Follow ZDNET: Add us as a preferred source on Google.
ZDNET's key takeaways
- 8GB of RAM is still enough for many Mac and Chromebook users.
- Windows 11 laptops increasingly treat 16GB as the new baseline.
- It really comes down to your workload and platform.
Apple has a new entry-level Mac with an affordable price tag called the MacBook Neo. It starts at $599, and comes with 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage. For some, those specs may sound dated. After all, Windows laptops increasingly ship with 16GB of RAM by default, with gaming and premium PCs sporting 32GB, 64GB or more, along with 1TB of storage.
But here's the thing: I use a 2022 MacBook Air with Apple's M2 chip, 8GB of RAM, and 256GB of storage, and I haven't had any issues. At this very moment, I have Chrome running with 11 tabs open. I also have Finder, Slack, Canva, Notes, Atlas, Messages, Preview, TextEdit, and Calendar open. I started work at 7:30 a.m. with a full battery, and by noon it's still sitting at 65%.
Also: How the MacBook Neo compares to its closest Windows and Chromebook rivals – by the specs
My job involves light photo editing, writing long articles, doing research in dozens of tabs, and sometimes testing apps and even AI tools. Throughout it all, my MacBook Air rarely stutters. It remains responsive and easily lasts a full workday. So when I saw the Neo with 8GB of RAM, I immediately thought it might be a good upgrade for me when I'm ready to replace my Air.
But why am I seeing people online balk at the Neo's configuration and argue that 8GB of RAM simply is not enough? Who is right here? The answer isn't just about me. It depends heavily on what platform you use and what you actually do with your computer.
Is 8GB of RAM enough for Mac users?
Since I use a Mac, let's first address whether 8GB is enough for Mac users. Yes, 8GB is still usable in 2026, especially for everyday tasks. Apple's MacOS uses memory compression and disk swapping, which allows your…