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.
Yes just boot the computer to the Recovery HD system, Command+r when starting up, and Erase the Macintosh HD partition in Disk Utility. Then when that is finished exit out of DU and select Reinstall Mac OS X. It will download Lion from the internet, have you Mac connected to your router with an Ethernet cable, and when the download is finished the install will start. Once the install completes and you are at the Chose Language screen hold down the power button until the system turns off. System will be cleaned and ready to be returned.
Thanks, I appreciate all your help. I went and looked at the Envy line and they seem pretty nice but with the way Dell customer service has been to me it's hard to stay away from Dell.
Or, don't return it at all, don't worry about the Windows salespeople occupying these forums, and just upgrade your RAM. The ideas behind Macs is that they are built to last.
stevejobsfan0123 wrote:
Or, don't return it at all, don't worry about the Windows salespeople occupying these forums, and just upgrade your RAM. The ideas behind Macs is that they are built to last.
Not a Windows salesman.
Have you read any of these forum? Built to last? And if it has a manufacturing defect, late 2007 and early 2008 model MBPs, Apple only expect it to last 4 years then wants to charge you for their original manufacturing defect.
Shootist007 wrote:
stevejobsfan0123 wrote:
Or, don't return it at all, don't worry about the Windows salespeople occupying these forums, and just upgrade your RAM. The ideas behind Macs is that they are built to last.
Not a Windows salesman.
You sure sound like one
And with the amount of points have on this forum you could also say I'm an Apple sales person.
So pick one.
Shootist007 wrote:
And with the amount of points have on this forum you could also say I'm an Apple sales person.
So pick one.
I already did, thanks.
I don't see the point of spending $1200 on a computer and then having to put more money in it for it to be usable, doesn't make much sense.
I ended up returning it and got an HP m6 with more RAM and a bigger HDD than the Mac and also got a free Xbox 360 since I am a student and walked out with cash in my pocket.
Thank you again for your help and realistic answers.
thatotherdude24 wrote:
I don't see the point of spending $1200 on a computer and then having to put more money in it for it to be usable, doesn't make much sense.
Quit ranting, I never suggested that you should.
Please post back the next time you need a new laptop. Probably 2013 or so.
stevejobsfan0123 wrote:
Or, don't return it at all, don't worry about the Windows salespeople occupying these forums, and just upgrade your RAM.
Nope not once did you suggest I should upgrade the RAM, not one time.
You are absolutely right Stevie! I probably will need a new one in 2013 afterall, the same parts inside my Windows computer are inside your Mac. I will think about you when I put more RAM in my Windows laptop a few years from now as you sit there with RAM sticks in one hand and your MacBook Pro Retina in the other just starring at them.
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thatotherdude24 wrote:
stevejobsfan0123 wrote:
Or, don't return it at all, don't worry about the Windows salespeople occupying these forums, and just upgrade your RAM.
Nope not once did you suggest I should upgrade the RAM, not one time.
You are absolutely right Stevie! I probably will need a new one in 2013 afterall, the same parts inside my Windows computer are inside your Mac. I will think about you when I put more RAM in my Windows laptop a few years from now as you sit there with RAM sticks in one hand and your MacBook Pro Retina in the other just starring at them.
<Personal Information Edited By Host>
It's a seriously bad idea, posting your phone number in public, look the consequences up (Google)
Oh, and
You replied to the wrong person, that was me that accosted you over ranting about having to 'buy more ram'
Just a minute, Csound. He was actually just posting his company's phone number. Betcha he's the CEO.
stevejobsfan0123 wrote:
Just a minute, Csound. He was actually just posting his company's phone number. Betcha he's the CEO.
Then he's doing a little promotion ..... and that is against the Tofu
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