Apple’s upcoming base model Macs may feature 16GB RAM by default, says Gurman

Apple is poised to break a longstanding tradition by potentially offering 16GB of RAM as the default option for its base model Macs beginning later this year, according to a new report by Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman. This shift would mark a significant departure from the 8GB standard that has been in place since 2016.

Previously, the base model 13-inch MacBook Air saw its RAM increase from 4GB to 8GB, a change that became the norm across Apple’s Mac lineup. Despite this upgrade, the 8GB baseline has faced growing criticism in recent years as software demands have increased. Apple appears ready to address this issue by potentially doubling the base RAM to 16GB.

Gurman’s report indicates that the upcoming M4 Macs have been tested with either 16GB or 32GB of RAM. This change means that future Mac buyers might receive 16GB of RAM without the need to pay an extra $200 for an upgrade. Additionally, the M4 chip will support a maximum of 32GB of RAM, an increase from the M3’s 24GB limit.

The report also notes that some tested M4 configurations include a lower-tier 8-core CPU and 8-core GPU, differing from the M4 chip in the iPad Pro, which features a 9-core CPU and a 10-core GPU in lower storage options. The fully unlocked M4 chip for Macs is expected to include a 10-core CPU and a 10-core GPU, matching the iPad Pro’s top configuration.

While details about the M4 Pro and M4 Max variants remain undisclosed, Apple is anticipated to unveil the M4 Mac lineup later this year, starting with the MacBook Pro, Mac mini, and iMac, with broader releases expected in 2025.

It’s important to note that this information is based on data from a developer log and remains subject to change. Nonetheless, the prospect of 16GB of RAM becoming standard is promising, especially as Apple’s software, including Apple Intelligence, continues to demand more memory.