How Much RAM Do You Need in 2026? 16GB vs 32GB for Your Next Computer

Buying a new laptop or desktop in Australia? Start with 16GB of RAM. In 2026, 16GB is the recommended starting point for most users. If you regularly use demanding software, run multiple applications at once or want your computer to stay capable for years to come, 32GB is worth considering.

With 16GB now the standard across much of our range, the real question isn't simply whether you need more RAM, but how much RAM is right for the way you use your computer? If it’s for everyday office tasks, studying at uni, gaming or using demanding creative software, this guide will help you choose the right memory capacity, understand when an upgrade is worthwhile and avoid paying for RAM you don't actually need.

8GB vs 16GB vs 24GB vs 32GB RAM: Quick Buying Guide

What Does RAM Actually Do?

RAM (random access memory) is a computer’s short-term working memory. Applications, browser tabs and files use it while you work. Think of it as desk space: more room helps when you have multiple jobs open, but it does not make the person doing the work any faster.

When the available memory is insufficient, Windows or macOS may swap data to the SSD. Even a quick SSD is much slower than RAM for this purpose, so the system can feel sluggish when switching between apps or handling large projects. RAM is not storage space and it is not processing power. A 32GB computer does not automatically outperform a 16GB computer.

Why 16GB RAM Is Our Starting Recommendation

For a typical Australian household, uni student or small-business user, 16GB is the best balance of price and everyday usability. It provides room for the mix of software people commonly keep open: Teams or Zoom, Outlook, Excel, Chrome, web-based business systems and background security software.

It also suits most mainstream PC gaming and lighter creative tasks such as photo editing. In the office, that could mean having a video call running while checking a spreadsheet and looking up a customer order, without constantly closing tabs to make room.

Generally we quote businesses to start with a 16GB RAM for general staff, then move to 32GB where the work actually calls for it. A bookkeeper using Xero or MYOB alongside standard spreadsheets may be comfortable on 16GB; someone analysing huge Excel or Power BI datasets could benefit from 32GB.

16GB vs 32GB RAM: When Is 32GB Worth the Extra Cost?

It becomes worthwhile when your workload regularly approaches the limits of 16GB. More memory can reduce swapping and make it easier to keep large files and several demanding applications open at once. If everything you use already fits comfortably into 16GB, the improvement may be barely noticeable.

Workloads where we would seriously consider 32GB to 64GB:

Creative work: large Photoshop files, video editing timelines, many high-resolution assets and complex design projects.

Development and IT: code editors alongside containers, local databases and virtual machines.

Finance and analytics: very large spreadsheets, data models and multiple memory-hungry applications.

Gaming and streaming: demanding games, heavy mod packs or streaming software running alongside the game. A stronger GPU is often more important for frame rates.

Professional CAD: regular 3D assemblies and BIM models, especially with other programs open.

Our separate CAD buying guide makes the distinction clearer: 16GB for lighter 2D drafting and student projects; 32GB for typical professional 3D modelling; 64GB or more for complex BIM, large assemblies and simulation. That is consistent with our general advice: 16GB is the starting point for everyday computers, not the ideal specification for every specialised job.

What About 24GB and 48GB RAM?

The choice is no longer limited to 8GB, 16GB and 32GB. You may also see 24GB on MacBooks, Mac minis and selected Microsoft Surface laptops. It gives you 50% more capacity than 16GB and can be a handy middle option for someone who multitasks heavily but does not need 32GB.

48GB appears in some higher-spec MacBook Pro and Mac mini configurations and selected Windows desktops or workstations. It can suit professional work that needs more than 32GB without stepping all the way to 64GB. Memory options differ by exact model and processor; some older or custom-equipped Intel iMacs can also have 48GB fitted, but do not assume a current Apple-silicon iMac offers that configuration.

How Apple Unified Memory Is Different

On Apple-silicon Macs, the CPU, GPU and other chip components access a shared pool called unified memory. This can make data sharing efficient and is why Apple lists capacities such as 24GB and 48GB as unified memory rather than conventional removable laptop RAM.

The important buying point is the same: capacity is finite, and it must cover the workload, including graphics. Unified memory also does not mean 24GB automatically equals 32GB in a Windows machine; software and hardware are different. Modern MacBook, Mac mini and iMac memory generally cannot be upgraded after purchase, so choose carefully at checkout.

AI PCs in 2026: Does AI Mean You Need More RAM?

Not necessarily. The answer depends on where the AI processing happens.

Cloud AI tools: using ChatGPT, Microsoft Copilot on the web or similar browser-based services does not, by itself, demand 32GB. The heavy model runs in a data centre, so a modest computer that starts at 16GB may be sufficient.

Copilot+ PCs: Microsoft specifies at least 16GB RAM, together with other hardware requirements including a capable NPU. Having 16GB alone does not make a laptop a Copilot+ PC.

Local AI: running models directly on your own PC or Mac may justify 32GB, 64GB or more, depending on model size, quantisation, context length and available GPU memory. Check the software and model requirements before buying.

For most local users using AI mainly through the browser, there is no reason to buy a workstation purely because the word “AI” appears on the box.

Soldered vs Upgradeable RAM: Check Before You Buy

This matters more than many buyers realise. Some thin-and-light laptops, Microsoft Surface models and Apple-silicon Macs have memory soldered to the board or integrated into the chip package. You generally cannot add more later. Expect a soldered laptop to last four or five years, 32GB can be worthwhile if you anticipate heavier work. But if you only use everyday office software, 16GB still offers strong value.

Other laptops have removable SO-DIMM modules, and many desktops use replaceable DIMMs. Some models mix soldered and socketed memory, while newer designs may use removable LPCAMM2 memory. Always check the exact product specification if it’s upgradable before purchasing.

RAM Prices Have Risen: How Should Australian Buyers Decide?

RAM pricing has been under pressure since late 2025 and throughout 2026. Market researcher TrendForce reported sharp rises in memory contract prices as data centre and AI infrastructure demand competed with consumer PC supply. In September 2026, it forecast a further 10–15% quarter-on-quarter increase in conventional DRAM contract prices for Q4. That is a wholesale market forecast, not a promise that every RAM kit or laptop in Australia will rise by that percentage.

Because Australian retail prices vary with stock, exchange rates, supplier deals and GST, compare the actual A$ price of otherwise similar computers, not just the cost of a memory kit. A model with 32GB might also have a different processor, SSD or screen.

Our advice is to put your budget where it makes a difference: choose 16GB as the default, price-check 24GB or 32GB where available, and step up only if the software or lifespan of the computer makes a convincing case.

Our Verdict: How Much RAM Should You Buy in 2026?

Start with 16GB. It is the normal starting point for a new laptop or desktop in 2026 and the right choice for most Australian households, students and office workers.

Choose 24GB or 32GB when you regularly juggle heavy applications, edit large files, game while streaming or need additional headroom in a machine you cannot upgrade.

Choose 48GB, 64GB or more when your CAD, development, creative or local AI workload specifically benefits from it.

Treat 8GB as the exception, reserved for a genuinely light workload and a price that makes the compromise worthwhile. More RAM is not automatically a faster CPU, a better graphics card or extra SSD storage.

Choose the Right Computer with Landmark Computers

Not sure whether to buy a 16GB business laptop, a 32GB creative unit or a higher-memory workstation? Explore our laptops, desktop computers and computer RAM online, or ask our team to check the memory configuration and upgrade options before you buy.

Call Landmark Computers on 1300 133 165. We will help you find a computer that fits your work and your budget, without paying extra for RAM you do not need.