The honest answer is that most people are fine with 16GB, and the upgrade that would actually help them is a faster drive.
Where 16GB starts to hurt
Memory pressure shows up first as stutter when switching apps, not as a crash. If you routinely keep thirty browser tabs open alongside a design tool, or run containers locally, you will feel it.
When 32GB is worth it
Video editing above 1080p, large photo composites, virtual machines, and local model work. In those cases the extra memory removes a real bottleneck rather than adding a number to a spec sheet.
How to check before you buy
Open your system monitor while doing your actual work, not while idle. If memory sits above eighty per cent for long stretches, you have your answer. If it does not, put the money into storage or a better display.
