I was in the same department but changed my opinion - when my 32GB 2019 Macbook Pro 16" died of sudden heat death, I bought a base-model 8GB M2 MacMini (retail price 650€) and was amazed that it actually is faster for all my day-to-day tasks - this includes software development (C#/ASP.NETcore, TypeScript/React both using VSCode) plus running some (smaller) docker containers. Originally intended as an interims solution, I am still on the MacMini with no intention to upgrade - there is no way I could tell it has only 8GB RAMs and never run into any problems - it is in all matters of regular daily use faster than my ~3000€ 32GB MBP16.

> TypeScript/React both using VSCode

If you're using any Jetbrains IDE and want to also run your app/nodejs/etc. you mac will start freezing and and input lagging. Of course it's a pretty bloated Java app that could be optimized a bit more but I can't really blame them, RAM is so cheap nowadays that there is no reason why you'd have less than 16GB or even 32...

Also having any mildly memory intense app + Chrome (with > 10-20 tabs opened) is a no go etc.

I used Webstorm and IntelliJ over the years, and the statement that their IDEs are super slow was true every day in the past 12 years and on every machine I had ever used them :D

16GB is under $40 today. Less when buying by the million. No reason to limit device longevity besides propping APPL earnings.

I can't wait until 2 years from now they're touting how amazing and groundbreaking 32Gb is and how much better it is than those 2024 laptops with only 8Gb.

Who is they?

Apple and their victims.

As a Rider/VS Code C# user myself, while not a Mac Mini but base 14" MBP with M1 Pro was by far the best $2K I spent on hardware in years.

For today, sure. For 5 years down the line, probably would be a different story...

Also note that he's probably not using a Chromium-based browser for his "web browsing" experience... base Safari does fine with 8GB, even with a large amount of open tabs.

I also think we should progress past 8GB baselines but an interesting point: I said this “5 years down the line” back when the M1 first came out, in 2020. Maybe memory requirement inflation is truly starting to slow down.

> I also think we should progress past 8GB baselines

Perhaps the contrary: 8GB is already a humongous RAM size. Especially if backed up by a fast SSD.

That really should be enough for everyday jobs like the examples mentioned (waaay more than enough, imho).

As for pro-level / servers / serious gamers / engineering jobs etc: sure, go ahead and deck it out to whatever budget & product offerings allow.

Just remember this is a decidedly different market segment than average consumer.

There is still no reason not to have >= 16 GB besides Apple wanting to upcharge its customers since they have no choice. Also no, it's hardly enough unless you're using you Mac the same way you'd use an iPad..

> Especially if backed up by a fast SSD

Ooh, relying on swap to your limited write cycle irreplaceable mass storage seems like a bridge too far to me. I know they do it, but I worry it will shorten the device lifespan if it’s relied on too much.

I am not a fan of the idea that we’d engineer a device to consume a limited resource like that in normal operation.

I think use cases stopped expanding.

I think that is in context of the recently launched M3 MacBook Air. The future ones may be different and they’ll change their narrative then.