Advice on options for potential first time MacBook buyer.

[nobodyhome]

So I'm looking for advice. I'm sure posts like these are common, but if anybody can share their expertise with me for just a small moment I'd appreciate it.

So for various reasons I'm thinking of getting a MacBook. Sticker shock aside I'd like to make sure I'm getting a suitable MacBook for my needs. I've done some research and concluded I should probably get an Intel based one since as I understand you need the Intel processors to Windows as well (though not a heavily as the Mac side of things) via Boot Camp. I was looking at the 16" MacBook.

What I'm really hung up on are the Graphics and Memory options. I read that the 5500M graphics runs louder and hotter with high graphic demands. How bad and when running what kind of software? Should I get the 5600M to prolong the life/usage of the laptop?

I would primarily be encoding videos (mostly for vhs to digital and maybe some hd encodes), digital illustration and graphic design in applications like Illustrator and Clip Studio Paint, maybe some video editing, and obviously watching movies in hd.

Sometimes I have to download large files that take a long time because of our internet and I would probably need to leave the laptop on for a long while. Does that impact either of those options?

Excuse my ignorance and thank you for any input.

 

[mmkerc]

My first question is are you sure you need to run windows and if so what programs do you need to run. The reason I ask is the M1 Macs in my opinion are a step-change in computing power, and Mac's are generally far superior to windows in terms of graphic and video editing and when running native M1 app are amazingly fast. In terms of downloading that should not be an issue.


I do not have an opinion on the 5500 vs 5600 graphics question.

 

[nobodyhome]

I use a handful of Windows-only software. I've spent the past few days looking for alternatives or how to run them on a Mac without much luck. My sister has been kind enough to let my occupy her MacBook to "get a feel" and to see if I can do what I need without Windows. I'm not a Windows-only person and prefer Macs, but some of the things I have used recently just won't run on it. The Windows-only ones aren't big mainstream applications. They're bits written by individuals without any Mac ports or support. I don't need Windows to do a lot of heavy lifting, I just need to be able to run those small executables. Oh and I tried Wine and they didn't quite work properly. So I'm more or less settled on the Intel based. I'm just unsure about how the various Graphics and Memory options translate to what kind of use and demands.

I've read about the M1 and know its pros, but everybody has different needs and mine partially align with Windows.

I'm probably going to use the Mac side for most of the heavy lifting (digital illustration, encoding, graphic design, mild video editing, etc.). The Windows is just for those small unsupported, but super helpful programs.

 

[mmkerc]

Understand, as mentioned I have no experience on the different graphic opinions, though in general, I buy the best that I can afford. Sorry I could not help more.

 

[nobodyhome]

No worries. You did make me want to research a different angle of the M1 vs. Intel question. I didn't know there was something called CrossOver which may suit my needs. Now I have a new question (since I need a computer sooner rather than later). Which is batter? A 13" M1 or a 16" i9? More research ahead; not that I mind.

 

[mmkerc]

Its been a few years but Parallels worked well a few years ago when I used it. They are still working on the full conversion to the M1 chip but they apparently have ported it so you should check that. As far as the M1 to intel chip, everything I have read is the M1 blows away the intel. I replaced a 2013 Mac Pro Quad core Xeon 3.7 Ghz desktop with a M1 Mini 16Gb, 1TBSSD and it blows away the Pro. I do not do a lot of video work, just short 1-3 minute clips but the mini is at least 3 times faster at rendering. Have fun wi your research.

 

[MacGizmo]

When it comes to graphic design and video editing, you're best off spending a little more now to not only improve the performance of the Mac doing these tasks, but also prolong the life of the computer for your use.

I have the 16" i9 with 32 GB RAM, the 5500 video card with 8 GB VRAM and 2TB SSD storage. This setup allows me to work on huge layered PSD files with more than acceptable screen redraw times, and fast video editing/encoding (which admittedly I do a small amount of).

That being said, the new M1 Macs are blazing fast compared to the older Intel Macs like the 16" i9 Macbook Pro or current iMacs. It's not even comparable. Even running software in the emulation mode, they run faster than the same apps running natively on the Intel Macs (with some exceptions). BUT, you currently can't run any Windows emulation software on the M1 Macs—Bootcamp included.

When it comes to Mac purchases, I believe in getting the absolute most I can afford now to avoid the desire or need to upgrade sooner than I wish. Traditionally, that would mean getting the M1 Mac now... but I'm not sure that's the smartest move at the current time. Were I in your shoes, I would get the most powerful Intel Mac I could afford now and get 4 to 6 years of use out of it. By the time you're ready for an upgrade, the Apple-made processors will be much more mature and probably run everything you need at even faster speeds. Plus, any modern app will have been updated to run natively on the Apple processors by then.

 

[ght56]

I went the route of the 5600M after first purchasing a 5500M 16-inch MacBook Pro and then returning it. The power draw and subsequent heat (and its impact on noise and performance) led me to do this and it is a decision I am very happy with, as I like my 5600M MacBook Pro a lot. If you are getting a 16-inch now, I highly recommend considering the 5600M if you are in a situation where you use the discrete GPU frequently (if you are using an external display, then the dedicated GPU will always run in this setup. It will also run when manually enabled or when using apps that demand high levels of graphics performance.) If you are mainly using the integrated GPU, this upgrade is a much harder pill to swallow.

I can't say if it will prolong the life or not, but the 5600M system runs much cooler when on the discrete GPU (and is quieter), has substantially better performance, and gets better battery life (when using the discrete GPU on battery power).

It is worth noting that Windows 10 for ARM is now being virtualized on M1 Macs, although it is still in its very early stage and not all x86-64 Windows apps will work properly. Additionally, it is likely the 16-inch MacBook Pro will see some sort of an update to a SoC that is even faster than the M1 within the next year, and possibly sooner than later.

 

[MacGizmo]

...I can't say if it will prolong the life or not, but the 5600M system runs much cooler...

Your reply tells me that I should have been more clear in the first paragraph of my comment just previous to yours. By "prolong the life of the computer for your use" I was referring to the usefulness to the user over a period of time, not the physical life of the computer due to running cooler.

In other words, a typical user of this type is likely to use the computer longer (therefore getting more value for the $) if it has more RAM, more storage, a better video card, a larger screen, etc. than if he/she went with the bare minimum or lesser-spec'd Mac.

 

[ght56]

Your reply tells me that I should have been more clear in the first paragraph of my comment just previous to yours. By "prolong the life of the computer for your use" I was referring to the usefulness to the user over a period of time, not the physical life of the computer due to running cooler.

In other words, a typical user of this type is likely to use the computer longer (therefore getting more value for the $) if it has more RAM, more storage, a better video card, a larger screen, etc. than if he/she went with the bare minimum or lesser-spec'd Mac.

My apologies - I interpreted that incorrectly. My belief is that it will enable a longer relevant service life. With my last two 15-inch MBPs, both became outdated predominantly due to their GPU...not CPU or RAM, and both are functional, but ultimately GPU played a primary factor behind my decision to update.

Of course the unknown here is how quickly Apple Silicon will progress, which is anyone's guess--the reason for the above is due to Intel's stagnation. The M1 models made substantial jumps over the corresponding Intel models they replaced. If each year Apple Silicon advances like the A-series SoC, then presumably all Intel Macs will become functionally dated faster, as apps begin to be built for increasingly faster systems. This could be accelerated if AMD also continues rapid CPU advances.

So while my belief is that it will to some extent, I don't feel confident enough to say that it will on definitive terms. Even if it does not, having the 5600M right now, at this moment, does help my productivity--that I can tell you definitively.

 

[SlCKB0Y]

I use a handful of Windows-only software. I've spent the past few days looking for alternatives or how to run them on a Mac without much luck.

Do you mind letting us know what they are?

I guarantee you, if you are a first time Mac buyer, in my opinion it would be a huge waste of money to buy an Intel Mac at this point in time.

 

[SlCKB0Y]

Which is batter? A 13" M1 or a 16" i9? More research ahead

They will be pretty close in terms of real world performance, but the entry level MBP M1 is about 1/3rd the cost. It will also have at least double, if not triple the battery life and remain cool most of the time.

I've been a Mac user for 16 years and with these new M1 laptops, especially the MBA, you have to totally recalibrate what you understand a thin and light laptop to be capable of. You no longer have to choose between battery life, performance and small size - you can have all three. They are that good.