry professionals suggest at least 32GB. There are a variety of other factors to consider in addition to these requirements, such as application, bit depth, and compression, among other things.
How much RAM should I use if I have 16GB? ›| < 4GB | This is not recommended for anyone but the lightest Chrome OS user. |
|---|---|
| 8GB to 16GB | 8GB of RAM is the sweet spot for the majority of users, providing enough RAM for virtually all productivity tasks and less demanding games. |
Is 32GB of RAM too much? 32GB of RAM is the amount of memory we recommend for serious gamers, engineers, scientists, and entry-level multimedia users. This level of RAM allows for these memory-hungry programs to run smoothly, even as your computer ages. Therefore, It's not too much, it's just right.
Is 16GB or 32GB RAM better for video editing? ›16GB RAM: Will work for projects that are 1080p-4k 8bit. This will allow minor usage of background projects as well. 32GB RAM: This can carry a heavy load for video editing while still using background projects. 64GB RAM: This amount of RAM can handle 8K footage in 10bit or more.
Do I need 16 GB of RAM for college? ›School: For most college students, 8GB of RAM is plenty. However, students who process a lot of data should consider at least 16GB of RAM. Work: 8GB of RAM is fine for daily productivity. If you do a lot of processing, consider upgrading to 16GB or more.
Is 16GB RAM enough for daily use? ›To meet the demands of modern software, 16 GB of RAM is what most people will need. This amount will help strike a good balance between running standing and resource-hungry apps on your computer. So if you're prone to opening lots of tabs in Google Chrome, you find that your computer will barely complain.
Is 32GB RAM enough for future? ›In general, yes. The only real reason an average user would need 32GB is for future proofing. As far as just simply gaming goes, 16GB is plenty, and really, you can get by just fine with 8GB. In a handful of gaming performance tests, Techspot found basically no difference between 8GB and 16GB in terms of framerate.
How much RAM do you realistically need? ›When it comes to everyday computing tasks like browsing the web, watching streaming content or using word processors, 8GB of RAM is the bare minimum you'll want. This amount of memory should allow you to have multiple tabs open and let you switch between them without significant performance degradation.
Is 32GB RAM enough 2023? ›It depends greatly on the type of games you want to play. If you want to play AAA titles with the graphics settings cranked up while having chrome tabs open, discord and multiple other application without a worry in the world then you should consider 32GB.
Do you really need 32GB or RAM on a laptop? ›
16GB: Excellent for Windows and MacOS systems and also good for gaming, especially if it is fast RAM. 32GB: This is the sweet spot for professionals. Gamers can enjoy a small performance improvement in some demanding games, too. 64GB and more: For enthusiasts and purpose-built workstations only.
Is 32gb RAM enough for graphic design? ›The fact is, once your CPU is past the gigahertz range, you're unlikely to notice a performance increase by getting a faster processor. Your money would be much better spent on RAM. 16 or even 32 gigs will definitely make your work fly by.
How much RAM do you need on a Mac? ›| Amount of RAM | Suitable for: |
|---|---|
| 8GB | Internet, text processing, making spreadsheets, watching movies and series, editing photos and videos as a hobby. |
| 16GB | All of the above and professional photo and video editing. |
In the Activity Monitor app on your Mac, click Memory (or use the Touch Bar). The Memory Pressure graph lets you know if your computer is using memory efficiently. Green memory pressure: Your computer is using all of its RAM efficiently. Yellow memory pressure: Your computer might eventually need more RAM.
Do I need more RAM for my MacBook Pro? ›As a general rule of thumb, more RAM is always a good idea. If you want to use data intensive applications like Final Cut Pro X, Logic Pro X or games, then you'll want to install the maximum amount of RAM possible to not only give you solid performance now but to also future-proof your Mac.
Should I get more RAM on MacBook Pro? ›Should I upgrade my RAM? Upgrading your RAM helps to improve performance and speed up your Mac. Adding RAM memory helps your Mac handle more demanding tasks, and improves its multitasking capabilities.
How much RAM do I need for 4K editing? ›A minimum of 16 GB of RAM for HD is fine, but with 4K or 6K editing, that minimum rises to 32 GB or more. Data must be quickly accessible to both the CPU and RAM so storage speed is crucial. Otherwise, starving the CPU and RAM of data results in slow performance, no matter how fast those other components are.
Is 32GB RAM good for 4K? ›How much RAM for 4K Video Editing? You'll need 16-32GB of RAM for editing 4K Video Projects at 8bit color. If you're working with lots of Effects or higher Bit-depths, though, consider 64GB for best performance.
How much RAM do I need for photo editing? ›Memory (RAM)
“We recommend 16GB RAM if you are running the latest Creative Cloud applications i.e. Photoshop and Lightroom Classic.” RAM is the second most important hardware, as it increases the number of tasks the CPU can handle at the same time. Simply opening Lightroom or Photoshop uses around 1 GB RAM each.
If you plan on using either program extensively, it is recommended that you upgrade to 32GB of RAM or more. The short answer is yes, 16GB RAM is enough for Photoshop and Lightroom. However, there are some things to keep in mind when considering how much RAM you need for these programs.
Is 16GB RAM enough for Creative Suite? ›
In order to run Adobe Creative Suite, your laptop needs a minimum of 8 GB RAM. In this article, we'll be discussing laptops that have RAM counts as low as 8GB and as high as 32GB.
Is 16GB RAM enough for next 5 years? ›So you should be fine for the next 5 or 6 years. That being said, DDR5 ram is expected in the next year or so, so that 16GB may not last any longer than that.
Is it better to have more RAM or storage? ›More RAM will make it easier for your computer to perform multiple tasks at once, while upgrading your storage will improve battery life, make it faster to open applications and files, and give you more space for photos and applications.
Does 32GB RAM make sense? ›16GB: Excellent for Windows and MacOS systems and also good for gaming, especially if it is fast RAM. 32GB: This is the sweet spot for professionals. Gamers can enjoy a small performance improvement in some demanding games, too. 64GB and more: For enthusiasts and purpose-built workstations only.
Is 16GB RAM enough for video editing MacBook Pro m1? ›16GB RAM: Will work for projects that are 1080p-4k 8bit. This will allow minor usage of background projects as well. 32GB RAM: This can carry a heavy load for video editing while still using background projects. 64GB RAM: This amount of RAM can handle 8K footage in 10bit or more.
How much RAM does a Mac really need? ›| Amount of RAM | Suitable for: |
|---|---|
| 8GB | Internet, text processing, making spreadsheets, watching movies and series, editing photos and videos as a hobby. |
| 16GB | All of the above and professional photo and video editing. |
32GB of RAM might seem like a lot but when you're running PhotoShop, Illustrator, InDesign, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Word, a CRM, Microsoft Outlook, Virtual Linux, numerous web development tools, a browser with 50 tabs open, and multiple other tools - 32GB of RAM is necessary to keep your computer from slowing down ...
Do I need 32GB RAM for video editing? ›32GB. This is the optimal capacity of RAM a computer needs for video editing. 32GB will allow you to edit all kinds of files, and you will be able to work with longer videos.
Is 16GB RAM good for 4K editing? ›16GB is enough for editing 1080p projects or 4K files with minimum effects. However, with background tasks running, and multiple applications open, the computer might struggle to work efficiently.
Is 16GB RAM enough for photo editing? ›“We recommend 16GB RAM if you are running the latest Creative Cloud applications i.e. Photoshop and Lightroom Classic.” RAM is the second most important hardware, as it increases the number of tasks the CPU can handle at the same time. Simply opening Lightroom or Photoshop uses around 1 GB RAM each.
How much RAM do I need for MacBook Pro photo editing? ›
I would advise purchasing a MacBook or iMac for photo editing with at least 8 GB of RAM. Most editing software requires 8 GB to run. However, if your budget allows it, go for 16 GB or more as high-end programs like Lightroom and ON1 Photo RAW have a recommended RAM amount of 16 GB.
Does more RAM make Mac faster? ›Outdated hardware is another reason that might be slowing down your Mac. One of the best ways to increase the speed of your Mac's hard disk is to add more RAM (random access memory) — its short-term memory.
How do I know if my Mac needs more RAM? ›In the Activity Monitor app on your Mac, click Memory (or use the Touch Bar). The Memory Pressure graph lets you know if your computer is using memory efficiently. Green memory pressure: Your computer is using all of its RAM efficiently. Yellow memory pressure: Your computer might eventually need more RAM.
Can you have too much RAM in Mac? ›' You can never have too much RAM, whereas having too little can seriously affect the performance of your Mac. Sadly, however, it's not quite as simple as that. Adding extra RAM, whether you do it when you buy your new Mac or add it later, costs money, quite a lot of money.
Which RAM is best for MacBook Pro? ›- Crucial 1600 MHz Memory for Mac.
- Timetec DDR3 1333MHz Compatible for MacBook Pro.
- Crucial PC3-8500 DDR3/DDR3L Macbook Pro Memory.
- Patriot 1.35V SODIMM Memory.
- DUOMEIQI Pc3-10600 Macbook Pro RAM Card.
- Silicon Power Hynix IC DDR3 Compatible with Apple Laptop.