Apple May Finally Phase Out 8GB Unified RAM Models For M3 Macs, All Versions Could Start From 12GB As Standard

Apple Silicon Macs have provided customers with 8GB of unified RAM as the starting point ever since the M1 was unveiled in 2020, with the technology giant charging hefty premiums just to transition to 16GB of memory. Several Mac users will understand the benefits of having more RAM installed in their systems, and according to a discussion that is based on current information, we might get 12GB RAM models as standard with the launch of the M3.

Assessment that M3 Macs will ship with 12GB unified RAM comes from the rumored memory configurations of the M3 Pro and M3 Max

Currently, current-generation MacBook Pro models that can be kitted with either the M2 Pro or M2 Max start from 16GB of unified RAM, and customers can make their way up to 32GB variants, all the way up to 96GB. With the M3 Pro and M3 Max, Mark Gurman has stated in his ‘Power On’ newsletter that the new MacBook Pro models in testing right now feature 36GB and 48GB of unified RAM, which is a unique configuration as far as RAM upgrades go.

“Another change coming in the M3 generation of Macs could be the amount of memory. The MacBook Pros in testing include 36 gigabytes and 48 gigabytes, suggesting some possible new options. Right now, MacBook Pros can be ordered with 16-, 32-, 64- and 96-gigabyte configurations.”

Fortunately, the idea that Apple’s M3 lineup of Macs may ship with 12GB of unified RAM was hinted by YouTuber Vadim Yuryev on X, and that is based on the configurations shared by Gurman in his newsletter. The content creator points out that the M3 Max’s 48GB version is four times higher than the base M3, meaning that the latter may offer 12GB when it is found in several Macs.

Who missed the most important detail of all? Apple’s M3 family of Mac chips includes 36GB and 48GB RAM options!

48GB on the M3 Max (was always 4x more than base M chip) suggests that the base M3 will have 12GB of base RAM for the first time!

No more 8GB RAM!!

Thoughts? https://t.co/13IBM4Z291

— Vadim Yuryev (@VadimYuryev) August 13, 2023

Assuming this happens, we can pat Apple on the back for keeping the customers in mind because 8GB RAM was a significantly low starting point, especially considering that these machines are targeted to professionals who need every gigabyte for firing up multiple programs. Since there is no way for users to manually increase RAM except by configuring the specifications on Apple’s website, they are pretty much stuck with forking all of that premium, lining up the company’s deep pockets.

Hopefully, increasing the base RAM count to 12GB is true, and while Apple is at it, perhaps contemplate getting rid of the 256GB storage models and replacing them with 512GB as the bare minimum. These days, it takes just a few application installations to chew through that storage, so a little upgrade here will be highly appreciated.

Written by Omar Sohail