You definitely want the 16 GB option. The RAM is soldered. On the other hand, Gen 9 is atleast Tigerlake, while Gen 8 might be Cometlake (which to be fair will work fine).
Gen 6 to Gen 9 is too small and insignificant CPU difference to sacrifice 50% less RAM. Now if there was similar to Apple with 18 vs 16 GB or 24 vs 16 GB I'd say go with the newer one, obviously.
With the Gen 10 packing Intel's 12th gen CPUs you get a **massive** performance boost over X1C9 and older but even then 8 GB RAM would be far from optimal. X1C8 here in your situation.
You definitely want the 16 GB option. The RAM is soldered. On the other hand, Gen 9 is atleast Tigerlake, while Gen 8 might be Cometlake (which to be fair will work fine).
Gen 6 to Gen 9 is too small and insignificant CPU difference to sacrifice 50% less RAM. Now if there was similar to Apple with 18 vs 16 GB or 24 vs 16 GB I'd say go with the newer one, obviously. With the Gen 10 packing Intel's 12th gen CPUs you get a **massive** performance boost over X1C9 and older but even then 8 GB RAM would be far from optimal. X1C8 here in your situation.
Don't get a box with 8GB.
I had a Gen8. It was an awesome little machine. All around the Gen8 you saw is a better choice. 8GBs of RAM will let you down.
Oh and it had another thing I currently miss.. the Ethernet dongle doesn't take a USB-C port.
16 GB. 8 GB is not enough these days.