How Much RAM Do I Need For A Laptop?

If you're thinking about buying a new laptop, one of the first questions you’ll ask yourself is “how much RAM do I need for a laptop?”. Well, we’re here to answer that question for you.

RAM is one of the most important aspects to consider when purchasing a laptop, and it's not always the case of 'more is better.' Oftentimes, it's more about what you use your laptop for, over how much RAM the laptop has.

Here, we'll break down a few different use-cases, which will help you make your decision on how much RAM you'll need for your laptop. Let's get to it.

How Much RAM Do I Need For A Laptop?

The short answer is that will depend on what you want to use your laptop for and your budget. But generally speaking, the more RAM you have, the more applications you can run at once, and the more you can multitask.

Here is a quick rundown of how much RAM you would need based on your intended use.

For Students and WFH

For basic, day-to-day computing such as surfing the internet, watching movies, attending online classes and using MS Office suite, 4GB of laptop RAM should be sufficient. If you are on a budget, a 4GB laptop is also the perfect choice for the best bang for your buck.

Chromebooks are a great choice for students and people who don't need a lot of processing power but would like a laptop that is inexpensive and easy to use. They do a decent job when it comes to everyday computing tasks. If you are going for Chromebooks, we recommend you to pick one with SSD, as it can handle the basics smoothly.

However, if you can spend more, you should consider getting a laptop with 8GB of RAM. 8 gigabytes of RAM is the sweet spot for the majority of users, as it can handle all the applications you need to run smoothly.

Read More:Chromebook vs Laptop - Which Is Better For You?

For Power Users

But if you are planning to do some heavy-duty computing, such as editing in Adobe Creative Suite, working with a CAD package, programming or using multiple apps simultaneously, you’ll want to look for a laptop with at least 8GB of RAM.

In our opinion, 8GB of RAM is ideal for the majority of users, as it provides enough RAM for virtually all productivity tasks and less demanding games. If you have a moderate budget for a laptop, you should definitely go for 8GB RAM.

Read More:Is DDR5 RAM Worth It?

For Gamers And Streamers

If you are a gamer, you’ll need more than 8GB. While 8GB is enough for most of the games available on the market, you’ll need at least 16GB for a smooth and seamless gaming experience.

16GB RAM is becoming the standard amount for gaming and streaming video games. It gives you enough power to run both the gaming you're playing and your streaming software, along with other system programs in the background.

Read More:How Much RAM Do I Need For Gaming?

For Video Editing

32GB RAM or more is great for users who have a lot of memory-intensive applications, such as 3D rendering or video editing. With 32GB/64GB of RAM, you could have multiple programs running at the same time, and still be able to efficiently edit and preview your videos.

64GB or more is recommended if you are editing 4K-8K footage in 8-10bit or more and rely heavily on having several RAM-eating applications such as After Effects or Cinema 4D open at the same time.

Read More:Best Gaming PC Under 500: Our Top Cheap Prebuilt PC Picks

Is 8GB RAM Enough For Laptop?

8GB RAM is the standard amount of RAM in most laptop computers. In fact, it is the sweet spot for most users. With 8GB RAM, you can run all the programs you need, and multitask with ease. You can also play games like FIFA 2022 and GTA V without lag or stuttering.

We would recommend 8GB RAM for an average user as it is enough for handling all your needs without running into any issues. If you are planning to buy a laptop, then we have listed the best budget laptops. You could use our guide as a starting point.

Read More:Best DDR5 RAM 2022: Our Top Picks For Next-Level Gaming PCs

Is 4 GB RAM Laptop Enough?

As mentioned earlier, it depends on what you will be doing with the computer. 

If you will be using the computer for word processing, spreadsheet, email, internet browsing, and other office tasks, then you will be fine with 4 GB of RAM.

If you're doing more memory-intensive tasks like editing on photoshop, gaming, or rendering, then you may want to consider upgrading to at least 8 GB of RAM. It is wise to buy a laptop with expandable RAM, so you can add RAM later, according to your needs.