This means that 8GB RAM in a M1 Mac isn’t really comparable to 8GB RAM in an Intel Mac – so you could conceivably find that even if your current Intel Mac struggles with 8GB RAM a M1 Mac shouldn’t. This set up does have some benefits: the memory, the CPU and the GPU are all on the same chip and this speeds up the transmission of data and improves performance. The RAM (Unified Memory) in the Macs that feature Apple’s M1 series of chips (M1, Pro, Max and Ultra) can not be upgraded, because it is an integrated part of the M1 chip. Guide to replacing RAM in your Mac for advice. If you want to save money you could purchase the RAM from a third party rather than Apple – but do bear in mind that you will void your warranty if you add it yourself. The RAM in the Mac Pro and the Intel-powered version of the Mac mini can be updated though. You may still be able to find one on sale, but we wouldn’t advise buying one. However, as of March 2022, Apple is no longer selling this iMac. There were some Macs that do offer the possibility of updating the RAM later – the 27in iMac, for example, had a hatch at the back of the display that could be opened and new RAM added. Apple offers the option to upgrade RAM (referred to as Universal Memory by Apple) in most models at point of purchase so it’s good practice to choose the most RAM you can afford. That’s not to say there aren’t still people solely working up magazine layouts in InDesign, but the modern designer is just as likely to be delving into illustration, interface design, and 3D, all of which can be particularly demanding and processor intensive tasks.Īs we mentioned above, design applications tend to be RAM-hungry and, since the RAM inside most Macs (or any Mac with a M1 series chip) can’t be updated at a later date, we’d advise that you choose the most RAM available when you buy your Mac. But these days, a designer may work across many fields. The further you go back in time, the more defined and focused creative roles were. (Designers aren’t shallow, but they do like style!) What designers need from a Mac Sketch) tradition, and, frankly, Macs looking a lot nicer than PCs. This is down to several factors: reliability excellent niche apps only available for Mac (such as Nonetheless, the Mac still finds favour with the majority of designers. The differences between macOS and Windows are less pronounced these days and file compatibility is typically strong when using suites available on both systems, such asĪdobe’s Creative Cloud. Why designers prefer Macsīack in the early years Macs were at the forefront of the desktop publishing revolution, bettering PC rivals when it came to colour accuracy and typography. You might also want to read our thoughts on theīest Mac for photo editing. For more general advice about which Mac to buy take a look at our

Adobe illustrator for macbook air