Looks like no one’s replied in a while. To start the conversation again, simply ask a new question.

Lion - Memory Usage Problems

Why is Lion using all 4GB of RAM running Mail, Safari (2 tabs), and iTunes? Snow Leopard was bad enough at handling memory, eating up every available byte and Lion seems to be arbitrarily using even more RAM. Windows 7 has zero problems handling RAM, there's no reason OS X shouldn't be able handle memory properly.


Can someone explain what Apple is doing here? I'm at a total loss. For users who just need Safari, Mail, and iTunes... I guess this works. But how am I expected to reliably run Logic, Final Cut, or Aperture with OS X using every available resource for Web Surfing, E-mail, and Music. This is totally unacceptable for a multi-million dollar software company greated towards professionals as well as consumers.


The following responses are not acceptable by the way:


  • Buy more RAM - I did that already, it will eat up 2/4/8GB, doesn't matter. Not to mention Apple still sells numerous 2/4GB confirgurations.
  • Buy a newer/more powerful Mac - this is a improper handling of memory issue, not a hardware issue.


I'd really love some insight into this. Thanks for reading.

MacBook Pro, Mac OS X (10.7), 13" (late-2009)

Posted on Jul 21, 2011 5:45 AM

Reply
957 replies

Jul 21, 2011 6:46 AM in response to mightymilk

I am running Safari (4 tabs open), Mail, iTunes, Activity Monitor, and terminal. Out of my 4 GB of ram currently 2.16GB free. I have only been powered up for 30 mins though.


Just because LION is using up all 4GB of ram, it is not necessarily a bad thing. OS X uses the RAM for its many processes. With just 5 apps open, I have 101 processes active at this moment. Most of those processes are running all the time


You are going to have problems if all the RAM is active and processes and apps have to page in and out from RAM.


Are you experiencing slow response from apps?


From my experience Logic, Final Cut, or Aperture are apps that do use a lot of system resources, RAM and CPU and depending on how heavely you use them you may need 8GB of RAM. I only have 4GB of RAM and when I have a lot of work to do in Aperture I will shut down Mail and Safari. Especially Safari which does use lots of RAM.

Jul 21, 2011 7:08 AM in response to bobwild

I understand there are pbackground tasks going on, beyond the standard GUI applications. But to answer your question, I'm getting system hangs that last anywhere form a few seconds to many seconds. I believe it's because the computer is PFing like crazy, because OS X is using every available resource to run Mail/Safari/iTunes.


I wouldn't consider Logic, Final Cut, or Aperture light on system resources though. As an example, Recording/Playing about 6-8 tracks in Logic with multiple plugins can easily grab 1GB of RAM. Final Cut when rendering can also grab 1GB of RAM. This wouldn't be a problem if OS X wasn't taking all my resources.


As an additional note, Safari seems to be the main culprit. There's a process linked to Safari called "Safari Web Content" that was easily using 950MB of RAM... with 3 tabs open. I can't tell if it's a memory leak or what. It won't release RAM by closing tabs, you have to completely quit the application.


In any case I appreciate the response!

Jul 21, 2011 12:49 PM in response to mightymilk

I was having this problem as well, so I decided to try John Gruber's advice. I uninstalled Flash and set up Chrome as a back-up for the Flash pages I HAVE to access. The memory that Safari is using has now dropped dramatically, and everything is much more responsive and quick. Here's a link to John's method at doing this, if you're interested.


http://daringfireball.net/2010/11/flash_free_and_cheating_with_google_chrome

Jul 22, 2011 11:20 AM in response to mightymilk

I shall say that i was finding that what before use 4gb was open aperture and may WOW or Warhammer online but now just mail safari and 4gb use.. May is that apple is using more ram to use less processor or may is how lion works or i dunno but i was thinking upgrade ram and now i am sure and from apple i think ..

Oh 2011 imac with 2x2gb and two free slots..So 4gb and true with lion the ram always in almost all in use and no much free....

I don't have flash installed..

Also can be because all the apps are displayed in launchpad and may we running full apps and using other desktop i dunno exactly why but i think lion like ram and a lot ...

Jul 22, 2011 11:59 AM in response to mightymilk

mightymilk


Go into Activity Monitor and check "Page Outs". If the value is zero, then you have never had any RAM shortage since the last power-on.


If it's not zero, then you have had RAM shortages. Ignore the colored pie. It's just a point in time RAM status, and tells you nothing about either the past or the peaks of demand.

mightymilk wrote:


Can someone explain what Apple is doing here?

Yes, I can explain what Apple is doing here.


RAM is a very cheap resource, so modern software uses it to save consumption of other resources. RAM can be, and is, used to avoid I/Os. Avoiding I/Os saves CPU cycles and makes the system quicker for you.


For the last 40+ years, the golden rule of computer configuration has been "don't skimp on memory"!


I know you don't like this answer, but if you are getting a lot of Page Outs, then buy more RAM. In my experience, my MBP did not perform acceptably until I upgraded it to 8GBs. But with Aperture, it was still sluggish, so I now have an iMac with 12GBs of RAM, plus SSD and fastest CPU. Aperture is a professional application designed to scale, and use resources well.


So why does Apple still sell 2 and 4 GB Macs? To get the sticker price down and meet the needs of less demanding uses. Users who do one simple thing at a time and don't use professional apps.

Jul 22, 2011 12:20 PM in response to John Kitchen

We're talking about Safari using anywhere from 1GB-3GB of RAM. These are not Pro applications nor are they intended to have heavy system requirements. You took my bilp about Aperture, Logic and Final Cut and took it completely out of context.


With all due respect, I don't think you understand that Safari in it's current state will drain all available RAM over time whether you have 8, 12, or 24GB. If you need me to explain the situation in more detail, let me know.

Jul 22, 2011 12:33 PM in response to mightymilk

Did you keep the Lion DMG installer image?


I would do a clean install of Lion on an external drive and give that a test run or better.


you can use Setup Assistant to pull everything in also.


There can and are some propblems with an OS upgrade.


Safari 5.1 (or wait for 5.1.1) might also have some unknowns.


3rd party extensions and plug-ins can be an issue on some setups.


There are now with latest Safari at least more threads per page, per tab/site, but it isn't acting right either.


A couple how to articles:


how to clone your system for one.


Using Cloning as a Backup Strategy

Carbon Copy Cloner 3.4.1


OS X Lion Install to Different Drive


How to create an OS X Lion installation disc MacFixIt


Migration Assistant Update for Mac OS X Snow Leopard


incompatible with OS X Lion

RoaringApps Mac OS X Lion Application Compatibility

Lion - Memory Usage Problems

Welcome to Apple Support Community
A forum where Apple customers help each other with their products. Get started with your Apple ID.