Should You Upgrade Your Mac's RAM or SSD?

Introduction

• Speaker: Chris, a software developer
• Context: Deciding on Mac upgrades (RAM, SSD)

Key Concepts

RAM (Random Access Memory)

• Short-term memory of the computer
• Fast and powerful but forgetful
• Analogy: Whiteboard - Info stays until erased

SSD (Solid State Drive)

• Long-term memory of the computer
• Can get cluttered over time
• Writing/rewriting files damages SSD over time
• Analogy: Chalkboard - Over time, it gets smudged and messy

Swap Memory Usage

• Makes use of SSD when RAM is overloaded
• Analogy: Using chalkboard when whiteboard is full
• Helps during high workloads but can lead to SSD wear over long-term use

Recommendations

1. For Most Users (90-95%)

   • Base model MacBook Air with 8GB RAM and 256GB SSD is sufficient
   • Normal activities won't heavily use swap memory
   • Cost-effective choice

2. For Power Users (5-10%)

   • Engage in heavy multitasking, rendering, or 4K editing
   • Upgrade to 16GB RAM
   • External SSDs (e.g., Samsung T5/T7 Shield) recommended over expensive internal SSD upgrades

Personal Experience

• Base Model Usage: Worked fine for first 1.5 years of full stack development
• Issue: Swap memory usage became noticeable only during 4K editing/rendering
• Upgrade Path: Opted for M1 MacBook Pro with 16GB RAM, 512GB storage + external SSDs

Final Tips

• Save money: Most don't need high upgrades
• External SSDs: Affordable, flexible storage options
• Know your workload: Upgrade based on actual needs