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32GB vs. 64GB RAM MacBook Pro: How Do They Compare?

MacBook Pro M1 15 inch

32GB vs. 64GB RAM MacBook Pro: How Do They Compare?

Key Points:

  • In general, 32GB of RAM is a pretty good amount, and 64 may just be overdoing it!
  • Every user of MacBooks are different, so their needs and uses are going to be completely different.
  • If you are a casual user of programs like Final Cut and Adobe Suite, the 32GB is probably fine.

Random-access memory, also known as RAM, is one of the most vital components of a computer. While everyone else still calls it RAM (for now), Apple now calls it unified memory architecture, or UMA. Apple debuted this new concept with the release of its 2021 MacBook Pro and the remarkable M1 chip.

This “unified memory” is the same basic principle as RAM, but instead of setting aside a couple of GB of RAM for the GPU, unified memory allows the 2021 MacBook Pro to use the whole pie, so to speak. Still, at the end of the day, there should be no confusion: They mean the same thing and function virtually in the same way.

The 2021 MacBook Pro offers several different RAM options for you to choose from, but two of the hardest to differentiate between are the 32GB M1 Pro and 64GB M1 Max models. Apart from increased RAM, what else makes these two models distinct?

Read on as our expert team breaks down these two models so you can make an informed decision.

M1 Pro vs. M1 Max
MacBook Pro Retina Display with Touch bar and a Touch ID sensor integrated into the Power button.

©D_Zheleva/Shutterstock.com

32GB vs. 64GB RAM MacBook Pro: Explained

Apple has never been one to limit customers to just one option.

Just look at the multiple iterations of each new iPhone, iPad, and—in this instance—MacBook. From colors to sizes to storage to RAM (or, now, UMA), Apple doesn’t ever want to limit you to just one thing. We can see this in the 2021 MacBook Pro, which offers customers a 32GB and a 64GB option for RAM.

For those unfamiliar with RAM, 32GB is a lot. So, 64GB is a whole heck of a lot. Some might even go as far as to argue it’s overkill.

However, when comparing the two side by side, it’s clear to see that there is a noticeable difference between the 32GB and 64GB RAM MacBook Pros.

32GB vs. 64GB RAM: Side-by-Side Comparison

32GB RAM64GB RAM
Available Models14-inch, 16-inch MacBook Pro (2021)14-inch, 16-inch MacBook Pro (2021)
System on a Chip (SoC)M1 Pro (up to 32 GB available)M1 Max (up to 64GB available)
GPU16-core32-core
Memory Bandwidth200GB/s400GB/s
External Display SupportTwoFour
ProRes Video Playback20 4K streams7 8K streams
Exporting an 8K Video11 minutes, 6 seconds8 minutes, 47 seconds
Exporting in Adobe Lightroom1 minute, 33 seconds1 minute, 24 seconds
Exporting in Final Cut Pro8 minutes, 52 seconds8 minutes, 52 seconds
PriceAdditional $400 to the total costAdditional $800 to the total cost

What’s the Difference Between the 32GB and 64GB RAM?

Now that we’ve seen the 32GB and 64GB RAM MacBook Pros stacked up against one another, let’s dive deeper into the key differences between the two. They’re subtle, for sure—and many of them depend on use cases and other priorities that will be unique to each user—but they’re certainly worth exploring. 

To begin with, both the 32GB and 64GB of RAM can be accompanied by up to 8TB of SSD storage. This is more than almost any user will need, of course, but still deserves to be said. This is true of both the M1 Pro chip and the M1 Max chip.

However, the M1 Pro chip is not capable of 64GB RAM. It comes with 16GB of unified memory and is able to support up to 32GB with the right configuration. Alternatively, the M1 Max is capable of up to 64GB. It comes equipped with 32GB, but can be configured up to 64GB.

Looking deeper at these two options, the 32GB M1 Pro chip only features 200GB/s of memory bandwidth compared to the 64GB M1 Max’s 400GB/s. Beyond this, the M1 Pro comes with one single video coding engine, while the M1 Max has two, meaning that the latter is twice as capable of compressing and reformatting videos than the former. Then, of course, there’s the obvious difference in the models’ pricing.

Beyond these specs, it can be hard to say for certain what some of the minute differences might be. The use of RAM will differ from person to person depending on the kind of applications they use regularly. It’s going to take some time and tinkering around to truly know what distinguishes these two RAM options of the 2021 MacBook Pro.

Close up of RAM
RAM is your computer’s memory system that helps your computer perform all of its functions.

©nikko tee/Shutterstock.com

32GB vs. 64GB RAM: Uses

When it comes to RAM, which size you prefer may come down to the work that you plan on doing on your Macbook. A Macbook Pro with 32GB of RAM is a powerful device which is suitable for a wide range of tasks, such as creating content, working on large datasets, and editing videos. However, the much larger capacity of the 64GB of RAM gives you a lot more scope in what you do with it. This amount of RAM is more suited to someone doing a lot of gaming, working on larger datasets, software development, and other advanced applications with a demanding workload.

32GB vs. 64GB RAM MacBook Pro: 5 Must-Know Facts

  • The M1 Pro chip can only go up to 32GB of RAM. The M1 Max is capable of up to 64GB of RAM.
  • The M1 Pro and Max were released on October 18th, 2021. That’s only a year after the initial M1 chip was released on November 10th of 2020.
  • The M1 Pro and M1 Max were succeeded by the M1 Ultra on March 8th, 2022, less than four months after their release.
  • The M1 Pro and M1 Max’s RAMs are up to 70% faster than the original M1 chip.
  • 32 and 64GB of RAM seem excessive to some. Usually, 8 to 16GB of RAM will likely do just fine for most casual users. However, some prefer to go bigger in an effort to future-proof their device by planning for programs and functions that might need more RAM in the future.

History of the MacBook Pro

Such massive upgrades to the MacBook Pro’s RAM with the 2021 model seem pretty on-par with Apple’s legacy thus far.

First introduced by the tech giant in 2006, the MacBook Pro has been a staple of the MacBook product line for over 15 years now. As the higher-end version of the MacBook Air (and the currently discontinued MacBook), the Pro presently comes in 13-inch, 14-inch, and 16-inch versions, with countless other configurations beyond its size. 

The first generation—released in January 2006—borrowed from the design and layout of Apple’s PowerBook G4. However, instead of relying on the G4’s chip, the first-generation MacBook Pro utilized Intel core processors. It came in 15-inch and 17-inch models, complete with a webcam and a first-of-its-kind MagSafe charger

The second generation MacBook Pro came a couple of years later in 2008. With this, Apple offered 13-inch, 15-inch, and 17-inch variations. This MacBook Pro was the first unibody model. It was the first MacBook Pro to feature that iconic single piece of aluminum and thin flush display with the trackpad and keyboard we know and love today. This model swapped those Intel core processors for Intel Core i5 and i7 processors. These delivered up to 256 or 512MB of shared system memory. Later versions had between 4 and 8GB.

The 2010s

The third generation arrived several years later in 2012. It brought with it a retina display and improvements to the SSD, the battery, and—of course—the RAM.

Interestingly enough, this generation did away with the 17-inch model and only offered 15- and 13-inch screens. With the right configuration, users could maximize this unified memory all the way up to 24GB. At the time, this was really something impressive.

The fourth generation MacBook Pro introduced the highly controversial Touch Bar as well as a new and improved keyboard and touchpad. The 17-inch display that was once a staple of the MacBook Pro did not return. The fourth generation only came in 13- and 15-inch versions like its predecessor. This generation of MacBook Pro also maximized its unified memory to 32GB. This was as good as it got until the fifth generation in 2021, which is the generation we are now in.

Difference in RAMs

It’s worth noting just how little attention was paid to improving the MacBook Pro’s unified memory in these early generations.

For the first and second generations of Pros, the RAM capacity was quite small by today’s standards. It wasn’t until the third, fourth, and fifth generations that major improvements were made to the Pro’s RAM and were treated as a necessity.

Today, it’s impossible to imagine a new MacBook Pro model coming without continuously increasing memory space. It’s just the nature of our programs and technology today—they go bigger and better with each new rendition, demanding massive RAM space as a result.

Don’t be surprised if this major difference in unified memory from generation to generation continues to increase dramatically with every new MacBook Pro to come. 

32GB vs. 64GB RAM: Which One Is Better?

MacBook Pro M1 15 inch
Although the 64GB option is the best of the best, it is not necessarily the right choice for every user.

©19 STUDIO/Shutterstock.com

So, in the battle of the 32GB vs. 64GB RAM MacBook Pro, which one is better, and which should you opt for at checkout?

As you have probably surmised by now, it’s an entirely subjective decision. No two MacBook Pro users are exactly alike. For that reason, no two MacBook Pro configurations will be used in the same way.

If you’re a game designer who works with many complex programs regularly, then you’re going to want to opt for that 64GB of unified memory. Alternatively, if you’re someone who only casually uses programs like the Adobe Suite or Final Cut, saving most of your heavy lifting for an iMac or PC, then you’re likely going to be just fine with 32GB of RAM. 

On paper, the 64GB version is the best of the best. However, this doesn’t necessarily mean it’s the one you should buy.

To settle on the version that’s best for you, feel free to ask friends or colleagues in your industry what they use and how it benefits them, and go from there.

For casual MacBook Pro users, 32GB of RAM will be more than enough memory capacity.

Up Next…

Keep reading our other articles about these iOS devices and let us help you find the best match for you.

32GB vs. 64GB RAM MacBook Pro: How Do They Compare? FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) 

What is RAM?

RAM—or Random Access Memory—is the computer’s memory. It stores, reads, and writes data and code to help your computer perform the necessary tasks in order to function.

What’s the difference between RAM and UMA?

On a basic level, there isn’t too much of a difference between traditional RAM and Apple’s UMA (unified memory architecture). The key is that RAM sets aside a couple of GB of space for the GPU, while UMA does not. In other words, the memory of UMA is more fluid than RAM’s memory.

How much RAM does basic everyday use of a MacBook Pro require?

Typically, a MacBook Pro used casually on a day-to-day basis only needs about 4 to 8GB of RAM. However, some more advanced programs or web browsers (Chrome, for example) will eat up more RAM than others. For this reason, it’s recommended that your MacBook Pro has at least 16 GB of unified memory.

How much RAM does computer gaming use on a MacBook Pro?

On average, gaming on a MacBook Pro needs anywhere from 8GB to 32GB of memory in order to function properly with no lagging or other delays.

How much RAM does streaming require on a MacBook Pro?

Streaming videos from your favorite service on a MacBook Pro will likely only use about 8GB of RAM. However, continued improvements to video quality might take that number up to 16GB in the near future.

What’s the maximum amount of RAM on a MacBook Pro?

Technically, you can upgrade your MacBook Pro to have up to 1.5TB of memory. This is truly an exorbitant amount, though. The average person will never come close to touching this kind of memory in their lifetime. (Not to mention the cost of this kind of RAM, which would be quite a bit.)

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