Is 16GB RAM really enough on new 24" iMac?

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Level 1

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Is 16GB RAM really enough on new 24" iMac?

I'm looking to replace a 2017 21.5" iMac that had 32 GB RAM along with a 1TB Fusion Drive (and Intel processor) with one of the new 24" iMac.

But the new iMac's have a max of 15 GB RAM (unified memory). Is that really enough, as it would be only half the memory of the old iMac?

Or does the faster (M1) processor and all-SSD drive somehow compensate for the Apple's otherwise deplorable degradation of available memory?

Aside from general usage (word processing web browsing), the primary use if for non-shooter gaming (e.g., for Civilization V).

Posted on Feb 20, 2022 7:57 AM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

dialabrain

Level 10

126,329 points

Feb 20, 2022 9:35 AM in response to rkaufmann87

rkaufmann87 wrote:

I think you are mistaken, no 2012-2021 21.5" iMacs supported 32 GB of RAM.

I don't mean to quibble but plenty of 21.5" iMacs support 32GB or more. The RAM is non user-accessible but that doesn't mean a user or an Authorized Apple Service Provider can't add it.

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Answer 2

rkaufmann87

Level 10

144,600 points

Feb 20, 2022 9:04 AM in response to murrayE

I think you are mistaken, no 2012-2021 21.5" iMacs supported 32 GB of RAM. The max your 2017 21.5" could have had was 16 GB of RAM. To answer your question, millions are using their 2021 24" iMacs with 16GB of RAM successfully.

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Answer 3

tbirdvet

Level 6

14,633 points

Feb 21, 2022 12:50 PM in response to murrayE

Before I bought my Mac M1 I reviewed the users on YouTube that worked these units hard. There was no issue for most with 8GB and none with 16GB using the most processor intense photo editing apps. The M1 units cannot be compared directly to old Intel Macs. You should have any issues.

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Answer 4

rkaufmann87

Level 10

144,600 points

Feb 20, 2022 9:51 AM in response to dialabrain

I stand corrected, I did a bit more research and it looks like 2017 and later 21.5" can support up to 64 GB of RAM, however as you mentioned it must be done by an Apple Authorized Service Provider or the user. Thanks for letting me know.

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Answer 5

lkrupp

Level 6

17,103 points

Feb 20, 2022 9:51 AM in response to murrayE

As has been pointed out by @Keith Barkley the M1 Macs are a completely different animal when it comes to RAM. You have to forget what you think you know about RAM and applications. You will have no issues with 16GB of it.

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Answer 6

murrayE Author

Level 1

84 points

Feb 21, 2022 10:26 AM in response to John Galt

I said "deplorable degradation" since that is what, on the surface of things, seemed to be the case: the old 21.5" iMac could be ordered with 32 GB RAM, whereas the new 24" iMacs top out at only 16GB.

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Answer 7

Feb 21, 2022 11:39 AM in response to murrayE

Apple did not think it that much of a degradation since they put that chip in the MacBookPro.

It is much like replacing a 500GB mechanical HD with a 256GB SSD, while a downgrade in some respects, it is a positive boon in others.

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Answer 8

John Galt

Level 10

147,034 points

Feb 21, 2022 11:47 AM in response to murrayE

Understandable.

A definitive answer to your question is not possible, but I agree 16 GB should certainly be sufficient. The day will come when that will no longer be the case, but it's likely to be years from now, when you find yourself wanting to do things with that Mac that no one can even envision yet.

The new M1 Macs are faster, but is there something you can't do with the iMac you have now?

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