InDesign RAM Limitations

[Molly5EF9]

I have a MacBook Air 2015 which operates on 4GB RAM. Recently I've been unable to download or access Adobe InDesign at all due to it now requiring 8GB of RAM to function. I was able to use InDesign last year but now don't have access to the Indd files I need due to this limitation. The CC app won't let me download older versions of the app either. Has anyone found a solution to this? (Updating RAM is not an option for my device.)

[Robert at ID-Tasker]

Unfortunately, there is nothing you can do with your current configuration.

[Molly5EF9]

Cool. Very nice of Adobe to decide to screw over people like me and lock us out of their Indd files! And not provide any alternatives as there's no mobile version of InDesign! Anyone have $1200 to spare for a PC?

[James Gifford—NitroPress · Accepted solution]

A nine-year-old system is well into its obsolescence mode, probably for multiple reasons. 8GB is no longer any extravagant amount of RAM for modern OSes, much less massively visual, real-time apps. You can probably find a copy of CS6 that will install and need no subscription support.

[leo.r]

You can try to download some older InDesign versions here (don't know how reliable those links are):

https://prodesigntools.com/adobe-cc-2019-direct-download-links.html

[Eugene Tyson]

Times change and things move on with new technologies where 4gb RAM is no longer viable to run the new tech. 8gb is the minimum - but should really be 16gb or more. 

Nobody is screwing you over. 

Tech moves on. 

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/255132621?sortBy=best

[frazzlesnap]

I would give you my January 2006 system with 16GB of ram, but it just encountered an unrecoverable hardware error, so I had to replace it.

[Steve Werner]

Here's what I suggest (since your computer is 9 years old): An Apple refurbished MacBook Air: $849

[Robert at ID-Tasker]

How much RAM? 

[BobLevine]

Even in 2015 that machine was underpowered. While I sympathize with your plight, it's time for a new computer and while you may not want to hear this, there are plenty of Windows machines that will do the job for a lot less than $1,200. 

[Dave Creamer of IDEAS]

I believe that model could also have 8GB RAM but you have to order it installed. So the 4GB was a purchaser decision. 

[frazzlesnap]

My advice for computer purchasing is, if you have to go cheap on something, get a less powerful cpu. Do not scrimp on ram.

[Doc Maik]

-

[goochua]

Here is a question no one answered. What exactly processing wise does InDesign even need 8 gig for? 

[Robert at ID-Tasker]

Here is a question no one answered. What exactly processing wise does InDesign even need 8 gig for? 

By @goochua

You are kidding, right? 

[James Gifford—NitroPress]

I think the real question(?) is in plain sight, there.

[Joshua33487776jq8c]

Hi James, did you publish this title?

[James Gifford—NitroPress]

It's my book, yes.

[Joshua33487776jq8c]

Cool, thnak you for sharing. 

[Joshua33487776jq8c]

Yep, I come to forums to spread my comedy. Thank you for your input. 

[Eugene Tyson]

Here is a question no one answered. What exactly processing wise does InDesign even need 8 gig for? 

By @goochua

Large Files and High-Resolution linked or embedded, take up a significant portion of RAM for smooth previews and editing.

Multiple open documents or lots of pages you have, the more memory InDesign needs to manage them.

Complex Layouts and Typography lots of fonts, styles, and effects (like transparency, drop shadows, etc.) will require more memory.

Complex vector graphics and custom scripts also increase processing demand.

InDesign handles a lot of background processing, like spellchecking, font management, and live preflighting.

Document history in memory to allow you to undo or redo actions. The more changes you make, the more memory is used to store this information.

If you work with simpler projects, you may not feel the full weight of memory requirements, but for more demanding workflows, it's pretty necessary.

[Joshua33487776jq8c]

Hi Eugene, 

Thank you for your thoughtful and enlightening reply. My issue and search for this forum today is due to a student I am teaching only having a machine with 4gig of my ram. We only need them to work through the classroom in a book and unfortunatley will have to search for outside options. 

[Robert at ID-Tasker]

Even on a Mac, 4GB is rather bare minimum for the OS. It might be enough to check email, surf the Internet - but not for any kind of even semi-serious work. 

[Joshua33487776jq8c]

Thanks.

[Eugene Tyson]

4gig is quite low. The min specs are 8gb and 16gb is recommended.