Is this normal for a Mac to use this much RAM? I am brand new to Mac so I do not have much experience with it. When I use Xcode along with Safari it goes down to under 100MB of free RAM.
I have a Windows 7 computer that also has 4GB of RAM and only goes above 2GB when I am running VMWare and that is with 8 chrome tabs. In safari in this screenshot I have 5 open. I am comparing to 7 and am curious if it' normal, thanks.
MacBook Pro, Mac OS X (10.7.4), Mid 2012
Yes, this is normal. OS X requires 2 GBs leaving you with 2 GBs for applications and other software. You might consider installing more RAM. However, the memory management system is unlikely to ever truly run out of memory unless you run far too many applications concurrently.
About OS X Memory Management and Usage
Reading system memory usage in Activity Monitor
Performance Guidelines- Memory Management in Mac OS X
A detailed look at memory usage in OS X
Understanding top output in the Terminal
The amount of available RAM for applications is the sum of Free RAM and Inactive RAM. This will change as applications are opened and closed or change from active to inactive status. The Swap figure represents an estimate of the total amount of swap space required for VM if used, but does not necessarily indicate the actual size of the existing swap file. If you are really in need of more RAM that would be indicated by how frequently the system uses VM. If you open the Terminal and run the top command at the prompt you will find information reported on Pageins () and Pageouts (). Pageouts () is the important figure. If the value in the parentheses is 0 (zero) then OS X is not making instantaneous use of VM which means you have adequate physical RAM for the system with the applications you have loaded. If the figure in parentheses is running positive and your hard drive is constantly being used (thrashing) then you need more physical RAM.
Adding RAM only makes it possible to run more programs concurrently. It doesn't speed up the computer nor make games run faster. What it can do is prevent the system from having to use disk-based VM when it runs out of RAM because you are trying to run too many applications concurrently or using applications that are extremely RAM dependent. It will improve the performance of applications that run mostly in RAM or when loading programs.
I suppose we could look for the amount of current a typical module uses, and we know the voltage used, so that should be sufficient to determine how much power each added RAM module uses. From that we should be able to estimate how much more battery power is used, and from that how much change in battery life. Completely academic and no debate needed. 😁
Why not submit it for the Novice Class license pool???
Sure. It would be a good question for a novice test. Now, if I can remember how to solve the problem. 😁
That is what computers are for...write a script to solve it 😝
Take Kappy's post with a grain of sand. He knows a lot and expects other to know as much and or learn as much.
Basically you need more RAM. All Mac's sold with only 4GBs and run Lion need more RAM.
Battery life will not be affected by adding more RAM to any noticeable degree. Battery life is affected more by screen and keyboard backlight brightness and how you use your computer then what the extra RAM will use.
IMHO Mac's are not easier to use. They are no better then any good Windows notebook. They use the same exact hardware as a Win PC. They break down just as much with Software and hardware problems.
Some say OS X is a better OS then Windows, I disagree. They both do the same thing, just a little differently.
But now that you are in it, Mac that is, Get ready for a long hard learning curve.
Can a novice take his computer with him during a test, or do we create a second question: write the script? 😉
No. I think that if you are going to go through computer training as a network admin, then you should use PCs because that's what's used everywhere. My recommendation is one of being practical.
The alternative, if you really want a Mac, is to get one with the maximum RAM installable and a big hard drive, then run Windows on it:
Windows on Intel Macs
There are presently several alternatives for running Windows on Intel Macs.
1. Install the Apple Boot Camp software. Purchase Windows XP w/Service Pak 2, Vista, or Windows 7. Follow instructions in the Boot Camp documentation on installation of Boot Camp, creating Driver CD, and installing Windows. Boot Camp enables you to boot the computer into OS X or Windows.
2. Parallels Desktop for Mac and Windows XP, Vista Business, Vista Ultimate, or Windows 7. Parallels is software virtualization that enables running Windows concurrently with OS X.
3. VM Fusionand Windows XP, Vista Business, Vista Ultimate, or Windows 7. VM Fusion is software virtualization that enables running Windows concurrently with OS X.
4. CrossOver which enables running many Windows applications without having to install Windows. The Windows applications can run concurrently with OS X.
5. VirtualBox is a new Open Source freeware virtual machine such as VM Fusion and Parallels that was developed by Solaris. It is not as fully developed for the Mac as Parallels and VM Fusion.
6. Last is Q. Q is a freeware emulator that is compatible with Intel Macs. It is much slower than the virtualization software, Parallels and VM Fusion.
Note that Parallels and VM Fusion can also run other operating systems such as Linux, Unix, OS/2, Solaris, etc.
There are performance differences between dual-boot systems and virtualization. The latter tend to be a little slower (not much) and do not provide the video performance of the dual-boot system. See MacTech.com's Virtualization Benchmarking for comparisons of Boot Camp, Parallels, and VM Fusion.
Boot Camp is only available with Leopard or Snow Leopard. Except for Crossover and a couple of similar alternatives like DarWine you must have a valid installer disc for Windows. You must also have an internal optical drive for installing Windows. Windows cannot be installed from an external optical drive.
On your question about Win PC or Mac.
I suggest you return the Mac and get a Good and Powerful Win PC notebook. For what you paiid for the Mac you can get one heck of a powerful Windows notebook.
If you like the lines of the Mac then look at the HP Envy line of notebooks. I use Dell myself as I have never had any problems with them. I still have one I bought 10+ years ago and yes it still runs, and runs well.
But when I sell my Mac, if I do, I will seriously look at the HP Envy line to replace it.
Thank you for your help. I do know a lot....Mac just isn't the area that I know a lot about....I'm a Windows user.
I agree with you, a lot of people say Mac OS is for people who don't know how to use a computer or old people. I am starting to disagree now that I own one, it can do A LOT. It's just a matter of knowing how to do it and doing it differently than Windows. I can't imagine what it'd be like owning a Mac Mini from the Apple website that runs Lion and comes with 2GB of RAM.
I am a student in Network Admmin and all the classes I'm taking are based on Microsoft stuff and how to use it and so on. I needed a laptop and that's how I ended up with a MBP....everybody talked about how good they were and I agree, the quality is fantastic....better than any Windows computer I've used, but the OS is very tricky and not used very much in my field.
I just saw your other post about my question of should I stick with the MBP or get a Windows machine. I also have had very good experiences with Dell and it would be very hard to go with something other than Dell. Why do you suggest the Envy line and why should I go with Windows??
Thanks for your help.
Also, what's your opinion on the new offerings from Vizio?
Actually the quality is no better then good Windows notebooks. Just look at this forum, let alone all the other Mac forums, about problems with hardware and software.
Yes they have a very nice case (my newest Dell also has an all metal case), the screens are also nice (I do like the screen on my Mac better then the one on my newest Dell). But those are where the differences end.
All total I spent about 1/2 for my Dell E6420 then I did for my MBP. The Dell came with a 3 year warranty with Accidental damage coverage. I had to buy a 2 year extended warranty from Apple for my Mac and it does not include any accidental damage warranty.
I upgraded the RAM on both. On the Dell I installed a SSD in the main hard drive bay and the Dell has a module bay that I put in a 750GB 7200RPM second drive. Yes you can do that with the Mac but in doing so you void the warranty.
thatotherdude24 wrote:
Also, what's your opinion on the new offerings from Vizio?
Never used them.
The reason I suggested the HP Envy is it looks very similar to the MBP. Only you get more ports, more options, basically more everything and the price is lower.
A friend of mine said to me when I return the second Mac I had last year (I had 3 of them in 2011. Return the first 2 and kept the thrid, that is after I bought my newest Dell), "If I was looking for a New Notebook what would you suggest I buy". He followed that up with "You would tell me to buy a Dell". So I ordered my new Dell that day.
If you were telling me to buy a Dell what would you suggest? I would like one with a backlit keyboard and if it was to have room for an SSD along with the HDD I would like that.
Look on the Business class side. I really like my E6420. They also have one with 15" screen, mine is 14", the E6520.
I has ports galore. 4 USB ports (USB2) one of them also double as a eSATA port, VGA port, HDMI port, Ethernet port, SD card slot, Express card slot, Smart card slot. Yes you can get a backlit keyboard. They have a module bay that you can install a DVD, Second HDD, USB 3 module or extra module bay battery in.
I bought a HDD module bay caddy after I got mine ad install the second drive in that. I also got a cable that connects the original DVD burner to the eSATA port, that was bought aftermarket.
I have no need for an extra battery as the stock battery lasts hours and I always use AC when available.
All total I spent about $1400 on the Dell. My 15" Mac cost me $1759, stock base 15" model, then I added the Applecare 2 year extesion to the stock warranty, another $349, and installed a Seagate hybrid 500GB HDD to it and upgrade the RAM from 4 to 8GBs. Total around $2200. Oh and then I install VMware fusion on the Mac so I could install Win XP on it as I need Windows programs. That was another $49 for the VM program (I have copies of XP).
I use both everyday. The Dell more as that is my work notebook. The world runs on Windows.
If I was to return the MBP what would your reccomendations be as far as the computer is registered to me. Is there a basically a way to do a 'clean install' on a Mac without a disc?
New To Mac
