The best answer is that most Chromebooks today have 4GB RAM. This is enough to get by. It's a good idea to check whether a model has 8GB RAM. Chromebooks have a longer life expectancy.
RAM: What does it mean? RAM stands for Random Access Memory. It's a container that stores and retrieves data randomly. It can access any bit of data it needs without changing the preceding or following bytes. It's fast because it doesn't matter where the data is located. This means it can access it in a fraction of the time it takes to read or write it. There are no mechanical restrictions on access times because there are no moving parts. The data is also volatile when the integrated circuits fail to function properly. This means that RAM is not the same as your Chromebook's storage, which we refer to as a hard disk. It's also not used for long-term storage. The RAM is deleted every time your Chromebook or any other computer is turned off. All data required to draw and interact with software on your Chromebook's Chromebook is stored in RAM. This is the most important information we need to know and we will discuss why it matters. How Chromebooks manage RAM
Source: Android Central
Chrome OS is a simplified Linux desktop. Chrome OS runs on less RAM than most other operating systems and is therefore lightweight. Chrome uses what developers refer to as a double wall for low memory states and zRAM in order to make things run better with less memory. We need to briefly discuss zRAM (also called compcache). It is a Linux kernel feature that compresses virtual memory and creates its own block device. The compressed block is used to paging (moving files around the memory). Once the block runs out of space, it can be moved to the hard drive. If this sounds confusing, it's okay. It works wonders on Chromebooks that don't have a lot of RAM. Since version 27, Chrome OS has defaulted to zRAM. They do a great job of managing it. The amount of zRAM used is usually zero unless you are moving large files. It's always there and ready to go when you need it. This was also done for your tablet or phone with Android 4.4. Chrome OS is more efficient at managing memory than Chrome browser on your Windows laptop. Google's low-memory "double-wall" states (low-memory states) are designed to stop apps (mainly the browser window) from crash. The software reserves RAM for the first "wall" and, when this threshold is reached the software determines which order to close processes in order to not affect what we are currently doing. Background operations, such as a browser tab you haven’t opened yet, are first closed. Background tabs and windows that you have not viewed but clicked, scrolled or typed in are next to be closed. The background tabs or windows that you haven’t used for the longest get their data moved out from RAM. If none of this works, the kernel OOM function (Out Of Memory Function) kicks in. It closes processes and tasks based on priority. This is a fascinating read, written back when the kernel OOM (Out Of Memory) function was being created for people who are interested in this type of stuff.
Source: Android Central We hope you saved your work first.
This is so that we don't lose what we are working on and won't see pages like "He's Dead, Jim" or even "Aww Snap". Since the introduction of the CR-48, things have improved a lot. All this means Chrome, the operating system, manages memory much better than Chrome on your Windows or Mac computers and requires less. This is why you'll hear people raving about how their Chromebook runs. However, it does not run as well as Chrome on your Windows or Mac computer. It's okay if you don’t get it; Google has done a lot with the software to make even a 2GB Chromebook functional. What will you do with your Chromebook?
Source: Ara Wagoner / Android Central
After discussing RAM and how Chrome manages them, the most important thing to consider when deciding how much RAM you will need is what you plan to do with your Chromebook. Most Chromebooks have 4GB RAM, while some more expensive models may have 8GB or 16GB. If you aren't using Chrome on the Chromebook, you don't require 16GB. Although an Intel i7 with 16GB RAM and 256GB SSD Chromebook makes a great Linux Ultrabook, it is overkill for most users. Let's not worry about the exceptions. We will now discuss "realistic" Chromebooks. While 4GB is fine, 8GB is excellent when it's available at a reasonable price. 4GB RAM is sufficient for casual computing and working at home. It will handle Facebook, Twitter and Google Drive well and probably handle them all simultaneously. The majority of Chromebooks have 4GB RAM. This is sufficient for someone like me, who has 8-20 tabs open on Chromebook, with some Android or Linux apps, and spends most of my day with those apps open. 8GB is the ideal amount of RAM for Chromebooks, both from a power-user and futureproofing perspective. Chromebooks are getting more and longer supported. Unfortunately, most Chromebook models don't offer an 8GB option. This is especially true for the 11.6-inch model. 8GB is sufficient to handle remote clients and VM access. This makes it ideal for professionals who use their Chromebook while on the go to interact with their super-powerful desktop. You can simply walk away from a Chromebook with 2GB RAM if you see it. It is unacceptable, past its expiration date, and unlikely to receive updates. You have many options when it comes to choosing your Chromebook. There are Chromebooks for everyone, from Chromebooks for kids to Chromebooks for business and everything in between. Most Chromebooks have enough RAM to last you and your machine well, regardless of whether you are a casual user or a professional looking to dual-boot Ubuntu and Chrome OS for your child's homework assignments.
4GB is enough Lenovo Chromebook Duet Ice Blue + Iron Grey 4GB RAM will allow you to manage a dozen tabs at once. The Duet's small screen is great for watching videos and playing solitaire. Although the Duet's 10-inch screen is too small to be used as a primary computer, it's a great companion device. Amazon: Starting at $230 (64GB).
$299 at Best Buy (128GB).
$249 at Walmart (64GB).
Over the past three years, I've used the Duet and about a dozen other 4GB Chromebooks daily and I can confirm that I only need 4GB RAM to complete my work on the Chromebook. I also use it everywhere. 4GB RAM is sufficient for most tasks, including writing term papers and playing solitaire or Twitter. Consolidate your Chrome browsers if you plan to use virtual machines, Linux apps, and game streaming. You will need to have 8GB or 16GB. This option is available on most premium and business models.
