4gb vs 8gb for MBA 2013 and Samsung Ativ 9 for future

Steven Dang

Estimable
Feb 27, 2014
5
0
4,510
Hey guys,

So I'm in the market for a new laptop; I'm currently in college and a computer science major. I've narrowed it down to 2 choices but need help deciding how much RAM is expected to be suitable for the next few years. They're both the same price (The refurbished ones that I've found) but unfortunately both run only 4gb of soldered RAM.

Do you guys think that 4gb will be suitable for the next 2-3 years or is 8gb going to be the minimum? I'm OS-independent and the two laptops are basically on par with each other unless you guys think otherwise. Thanks!
 
Solution
Both OS X and Windows are efficient in handling memory. 4 GB will probably get you by, but if you're running multiple Browser windows/tabs along with your other applications, you might run into excessive use of the swapfile, which will slow things down.

8 GB is a safer bet, especially for the long haul, but not absolutely necessary.

Steven Dang

Estimable
Feb 27, 2014
5
0
4,510
Also, if it helps, I don't do anything intesive on the laptop. Basically just running Eclipse and browsers and such. I'll be taking Operating Systems this coming Fall, I don't really know what to expect. Thanks!
 

Steven Dang

Estimable
Feb 27, 2014
5
0
4,510
Yes, I'll be most likely be running both Eclipse and Browsers at the same time.

Does Apple's OS make any difference? I've read that the OS puts the programs on a hibernation state whenever they're not the front-most window. Or is that negligable and 8gb is basically the minimum? Thanks guys!
 
Both OS X and Windows are efficient in handling memory. 4 GB will probably get you by, but if you're running multiple Browser windows/tabs along with your other applications, you might run into excessive use of the swapfile, which will slow things down.

8 GB is a safer bet, especially for the long haul, but not absolutely necessary.
 
Solution