In a surprise move, Apple has doubled the base RAM configuration on M2 and M3 MacBook Air models. Both MacBook Air models will now include 16GB RAM out-of-the-box, up from 8GB. The RAM increase comes without a change in price.
For a limited time, Apple appears to be selling through existing 8GB RAM inventory at discount. For example, the M2 MacBook Air with 8GB RAM is listed at $899, although Apple will no longer stock these configurations going forward.
The RAM increase is a much better value for consumers, and it also means in-store inventory will now come with 16GB RAM by default instead of 8GB.
The move follows the introduction of a week of new M4-powered Macs that are heavily marketed as made for Apple Intelligence. This includes the M4 iMac, M4 and M4 Pro Mac mini, and M4/M4 Pro/M4 Max MacBook Pro.
The MacBook Air remains on the M3 chip for its highest configuration, but the RAM increase buys Apple some time before updating it to the M4 in 2025.
Apple Intelligence on macOS works on any M-series Mac and doesn’t require 16GB RAM, but the added memory bandwidth will likely be needed in future updates to Apple’s generative artificial intelligence features.
Apple briefly required 16GB for its Xcode code completion feature before it shipped before later dropping the requirement.
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