Macbook using too much memory

You did not post s screen shot.

Chrome and OSX do not always get along with each other and I would suggest that you try another browser. (you might search these forums for specifics)

You fail to indicate what OSX your friends MBA is using. There maynot be an Apple to Apple comparison here.

8 Gb of RAM will be an improvement and I suggest that you procure it from OWC or Crucial. They are the most reliable vendors of Mac RAM.

Last, be apprised that Mavericks has a different approach to RAM usage and what may appear to be 'too much' RAM being used may in fact be the most efficient use of the RAM that is available. Not to become alarmed.

Ciao.

I do not see any problems with the Activity Monitor data in regards to RAM. As I see it, there are no Swaps and the Wired RAM is normal in my estimation.

As an aside, i suggest that you try another browser as I alluded to you before. Also I would get rid of the torrent application. They are often an invitation to malware or trojans.

Comparing your friends MBA and your MBP is still not an Apple to Apple situation. (pun intended) The Air has ssd storage, your Pro does not which will distort the results. In addition you would have to compare them with EXACTLY the same criteria. Doing that is not worth the effort.

Unless you are having performance issues there is no cause for alarm.

Do consider increasing it to 8 GB if the bank account allows. The new OSXs seem happier with that amount.

Ciao.

Mavericks is designed to use RAM differently than earlier OS X Operating Systems. Using all that is availbale- this is normal.

You can read more here:

http://arstechnica.com/apple/2013/10/os-x-10-9/17/#compressed-memory

Apart from having frozen once, the machine seems to be functioning normally. Memory usage is certainly normal.