Apple has introduced new MacBook Pro models featuring the advanced M3 Apple silicon. However, the base 14-inch model, priced at $1,599, comes with only 8GB of RAM. This configuration mirrors that of the original Retina MacBook Pro, which was launched in 2012. Apple’s current use of integrated chips with unified memory architecture leads them to argue that 8GB on a Mac can perform comparably to 16GB on competing systems.
Not everyone agrees with this assertion. Many users, including Vadim Yuryev, co-host of the YouTube channel Max Tech, have raised concerns about the lack of 16GB of RAM in base models as of late 2023. Yuryev conducted tests comparing two 14-inch M3 MacBook Pro models: one with 8GB and another upgraded to 16GB of unified memory. His findings, presented in an embedded video, reveal significant performance advantages for the model with 16GB.
The 8GB version displayed notably poorer performance in Cinebench benchmarks and took significantly longer to complete tasks like photo merging in Photoshop and media exports in Final Cut and Adobe Lightroom Classic. These tests involved single operations but were also repeated with various applications—such as browser tabs and emails—open to reflect typical multitasking scenarios. As expected, the performance gap widened, with the 8GB model relying heavily on its SSD swap file, impacting overall responsiveness. In some cases, the 8GB model even crashed during demanding tasks like Blender rendering.
This situation presents a challenge for prospective buyers. Opting for the 8GB model may limit the M3 chip’s capabilities, yet upgrading to 16GB or 24GB comes with additional costs of $200 and $400, respectively. Apple’s unified memory design prevents future upgrades, making decision-making even more complex. In comparison, similar-priced rival laptops often come with at least 16GB of memory as standard.
This pricing strategy raises questions about the appropriateness of Apple’s starting configuration for a MacBook Pro in 2023.
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