Apple Intelligence Taking up 30GB+ on Some Macs Running macOS 27
AI-summarised brief · reviewed before publication
Apple’s macOS 27 Golden Gate automatically installs a large AI model, making Apple Intelligence mandatory on all Macs. The model can occupy up to 14 GB on M3‑or‑newer Macs with 12 GB RAM, and up to 8 GB on older machines, yet real‑world tests show much higher usage: 22.42 GB on an M3 MacBook Air, 20.67 GB on an M4 Pro Mac mini, and over 30 GB on some devices. Apple’s support documents do not explain the discrepancy or why models below the stated minimum still consume excessive storage. The issue raises concerns about storage management and user control.
💡 Why It Matters
- · The unexpected storage drain undermines user confidence in Apple’s promised efficiency, potentially forcing owners to delete files or upgrade hardware to accommodate the AI model.