5 Reasons 16GB Is the New Baseline for Development

Docker alone uses 4GB of RAM before you open anything else. VS Code with TypeScript, Python, and Docker extensions sits around 1-2GB. Multiple terminals add another half gig.

A Node or Python dev server adds a gig of RAM. That puts you at 8GB with nothing else running, leaving no room for a browser with 30 tabs.

8GB works only if you write Python scripts in isolation. Modern development requires containers, language servers, and browsers. You will hit swap immediately, turning your machine into a stuttery mess.

16GB extends a ThinkPad’s useful life by five years. The upgrade cost is negligible compared to the frustration of a bogged-down machine.

Your future self will thank you when you can run a dev server, a database, and a terminal without the fan screaming. Don’t cheap out on RAM. It’s the single best investment for developer productivity.