Any Software Engineers getting the new machines?

[Maxim Glukhov]

Hi,

I was wondering if there are any Software Engineers around here getting those new machines, if so which config are you getting and what are you developing with it?

EDIT: Also curious whether you also use a desktop machine, which one is your primary?

 

[EnderTW]

32gb m1 Max. Unity/SwiftUI

 

[Flux386]

I am doing mainly mobile app development and some data science with python on the side. I went for the unbinned M1 Pro with 32gb of RAM

 

[jrichards1408]

Hi,

I was wondering if there are any Software Engineers around here getting those new machines, if so which config are you getting and what are you developing with it?

I do mobile development but use android studio and there isn't any noticeable difference in performance.

Plus I hate the notch and can't game on this or run Linux.

Still on the fence

 

[makzr]

I'll try them at least ...

I'm a .NET + web developer and security aficionado. I work with Linux VMs and docker a lot.
Currently I'm using a M1 MacBook Air with 16GB RAM and 256GB disk.

• The 16GB memory of my Air is already fine. My memory rarely gets under pressure (and even if, I don't notice it). Imho upgrading to 32GB isn't worth the price ... I don't get any real-world benefit out of it.
• The base 512GB disk will be perfectly fine for me. My Air is using 220/256GB. I will appreciate the additional space, but I won't need 1TB.
• However, when working with docker and VMs, I'm constrained by CPU cores. Therefore I'll go with the new 10 core design. If I could, I would upgrade to 12 cores ... maybe with M2
• Since I don't game on my mac and I'm not into video production (lol) I don't care for GPU cores on a MacBook. 8 or 14 cores ... doesn't matter for me. So I go with the base option.
• When working in the office, I work on my MacBook Air connected to a single 32" 4K display. So, it's nice that the Pro can do 2 or 3 screens, but I guess I won't use that .

The biggest upgrade will be the screen:

• 14" always was the sweet spot for me (between portability and screen space). I'm glad Apple finally did what Lenovo did years ago.
• I'm used to 144hz on my large screen ... so I'm glad to finally have 120hz on my MacBook.
• Since I'm working outside sometimes, I'm eager to try out the brighter screens in sunlight.

But to be honest, I don't like the new design. The case looks really fat and bulky.
Personally I could easily give up the SD and HDMI port (I connect to a projector 3 times a year, I have no problem using a dongle for that).
However I don't understand why they didn't add an Ethernet port

I got the feeling that the "Pro" in these machines actually means "Video/Audio Pro", not "Developer Pro".
I will try the 14" model but to be honest, there is a good chance I will return it and wait for the new MacBook Air M2.

 

[yachtmac]

Developer with app on the appstore - I got the 32gb M1 max because it was the only model in stock on launch day- with 32gb ram - really the the Pro with 32 gig ram would do just fine as coding is cpu and ram dependent not graphics dependent.

 

[jrichards1408]

I'll try them at least ...

I'm a .NET + web developer and security aficionado. I work with Linux VMs and docker a lot.
Currently I'm using a M1 MacBook Air with 16GB RAM and 256GB disk.

• The 16GB memory of my Air is already fine. My memory rarely gets under pressure (and even if, I don't notice it). Imho upgrading to 32GB isn't worth the price ... I don't get any real-world benefit out of it.
• The base 512GB disk will be perfectly fine for me. My Air is using 220/256GB. I will appreciate the additional space, but I won't need 1TB.
• However, when working with docker and VMs, I'm constrained by CPU cores. Therefore I'll go with the new 10 core design. If I could, I would upgrade to 12 cores ... maybe with M2
• Since I don't game on my mac and I'm not into video production (lol) I don't care for GPU cores on a MacBook. 8 or 14 cores ... doesn't matter for me. So I go with the base option.
• When working in the office, I work on my MacBook Air connected to a single 32" 4K display. So, it's nice that the Pro can do 2 or 3 screens, but I guess I won't use that .

The biggest upgrade will be the screen:

• 14" always was the sweet spot for me (between portability and screen space). I'm glad Apple finally did what Lenovo did years ago.
• I'm used to 144hz on my large screen ... so I'm glad to finally have 120hz on my MacBook.
• Since I'm working outside sometimes, I'm eager to try out the brighter screens in sunlight.

But to be honest, I don't like the new design. The case looks really fat and bulky.
Personally I could easily give up the SD and HDMI port (I connect to a beamer 3 times a year, I have no problem using a dongle for that).
However I don't understand why they didn't add an Ethernet port

I got the feeling that the "Pro" in these machines actually means "Video/Audio Pro", not "Developer Pro".
I will try the 14" model but to be honest, there is a good chance I will return it and wait for the new MacBook Air M2.

If you work mainly on Linux and docker then why are you even using a MacBook?

Surely something like a ThinkPad X1 carbon would do wonders for you running Linux natively...

 

[makzr]

If you work mainly on Linux and docker then why are you even using a MacBook?

Surely something like a ThinkPad X1 carbon would do wonders for you running Linux natively...

1. Never said that I work MAINLY with Linux. I'm a .NET developer. I use macOS and Windows, more than Linux.
2. I don't work on Linux, I work with Linux. I cannot stand any Linux UI out there and I use A LOT mac software that is just not available for Linux. I use Linux as a server OS (docker images) using SSH.
3. The only Linux OS I'm using via UI is my Kali VM.

 

[jrichards1408]

1. Never said that I work MAINLY with Linux. I'm a .NET developer. I use macOS and Windows, more than Linux.
2. I don't work on Linux, I work with Linux. I cannot stand any Linux UI out there and I use A LOT mac software that is just not available for Linux. I use Linux as a server OS (docker images) using SSH.
3. The only Linux OS I'm using via UI is my Kali VM.

What Mac software do you use?

Most .net devs i know just use Windows as it comes with . net baked in and the framework was designed and created by Microsoft

 

[makzr]

What Mac software do you use?

Most .net devs i know just use Windows as it comes with . net baked in and the framework was designed and created by Microsoft

Since this is going to be completely off-topic now, this is my last answer to you:

You're out of date. .NET Core (1-3) and now .NET 5 and 6 are no longer "baked in". They are completely open source and independent development environments. They don't come with Windows (that was the old .NET Framework).

• However, the "real" Visual Studio is available on macOS and Windows only, not on Linux.
• For developing and testing REST APIs I use Paw (which is macOS only) since Postman became a service-subscription-model.
• I also use graphic tools for vector graphic icons (Affinity Designer) and font-file-related tools that are not available on Linux.
• Our corporate workflow depends on Microsoft applications like Teams, Word, Excel, Powerpoint which are not available on Linux (except for Teams, cloud/browser-based versions are not allowed by company policy).
• And last but not least: performance! (esp when running Windows VMs). I have a Thinkpad X1 (from 2019) here under my desk. It's terribly slow compared to my MacBook Air M1 when running VMs and Docker ... not even comparable...

 

[jrichards1408]

Since this is going to be completely off-topic now, this is my last answer to you:

You're out of date. .NET Core (1-3) and now .NET 5 and 6 are no longer "baked in". They are completely open source and independent development environments. They don't come with Windows (that was the old .NET Framework).

• However, the "real" Visual Studio is available on macOS and Windows only, not on Linux.
• For developing and testing REST APIs I use Paw (which is macOS only) since Postman became a service-subscription-model.
• I also use graphic tools for vector graphic icons (Affinity Designer) and font-file-related tools that are not available on Linux.
• Our corporate workflow depends on Microsoft applications like Teams, Word, Excel, Powerpoint which are not available on Linux (except for Teams, cloud/browser-based versions are not allowed by company policy).
• And last but not least: performance! (esp when running Windows VMs). I have a Thinkpad X1 (from 2019) here under my desk. It's terribly slow compared to my MacBook Air M1 when running VMs and Docker ... not even comparable...

Hey you seem angry at me.

I just wanted to be educated on how a .net dev works on Mac OS.

I was not trying to get u upset.

 

[robinium]

Me! I’m getting the 16 inch 32C Max / 32GB RAM / 1TB SSD. Basically the top preconfigured model.

 

[laligo]

Hoping to get one early next year to get back into iOS dev and audio with Logic too, would ideally do some Android dev on it as well as it's a pretty horrible experience on my current XPS. Hopefully by then some good reports will be out about noise / fan levels and general performance, seems very encouraging so far. Maybe even a good deal or two post Christmas, will have to wait and see.

 

[baummer]

Yes - front-end dev and design. Will be getting a 14" M1 Pro/32GB RAM/1TB SSD later this year/early next year.

 

[nurotic]

I bought the best my money could buy:

14 MBP, M1 Pro, 32GB RAM, 512GB SSD, 10-core CPU

I will be upgrading from a Mac mini M1. Which I had bought because the 13 MBP does not support 2 screens.


Development:

• Frontend dev running builds in Node
• Docker Enviroments for running PHP, NGNIX
• NativeScript Hybrid App development iOS/Android
  

 

[Maxim Glukhov]

I do mobile development but use android studio and there isn't any noticeable difference in performance.

Plus I hate the notch and can't game on this or run Linux.

Still on the fence

Which machine do you currently use?
I also have mixed thoughts on the notch but as the reviews say so far it probably just blends into the background eventually like with the iPhone...

I'll try them at least ...

I'm a .NET + web developer and security aficionado. I work with Linux VMs and docker a lot.
Currently I'm using a M1 MacBook Air with 16GB RAM and 256GB disk.

• The 16GB memory of my Air is already fine. My memory rarely gets under pressure (and even if, I don't notice it). Imho upgrading to 32GB isn't worth the price ... I don't get any real-world benefit out of it.
• The base 512GB disk will be perfectly fine for me. My Air is using 220/256GB. I will appreciate the additional space, but I won't need 1TB.
• However, when working with docker and VMs, I'm constrained by CPU cores. Therefore I'll go with the new 10 core design. If I could, I would upgrade to 12 cores ... maybe with M2
• Since I don't game on my mac and I'm not into video production (lol) I don't care for GPU cores on a MacBook. 8 or 14 cores ... doesn't matter for me. So I go with the base option.
• When working in the office, I work on my MacBook Air connected to a single 32" 4K display. So, it's nice that the Pro can do 2 or 3 screens, but I guess I won't use that .

The biggest upgrade will be the screen:

• 14" always was the sweet spot for me (between portability and screen space). I'm glad Apple finally did what Lenovo did years ago.
• I'm used to 144hz on my large screen ... so I'm glad to finally have 120hz on my MacBook.
• Since I'm working outside sometimes, I'm eager to try out the brighter screens in sunlight.

But to be honest, I don't like the new design. The case looks really fat and bulky.
Personally I could easily give up the SD and HDMI port (I connect to a projector 3 times a year, I have no problem using a dongle for that).
However I don't understand why they didn't add an Ethernet port

I got the feeling that the "Pro" in these machines actually means "Video/Audio Pro", not "Developer Pro".
I will try the 14" model but to be honest, there is a good chance I will return it and wait for the new MacBook Air M2.

I agree that it looks bigger but from the comparison pictures/videos online it's not that bad I'd say. I still haven't seen it in my own eyes so can't really tell.

It does unfortunately seem that Apple's "Pro" branding always refers to Video/Photo "professionals", they do throw a line or two about xcode in their presentation but that's it.
However, I think there's a lot in those new MBPs for us too - better display in all aspects, better keyboard & no touchbar, impressive CPU and more RAM. Thinking about it now, not sure what else would I want in these machines to improve my experience developing software.

Me! I’m getting the 16 inch 32C Max / 32GB RAM / 1TB SSD. Basically the top preconfigured model.

Cool, what are you using it for?

Seems like 32GB is popular for mobile devs and I can totally relate. If you run Simulator/Emulator on your machine along with everything else, 16GB barely cuts it.

 

[PikachuEXE]

14 MBP, M1 Pro, 32GB RAM, 1TB SSD, 10-core CPU

Upgrade from MacBook Pro (15-inch, 2018) which has broken twice (can't boot)

Development:

• Ruby on Rails with RubyMine
• Multiple Browser for browsing and debugging
• Docker for app deployment
• Electron side project (FreeTube)
• Tons of apps nowadays are Electron apps anyway = memory!

 

[jrichards1408]

Which machine do you currently use?
I also have mixed thoughts on the notch but as the reviews say so far it probably just blends into the background eventually like with the iPhone...

I agree that it looks bigger but from the comparison pictures/videos online it's not that bad I'd say. I still haven't seen it in my own eyes so can't really tell.

It does unfortunately seem that Apple's "Pro" branding always refers to Video/Photo "professionals", they do throw a line or two about xcode in their presentation but that's it.
However, I think there's a lot in those new MBPs for us too - better display in all aspects, better keyboard & no touchbar, impressive CPU and more RAM. Thinking about it now, not sure what else would I want in these machines to improve my experience developing software.

Cool, what are you using it for?

Seems like 32GB is popular for mobile devs and I can totally relate. If you run Simulator/Emulator on your machine along with everything else, 16GB barely cuts it.

I currently use a ThinkPad X1 extreme Gen 1 running Linux and also a full desktop threadripper system as at time's were living now, most software engineer in the UK at least, work from home

 

[robinium]

Which machine do you currently use?
I also have mixed thoughts on the notch but as the reviews say so far it probably just blends into the background eventually like with the iPhone...

I agree that it looks bigger but from the comparison pictures/videos online it's not that bad I'd say. I still haven't seen it in my own eyes so can't really tell.

It does unfortunately seem that Apple's "Pro" branding always refers to Video/Photo "professionals", they do throw a line or two about xcode in their presentation but that's it.
However, I think there's a lot in those new MBPs for us too - better display in all aspects, better keyboard & no touchbar, impressive CPU and more RAM. Thinking about it now, not sure what else would I want in these machines to improve my experience developing software.

Cool, what are you using it for?

Seems like 32GB is popular for mobile devs and I can totally relate. If you run Simulator/Emulator on your machine along with everything else, 16GB barely cuts it.

Mostly for data science and machine learning!

 

[ururk]

Full stack web dev (php, MySQL, node/JavaScript, python, apache, AWS, GCP), plus occasional (work-related) 3D modeling/printing. I virtualize via Docker, though I will occasionally pop open VMWare to run Windows.

I decided Windows virtualization wasn't critical, and everything else should just work... though I'm slightly anxious about node module compatibility and am not convinced all of my Docker containers will work 100%.

Work budgets being what they are... I was only able to get the 16GB / 10-core / 1TB 14". Would have preferred more memory... but my Docker containers are tiny and frankly, the 8-core probably would have been sufficient.

 

[HaddockW]

I am buying a 16" Max, 64GB 10 core/32core GPU 1TB.
I am just waiting for EPP pricing discounts to take it down to $3500 versus $3900 for my config.

I have a work issued 16" 2020 MBP, 16GB.
I have a personal 15 from 2016 w/ 16GB.My personal workhorse.

I also have a Lenovo Thinkpad T490. Bought it and upgraded RAM to 48GB, 1TB SSD. I like how you can cheaply upgrade the Thinkpad but other than that, it only runs 3 hours on Linux. So, basically a paperweight.

I am a Full-stack/DevOps architect. So I work mostly with Kubernetes, Docker, microservices. NodeJS, Python, machine learning. I was on the fence on the M1 13 air (to replace my 12" macbook). Waited out a year for all the teething problems and Docker seems to be very mature on Apple Silicon now. If I get 8 hours unplugged, I will be happy. My time is important. I also do a lot of Final Cut pro on the side for fun - Instagram story motion graphics/ drone footage, and a lot of Adobe Lightroom. The macbook fits me perfectly. I dont know how my work issued 2020 MBP is in those environments as I dont do personal things on work issued laptops.

BTW, on average I run about 80-120 containers. Microservices. One app can have at least 40 containers.

 

[thebuckstopswithme]

I am buying a 16" Max, 64GB 10 core/32core GPU 1TB.
I am just waiting for EPP pricing discounts to take it down to $3500 versus $3900 for my config.

I have a work issued 16" 2020 MBP, 16GB.
I have a personal 15 from 2016 w/ 16GB.My personal workhorse.

I also have a Lenovo Thinkpad T490. Bought it and upgraded RAM to 48GB, 1TB SSD. I like how you can cheaply upgrade the Thinkpad but other than that, it only runs 3 hours on Linux. So, basically a paperweight.

I am a Full-stack/DevOps architect. So I work mostly with Kubernetes, Docker, microservices. NodeJS, Python, machine learning. I was on the fence on the M1 13 air (to replace my 12" macbook). Waited out a year for all the teething problems and Docker seems to be very mature on Apple Silicon now. If I get 8 hours unplugged, I will be happy. My time is important. I also do a lot of Final Cut pro on the side for fun - Instagram story motion graphics/ drone footage, and a lot of Adobe Lightroom. The macbook fits me perfectly. I dont know how my work issued 2020 MBP is in those environments as I dont do personal things on work issued laptops.

BTW, on average I run about 80-120 containers. Microservices. One app can have at least 40 containers.

Thinkpad is superior to anything Apple. Fans are part of life. Apple people are just too blind to understand you have to transfer heat somehow. So now Apple is trying to prioritize efficiency by pulling down wattage.

Problem is....outside Apple ecosystem. It is being destroyed by NVIDIA GPU's.

 

[HaddockW]

Thinkpad is superior to anything Apple. Fans are part of life. Apple people are just too blind to understand you have to transfer heat somehow. So now Apple is trying to prioritize efficiency by pulling down wattage.

Problem is....outside Apple ecosystem. It is being destroyed by NVIDIA GPU's.

WTF are you talking about? I put down MY own money and bought a Thinkpad with my own money. It didn't work. I tried. Battery life is abysmal. I can't get any work done. 3 hours is unacceptable. Running Docker and VMs, and cut that down to 2 hours.

And what do you know what kind of work I do.
One project, I had to automate the production of 1000s of videos. Making a web based "After Effects" motion graphic app where users can login to a browser, drag-n-drop and it generates hundreds of videos from a database.

Guess what, I can't run After Effects in Linux. On OSX, I can can run NodeJS, applescript and voila. I have a web based motion graphics platform. That creates hundreds of videos for a Facebook advertister. One ad campaign for a client, the machine is paid off for 2 days of work. So it isn't fanboyism or being blinded. What the eff is a Nvidia GPU going to do for me. Soon, I will be automating and running FCP headless with those ProRes encoders.

Like I said, one project, $4k is like nothing when it is paid for by the client.

 

[EnderTW]

Thinkpad is superior to anything Apple. Fans are part of life. Apple people are just too blind to understand you have to transfer heat somehow. So now Apple is trying to prioritize efficiency by pulling down wattage.

Problem is....outside Apple ecosystem. It is being destroyed by NVIDIA GPU's.

lol what.

Apple performance matches 3080 with 100w less power.

 

[jdslow]

Another .net dev here that works full time on MacOS but deploys software into Linux/Windows environments. I bought the 16 10/32 core machine with 64GB ram and 2TB hd and have been using it since tuesday (amazing machine!).

I run various containers, VMs, IDEs, browsers, and productivity apps (slack, teams, etc) and have been living with 16GB of memory for nearly a decade. I certainly could have made do with 32GB config, but the price difference for 64GB is insignificant compared to my other business expenses, especially if it helps me hold on to this machine comfortably for 3-4 years.

Also to second what @makzr said, dotnet core is actually a really great open source (and cross platform) framework to work with now.