Will Having More RAM Speed Up My Mac?

Published: 8th of Dec, 2023

Hello, digital explorers! Maria here again, it's been a while since I posted (was busy exploring Larapinta and Margaret River) but I'm back and today we're talking about a commonly misunderstood, yet crucial part of your Mac - RAM!

One common question among Mac users is whether increasing RAM will speed up their machines. RAM, or Random Access Memory, plays an important role in your Mac's performance. This article explores how more RAM can impact your Mac's speed and efficiency.

 

What is RAM, actually?

RAM is the short-term memory of your computer. It's where your Mac keeps the data it needs to access quickly, like the applications you're currently using and the files you're working on. The more RAM your Mac has, the more information it can store for quick access.

Does More RAM Mean More Speed?

Generally, the answer is yes. Like most hardware things, the bigger (the number), the better! All else being equal a computer with 16GB of RAM will outperform one with only 8GB. More RAM allows your Mac to handle more tasks simultaneously and reduces the need to use slower storage, like your hard drive or SSD, for memory. This is particularly noticeable when multitasking or running memory-intensive applications. Like video editing, or running a browser with loads of tabs open plus a couple of bloated Electron based apps! Sorry VSCode 😁 (which I use to write these blog posts) No need to worry though, if you're stuck with a Mac lacking in memory there's a few things you can do.

Exiting Unused Apps

An easy way to free up RAM is by properly exiting unused apps. Use CMD+Q to quit apps completely, rather than just clicking away from them. Force quit apps that are unresponsive or consuming too much memory.

Manual Memory Management

Though macOS is efficient at managing memory, there are situations where manual intervention can be beneficial. For instance, before launching resource-heavy applications like graphic design tools, games, or emulators, freeing up memory can enhance performance.

iBoostUp and Memory Boosting

Memory Booster has been an integral feature of iBoostUp since its inception. However, Apple removed version 7.5 of iBoostUp from the App Store in 2019 due to a policy change against memory boosting functionalities, likely in response to the influx of ineffective or scam apps. We recognize such apps as a problem and developed Spyware Doctor, which can detect even previously unseen scams. We removed Memory Booster and re-instated the app on the App Store without it, which disappointed many of our long term users who had become accostumed to it's benefits. While we've kept Memory Booster alive in our web version, we've recently noticed CleanMyMac's App Store version implementing similar functionality. Encouraged by this, we plan to work with Apple to reintroduce this feature in our App Store version shortly. Stay tuned!

To Sum Up

While more RAM can generally speed up your Mac, especially for demanding tasks, efficient memory management is also key. Understanding how to optimize your Mac's memory usage, along with liberal use of tools like iBoostUp, can significantly improve your experience.

Until next time, stay informed.
 ❤️ Maria