8GB RAM. Simply these two phrases are sufficient to set off a firestorm within the PC neighborhood, as a result of most individuals say the ground for RAM has elevated in 2026 and 8GB of reminiscence has no place in a contemporary Home windows 11 machine. The identical configuration could be effective for Linux and even macOS on the MacBook Neo, however questionable on Home windows 11 as a result of the OS is so resource-intensive.
Nevertheless, Microsoft disagrees, insisting that 8GB is sufficient, which is a fairly skeptical declare. Their argument is not sufficient for me to purchase a brand new 8GB Floor laptop computer in 2026, so I put that principle to the check, and the outcomes had been combined.
My check rig was a humble AM4 rig
Ryzen 5 5600, RX 5600 XT, and 8GB of DDR4 RAM
To check and replicate an entry-to-mid-level PC that Microsoft intends to run on 8GB of RAM, I eliminated a single 8GB RAM stick from my 16GB DDR4 setup. I’m utilizing an SSD as well Home windows 11, a Ryzen 5 5600 CPU, and an RX 5600 XT GPU, which I feel are ok in 2026 and able to dealing with mid-level workloads.
Now, I am not going to check this setup for heavy workloads like AAA gaming, video enhancing, or working a number of third-party apps within the background, deliberately attempting to choke the restricted reminiscence I have been given. As a substitute, I will use this setup for regular day-to-day duties like shopping, working Microsoft Workplace, and some apps integral to my workflow, like Slack and Spotify.
This is what I used to be capable of accomplish with 8GB of RAM
My RAM almost maxed out at simply 3 Chrome tabs
I did not discover a delay in my system’s startup time, even with 8GB of RAM. Nevertheless, after I checked Job Supervisor at boot, Home windows companies took up half of that. I additionally turned off all third-party startup functions, so nothing was working within the background both.
The actual check was doing one thing on my desktop and seeing whether or not 8GB is sufficient for Home windows 11. I fired up the each day functions that I would like for work — Chrome, Slack, and Spotify. With simply three tabs open in Chrome alongside Spotify and Slack, my PC was nonetheless working effective. Nevertheless, I used to be shortly approaching the 8GB reminiscence cap, with 7.4GB utilized out of seven.9GB usable RAM, even with the apps and tabs sitting idle. Once I opened my 4th tab, Gmail, my PC began lagging, and it took just a few seconds to maneuver the cursor to the shut button.
As well as, most first-party functions had been additionally disabled, and in any other case my PC could be caught as a result of the default Climate utility alone can use almost 1.2GB of RAM (through Windows Latest).
Now I do know that gaming on 8GB of RAM is not possible, but I used to be intrigued to attempt. I additionally closed all third-party apps to offer the sport most respiration room. For testing, I did not attempt AAA titles like 007 First Gentle, which I knew would not work. As a substitute, I opted for Rainbow Six Siege, a comparatively low-demand multiplayer title.
I fired up the sport anticipating stutters and freezes, however to my shock it labored satisfactorily. I capped my framerate to 120FPS, and the 1% lows weren’t even noticeable; at worst, they dropped to 100 FPS.
This is how one can get extra out of Home windows 11 when you’ve got 8GB RAM
De-bloating, swapping browsers, and killing Copilot and widgets
Straight out of the gate, 8GB of RAM is just sufficient for probably the most primary checks. I have not accomplished any intensive duties, like rendering or video enhancing, as a result of I do know this reminiscence configuration is not viable for them and is simply the ground for a Home windows 11 PC.
Though I do not explicitly suggest an 8GB PC in 2026, in the event you’re nonetheless caught with this low reminiscence and might’t improve as a result of RAM costs are inflated, there are just a few tweaks you can also make to make the expertise somewhat extra tolerable. For starters, de-bloat Windows by removing unnecessary background services, which might unlock a few gigabytes of reminiscence by itself.
Then, change from Chrome to a special browser. Chromium-based browsers are infamous for his or her heavy RAM consumption, which is not perfect for an 8GB laptop. As a substitute, use Microsoft Edge or an alternative like Brave, which makes use of fewer system assets and leaves sufficient headroom for different apps like Slack or Spotify.
Additionally, disable widgets and Copilot to free up more memory headroom. A further hack is to exchange the default Home windows Search with a light-weight utility like The whole lot.
I nonetheless do not suggest an 8GB laptop in 2026
In case you’re shopping for something aside from a Home windows 11 machine, 8GB of RAM is enough for the typical person. For example, the MacBook Neo with 8GB is a superb entry-level laptop computer choice for college kids and most workplace customers, and it will not break the financial institution. Nevertheless, choosing an 8GB Home windows 11 laptop, like the brand new Floor laptop computer, could be a grave mistake as a result of Home windows 11 is not optimized for low reminiscence. Though Microsoft has promised to make Home windows 11 extra memory-efficient, I do not see that promise being true anytime quickly as a result of most first-party apps are internet companies, and that comes with a steep reminiscence price.
On the similar time, I get it that RAM is tremendous costly lately and shopping for a brand new laptop is tough, however not spending that couple of hundred {dollars} would influence you in the long term.
