16GB is the new baseline for development

16GB is the new baseline for development

Yes. Without a doubt.

Docker alone will eat 4GB of RAM before you even open Chrome. VS Code with a few extensions (TypeScript, Python, Docker) sits around 1-2GB. Multiple terminals? That’s another half gig. A Node or Python dev server adds a gig. Suddenly you’re at 8GB with nothing else running.

8GB works fine if you’re writing Python scripts in isolation. But modern development involves containers, language servers, and a browser with 30 tabs. You will hit swap immediately, and the machine turns into a stuttery mess.

ThinkPads are built to last. Throw 16GB in there and you get another five years of productive work. The upgrade cost is negligible compared to the frustration of a bogged-down machine.

Your future self will thank you when you can actually run a dev server, a database, and a terminal without the fan screaming.