Over the past few years, it became common advice among testers, including us, to suggest consumers consider purchasing laptops with 16GB of RAM when reading reviews. While 8GB was the minimum requirement, 16GB was usually the optimal choice. However, over the last year or so, I’ve been observing a shift in this trend.
I don’t fall into the category of heavy users, but I do use several applications simultaneously, such as Telegram, Slack, Word, and Outlook, along with a dozen or so browser tabs, while playing Spotify in the background and occasionally editing simple photos or videos. This workflow can be considered typical and not very resource-intensive.
In the past, a 16GB RAM seemed quite sufficient for typical Windows PC usage. However, as desktop applications grow heavier and more demanding, it’s no longer the case. Applications like Outlook, Slack, and Spotify – which are built using Electron (JavaScript) technology – can sometimes require anywhere from half a gigabyte to a full gigabyte of RAM each.
Due to this, having 16GB of RAM has become the standard these days, particularly when it comes to purchasing an AI-focused laptop such as a Copilot+ PC. I frequently find my computer operating at nearly full capacity (95%), even without performing heavy tasks. Although memory is meant to be utilized, I would feel more comfortable with some extra space for additional tasks.
It turns out that despite using laptops equipped with 32GB of RAM daily, I rarely reach anywhere near full utilization. My typical workload on my computer doesn’t even come close to consuming 90% of the available 32GB. In fact, I usually only use around 20GB at a time. This brings me to the topic of Apple’s hardware and why I believe that 24GB RAM is an optimal choice now.
Upon setting up a new Mac, you’re given the choice to increase your RAM from 16GB to either 24GB or 32GB. This can be beneficial if you understand your workflow, as it allows you to save some money. However, many users, including myself, may not require 32GB of RAM. A 16GB RAM, on the other hand, might no longer suffice for long-term performance assurance in today’s demanding software environments.
Whenever I purchase a laptop that offers either 16GB or 32GB RAM, I often find myself questioning the wisdom of spending extra on the 32GB version, as I don’t typically use all its capabilities. In reality, 24GB seems to be the ideal amount at present, and if I can save $200 by opting for 24GB instead of 32GB, I certainly will.
In the realm of Windows-based laptops, it’s unusual to find models equipped with 24GB RAM configurations. For instance, the forthcoming Surface line by Microsoft doesn’t provide this option at all. While they can be found in the broader PC market, they are not standard and are often missing from high-end Ultrabook-class laptops manufactured by well-known brands.
Last year when I bought my Surface Laptop 7, I unwisely chose the model with 16GB of RAM because it was £400 cheaper than the 32GB model. At the time, I couldn’t bring myself to pay the extra cost since I thought I didn’t require 32GB. If there had been a 24GB option for only an additional £200, I would have definitely chosen that instead.
In most of its Mac models, Apple appears to provide up to 24GB RAM configurations instead of a 32GB option. This is because Apple develops both the hardware (silicon) and software, giving them the flexibility to make such choices, while Windows OEMs don’t always have this same freedom.
In simpler terms, let me clarify that I don’t advocate increasing the minimum requirement to 24GB of RAM immediately. I believe that 16GB of RAM is sufficient for a lot of users and could serve well in the foreseeable future. However, there are many users who find themselves limited by 16GB but find it hard to afford the cost of upgrading to 32GB.
24GB is the sweet spot.
Currently, I find myself dealing with a laptop that’s almost at its maximum RAM capacity. It’s clear that many others are also experiencing the same issue. In light of this, it seems essential for Windows Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) and chipmakers to strive towards making 24GB RAM configurations available in more devices in the future.
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2025-04-18 16:09