The summary of ’16GB vs 24GB RAM M2 MacBook Air & Pro – Were We WRONG?!’

This summary of the video was created by an AI. It might contain some inaccuracies.

00:00:00 – 00:15:19

The video explores the performance differences between MacBook models with varying RAM configurations, specifically 16GB and 24GB, using the new M2 chip. The presenter, Max from Max Tech, conducts a series of real-world tests involving productivity tasks, creative applications such as Lightroom Classic and Final Cut Pro, and multitasking scenarios.

Key findings include:
1. Basic tasks and background applications consume significant RAM, with minimal performance gains from higher RAM models during typical web browsing and application use.
2. Testing with creative software like Lightroom and Xcode shows only minor performance improvements, such as a marginally faster Lightroom export on the 24GB model.
3. Neither model exhibited significant advantages when multitasking or under memory pressure, though the 24GB model managed slightly better responsiveness.
4. The 24GB model completed certain tasks, like Final Cut exports, a bit faster but overall, both models performed similarly across most tasks.
5. The video concludes that for most users, opting for the 16GB model is more cost-effective, given the minimal performance differences observed with the higher RAM configuration.

Max ultimately advises viewers to consider investing in additional storage or accessories instead of opting for the higher RAM model, suggesting that the extra performance does not justify the additional cost for typical use cases.

00:00:00

In this segment, the presenter tests whether the 24GB RAM configuration significantly boosts the performance of the M2 chip in the new MacBook Air and MacBook Pro compared to lower RAM models. They explore real-world productivity scenarios involving creative applications, web browsing, and photo editing software such as Lightroom Classic.

Key actions include:
1. Assessing memory usage with minimal applications open, noting that even basic tasks can utilize significant RAM.
2. Opening multiple web browsing tabs, including email, Google Drive, YouTube, and media-heavy sites like IGN and The Verge, to simulate common usage.
3. Using Speedometer 2.0 to test web application performance.
4. Using Lightroom Classic to test photo editing, observing that previous models showed performance degradation with less RAM.

Important details:
– Even with just background applications, 5GB of RAM is consumed, questioning the viability of the 8GB model.
– RAM usage remains high during basic tasks to prevent SSD wear from swap usage.
– Testing reveals that while web browsing and application responsiveness seem unchanged, both 16GB and 24GB models still use swap memory, with the 24GB model using slightly less.

Overall, the focus is on determining if the higher RAM configuration offers tangible performance benefits in everyday use cases.

00:03:00

In this part of the video, the speaker compares the performance differences between Mac models with varying amounts of RAM (16 GB, 24 GB). Despite significant amounts of RAM, macOS still uses swap memory. Testing various applications like Lightroom and Xcode showed minor performance improvements with more RAM, such as a 10% faster Lightroom export on the 24 GB model. However, Xcode and Blender didn’t show significant performance benefits with additional RAM. For Blender, even a large 15 GB render didn’t justify extra cost for more RAM. Similarly, simple video editing in Final Cut Pro showed no significant performance difference across RAM variations, emphasizing efficient media engines over memory size.

00:06:00

In this part of the video, the presenter discusses the performance of the M2 chip while encoding to ProRes and highlights the importance of additional RAM during multitasking. They export a file with color corrections on both a 16 GB and a 24 GB RAM model, noting almost identical export times (1:37 for the 16 GB model and 1:39 for the 24 GB model). Both models showed increased memory pressure, but only the 16 GB model used some swap memory. During multitasking, including opening multiple tabs and applications like Google Drive, YouTube, and Photoshop, both models maintained responsiveness and speed. The 16 GB model continued to perform strongly even with extensive multitasking, showing no significant disadvantage despite its lower RAM compared to the 24 GB model.

00:09:00

In this segment of the video, the presenter conducts a series of performance tests comparing two models with different RAM capacities, 16 GB and 24 GB, using various software applications. The presenter opens Lightroom Classic and exports files while monitoring the activity and noting that both models use a similar amount of swap memory (13 GB and 11 GB). The export times are very close, with the 16 GB model only 7 seconds slower. Next, they open Google Chrome with 15 tabs and observe slight differences, with the 24 GB model being a bit faster in some instances but not significantly. Both models perform similarly when opening multiple tabs and rendering videos.

Overall, the 16 GB model keeps up impressively well with the 24 GB model, with minimal performance differences, even under heavy usage. The presenter mentions that spending extra money on the 24 GB model may not be justified given the minimal performance gain observed. Finally, they prepare for a more rigorous test, noting that real-world performance has been nearly identical between the two models so far.

00:12:00

In this part of the video, the speaker compares the performance between a 16GB RAM and a 24GB RAM M2 MacBook Pro. While running simultaneous exports and having numerous tabs open, they note that the 24GB model feels slightly more responsive but both models use similar amounts of swap. Notably, the 24GB RAM model completes tasks faster—Final Cut exports in 1 minute 10 seconds versus 1 minute 50 seconds for the 16GB model. Despite this, Lightroom’s performance remains similar between the two models during simultaneous tasks. The speaker concludes that the performance difference is minimal and suggests that for most users, opting for 16GB RAM is sufficient and more cost-effective, rather than upgrading to 24GB RAM.

00:15:00

In this part of the video, the host, Max from Max Tech, wraps up by suggesting options such as using extra funds for storage or accessories, or saving them. He encourages viewers to check out other recommended videos and subscribe by clicking the provided options. The video concludes with a thank you message and a promise to see viewers in the next video.

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