8GB of RAM is back on laptops — companies are lowering memory offerings to make affordable notebooks during component crisis

Source: Tom’s Hardware

Image credit: Tom’s Hardware, Dell, Acer, Qualcomm

Recent Shift to 8 GB RAM

From 2024 through 2025, 16 GB of RAM became the de‑facto standard for mid‑range and premium laptops. Microsoft labeled 16 GB a requirement for a Copilot+ PC, and Apple set 16 GB as the minimum on all of its systems.

The launch of the MacBook Neo—an aluminum‑cased laptop using the A18 Pro SoC from the iPhone 16 Pro—re‑introduced 8 GB of RAM as a viable configuration. Reviewers noted that macOS can handle basic workloads with 8 GB, though heavy multitasking may trigger swap and memory pressure. For more demanding tasks, 16 GB remains the norm on the MacBook Air and Pro.

At Computex, Windows‑based manufacturers also began offering 8 GB configurations:

• Dell XPS 13 – starting at $699 with an Intel Core Series 3 “Wildcat Lake” processor and 8 GB RAM.
• Acer Swift Air 14 – a $699 Wildcat Lake system featuring an Intel Core 5 chip, 512 GB storage, and 8 GB RAM.
• Chuwi UniBook – announced with a Core Series 3 304 CPU, 256 GB storage, and 8 GB RAM, priced around $449.
• Microsoft Surface Laptop for Business 13‑inch – 8 GB RAM starting at $1,299.99.

Not all new laptops are limited to 8 GB; some retain 16 GB, such as the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3i ($899.99) which ships with 16 GB RAM.

Examples of 8 GB Laptops

• Dell XPS 13 – $699, Intel Core Series 3 “Wildcat Lake”, 8 GB RAM.
• Acer Swift Air 14 – $699, Intel Core 5, 512 GB SSD, 8 GB RAM.
• Chuwi UniBook – ~$449, Core Series 3 304, 256 GB SSD, 8 GB RAM.
• Microsoft Surface Laptop for Business 13‑inch – $1,299.99, 8 GB RAM.
• Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3i – $899.99, 16 GB RAM (higher‑end option).
• Acer Aspire Go 15 – Qualcomm Snapdragon C platform, “up to” 8 GB RAM (minimum could be lower).

Industry Perspective

Windows laptops equipped with 8 GB RAM still include Copilot keys, but they do not qualify as Copilot+ devices, which require Windows 11, a Copilot key, and 16 GB RAM. Intel’s Wildcat Lake partner list suggests many more 8 GB models are forthcoming. The minimum RAM requirement for Windows 11 is 4 GB, indicating that 8 GB remains comfortably above the OS baseline.

The push toward AI‑ready hardware has driven up memory prices, prompting manufacturers to revert to lower‑capacity configurations to keep entry‑ and mid‑tier laptops affordable.

Outlook

For users whose workloads consist mainly of web browsing and light applications, 8 GB of RAM can still provide a satisfactory experience. While it may not be ideal for heavy multitasking or AI‑intensive tasks, it offers a cost‑effective alternative to the $1,500‑plus price tags of 16 GB models.

The current RAM shortage and elevated component costs suggest that 8 GB configurations will remain common in the near term. As memory prices stabilize, we may eventually see 16 GB become the baseline again, but for now, affordable laptops with 8 GB of RAM are back on the market.