Macbook Pro M1: More RAM or more SSD space?

[chk071]

I rarely have more than 1 or 2 applications opened (well, apart from the autostart programs), and I never have more than 4 or 5 tabs open in the browser (mostly 1 or 2). I can't handle that kind of multitude.

Well we operate on different ends of that spectrum so it's not surprising we value RAM differently.

Yeah.

Really depends how the OP uses his computer, I guess. As I read, he more uses soft synths and samples, not so much samplers. So, he might be OK with 16 GB.

Although I don't know how much RAM Mac OS consumes in general.

[jules99]

All your valuable input is very much appreciated, thank you!

After much thought, I'm actually leaning towards the worst best option, saving a little longer, trying to be patient in order to afford a machine with both 32 GB RAM and 2 TB SSD after reading this discussion. After testing bigger DAW projects both isolated and with Chrome (a gazillion tabs), Affinity (image editing) and more running at the same time, it seems I do need at least 32 GB RAM in everyday use, but I also need this much hard drive space, as I keep at least five DAWs for testing purposes installed, and each comes with a pretty significant sample library.

[chk071]

After much thought, I'm actually leaning towards the worst best option, saving a little longer, trying to be patient in order to afford a machine with both 32 GB RAM and 2 TB SSD after reading this discussion. After testing bigger DAW projects both isolated and with Chrome (a gazillion tabs), Affinity (image editing) and more running at the same time, it seems I do need at least 32 GB RAM in everyday use

If that's a realistic test for you. After all, it seems like you've pushed it (gazillion tabs and bigger DAW projects plus Affinity at the same time).

[chagzuki]

I've found that 16GB RAM is fine for most projects, and I managed pretty well on an M1 air with 8GB. I have one super-complex project where I'm pretty sure swapping is resulting in sluggishness, so I have found it possible to push 16GB to the limit. But at the same time I have the bad habit of keeping a chrome-based browser open in the background with a ludicrous number of tabs. Probably if I restrained usage to just audio I'd have no swap issues.

[FapFilter]

8GB is good enough for me too, but i'm not using huge Kontakt libraries, and i've always been pedantic about closing everything unnecessary.

but i only got it since i'm having also having 16gigs inside my main Mac, which i personally would never fully utilize with music software.
people who do big orchestral soundtracks (or do 384kHz or something like that) might require more though, but i personally think everybody else should be good with 16gigs (for music at least, big high end CGI movie projects etc. will surely eat 16gigs for breakfast, then again... current Macs would be a way underpowered solution for CGI anyway)

[kidslow]

Opened VMware for the first time in awhile, and there is one place where more RAM makes a huge difference ... if you are working with VMs, they'll gladly take as much RAM as you throw at them.

NI Kontakt is an example of a memory hungry audio plugin, or can be if you load a lot of libraries.

[kidslow]

I'm actually leaning towards the worst best option, saving a little longer, trying to be patient in order to afford a machine with both 32 GB RAM and 2 TB SSD after reading this discussion.

You know about the Apple refurb store, right? If you can just wait patiently until the model with features you want shows up there at a price you are comfortable with, it'll show up, likely especially after the holidays in mid January. They are as good as new and you can buy full Applecare. I think it is global, but may be country dependant?

[jules99]

Right now, here in Germany prices for a refurbed version in the Apple Store are actually higher than some of the offers I've found in recent months, only lower than Apple's own prices. I've been using Refurb Tracker for a while to see how prices develop over the summer and not much has changed. Very handy!

https://refurb-tracker.com/

[kidslow]

Wasn't aware of refurb tracker. Thanks for sharing. Refurb prices won't come down until after the holidays, once Apple is sitting on excess inventory and returns. I would expect they'll drop either the week after Christmas or early in January.

[kippers]

Check the Memory Pressure in Activity Monitor when you notice slowdowns. If the graph is in green, then RAM is not your issue, therefore not your solution.
What DAW are you using?