Are modern integrated GPU worth it?

[Glmnet1]

I always discarded integrated GPU when shopping for a computer. I didn't not even consider the 13" MBP because of that. Now I'm wondering if they really are that bad and how much of a difference would I see compared to a discrete GPU?

Benchmarks suggest the Intel Iris Plus Graphics 650 is more than twice as fast as my old 6490M 256 MB. Can I trust those ratings or are iGPU and dGPU not even comparable?

I would be using an external 4k or maybe 5k monitor if I were to purchase one. I'm a software developer, some deep learning (but unless we see a switch to nvidia I'll keep renting VMs for that), some Lightroom/Photoshop and very little Starcraft 2 gaming.

I also considered external GPUs, but it doesn't seem very mature...

I'm weighting the pros and cons of having a 13" MBP + external monitor vs a 27" iMac + iPad with Jump Desktop to replace my 2011 15" MBP. I very rarely carry it now but I need some access to a macOS environment when travelling. No matter what I choose I'm planning to upgrade later this year with the 2018 models.

Thank you,

 

[New_Mac_Smell]

Of course a modern iGPU is going to be a lot more powerful than an older dGPU, you're talking about a 256mb card!

They are better than they used to be, and by all means can be used for very light tasks beyond powering the display. However they are still and always will be significantly less powerful than a dGPU just because of the architecture involved (AMD Ryzen is an exception but is not a typical CPU design).

If portability and the odd stationary graphics use is desirable, then an external GPU is an option. Otherwise if you're looking at the difference between a 13" MBP and an iMac, it'll be night and day and you really can't compare them. Any model will be faster and more capable than the 2011 you're using at same tasks however.

Have you considered a MacBook Air or even a MacBook for your portable option? It'd be better than an iPad (Depending on use) and not much difference in cost.

 

[Glmnet1]

Thank you for your answer. I'm torn between all those options and your post helped!

Otherwise if you're looking at the difference between a 13" MBP and an iMac, it'll be night and day and you really can't compare them.

Yeah, I see the big difference in the specs and I find it very tempting to get the iMac, I'm just not sure if it'll be more efficient and pleasant to use or if I'd just be buying it for my inner geek When I try them in the Apple Store they are both so much smoother than mine but I'd need to use them for a week or so to compare with my workload. Maybe that's what I'll do and return one of them.

Have you considered a MacBook Air or even a MacBook for your portable option? It'd be better than an iPad (Depending on use) and not much difference in cost.

Yes, that could be an option. I just don't like the idea of buying older tech (MBA) as new and for the price of the MB, I'd rather get the base nTB 13" MBP.

Also, I like the idea of having an iPad to access my Mac because the whole reason why I need a portable device is for the occasional emergency support for my clients and an iPad is easier to have with me 24/7 than a laptop, no matter how light it is. I'm not sure how convenient the remote desktop idea would be though...

 

[New_Mac_Smell]

Generally speaking here.

If you have a fixed office location, then get an iMac. You're sacrificing a lot of performance for portability by getting a notebook computer. If the MBP is just going to sit on the desk all day then it's a very expensive luxury to take it out once in a while.

I can't speak for Remote Desktop using an iPad, instinct would tell me not to if I need a desktop OS. I think you could run into all kinds of issues, primarily being connection based. You said it's to support clients in an emergency, can you guarantee you'll have good enough internet performance to be able to remote in, and are comfortable to use a keyboard case with it? For the same price and for the dedicated use, I'd take a MBA - which are available in 2017 models, however if it's just for rare emergency use then I'd get an older model and save the money. It's purely a backup machine and not a daily driver. The base model MBP again would be fine but it is a lot of power to have at hand, if you need that then fine, but do ask if you need that extra power or could spend half the money.

MBP's are great and all but in an ideal world we'd have iMac Pros in the office, and use the MBP when client/site visits are required, or when you need to take the computer home to work. Basic economics means that's a huge expense, so you either sacrifice power for the portability, or the other way around. But an iMac/notebook combo is often a similar price to just a 15" MBP, so do consider it.

You can always as you have suggested do a try before you buy, make sure you're like 90% certain though. I'd grab an iMac and an iPad and see, or just grab/test an iPad in store or ask a member of staff (Occasionally one's have random knowledge) to see how feasible this option would be for you. You can always test the iPad with your current computer for instance.

 

[Glmnet1]

Generally speaking here.

If you have a fixed office location, then get an iMac. You're sacrificing a lot of performance for portability by getting a notebook computer. If the MBP is just going to sit on the desk all day then it's a very expensive luxury to take it out once in a while.

I can't speak for Remote Desktop using an iPad, instinct would tell me not to if I need a desktop OS. I think you could run into all kinds of issues, primarily being connection based. You said it's to support clients in an emergency, can you guarantee you'll have good enough internet performance to be able to remote in, and are comfortable to use a keyboard case with it? For the same price and for the dedicated use, I'd take a MBA - which are available in 2017 models, however if it's just for rare emergency use then I'd get an older model and save the money. It's purely a backup machine and not a daily driver. The base model MBP again would be fine but it is a lot of power to have at hand, if you need that then fine, but do ask if you need that extra power or could spend half the money.

MBP's are great and all but in an ideal world we'd have iMac Pros in the office, and use the MBP when client/site visits are required, or when you need to take the computer home to work. Basic economics means that's a huge expense, so you either sacrifice power for the portability, or the other way around. But an iMac/notebook combo is often a similar price to just a 15" MBP, so do consider it.

You can always as you have suggested do a try before you buy, make sure you're like 90% certain though. I'd grab an iMac and an iPad and see, or just grab/test an iPad in store or ask a member of staff (Occasionally one's have random knowledge) to see how feasible this option would be for you. You can always test the iPad with your current computer for instance.

You're right, I'll go with an iMac and try the iPad. I'm not worried about my mobile internet connection but you're right, there's a risk that my iMac would not be available (forgot to turn it on, internet or power outage etc.). If I don't like it or if I'm too worried I'll revise my budget for a laptop and consider the older MBA.

 

[leman]

The current Iris GPUs in the 13" are roughly compatible to the dedicated 750M of few years ago. More then enough for Starcraft 2.

 

[Samuelsan2001]

You're right, I'll go with an iMac and try the iPad. I'm not worried about my mobile internet connection but you're right, there's a risk that my iMac would not be available (forgot to turn it on, internet or power outage etc.). If I don't like it or if I'm too worried I'll revise my budget for a laptop and consider the older MBA.

I have a friend that used to use an ipad mini for all his on the road work using a remote log in, he was running the software for a company controlling all the text messages sent (billions a day), with a little Bluetooth keyboard it worked extremely well.

 

[Glmnet1]

I have a friend that used to use an ipad mini for all his on the road work using a remote log in, he was running the software for a company controlling all the text messages sent (billions a day), with a little Bluetooth keyboard it worked extremely well.

Do you know which app he used for remote access?

 

[Samuelsan2001]

Do you know which app he used for remote access?

No idea but he was logging straight into their multimillion dollar servers and writing code in unix as far as I could tell.

Admittedly he has swapped to a retina MacBook these days he says the size and weight is similar and it gives him more functionality but he worked on ipad minis for years.

 

[maflynn]

Do you know which app he used for remote access?

I've used gotomypc on my iPad, and its functional, it may be easier with a BT keyboard, but I found to do any sort of work, it was frustrating at best. Part of the issue for me is the screen resolution on my PC vs. what I have on the iPad, plus lack of a mouse hindered me greatly. I can see a keyboard reducing my frustrations greatly but tbh, I have zero interest in connecting to my work network using an iPad. I'm a big proponent of selecting the right tool for the job and laptops are such a better option, that I don't consider my iPad Pro for those tasks.

 

[Glmnet1]

I've used gotomypc on my iPad, and its functional, it may be easier with a BT keyboard, but I found to do any sort of work, it was frustrating at best. Part of the issue for me is the screen resolution on my PC vs. what I have on the iPad, plus lack of a mouse hindered me greatly. I can see a keyboard reducing my frustrations greatly but tbh, I have zero interest in connecting to my work network using an iPad. I'm a big proponent of selecting the right tool for the job and laptops are such a better option, that I don't consider my iPad Pro for those tasks.

I see what you mean, I tried it on a few occasions without a keyboard and it's quite bad. With a keyboard I think it will help but it sure is a compromise. I'll see if it's worth the portability and price difference.

Mouse support in iOS would be great but for now I heard it works with a citrix x1 in jump desktop, I might try it.

 

[sonicrobby]

I love this discussion! Like you OP, I never considered laptops without a dGPU, so Ive always only looked at 15" MBP in the past. But just this past weekend I ordered the 13" nTB macbook pro to give it a go with Solidworks on Parallels (or bootcamp if the performance isnt tolerable with shared resources). I cant wait until it arrives and I can review it on its performance. But in my research I felt highly confident that the new iGPUs should now suffice for the level of gaming and design that Im used to.

 

[Glmnet1]

I love this discussion! Like you OP, I never considered laptops without a dGPU, so Ive always only looked at 15" MBP in the past. But just this past weekend I ordered the 13" nTB macbook pro to give it a go with Solidworks on Parallels (or bootcamp if the performance isnt tolerable with shared resources). I cant wait until it arrives and I can review it on its performance. But in my research I felt highly confident that the new iGPUs should now suffice for the level of gaming and design that Im used to.

Great! Please let me know how it goes.

 

[maerz001]

I love this discussion! Like you OP, I never considered laptops without a dGPU, so Ive always only looked at 15" MBP in the past. But just this past weekend I ordered the 13" nTB macbook pro to give it a go with Solidworks on Parallels (or bootcamp if the performance isnt tolerable with shared resources). I cant wait until it arrives and I can review it on its performance. But in my research I felt highly confident that the new iGPUs should now suffice for the level of gaming and design that Im used to.

I'm using the 2016 MB with parallels and Catia quite well. So I'm sure ur MBP will be fine (except textures and shadows)

 

[Fishrrman]

The MacBook Pro's that "last the longest" seem to be the ones with the integrated GPU's.
The ones that have the most failures seem to be those that have discrete GPU's ...