TracerAnalog
macrumors 65816
Yeah, don’t underestimate just how good the M1 Macbooks are! Unless you have a specific need for an Intel Macbook (you probably would know if you did), I would recommend an M1 in any form, pending your budget of course.
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Is a 16” November 2019 MBP i9 a good device?
- Thread starter Makisupa Policeman
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GumaRodak
macrumors 6502a
This device is very good. Dont forget, that you can upgrade later this device with egpu, something that M1 machines cant…so even in 5years with updated egpu you have a solid machine and you can game on it as well in windows…while the current M1 machines will be frozen in 2021 forever
GumaRodak
macrumors 6502a
If you use it for video/photo intensive tasks…and dont forget, that all the heat blame is because of external monitor and that dont look like a very mobile setup 🙂
Pardon my ignorance but are their macOS-compatible GPUs that can outperform an M1 Max?
Sterkenburg
macrumors 6502a
In principle (i.e. in benchmarks), a high-end AMD card can. The question is whether you really want to do that.
Over a certain performance threshold the TB3 connection will be a bottleneck, meaning that expensive top range cards will not give you a great bang for your buck. Add the cost of the enclosure, the large additional power draw and the loss of portability, and the whole value proposition starts looking a lot less attractive.
Also, the assumption that you can just "upgrade in 5 years" by swapping your card might not hold true. Remember what everntually happened with Nvidia after Apple ditched them? They stopped developing macOS drivers for their cards. Now they switched to Apple Silicon GPUs. AMD will certainly receive support for a while but beyond that? Not sure.
I have tried a 2018 i9 + Vega 56 for a while... M1 Max all the way for me 🙂
GumaRodak
macrumors 6502a
The point of egpu is, that the m1 max gpu cant be upgraded. So my intel, with old vega 64 is better imo..and if not with vega, with 6900 for sure..and next year when new M machines will go out, i can most likely outperform it again with new card and so on… the point is, that you can keep the old intel up to date longer as you think
My question is more of the practical side rather than based on specs.
What AMD GPU can provide raw performance that exceeds that of a Max?
To give it a head start let us remove the power requirement of this eGPU. Let it be able to handle as much power as your home town's power plant can do.
When I made the mistake of buying a 2019 MBP 16" I was thinking of getting an eGPU + AMD GPU to make an awesome gaming machine.
But when I started to add in all the cost it just did not make any sense to drop $5,000 for that.
When I saw the 2020 M1 Macs I knew I made a fatal error buying any new laptop since 2013.
Wish I just stuck to a 2013 MBA 13" then upgrade to a 2021 MBP 16"
The question posed isnt whether it can be upgraded or not
The question is can any current AMD GPU that is compatible today with macOS has the raw performance to outperform a M1 Max.
Many here enjoy treating their Macs like a PC. Others may not be keen on it and just want a reliable computer without the headaches of Windows.
Basic75
macrumors 68030
What are your actual requirements? You need to be more clear about what it is that you need. It's hard to give any advice if you don't even know whether you need a laptop or a desktop. What is a computer to you? A tool? A fashion accessory? I don't want to insult, but you did write that you are worried about the design language of the new 16".
That said, the late 2019 16" with i9 is a quite capable machine, it fixes the worst of the problems with the keyboard but unfortunately still has the touch-bar. It will get most jobs done, but it will also get quite warm and drain the battery quickly when heavily loaded, which, reading between the lines, is probably something that you don't do frequently.
Chevysales
macrumors 6502
Yes absolutely is good machine and best used as a notebook with no external monitor IMO (though I never use externals as if that was the case id just use my desktop)... but mine runs great 2.4 i9/32/5500/ 2tb and I have it sold for $2k the day my M1 Max arrives. I did not need a new one as this is fine does all my video and audio. work (and no I don't get crazy fans or heat excessively)... but I'm a fan of new toys.
Many here are somewhat biased (IMO) especially those who never even had one.
Many here are somewhat biased (IMO) especially those who never even had one.
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The touch bar is a great feature IMHO, one reason I bought a 13" M1 MBP vs the new ones.
Sorry for not elaborating further. I’m not a power user by any means. This machine is going to be used as a glorified desktop/hub for family user account backups to external and cloud storage, while retaining portablilty when I want to work in another room in my house, for example. But it will rarely leave my home or even my desk. I have a 12” 2017 retina MacBook for travel, so I’m used to the butterfly/scissor style keyboard and I don’t mind it.
I use my computer for browsing, YouTube, Spotify, streaming Netflix, light music/photos editing, light coding/terminal stuff, and that’s about it.
Edit: re the design language of the M1 Pro/Max: I don’t like the notch, the thicker form factor, the lack of the “MacBook Pro” logo on the bezel, or the black on black keyboard color. I know I’m being an anorak, but I just don’t like it.
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GMShadow
macrumors 68030
I would look at getting the i7 model instead, honestly, especially for your use case. Should be cheaper on the front end too.
I love the M1s, a family member just got a M1 MBA and it’s amazing. I might upgrade my rMB to a M1 MBA someday, but for now, I’m ok with Intel.
Is price the only consideration here? Or does the i9 tend to have the bigger fan/heat dissipation problem?
According to Every Mac, the 11/2019 MBP was a tweak/upgrade to the 2018-19 i9 models with the screen size bumped from 15 to 16”. There was a 05/2019 model with the 15” screen also released in 2019 afaik.
Thanks for the advice. I was looking at the i9 partly because of the 1TB internal SSD option. I like having space to store all of my user accounts locally instead of on externals. Again, I’m being really picky here, but it’s just what I prefer. Call me crazy 😜
Chevysales
macrumors 6502
the 2019 16" MacBook Pro does NOT have the keyboard that caused problems. It was changed and I haven't heard anyone complain about it. I see above someone mentioned it also but its incorrect.
GMShadow
macrumors 68030
The i9 tends to run hotter, yes.
You can get the i7 with 1TB of storage, it's just a little less common.
Chevysales
macrumors 6502
I believe 16" 2019 was Scissor type and the 2018 to 2015? was butterfly. It was the reason I bought it.
Mine is 2tb ssd/32gb Ram/ 2.4 i9 with the 8gb 5500 video card...
I sold it for $2,000 its absolute pristine and when my Max arrives I turn it over.
If there wasn't a new one I'd have no issue keeping it as its been a great laptop for me and haven't had one issue with this one. Apple was offering like $1700 for these on trade so wonder what they sell it for in refurbished store?