2019 MBP 16" i9 (64GB RAM) still useful for virtual machines?

[TheOutlier]

Obviously, the new MacBook Pros with the M2 Max are alluring. 96GB RAM is a beast.

However, despite that...I'm considering picking up a used 2019 16" i9 (64GB RAM) to run virtual machines.

Dumb choice? Perhaps. But the "value" I'd be getting at the used, secondhand price seems *decent* enough.

Just wanted to know if anybody else here is currently using a MacBook Pro 16" i9 (2019) with 64GB RAM for virtual machines? What's been your experience?

 

[dmeier1231]

I have a a 16" MBP i9 with 64GB RAM. I use it to run several Windows VMs in Parallels, including Windows Server, for virtual labs and whatever software isn't Mac compatible. I also run bootcamp and use it to game a little here and there in native Windows. It honestly does pretty well, and if I were to buy a new MBP with the M2, I would probably make this a pure Windows machine.

 

[FreakinEurekan]

I suppose if you’re running Windows, it would make sense. Otherwise, no. Price should be VERY good to even consider it.

 

[TheOutlier]

I have a a 16" MBP i9 with 64GB RAM. I use it to run several Windows VMs in Parallels, including Windows Server, for virtual labs and whatever software isn't Mac compatible. I also run bootcamp and use it to game a little here and there in native Windows. It honestly does pretty well, and if I were to buy a new MBP with the M2, I would probably make this a pure Windows machine.

I suppose if you’re running Windows, it would make sense. Otherwise, no. Price should be VERY good to even consider it.

Could the M1/M2 models also run virtual machines and Windows or is it that much difficult to do so with them?

 

[kasakka]

I am using exactly that machine, in fact I've used it for many years now. I mostly use it with Docker containers but yeah, it has done..alright I suppose.

The real issue with the machine is external display handling. The damn thing starts to get hot and noisy by doing nothing more than plugging in a 4K monitor. Doesn't matter if it's via USB-C to DP, HDMI 2.0 port etc, the GPU power usage goes up and it gets noisy and hot.

 

[46boomerang]

Could the M1/M2 models also run virtual machines and Windows or is it that much difficult to do so with them?

I have the M1 Pro and with Parallels 18 installed. I run Debian, Windows 11 Pro 2H22 and Ubuntu VMs. You will need to run ARM versions of those guest OSes. I'm surprised on how fast they run and how fluid the graphics are. Windows also surprised me because I'm running really proprietary (UiPath) software that I thought would never run in ARM...but it works flawlessly.

Difficult to setup? I didn't think it was but "difficult" is a relative term I suppose.

 

[ondioline]

I had the i9 before I ditched it for the 16 M1 Max. It’s perfectly fine compute wise. I did heavy docker and WSL (on Windows 10) usage with zero issues. Parallels + Bootcamp is also very slick.

That said, I hated it because the fans were literally always running. It’s a really bad, annoying shrill sound. Doing anything with the GPU makes the situation even worse.

I heard the 5600M versions were slightly better heat/voltage-wise so I’d make sure it has that.