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KLIPZ

macrumors newbie
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Dec 17, 2024
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Hello, I am considering a MacBook for mostly programming and some VM tasks. The two devices I am eyeing are the following:

MacBook Pro 14-inch - M2 Max 12/30 cores - 32 GB ram - 1 TB for $1899
MacBook Pro 14-inch - M4 Pro 12/16 cores - 24 GB ram - 512 GB for $1799

They are both in New condition.

Which machine would you recommend getting for my needs?
 
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MacBook for mostly programming and some VM tasks
Depending on your exact usage, the VM activity suggests you may need higher RAM and disk space. So I would be looking for 1TB and preferably 32GB - after that consider processor. I doubt you need a Max CPU.
 
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Hello, I am considering a MacBook for mostly programming and some VM tasks. The two devices I am eyeing are the following:

MacBook Pro 14-inch - M2 Max 12/30 cores - 32 GB ram - 1 TB for $1899
MacBook Pro 14-inch - M4 Pro 12/16 cores - 24 GB ram - 512 GB for $1799

They are both in New condition.

Which machine would you recommend getting for my needs?

How big are your VMs and do you plan to run them locally (as in, on internal storage)?

In my experience; with comfortable space for data, applications and a reasonable size Windows VM - 512 GB will be insufficient storage. I did it 8 years ago and even then 512GB was getting tight. Running a machine at 80% plus capacity all the time will increase wear on the SSD as it can't do wear levelling, leave you little free space for temporary use, local backups, VM snapshots, etc. So work out how much data you expect to store, multiply by 1.5 and buy something that size or larger to allow for swing space and some growth.

1GB will be "enough" but maybe tight these days (my previous machine), 2 TB will probably be plenty - but I don't know the size of your specific data. RAM wise, 12GB for a Windows VM is comfortable for day to day stuff but it really depends what apps you plan to run in it.

I did similar with 16GB of RAM and 1TB on my M1 Pro (8 GB windows VM, windows struggled bit from time to time) - but these days I'd suggest 32 GB and 1TB or as much storage as you can reasonably afford. The M-Pro and M-Max machines are still pretty responsive even when you start running into swap/orange memory pressure with virtual machines though.

Whether you need the Max CPU or not will depend highly on what you plan on running on the machine both in and out of the VM; if you want high end graphics that may push you to max. If you want more than 32 GB of RAM you may be pushed to max as well. I wanted 64 GB of RAM in my M4 so max was the only option for me this time around.

For the two machines you mentioned, IMHO the M4 just won't have enough storage to be comfortable unless you plan on running VMs from an external SSD (if not out of the box, eventually when you run out of space). Windows is at least say, 60 GB, plus apps, plus snapshots to roll back to, etc.

If those are the only two choices, I'd go for the M2 Max.

If you're willing to go a little older and be prepared to upgrade again in a couple of years (i.e., either before or when the M1 series goes end of support, if that matters to you), keep an eye out for a high spec M1 Max - they're getting cheap now as a lot of people are upgrading from M1 generation to M4, and they're still a potent machine. You'll be able to get more Ram and more storage for less money. And for your workload, RAM and storage is probably going to be the limiting factor.

The M1 Pro/Max is still a pretty quick machine CPU wise, even by today's standards. I upgraded from M1 Pro to M4 Max, but the reasons were storage space and GPU related for AI/games/etc. to replace my desktop PC (as I spend less time gaming now anyway). CPU wise it was still super responsive. M2/M4 pro will be even better.
 
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1GB will be "enough" but maybe tight these days (my previous machine)
Impressive that you ran with 1GB of space. 😂 I would well imagine it was tight. 🤪 (Yeh, I know, typo. It was worth a little humor).

space for data, applications and a reasonable size Windows VM - 512 GB will be insufficient storage
I have several thousands of pictures, two VMs and some data. I am only using a little under 256 Gig on my machine. Really large data files are stored on external volumes. Not so much for space restrictions, but for convenience of moving between machines.
Running a machine at 80% plus capacity all the time will increase wear on the SSD as it can't do wear levelling
Wearing out of SSDs may have been a problem year ago. But the SSDs of today, while they do wear over time (from writes, not reads) are quite robust. I have not replaced a SSD in the last 5 years and some of them are heavily used. The only ones I replaced was because I got a new machine. I have no idea how much life was left on the SSDs. The life being a matter of how many spare cell blocks have been used.

Windows is at least say, 60 GB, plus apps, plus snapshots to roll back to, etc
I run Windows 11 Pro, the ARM version under Parallels. The space taken for the VM is just a smidgen over 30 Gig. I don't do much with Windows, just a couple of apps that I need that only run well under Windows.

I would advocate that 24 Gig of memory is probably more than adequate. I do a lot of photo work with 24 Gig without issue. In my opinion the 1TB is good option for internal storage. Getting more storage gets really expensive as does increasing the memory.

I would also think that any of the M4 versions is fine. They really are fast machines. The only time I peg the CPU is when importing a few thousand images and Lightroom is building previews. Unless there is a need for Thunderbolt 5 the regular M4 would serve well.
Hello, I am considering a MacBook for mostly programming and some VM tasks. The two devices I am eyeing are the following:

MacBook Pro 14-inch - M2 Max 12/30 cores - 32 GB ram - 1 TB for $1899
MacBook Pro 14-inch - M4 Pro 12/16 cores - 24 GB ram - 512 GB for $1799
If I was in your situation I would opt for the M4 Pro. The memory is OK, the storage is OK. If more storage is needed go with an external drive. External is many times a good choice as the files can be easily transferred between machines. And the big one, if the Apple machine fails your data is safe. I keep copies on the machine and on external anyway that I need to use, seldom use files are stored on external drives.

Just my opinion. It is your money, your choice. I don't think you would be unhappy with either choice.
 
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