2018 macbook pro 32GB or 1TB

[vista.john]

I am considering buying a 2018 refreshed MacBook pro. Budget a 2.6GHz higher end base model with slightly upgraded configuration. Need it for running some scientific tools, often analysis of some gigabytes of image files.

Will 32GB worth the upgrade v.s. 1TB SSD? Of course, I can always go for the AppleCare+. I've set my budget within $3200.

Suggestions and comments. thanks!

 

[deeddawg]

Why do you think you need either?

Not challenging you, but folks can't meaningfully answer your question with ZERO info about your needs/usage.

 

[Benlimberlimbs]

Depends on what kinds of programs you are running. I was thinking I didn't need 32 gigs of ram, but checked activity monitor and I routinely use 18-20 gigs (I typically run PS, Illustrator, InDesign at the same time when working on a project)

If you are similar, I would probably get more ram and less HD space, offload the big stuff to an external SSD

 

[mroy16]

If you're debating between more RAM, more storage, and AC+, I would go with AC+. Extending your warranty an extra two years, plus the new accidental damage plan, is a good investment. I'm careful with my devices and haven't needed to use my AppleCare in quite a while, but sometimes your device just has a bad component. With the increasing complexity (i.e. everything being soldered down), simple hardware problems can easily cost more than the entire price of AC+. I wouldn't invest in a laptop without a multi-year warranty at all.

 

[vista.john]

I would need to use it for running some scientific tools, often analysis of some gigabytes of image files. I have no idea how 32GB memory is gaining to help. I am still using a 2012 MacBook pro with 16GB memory.

Thanks for all the inputs.
[doublepost=1531491513][/doublepost]Thanks. That's a great point..

If you're debating between more RAM, more storage, and AC+, I would go with AC+. Extending your warranty an extra two years, plus the new accidental damage plan, is a good investment. I'm careful with my devices and haven't needed to use my AppleCare in quite a while, but sometimes your device just has a bad component. With the increasing complexity (i.e. everything being soldered down), simple hardware problems can easily cost more than the entire price of AC+. I wouldn't invest in a laptop without a multi-year warranty at all.

 

[The Mercurian]

I would need to use it for running some scientific tools, often analysis of some gigabytes of image files. I have no idea how 32GB memory is gaining to help. I am still using a 2012 MacBook pro with 16GB memory.

Thanks for all the inputs.
[doublepost=1531491513][/doublepost]Thanks. That's a great point..

"some scientific tools" is kinda vague, so its hard to know what is best advice. But I am inclined to think 32GB over 1TB drive. Why? Because you cannot upgrade the RAM later, but if you fill up your hard drive you can augment it with external drives, flash drives, cloud storage

 

[deeddawg]

"some scientific tools" is kinda vague, so its hard to know what is best advice.

Maybe @vista.john could post a screenshot of Activity Monitor's Memory tab on the current 2012 laptop with 16GB ram during a time when he's performing a typical workload and again when performing what he considers a heavy workload?

With no concrete info of whether or not there's an existing memory bottleneck it's a bit difficult to say whether or not there's any value to the extra $400 or whatever the upgraded memory costs. We can't tell someone whether they need a 5-seat sedan or a 9-seat SUV if they don't give any info about how many people they regularly transport.

SSD size is pretty simple, what's the current storage usage? 200GB? 400GB? has to use an external drive due to lack of internal storage? What's the expectation going forward? Personally I'd go with 1TB but I know 512GB would be tight given my usage.

Memory? Offhand, I'd say for many people unless running multiple VMs and compilations, the performance difference between 16GB and 32GB ram will not be discernible. There *are* some use cases where it'll make a real difference, we just have no way of knowing if this is one of them. Show actual memory utilization #s using the current Macbook and folks will have something to go on.

 

[DMac0084]

If you can only afford one or the other, get more ram vs more drive space, every time. You can never add ram in the future, in any way. For storage, at least there are options like external usb storage or cloud storage options if that need arises.

 

[vista.john]

Thank you all for the wonderful inputs and insightful discussions. In the end, I bought a 2017 15 inch with 512 SSD, 16GB with Applecare+. Thanks deeddawg for the suggestion of checking activity monitor. It turns out that my 2012 with SSD performed okay even with heavy workload. My bet is that a 2017 should be good enough in that case. Saved me a lot of $$$.

Thanks again!

 

[deeddawg]

Thank you all for the wonderful inputs and insightful discussions. In the end, I bought a 2017 15 inch with 512 SSD, 16GB with Applecare+. Thanks deeddawg for the suggestion of checking activity monitor. It turns out that my 2012 with SSD performed okay even with heavy workload. My bet is that a 2017 should be good enough in that case. Saved me a lot of $$$.

Thanks again!

Congrats. Test the heck out of it during your return period to verify your ram assessment was correct, but I'd be surprised if it wasn't. Glad you looked at actual utilization, that money will be useful elsewhere. Bottlenecks are often other than RAM, though there are certainly some use cases where 32GB is needed.

 

[RaceTripper]

I would need to use it for running some scientific tools, often analysis of some gigabytes of image files. I have no idea how 32GB memory is gaining to help. I am still using a 2012 MacBook pro with 16GB memory.

Thanks for all the inputs.
[doublepost=1531491513][/doublepost]Thanks. That's a great point..

I'm a software engineer building scientific tools, and just ordered a 2018 MBP. I opted for the i7 and 32GB RAM with the std 512 GB SSD. I don't know that I will need/use the memory now, but I might very well in the future if I need to run some VMs or other memory intensive work. As for storage I can always offload some less-used stuff to cloud, git or external SSD storage, but I can never fix not getting enough RAM.