Always do your own research.
I subscribe to several photography education sites. Sometimes they provide conflicting opinions. What is the real, IMHO, answer?
I am suspicious of AI but I use it to compare Q&A's.
Following are a comparison of a question submitted by Ask Tim Gray and the same question submitted to Gemini and chatGPT.
From Ask Tim Gray
"Today's Question
I need to purchase a new Apple computer. I don't understand unified memory and how much I need. I may run Photoshop, Lightroom, and Bridge, along with possibly Denoise AI and Helicon Focus at the same time.
Tim's Quick Answer:
Unified memory refers to a single pool of memory in a computer used for both the main processor and for the graphics processor. This means you should opt for more memory than you otherwise assume you need, because there is not separate memory for the graphics processor."
The same question was submitted to popular AI chat boxes.
From Gemini "It's wise to consider memory needs carefully when purchasing an Apple computer with unified memory, as it's not upgradable later. Here's a breakdown of what you should consider, especially with your intended software usage:
Understanding Unified Memory
* How it works:
* Apple's unified memory architecture integrates the CPU, GPU, and other components, allowing them to access the same pool of high-bandwidth memory. This results in significant performance gains, especially for graphics-intensive tasks.
* Unlike traditional RAM, unified memory is shared by all components, so it benefits both CPU and GPU performance.
* Why it matters:
* Because it's integrated, you must decide how much you need at the time of purchase.
* Applications like Photoshop, Lightroom, Denoise AI, and Helicon Focus can be very memory-intensive, especially when working with large files.
Memory Recommendations for Your Workflow
Here's a general guideline based on your software usage:
* 16GB:
* This is the absolute minimum I would suggest. While it may handle individual tasks adequately, running all those applications simultaneously could lead to performance bottlenecks.
* If your work is light, meaning small batch processing, and smaller image files, this may work.
* 24GB or 32GB:
* This is the sweet spot for professional photo editing. It will provide ample headroom for running multiple applications simultaneously and handling large files.
* Given that you're using Denoise AI and Helicon Focus, which are known to be resource-intensive, 24GB or 32GB is highly recommended.
* This will allow for smoother workflow, and less time waiting for software to process.
* Why more is better:
* Photo editing software, especially those using AI (like Denoise AI), benefit greatly from more memory.
* Having extra memory allows your system to cache more data, reducing the need to access slower storage.
* Future proofing your purchase. Software requirements generally increase over time.
Key Considerations
* File Size: If you work with very large files (e.g., high-resolution RAW images), you'll need more memory.
* Workflow: If you frequently multitask between these applications, prioritize more memory.
* Future Needs: Consider how your needs might change in the future. It's better to have too much memory than too little.
In summary:
For your workflow, I strongly recommend aiming for 24GB or 32GB of unified memory. This will provide a smooth and efficient experience, allowing you to work without frustrating delays."
chatGPT
"Unified memory on Apple computers is a shared pool of high-performance memory accessible by both the CPU and GPU, which improves speed and efficiency. For running Photoshop, Lightroom, Bridge, Denoise AI, and Helicon Focus simultaneously, I recommend at least 32 GB of unified memory to ensure smooth performance and multitasking. If you work with large files or do extensive editing and rendering, consider 64 GB for maximum efficiency.
Would you like help choosing a specific model or guidance on other specs?"
My choice? You can't go wrong with more RAM. But I'm a Windows PC user.
