14 inch base configs - RAM vs CPU

[4pp13]

Specifically for the 14 inch mbp, what is the better between the base configurations.

More worth it to get the 10 core with 16gb memory or 8 core with 32gb memory.

Use case is some development - running k8s, docker, IDE, etc etc. No video editing or anything like that.

Been some time since buying one of these, everything’s changed. Is it still the case that RAM > CPU power. M1 world seems like it could be different.

 

[Kognito]

Depends how much Docker/k8s stuff you do locally. If you do a lot, you'll benefit from the extra RAM more IMO. The Docker VM can get extremely hungry, especially when running k8s on top in my experience (I gave up trying that with my 16GB Intel Mac long ago).

Otherwise I doubt there'll be much perf-wise between the M1 Pro configs if you're mostly just doing coding.

 

[Roadster Lewis]

I just kept both at base level, but went for 1TB, as I find myself more restricted on storage.

 

[MrGunny94]

I mean I was looking into going to the 10 core CPU 16 Core GPU and staying at the 16GB. It's just a lot of cash to ask for the 32GB of RAM. (500€ here)

 

[GrindedDown]

I was in the same dilemma, but ultimately decided on the 32gb Ram with base cpu. I do a lot of video editing and graphics work, while running a whole other suite of apps. On my old iMac I would constantly have ram hiccups, but cpu wasn’t a problem I couldn’t overcome. I feel performance will be great still on the base and I won’t feel the issues that I may have with going for lower ram.

 

[4pp13]

Depends how much Docker/k8s stuff you do locally. If you do a lot, you'll benefit from the extra RAM more IMO. The Docker VM can get extremely hungry, especially when running k8s on top in my experience (I gave up trying that with my 16GB Intel Mac long ago).

Otherwise I doubt there'll be much perf-wise between the M1 Pro configs if you're mostly just doing coding.

Yes - I feel with this stuff I'm always hurting on RAM. Although, it does show some code problems sooner rather than later. Ansible if done wrong can hold LOTS in memory. If smaller memory, at least you notice the leak sooner.

I just kept both at base level, but went for 1TB, as I find myself more restricted on storage.

My current 512gb is maxed out so did 1TB as well. Wanted 2TB but there's no justification for the price.

I mean I was looking into going to the 10 core CPU 16 Core GPU and staying at the 16GB. It's just a lot of cash to ask for the 32GB of RAM. (500€ here)

Yeah, I think I'm salty on the prices as well just because of the fact that they used to be user replaceable. You can get some quality memory for A LOT cheaper than what apple wants. This feels like a huge downside of SoC.

I was in the same dilemma, but ultimately decided on the 32gb Ram with base cpu. I do a lot of video editing and graphics work, while running a whole other suite of apps. On my old iMac I would constantly have ram hiccups, but cpu wasn’t a problem I couldn’t overcome. I feel performance will be great still on the base and I won’t feel the issues that I may have with going for lower ram.

This gives hope if you decided RAM > CPU even with the video and graphics work. Other than my development stuff, the machine is a glorified netbook to be honest. Could probably get away with an Air but I want proper ports.

I'm still halfway tempted to cancel this order, buy a mac mini and repair the current glorified netbook (think these can have HD and battery replaced, may be good as new for a few more years) - it felt like processor is slow but perhaps it's just actually only needing a reinstallation of the OS.

 

[jclardy]

In your case I'd go with RAM. I do iOS development, and went the other way 16GB + 10 core, but that is because I'm currently living on an 16GB M1 air and I can occasionally hit a ram limit with 10-15 tabs + Xcode + sim + Figma with a few tabs + slack + VSCode + GitHub desktop...usually I only have 3-4 of those open at a time. I also have my iPad mini next to my computer most of the time, so simple browsing/email/video tasks are handled on that. Also I upgrade my laptop way too often.

Basically 32GB of RAM will increase the longevity of the machine much more than the extra 2 power cores as developers continue to get lazier and waste more user RAM