How much RAM?

[George K]

Thinking about getting the new M4 Mac Mini. More ports, faster processor, etc.

My current machine has 16 gigs of RAM, and I never notice it struggling.

New iMacs are released today with 16 gigs in base models.

Should I stay with 16, or is bumping up to 24 or 32 worth it?

[xenon]

Hard to say. The problem is developers take up the space they're given. Quick answer - 16G should be fine for years to come, especially for browsing and basic productivity..... but the x factor is if this AI stuff catches on, the OS will put a lot of the resources towards that. So all those features might hog much more RAM in a couple of years relative to today.

[George K]

@xenon said in How much RAM?:

the x factor is if this AI stuff catches on

That's my concern. I might spring for 24 gigs.

[jon-nyc]

You’re spending your daughter’s money anyway. Go for 64.

[Klaus]

I doubt you'll ever have use for more than 16GB. AI plays no role for these considerations. AI models aren't trained on personal computers.

Save the money and get the replacement for this machine a few months earlier instead.

[xenon]

I don't think it's going to catch on, but the idea for AI PCs is that your device will run the inference locally (training will obv. still be done industrially).

Intel and MS are investing into this. Apple just released their AI assistant stuff today

[George K]

@xenon said in How much RAM?:

Apple just released their AI assistant stuff today

Saw that. What will it do for me?

[xenon]

First few features are pretty basic -> fix and refine things you've written, summarize long blocks of text/emails, audio transcription, ask siri conversationally how to do things on your device.

It's not game changing, google has had lots of these sort of features for a while.