Apple's Change of Heart? Rumors Say M4 Chip-Equipped Macs to Feature at Least 16GB of Memory Across the Board

Apple has traditionally equipped its entry-level MacBook models with 8GB of memory, offering users the option to pay extra for configurations with more RAM, although Apple's pricing for memory upgrades has always been on the higher side.

Today, insiders reveal that four entry-level Mac models currently under testing will all come with at least 16GB of memory. According to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman and developer test logs he follows, all new Mac models will feature the M4 chip.

While it's not surprising to see the M4 chip being used, what's unexpected is that even the most basic entry-level models are equipped with 16GB of memory. Three of these models boast an M4 chip with a 10-core CPU and 10-core GPU, while the remaining one, likely the base model, has an 8-core CPU and 8-core GPU.

And 16GB of memory is just the starting point, with some models being equipped with 32GB of memory. The move to larger memory capacities may be related to Apple's AI features, which, as Apple has previously stated, perform better with more memory. While 8GB supports AI functionalities, 16GB clearly offers improved performance.

Notably, these four models include Mac and MacBook lines, likely encompassing a smaller Mac Mini, as well as new MacBook Pro and iMac models equipped with the M4 chip.

For users, choosing the memory configuration when buying an Apple Mac product can be challenging. If you opt for a smaller memory due to budget constraints, upgrading later is difficult since Mac's memory is integrated into the chip, preventing direct replacements by users.

Unlike Windows PCs, where memory can usually be replaced, Apple's choice to integrate memory offers benefits like better bandwidth and lower latency, and it also reduces the module size.

From a market perspective, Apple's memory upgrade could mean that entry-level models may retail at a price similar to or slightly higher than previous versions. However, a significant price increase could impact sales. Whether this is truly Apple having a "change of heart" remains to be seen.

Next month, Apple is set to hold its autumn new product launch event, headlined by the iPhone 16 series. A Mac-specific event is expected in October, where the new models will be unveiled.