[funkboy]

Here's something that will surely get someone's dander up: I think an iBook with 256MB of RAM is perfectly usable. I'm currently using it to do Safari, Mail, iTunes, and Preview, and it's moving along without a hitch. No spinning beachballs, nary a hiccup.

For many people, these are all the programs that will be open in a typical day. And there are still many people who go by the idea of, "I need to quit a program when I'm done with it." (which still isn't a bad idea anyway)

I think Apple is economically smart for only going with 256, especially for its introductory models. I'm probably the only one who will think this here... I posted this thread to see if anyone else agreed with me.

For simple tasks that mom/dad/kids will use, 256 RAM (and maybe the warning of "quit the program when you're done") suffices.

[rozwado1]

But what about when the cache gets all loaded in Safari? Or when you have 300 emails opening in Mail? (some people are packrats)

[Hi I'm Ben]

Majority of people say that 512+ is needed. Since Majority rules you are wrong.

[jamil5454]

Since OS X is a UNIX it follows a few UNIX principles. One of them is good memory management. There's a saying that goes: "If the system doesn't use all your RAM then there's a problem" which basically means that whenever you have available RAM the system used it for the disk cache to make disk accesses faster. When you open a program that needs more RAM, the system will deallocate RAM from the disk cache and let the program use it. This is why most people think they need more RAM when Activity Monitor reports 95% RAM usage. In actuality, most of that is the disk cache and can be cleared on demand. Considering that, 256mb of RAM in OS X should be plenty suitable for anything light and casual. Oh and, coming from Windows, I always closed programs when I was through with them. Now, with over 1gb or RAM, I just leave them running until the next restart.

[far200]

funkboy

Your right for some basic tasks 256 meg or ram will do the job. Most people though don't really know how much they will use their computer...So I always say to get 512 as a minimum amout...becouse the one time they try to do some photo shop or maybe imove they'll see the difference.

But this is just my 2 cents worth.

[selowitch]

If you're happy with your performance at 256MB, then more power to you. Personally, the $200 I spent on a 1GB Kingston SO-DIMM module was worth it. My new iBook absolutely flies!

[Partisan01]

Originally posted by Hi I'm Ben:
Majority of people say that 512+ is needed. Since Majority rules you are wrong.

256 is fine for me. I'm not a safari and email user either. I use firefox, xcode, and a few graphics programs, all fine without a hitch. At some point I might upgrade to 512, but I don't see the need right now.

[funkboy]

Interesting responses, and glad I'm not the only one who is partially happy with 256.

Now, it must be noted that an additional 512MB stick from newegg is on its way to my doorstep. This is, as mentioned before, for the few times I'll use Photoshop Elements / Fireworks / iMovie / GarageBand.