iMac 16GB vs 32GB with multiple users

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Level 1

24 points

iMac 16GB vs 32GB with multiple users

I'm looking to purchase an iMac soon to be used as a family computer (2 adults, 2 kids). I'm looking at a 21.5" 4K with the 3.6GHz i7, 512 SSD, and 16GB RAM. My question is should I bump to 32GB RAM? I really dont want to spend that extra $360 for the extra 16GB if I don't have to. We do some minor video editing and gaming. I suppose those are the most intensive needs, but I also plan on having 4 user accounts signed in most of the time (switching back and forth dependent on which family member sits down). That's the part I'm not too sure about. Would moving from 16GB to 32GB have any effect on the user experience with so many users logged on? Would 16GB be just fine? Anyone have experience with multiple users on a machine like this one?

I will say our current, extremely outdated computer is 2010 MBP. It was maxed out at the time of purchase (i7, 8GB RAM, 512GB HDD) but it's pretty unusable these days. Multiple users logged on at once brings it to a crawl.

Thanks for any advice!

MacBook Pro, OS X Mavericks (10.9), 2.66 GHz i7

Posted on Dec 7, 2017 2:13 PM

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Answer 1

Kappy

Level 10

362,017 points

Dec 7, 2017 2:36 PM in response to dcrohrer

No matter how many users in the family who are logged on to the computer, only one user can use the computer at a time. It isn't likely that will put much strain on memory resources. 32GBs is convenient if any one user requires that much RAM. I think 16GBs would be feasible. Besides, should you need more memory, it isn't hard to install. Do you know about and use Fast User Switching?

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Answer 2

Kappy

Level 10

362,017 points

Dec 7, 2017 3:51 PM in response to dcrohrer

Your old 2010 MBP is often referred to as the Apple Edsel. 8GBs of RAM may only yield 4GBs of usable memory assuming that each user account soaks up what's left of the first 4GBs along with the operating system. There isn't enough memory to handle all four users, but this constraint will probably disappear with 16GBs of RAM. Of course, I don't know a thing about disk usage and space required. The new computer will also be quicker if you use an SSD in place of or along with an HDD. I don't mean a Fusion Drive but separate SSD and HDD. You could get the 27" model which has user-upgradeable RAM. But if you are concerned then get 32GBs. You can't go wrong with more RAM.

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Answer 3

dcrohrer Author

Level 1

24 points

Dec 7, 2017 3:09 PM in response to Kappy

Yea, we'd use fast user switching between the 4 accounts. I realize RAM is only used by active processes, but in my experience with my current computer it's clear that when 4 users are logged in (yes, only one is actually active at any given time) with programs open, the computer is noticeably slower than when I log out all other users and only have one user logged in. Probably not a RAM issue but I'd just like to hear that 16GB will work fine and that I won't get weeks down the road and regret not bumping to 32GB.

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Answer 4

Dec 7, 2017 3:20 PM in response to dcrohrer

I suggest you use the program created by Etresoft, a frequent contributor. It will provide a snapshot of your system which we can analyze to possibly determine the cause of your problem. Please use copy and paste as screen shots can be hard to read. On the screen with Options, please open Options and check the bottom 2 boxes before running. Click “Share Report” button in the toolbar, select “Copy to Clipboard” and then paste into a reply. This will show what is running on your computer. No personal information is shown.

Etrecheck – System Information

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Answer 5

Dec 7, 2017 2:22 PM in response to dcrohrer

Please explain how multiple users are logging on at once?

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