How To See How Much Memory You Have Installed on macOS [Tutorial]
6How To See How Much Memory You Have Installed on macOS [Tutorial]
There are various aspects of your Mac that can either enhance or detract from its performance. One thing you may have heard of is RAM, but what it is and how can you tell whether you have enough in your machine?
Do you know how much RAM is installed in your Mac? You should. RAM, or random access memory, stores the code and instructions for OS X and any applications open on your Mac. The more RAM you have, the more applications you can have open at once. Knowing how much RAM you have installed in your Mac is an important piece of information that could change how you use your computer.
What does RAM do?
RAM (or Random Access Memory) has been an important component in computers pretty much since their inception. Essentially, when you use a device, be it a Mac, iPhone, iPad or non-Apple computer, all the active processes run in the RAM. It's like a device's thinking space, where it can open new browser windows, make sure the app you're using actually functions and generally allows you to interact with anything.
RAM only acts as a temporary home for these elements though, and if it fills up then performance immediately starts to take a hit as the device can't 'think' as fluidly due to the congestion of data and tasks. Normally an operating system optimizes RAM usage by freezing apps in the background to stop them impacting speed, but as a device gets older and apps get more complicated, a lack of RAM can make a previously rapid device feel like a tortoise with motivational issues.
Issues addressed in this tutorial:
This tutorial will apply for MacBook Pro, Air, Mini's running the macOS operating system. This tutorial was performed on a macOS Big Sur system.