New MacBookPro M1s - RAM "efficiency"

Grant Lenahan wrote:

I'm looking for some "BTDT" here. The New M1/X chips have tons of advantages, two of them being memory bandwidth and unification. BT, giant BUT, being buyilt into the SoC, it can never be expanded - adn RAM has a huge impact on laptop lifetimes.

Now, unified memory ought to be more efficiently used than the normal approaches of dedicated video, application etc memory. Apple claims that i is up to 2X more efficient, meaning 8GB acts more like 16. They say.

What are experiences? I know its early in the game, but memory utilization and swap rates could give some indication. I fully expect any $3k laptop to solider on, maybe as a 2nd machine, for 10 years just like my current "fleet" (yea, its 4).

On a 16" machine, is 16GB sufficient or must i bite the bullet and pop for 32G up front. Costco doesn't even sell 32G :-(

I presume the SSD is soldered on too?

TIA,

G

ps: i read two ansewrs that bohered me, but were closed. A level 8 and 10 responders gavce misleading ansswers including that the RAM is soldered to the motherboard. Misleading! Its part of the SoC.

CPU and GPU are part of the SoC, RAM is on the chip— but yes it is soldered (Surface Mount Technology.) the NAND Flash Memory (storage) is separate but SMT as well.

There is no after purchase upgrade.

Your rational seems logical however everything is more demanding including RAM usage.

Just like SSD storage you typically get the next biggest storage, I if you can afford the increase RAM— I would to future proof your purchase...

Grant Lenahan wrote:

…

Any more fact based anwswers would still be helpful, but i'll have to make a 16v/32v/Windows decision fairly soon

Considering that my M1 Mac mini has had no trouble with only 16 GB unified RAM, I doubt that you’ll be all that disappointed, regardless what memory size you choose.

However, I know from long experience, that, unless you are only using your computer for minor usage, you will find a time when you will wish you had more Memory and/or more Storage.

Hence, the oft heard advice of “more is better” is, nonetheless true.

However, as always, only you can estimate how much you may need.

(Additionally, due to the Unified nature of the Memory architecture, I can just about guarantee that you will get far more out of less memory on an M1 architecture Mac than any Windows machine.)

Your choice is only up to you.

Fair well.

Apple designed their M1 System on a Chip (SoC) architecture that unifies the CPU, GPU & Neural Engine with memory & SSD for a fast efficient computational design compared to the industry.

This architecture reduces repetitive swapping of data between the CPU & GPU.

This means better performance and less heat resulting in less noisy fans and a much better battery performance.

Grant Lenahan wrote:

well, oddly none of the answers shows up until i re-pinged. thank for replying.

I ask because the $$$ delta is large and eve more - very few places (aside from custom build to order at APple) seem to stock and sell 32GB units. I knows its well intentions but "more is better" is hardly rocket science - i do have to make a choice.

Any more fact based anwswers would still be helpful, but i'll have to make a 16v/32v/Windows decision fairly soon

You can see if there is anything here to satisfy your query—

after the jump re: Memory

https://www.anandtech.com/show/16252/mac-mini-apple-m1-tested

https://www.macworld.com/article/234843/m1-macs-memory-isnt-what-it-used-to-be.html

https://appleinsider.com/articles/21/10/30/compared-m1-vs-m1-pro-and-m1-max

With Apple silicon, the SoC architecture trades flexibility with efficiency. 