MacBook Neo: How badly will the 8GB of RAM age?

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So, I saw the announcement and even got the flashy email like the rest of us. “Four stunning colors!” “Up to 16 hours of battery life!” Okay, so that’s all great, but 8GB of RAM? Seriously? Apple, 2025 called and they are wondering why you’re using last year’s marketing copy. Last time I checked, all these AI models are using gobs of memory. Gemini, which I’ve heard is the model that Apple wants to use for newer, smarter Siri one day isn’t exactly a light memory use model.n 2025. When AI is supposedly the future of everything.

So, why the hate on 8GB of RAM?

Going back in time, there was the argument that 8GB on a Mac was good. macOS was super efficient compared to Windows, so you needed a 16GB PC to equal an 8GB Mac. Well, that’s not really the case anymore. macOS 26 Tahoe likes memory, and don’t even get me started on Apple Intelligence. I mean phones like the iPhone 18 Pro Max, we are looking to get later this year, will have 12GB of RAM. So why would a laptop have less, and that be okay? Sure, Macs use virtual memory like Windows, which means swapping stuff to your storage drive when RAM runs out, but you’ll see the difference in things going slower.

Now add AI to the mix?

Apple Intelligence, which is an SLM (Small Language Model) needs RAM on your phone to do things. And it needs a lot of it. Most people say most AI tools need 8-16GB to run well. My theory? The Neo will rely on the new Siri that uses Gemini, which is an “LLM”. A Large Language Model running in the cloud to do things. So, much for the privacy argument that says all the data stays on your computer or phone. I mean, even today, my iPhone will say, “do you want me to use ChatGPT for this?” In all honesty, not much difference.

Upgrade RAM? Sorry not happening…

Apple Silicon, all those M-series chips and now the A18 Pro in the MacBook Neo, have integrated RAM. So, you can’t add more. What you buy day-one is what you have when you trade it back in or eBay it to the next guy or gal. Okay, so no big deal, right? Just future-proof yourself and get a version with 16GB of RAM. Buzzzer! Sorry, you don’t have that option. It’s 8GB or buy something else folks.

Is this the first version of a “throw away MacBook?”

The answer to this question really depends on who you ask and what you do. Are you an email, video chat, Netflix kinda person? Okay, then this could work for you. But here’s the “Devil’s advocate” part of that statement? Wasn’t the iPad meant to do those kinds of things, and on top of that, it has a touchscreen?

But hey, maybe you really need something with an integrated keyboard instead of that touchscreen. Maybe you’re thinking, “I’ll just trade it in a few years from now and get a little bit back.” Emphasis on the little part because I doubt trade-in will be high on a $599 or $699 Neo a few years from now.

But if you want this laptop to last, or you’re planning to use any AI tools, or you just run a lot of apps at once, you might regret not having more memory.

So, what does this all mean?

Yay, we have a new MacBook called the Neo. At a “surprising price,” my promotional email from Apple says. Is it really surprising? When you lowball the non-upgradeable RAM at 8GB, not really. Be a cautious buyer. There’s a saying in Spanish that goes “lo barato sale caro” which loosely translates to “you get what you pay for” or “cheap is expensive.” Nuff said.

Update (March 21): If you’re worried about how 8GB of RAM will age, you should see what’s happening on the mobile side. I just posted a deep dive into the “Darksword Problem” and the quiet expiration date hitting older iPhones and iPads that nobody is talking about. [Read the full story here]