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How much RAM is needed for Big Sur?

I am helping someone upgrade her MacBook Air; it currently uses El Capitan, 10.11.6, so I think it's from 2015 or newer. She has plenty of storage but only 4 GB of RAM. is this adequate to run Big Sur and also stream television shows?


Apple Support (https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201475) indicates that computer is compatible, but it doesn't specify how much RAM is needed.


Would she get better performance by upgrading to Catalina?

MacBook Air

Posted on Oct 10, 2021 12:35 PM

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Posted on Oct 10, 2021 1:12 PM

Apple doesn't mention it in How to upgrade to macOS Big Sur - Apple Support or macOS Big Sur is compatible with these computers - Apple Support because it doesn't matter.


You can get the model year of her MacBook Air at Apple menu > About This Mac.

4 replies

Oct 10, 2021 1:33 PM in response to BMMcMahon

BMMcMahon wrote:

I am helping someone upgrade her MacBook Air; it currently uses El Capitan, 10.11.6, so I think it's from 2015 or newer. She has plenty of storage but only 4 GB of RAM. is this adequate to run Big Sur and also stream television shows?

Apple Support (https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201475) indicates that computer is compatible, but it doesn't specify how much RAM is needed.

Would she get better performance by upgrading to Catalina?



General Requirements


  • OS X 10.9 or later
  • 4GB of memory


macOS Big Sur w/tech specs

https://support.apple.com/kb/sp833?locale=en_US

How much RAM is needed for Big Sur?

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