16 GB of RAM is now the floor, not the upgrade
Apple finally standardised 16 GB across the MacBook Air and Pro lines in 2025, and the live US listings reflect that. 8 GB MacBooks still turn up on the used market and at aggressive discount channels, but they feel sluggish once you have more than a handful of browser tabs open — Apple Intelligence and modern photo apps are particularly hungry for memory. If your budget stretches to 16 GB, take it.