Is 256GB Enough for MacBook

Why it's important to choose a MacBook with the optimal storage size

There are lots of options when you buy a MacBook, but you can’t modify its specs after purchase. It’s not like a traditional desktop computer, where you can replace a hard drive, add more RAM, or change out a graphics card. So, before you make your purchase, be sure that 256GB is enough for your MacBook—you can’t add more storage space later on.

What takes up the most space on a Mac?

To work out whether 256GB is enough for your MacBook, you’ll need to know which files take up the most space. Photos, audio, and video are usually the biggest files on your Mac. Other documents, such as spreadsheets and Word documents, are usually much smaller.

Your applications are another culprit. Apps vary in size, but if you’re a gamer, you’ll often find that games take up a lot of your hard disk space.

Of course, your files and software aren’t the only thing on your Mac. macOS also takes up some of that storage. Check out our article on how much storage macOS takes up.

Find out what takes up the most space on your Mac by going to Apple menu > System Settings > General > Storage.

A note from our experts:

 

Every MacBook user is unique and uses their device for their purposes, so it’s hard to say whether 256 GB is enough. Anyway, when your Mac’s storage is decreased, scan your device for junk with MacKeeper’s Safe Cleanup to remove unneeded files safely.

 

Here’s how to use MacKeeper’s Safe Cleanup:

1. Download MacKeeper.
2. Open MacKeeper and choose Safe Cleanup from the sidebar.
3. Click Start Scan.
4. Select the files you want to remove and choose Clean Junk Files.

Is a 256GB MacBook right for you

Everyone is different, so the right storage capacity for you might not be the best choice for a friend or colleague.

I’ll explain some factors that affect how much storage space you need so you can decide if a 256GB SSD is enough for your Mac.

If you currently have a Mac and you’re happy with its storage capacity, you could look for a new MacBook with the same amount. Learn how to see how much storage you have on a Mac.

1. Based on the user's occupation

Are you planning to use your MacBook for work? This could affect whether a 256GB SSD is enough for your Mac.

As a writer, my work documents don’t take up very much storage space. However, if you’re a photographer or want to use your Mac for video editing, you’ll need a Mac with a much larger storage capacity.

2. Where do you use your MacBook most often

If you mainly use your MacBook at home, you’ll easily be able to connect to a cloud-based storage solution or attach an external hard drive for additional space. But if you regularly work on the go, this could be more tricky—and you might need more storage space.

3. Are you a user actively involved in file management

Are you someone who regularly removes junk files and unnecessary folders? Or do you let temporary files, old versions of documents, and other unneeded files build up?

If you keep every file you’ve ever created, you’ll need a MacBook with a larger capacity (over 256GB).

If you’ve not tried to free up disk space on a Mac before, there’s an easy way to increase the amount of storage you have available.

MacKeeper’s Safe Cleanup is a Mac cleaner that scans your hard drive for junk files, such as caches and logs, mail attachments, unnecessary language files, and trash. You can remove these files with just a few clicks—potentially freeing up gigabytes of space!

4. Using external and cloud storage

Can you buy more disk space on Mac? Unfortunately, as I’ve mentioned, you can’t expand the storage space on your MacBook.

However, you can use external storage to keep more files.

Either an online cloud-based service, such as iCloud, or an external hard drive will let you store plenty of files. When you need to access them, simply download them from the cloud or plug in your external hard drive.

If you’re happy with external storage, you might find that 256GB is enough for your MacBook.

5. Are you making a backup

Do you use other Apple devices, such as an iPad or iPhone? If you want to use your MacBook to back up its contents, you’ll need a larger storage capacity.

6. Factor in the price

If you’re buying a new MacBook in 2024, you’ve got a lot of decisions to make.

If you choose a MacBook Air, you have the following options:

• Size: 13 inch or 15 inch
• Processing chip: M2 or M3
• RAM: 8GB or 16GB
• Storage space: 256GB or 512GB

If you choose a MacBook Pro, you have the following options:

• Size: 14 inch or 16 inch
• Processing chip: M3, M3 Pro, or M3 Max
• RAM: 8GB, 16GB, 18GB, 36GB, or 48GB
• Storage space: 512GB or 1TB

As you can see, a 256GB MacBook Air is the entry-level option. But even that comes at a price of $999. It’s not a cheap purchase.

A friendly reminder: If price is a concern for you, a 256GB MacBook Air might be the best option. After all, you can always use cloud storage.

7. Think about the future

You might think 256GB is enough for your MacBook now—but will you still be happy with that decision in five years?

If you take care of your MacBook, it should last you many years. If you’re planning to start video editing next year, you might find that a 256GB SSD isn’t enough in the future. Even if you don’t have big new plans, years’ worth of apps, photos, and other documents will add up.

If you want to truly future-proof your MacBook, you might want to consider one with a larger storage capacity.

Conclusion

Whether a 256GB SSD is enough for Mac users is a personal choice. It depends on how you use your MacBook. But it’s an important decision because you can’t add more storage space later on—although you can use external solutions.

If you’re running low on space, you don’t need to buy a new MacBook. Instead, why not try MacKeeper’s Safe Cleanup? It scans your Mac for unnecessary files and helps you remove them, freeing up space and allowing your computer to run smoothly again.