MacBook Pro 16 inch for Virtual Machines

[iNewbie]

I live my life on the Mac, but for work I still do significant portions (Code Development) inside a Windows 10 VM currently using VMWare but I've also used Parallels in the past.

My understanding, which may be wrong is that the M1 chips via Parallels/VMWare should be able to run the ARM version of windows but I've not seen expectations of it running the x86 software.

My current MacBook Pro is from 2016 I think. So I'm considering getting the 16 inch MacBook Pro since it's the last one on the Intel chip to hopefully last me long enough to not need a Windows VM again.

I've seen lots of stuff on the heat issues with the MacBook 16. There's so much to wade through it's hard to find what the status with everything is. Is this just an issue when using an external monitor? Is it some specific types of monitors? Is there an accepted fix of some sort?

Any advice on the 16 MacBook Pro would be appreciated.

UPDATE: One thing to note is I think I'll be getting around $900ish for trading in a 2013 Mac Pro.

 

[Jwpyle3]

I do this also. I just got the 13" 2020 MacBook Pro Intel version for this reason. The M1 looks amazing but would not work now for what I need to do. I'm sure both Parallels/VMWare will support the ARM version of Windows. The ARM version of windows is not available for retail sale yet. For anyone saying that you will never be able to run the x86 or x64 versions of Windows on the M1, I don't believe this. This issue is going to be speed. Right now the ARM version of Windows can run x86 (32 bit code) for older software. Microsoft has also announced that x64 (64 bit code) is in beta and will also be supported in the future. It could be a year or two before a usable product is released that will allow you to run non ARM versions of Windows, but you never know.

Here is a link for the ARM Windows 10 x64 Emulation:

Introducing x64 emulation in preview for Windows 10 on ARM PCs to the Windows Insider Program

Updated 11/16/2021: x64 emulation for Windows is now generally available in Windows 11. For those interested in experiencing this, a PC running Windows 11 on Arm is required. Today, we're releasing the first preview of x64 emulation

blogs.windows.com

Not sure about the heat issues, I did notice that when I got the MacBook that it seemed to run hot and the fans would come on a lot. Ever since OS 11.1 it has been running much cooler and I hardly ever hear the fans. Not sure what changed.

 

[ght56]

If you get a 16-inch, IMO you should invest in the 5600M GPU for your usage scenario. Fusion Pro extensively uses the graphics card to accelerate general performance with Windows 10 when hardware acceleration is enabled. The 5600M is significantly more powerful and significantly more efficient than the other GPUs and the VM runs MUCH better. The computer will be cooler, the UI will be more responsive, and apps will perform better.

Additionally, the 5600M does not have issues with external displays, whereas the other GPUs have an issue where they draw excessive power even at idle, this creates more heat, and it can lead to more fan noise as well as slower CPU performance. With the other GPUs, this excessive power occurs no mater what if you use a display simultaneously with the clamshell open. If you use it in clamshell mode (lid closed), it is kind of a lottery where you can play with different settings and displays, and you might or you might not be able to avoid the constant 20 watt draw.

Currently Parallels has Win 10 For ARM running on the M1 Macs using the Windows 10 Insider Preview. This is still very new, however, and I am yet to personally use it.

 

[pshufd]

If you are very concerned about heat, how about a Dell Precision 7750? It's a thick and heavy Intel system and you could just run macOS in a VM and Windows as the host.

I have been considering an iMac as I already have a big Windows box and the system is designed to run cool and quiet. Big Sur gives me pause though. I'm currently running High Sierra and Mojave on my three Macs as Big Sur has some issues on my systems.

 

[iNewbie]

If you get a 16-inch, IMO you should invest in the 5600M GPU for your usage scenario. Fusion Pro extensively uses the graphics card to accelerate general performance with Windows 10 when hardware acceleration is enabled. The 5600M is significantly more powerful and significantly more efficient than the other GPUs and the VM runs MUCH better. The computer will be cooler, the UI will be more responsive, and apps will perform better.

Additionally, the 5600M does not have issues with external displays, whereas the other GPUs have an issue where they draw excessive power even at idle, this creates more heat, and it can lead to more fan noise as well as slower CPU performance. With the other GPUs, this excessive power occurs no mater what if you use a display simultaneously with the clamshell open. If you use it in clamshell mode (lid closed), it is kind of a lottery where you can play with different settings and displays, and you might or you might not be able to avoid the constant 20 watt draw.

Currently Parallels has Win 10 For ARM running on the M1 Macs using the Windows 10 Insider Preview. This is still very new, however, and I am yet to personally use it.

I've read a bunch about the heat issues and problems there. I saw some videos that said it's worse if certain refresh rates are used. 50hz being worse then 60hz for instance. I don't remember seeing anything about the difference in graphics cards anyway.

I know Win 10 for ARM is coming but in theory would that need all the applications to be complied for ARM?

Thanks!

 

[pshufd]

I've read a bunch about the heat issues and problems there. I saw some videos that said it's worse if certain refresh rates are used. 50hz being worse then 60hz for instance. I don't remember seeing anything about the difference in graphics cards anyway.

I know Win 10 for ARM is coming but in theory would that need all the applications to be complied for ARM?

Thanks!

No, they are working on something like Rosetta 2 to run Intel executables on ARM.