8GB vs 16GB vs 24GB vs 32GB MacBook Air: How to Choose

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Need-to-knows

• 16GB M4 MacBook Air is the best value for money for most people
• If you’re buying an M2 MacBook Air, 8GB is fine but consider 16GB for heavier workloads
• 24GB or 32GB are nice-to-have options, but only necessary if you’ll be pushing your MacBook Air to the limits

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There’s one question that propelled the Mark Ellis Reviews brand into semi-stardom within the Apple space: should you buy 8GB or 16GB of memory on a MacBook Air? In 2024, Apple made that question redundant with the M3 MacBook Air which scrapped the 8GB option.

Now with the M4 MacBook Air, for less money than before when buying new, you can get 16GB of unified memory. Therefore the question has inevitably shifted to debating between 16GB and 24GB unified memory. I’ve written a lot about the amount of memory you should buy so I’m in a good place to make some recommendations.

This doesn’t mean 8GB has disappeared though. Of course, you can still buy an M2 MacBook Air from third-party retailers. So I’ll still be including my advice in that regard too. Let’s get into it!

What is Unified Memory?

Before we really get into it, here is a little about what Unified Memory (also known as RAM) actually is! I’ll try to make it quick, bear with me.

Random Access Memory (RAM), or as Apple calls it, Unified Memory, is a type of computer memory that stores data temporarily to provide quick access to the processor. Think of it as your computer’s short-term memory, it keeps the data you’re actively using close by for faster retrieval. Unlike your MacBook’s SSD or hard drive, which stores files long-term, RAM only holds data while your computer is powered on.

When you’re using apps, browsing the web, or working on files, your computer loads that information into RAM so it can access it quickly. The more RAM you have, the more tasks and data your MacBook can juggle at the same time without slowing down.

Now let’s get into the good stuff.

8GB is fine for most users if you want a cheap deal

As I mentioned above, if you’re buying the M4 Macbook Air from Apple or M3 MacBook Air from another retailer, then the 8GB question doesn’t matter anymore. Skip ahead if this is you.

But if you are considering buying an M2 MacBook Air, then you will have to decide whether 8GB or 16GB is best for you. I still maintain that 8GB of unified memory is enough for the majority of users.

I’m fully aware that I sound like a broken record with this, but I’d like to repeat it, anyway: my 8GB base model M1 MacBook Air was one of the best computers I’ve ever owned. I never saw an out of memory error message, nor do I worry about swap file usage eventually destroying my SSD. Find out if the M1 MacBook Air or M2 MacBook Air is right for you.

If you’re concerned about either of those things, or have received the mysterious ‘out of memory’ message on an M1 Mac, the 8GB version isn’t for you.

This also means that you probably don’t sit within the category of most MacBook Air owners. I have absolutely no statistics or research to back this up, but it is a hunch I’m willing to lean on to help influence your buying decision – and probably save you a fair amount of money in the process.

Most MacBook Air users aren’t using these machines to undertake big video edits, complex audio productions, or write millions of lines of code. They’re buying a MacBook Air because it is the perfect everyday laptop. If that’s you, the 8GB model is fine. Ignore anyone who rambles on about swap file usage and disregard any suggestion that 8GB “isn’t enough memory”. It really, really is.

But. You should consider the value-for-money ratio that exists these days. At the time of writing, a new 8GB M2 MacBook Air on Amazon costs about $850 or $650 refurbished. Not bad, until you consider that Apple is selling the newest 16GB M4 MacBook Air for $999/£999. Suddenly, it gets a bit harder to justify the M2 model

If you’re really strapped for cash, or just want to save as much money as possible by buying refurbished, then you should have no qualms about using a MacBook with 8GB of unified memory. But if you can stretch a bit further, then…

16GB is the best value option with the M4 MacBook Air

In these guides, I used to say opting for 16GB of unified memory was a nice-to-have but not essential. And that remains true but completely redundant if you are looking at and M3 or M4 MacBook Air.

Put simply, for $999/£999, the 16GB M4 MacBook Air is unbelievably good value and should be at the front of anyone’s mind when weighing up their options. The truth is, 16GB of unified memory has always been overkill for the work most people do on a laptop; watching videos, writing or using the internet.

And now we all have access to it for less than ever before which makes it a no-brainer. Don’t bother looking at a 16GB M3 MacBook Air when the same M4 version exists. If you do have workloads that you think might push your MacBook Air a bit, like video editing, then 16GB should still be enough to deal with it. I’d be very surprised if you ran into problems.

But my mantra remains the same as ever. If you have spare money to put into your MacBook Air, then always spend it on more unified memory. If you’re agonising over whether 16GB will be enough, then upgrading to 24GB is now cheaper than ever.

Remember, if you’re comparing the pricing against the storage upgrades – you can always add additional external storage. You can’t add more unified memory in the future.

24GB is for anyone who needs lots of power

For some of my audience, even 16GB of unified memory wasn’t enough when the M1 chip was launched in 2020. They wanted more. Exactly why they needed more, I genuinely don’t know (I barely touch the 32GB of memory in my 16-inch MacBook Pro) but that isn’t for me to analyse – they just wanted more and that’s the end of it.

Now, you can upgrade your MacBook Air to a maximum of 32GB unified memory, making 24GB the middle option. This is good news for all people who wanted more memory but didn’t want to have to buy a MacBook Pro.

If you sit within that crowd, obtaining 24GB of unified memory is cheaper than ever. For an extra $200/£200, the M4 MacBook Air can be configured with 24GB of unified memory bringing the total cost to $1,199/£1,199 (less than the M3 model’s release price).

Now, this is by no means a necessity. I’ll say it once again; 16GB of unified memory is the best option for 99% of buyers. But if you have the money spare, then buying the 24GB option is a smart decision. This much memory future proofs you a tiny bit more and provides a little more resale value.

It also means if you have those strenuous tasks as part of your work like editing music or videos/images, then you have more power to deal with it. This is, without doubt, an option for the minority of M4 MacBook Air buyers, but it’s there if you want it.

32GB is for…well anyone with the money I suppose

At this point, you know my thoughts. Unless you are putting your MacBook Air through the ringer, pushing it to the limits of what it can do, then you do not need 32GB of unified memory.

It raises the question; who actually needs this much memory in a MacBook Air? If you are a so-called power user, then you are likely better off using a MacBook Pro with an M4 Pro chip inside. This makes it very easy to give advice. Don’t bother buying a MacBook Air with 32GB of memory unless you really want to spend the extra money, need the power and don’t want a MacBook Pro.

So How Much Memory is Enough?

Choosing the right amount of memory largely depends on what you’ll use your MacBook for.

• 8GB: Only need to consider this if buying an M2 MacBook Air. It is still good for everyday tasks such as web browsing, streaming, office work, and light multitasking. If you’re not doing anything heavy, like video editing or running multiple demanding apps, 8GB will suffice. Just consider whether you can reach the $999/£999 price tag for the M4.
• 16GB: The logical choice now that the 16GB M4 MacBook Air costs $999/£999. If you’re doing more intensive work, like coding, video editing, or running multiple apps simultaneously, 16GB will have you covered. Stop agonising, just buy this one!
• 24GB: Reserved for power users who regularly handle heavy tasks such as 4K video editing or music production. This much memory ensures your system runs smoothly even under demanding workloads, and it’s for those who need serious multitasking capabilities.
• 32GB: As with 24GB, this is only for people who really need the extra power. You already know if that is you. For anyone else, don’t even bother unless you have spare wads of cash lying around.

Final thought

If you’re considering the M4 MacBook Air, there’s a strong chance you sit within the majority of buyers. I call these people ‘normal users’ – a term which is anything but derogatory.

When it comes to the MacBook Air, I’m a normal user myself. I use it for email, writing, research, and faffing about with spreadsheets. As a result, it has quickly turned into the best laptop – no, computer – I’ve ever owned, simply because it gets the job done without ever failing on me.

If you’re in this lovely little camp, the 16GB M4 MacBook Air is the machine for you. It’s the one I’ll be using for years to come.

As I’ve always said. If you need more unified memory – you know you need more unified memory, and you’ll have the budget set aside for it already.

You know what you need to do.

So…which one are you going to get?