32GB is worth it for dev work.

Yes — especially if you run Docker, VS Code with a bunch of extensions, and a few browser tabs with dev tools open. 16GB will work, but you’ll hit swap and feel the lag. 32GB is the sweet spot for not thinking about memory.

The difference is subtle until it isn’t. With 16GB, Docker containers eat 4-8GB, Chrome/Edge take another 4-6GB, VS Code adds 1-2GB, and suddenly you’re at 90% usage. The machine slows down, tabs reload, and your flow breaks. With 32GB, you’re at 50-60% under the same load — breathing room.

If you’re doing frontend or backend work with multiple services, or running Docker Compose with a database queue and a couple Node services, 32GB lets you keep everything open and switch between tasks without the beachball. It’s not life-changing for light work, but for any real dev setup it’s a noticeable upgrade.

Don’t overthink it. Get 32GB and move on.