What is RAM and how much do you actually need?

RAM is your computer's short-term memory — it holds the data your programs are actively using right now. More RAM means your computer handles more programs at once, and 8GB is plenty for everyday browsing and email. For gaming or video work, 16GB is better.

RAM stands for random-access memory. Think of it as your computer's workspace — the bigger the workspace, the more things you can work on at once. When you open a program, it loads into RAM so the computer can use it quickly. When you close the program, that RAM space becomes free again.