MacBook for data analytics

[AriGert]

I am trying to buy a new MacBook, but the salesguys I spoke were not able to help much. So now I am looking for people that do know...
My actual Macbook, small, light, 4 years old, can't keep up with my work anymore. I use Tableau to analyse data (works better than you'll expect), but now I have to use Power BI, so installed Parallels. That makes it time to upgrade.

I understood that I really need 16 GB RAM, 512 (or 1T) SSD and preferrably a i7 Processor.
So now Apple gives me 3 possibilties to configure a 13inch MacBook:
1. MacBook Air upgraded to the max (almost) costs here about 1800 euro
2. MacBook Pro basic (2 ports) upgraded will cost 2300 and although the i7 sounds faster (Hz) it is an 8 generation instead of 10th.
3. a better Pro with 4 ports will cost 2300 as well.

So the basic MacBook Pro with 2ports is quick to go. But on my question why it is so much more expensive and what will be better than the Air the salespeople I talked to have no answer.

So my other questions:
For my use (Tableau, Power BI via Parallels) do I really need a i7, or is that for other tasks (like video editting that I don't do)? And will an i5 (quad) do just as fine.
Should I upgrade further to 32 GB RAM to be on the safe side? That is possible with the better Pro, but will drive up the price (+500) and make it a 1000 euro more than the Air. (so more than 50% more expensive)
What are the benefits of the Pro? I read better temperature control?
But are there other benefits, performance wise (or other)? The salespeople say so, but cannot tell what or how.

I would like a nice fast machine, but hope to avoid paying much more for features (gaming, video, graphics) that I don't really use. I do love to have as many applications open as possible though.

Who could answer my questions?

 

[badsimian]

First of all don't bother with the i7 upgrades - they are the worst bang for buck upgrades that exist. Personally I would go for the cheapest 4 port version, upgrade RAM and storage as necessary. Better cooling solution than the two port, better sustained CPU load for your use case. Pro has much better screen and speakers than the Air. 16 vs 32 depends on how much RAM you think you need inside Windows on parallels for your use case.

 

[ght56]

TLDR, if you are specifically wanting the 13-inch form factor, I would personally get a 4-port 13-inch Pro with the base i5 CPU (no i7 upgrade), a 512GB or 1 TB SSD and 16 or 32 GB of RAM. I would lean towards 32GB on the RAM side as RAM is good for virtualization and it is possible that both Windows and macOS could become more RAM hungry in the future.

I would eliminate the Air outright. It is a great computer but not the best choice for virtualization, IMHO, because the cooling system isn't particularly robust and the thermal throttling can be significant. It's not as ideal of a platform for sustained processing. Further, the performance of even the base 2-port MacBook Pro 13 (8th gen i5) is significantly better than the highest spec MacBook Air (10th gen i7).

In regards to the Pro-13, as noted the base 2-port model outperforms any configuration of the Air. However, when we look at the base 2-port versus the base 4-port 13-inch Pro, the base 4-port is a bit of a step up in terms of performance (arguably not nearly as massive as going from the Air to the base Pro). It has a different cooling system, but it has to because the CPU it uses generates more heat. It also has an IO benefit. That greater IO is not just more convenient, but potentially a critical benefit should you want to ever use an eGPU in the future simultaneously with other accessories (e.g., NVMe SSDs.) The IO is the predominant reason I would personally favor the 4-port model, along with better graphics performance (and obviously RAM options).

 

[AriGert]

Thanks. so i5 is good enough especially with the 4-port Pro. that is a clear answer.

32GB understandable advice. but relatively expensive, also because it needs the 4-port Pro.
I wasn't aware of the importance of cooling. And that it is also different between the Pro's.
and the IO impact is new for me as well.
Thanks a lot.

 

[psingh01]

IMO go for at least 32gb ram if you are going to be running VMs. The 13” is 4-core vs 16” 6-8 cores. I never used either software you use, but if you have more cores and more ram you can allocate that to your VMs to get better performance.

Yes it is more expensive but you can’t upgrade them later If you feel you need more. I run many VMs and in the past 16gb was enough, but getting a new laptop in 2020 and wanting it to last for maybe 5 years, 16gb just won’t be enough. Get what you think will meet your needs for however long you plan to have it.

The alternative is to run in boot camp or just get a pc to run this software which maybe cheaper based on what Apple charges to upgrade.