Big Sur with 4Gb RAM

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Level 1

63 points

Big Sur with 4Gb RAM

In early February 2021 I bought a used MacBook Air 13" (early 2014) with macOS Big Sur already installed and I've been using it ever since then. About 3 weeks ago I started getting messages saying that my memory was low, so I should close some apps. I wonder how serious this is and if it's going to get worse in the near future. How should I manage my applications to stay within 4Gb? Can anyone tell me about some things that are impossible to do on my Mac?

I'd like to create some graphics on my Mac, but so far I haven't found any graphics programs that inspire me. Can anyone suggest some graphics programs which are for creating artwork, instead of just editing pics?

The Software I've installed and have been running includes Xcode, Swift Playgrounds, Keynote, Pages, Logic X Pro, Spotify, Kodi, and The Sims 4: Digital Deluxe Edition. Out of all these, it was obvious that The Sims 4: Digital Deluxe Edition took the longest to download and Origin/EA said they thought it was a 15Gb file. I have discovered Activity Monitor and put it on my Dock.

The official Apple line is that it's not possible to upgrade the RAM from 4Gb because it's soldered in. The installation of 8Gb RAM was supposed to be carried out whenever this MacBook Air was bought as new or never. I checked online to see exactly what would be involved in upgrading the RAM, then I found a video showing that the RAM chips look nothing like I've seen before, but quite like the keys on the built in keyboard and the type of desoldering and soldering is like nothing I've seen before either. You can see how it's done on a mid 2012 MacBook Air by clicking on the following link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yjFAr5nM4YU which has commentary in Chinese, but you can get English subtitles.

Of course, I mentioned above that macOS Big Sur was already installed on this 4Gb MacBook Air when I got it. Is it actually possible for me to do a fresh installation of macOS Big Sur on this Mac if I needed to, or wouldn't that be possible? I've just read on these forums that 4Gb RAM is insufficient to install Big Sur!

I certainly can't afford to buy a new MacBook Air or Pro, so I wonder what I can do to get my hands on another MacBook with what seems to be the minimum 8Gb RAM? It would obviously be second hand, and I'm not sure if I should get one that can run Big Sur, or just be happy with Catalina.

MacBook Air 13″, macOS 11.3

Posted on Apr 1, 2021 5:34 PM

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Answer 1

Apr 1, 2021 6:29 PM in response to PaulBraun

PaulBraun wrote:

I think I might have to buy a MacBook Air or Pro from eBay which is older than 2014, or two MacBooks from eBay "for parts only"

i personally wouldn't buy a mac from a place where i couldn't test it first. (such as eBay) but since you're willing to go that route, might i suggest looking at your local pawn shop? if they are reputable they test items out before buying and/or offering them for resale. and you can test it out yourself before hand. and the best thing about most pawn shops, the prices are negotiable.

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Answer 2

PaulBraun Author

Level 1

63 points

Apr 2, 2021 6:13 AM in response to Kurt Lang

I already knew that Apple has never used AMD processors. I've just searched for Alibaba reviews and found lots of complaints against them. Their prices sound too good to be true and they ARE! I may be able to afford to buy a MacBook Air 2013 with the same 1466 model number as my current Mac, but with 8Gb RAM from eBay. I think the solution to buying a much better Mac might be to live on soup for a month (or three?) like Deke Scranton in the Apple TV+ series "For All Mankind"!

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Answer 3

PaulBraun Author

Level 1

63 points

Apr 1, 2021 6:00 PM in response to jeffreythefrog

I'm afraid they're NOT in my budget!

I think I might have to buy a MacBook Air or Pro from eBay which is older than 2014, or two MacBooks from eBay "for parts only" then use them to build one working MacBook. After this, I could install macOS Catalina on it, then download as much software as possible ASAP before the compatible versions are removed from the Apple Appstore.

Alternatively, I might be able to patch an older MacBook to run Big Sur!

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Answer 4

Owl-53

Level 10

102,571 points

Apr 2, 2021 4:59 AM in response to PaulBraun

The moment the computer is opened by Non Apple Qualified person and tinker inside it - You run a very real risk of creating a second-hand paperweight.

Now one needs to buy another new or refurbished machine. As one is on tight budget . . . Not a good idea ! ??

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Answer 5

Apr 1, 2021 5:43 PM in response to PaulBraun

you can shop at OWC to see if their prices on refurbished macs are within your budget.

refurbished MBP

refurbished MBA

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Answer 6

PaulBraun Author

Level 1

63 points

Apr 1, 2021 6:12 PM in response to BobTheFisherman

BobTheFisherman I'll certainly bear that in mind before considering buying a Retina display MacBook Pro, but I currently own a MacBook Air (early 2014). Why can't the RAM on Retina MacBook Pros be changed?

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Answer 7

Apr 1, 2021 6:38 PM in response to PaulBraun

PaulBraun wrote:

BobTheFisherman I'll certainly bear that in mind before considering buying a Retina display MacBook Pro, but I currently own a MacBook Air (early 2014). Why can't the RAM on Retina MacBook Pros be changed?

The RAM on retina display Macbook Airs can't be changed. No Macbook Pro/Air RAM can be changed if the model has a retina display. This means since 2012 models. There are no RAM sockets. The RAM is soldered to the logic board.

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Answer 8

PaulBraun Author

Level 1

63 points

Apr 2, 2021 4:33 AM in response to BobTheFisherman

BobTheFisherman, I've already dealt with this point in my first post in this topic. Soldered RAM can be changed, but it's not something I could do. Here's a video showing how to do it in Chinese, but you can turn on English subtitles. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yjFAr5nM4YU

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Answer 9

PaulBraun Author

Level 1

63 points

Apr 2, 2021 4:57 AM in response to jeffreythefrog

jeffreythefrog, I actually bought this Mac from a kind of pawn shop advertising on eBay. I could try going into one of their local branches, but the COVID-19 restrictions make that more difficult.

I recently searched on www.alibaba.com but got some very confusing results. The MacBooks might be located in China but they can be delivered in about 12 days, they have "2021" models, and some of the MacBooks have an AMD CPU! It doesn't sound very reliable to me.

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