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Macbook recommendation

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Pj0146

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Nov 28, 2021
6
1
Good Morning,

Have been out of the Mac game and had a 2016 MacBook Pro and want something to be able to work from home and connect to external monitors and run windows for work. Do any of you out there have any advice as to if I should buy the M1 and or upgrade RAM? Thanks for your help!
 
Since you are just working from home. It depends on what you do. If you let’s say just for an example, you work for a bank, you don’t need that much memory and an advanced computer. But if you are like a music composer or a photographer, than you do. Upgrading the RAM slot would be a huge upgrade in working. Getting the M1 MacBook may be a waste of money because they are currently working on a new one and there is not much of an upgrade from it. Okay, let me get to the external monitor part. This one is a little hard. If you are on a budget, do not get the “Pro Display XDR.” The Mac Mini isn’t a monitor but it is a secondary or tertiary workstation depending on what you want. So I would say to go for a cheap but fast monitor. Make sure it has a fast response time and has decent graphics. You are also going to need an HDMI input on your MacBook. I don’t remember if the 2016 MacBook has it. I hope this helps and contact me if you need anymore help.
 
MacBook Pro 14".
Smaller than the 16", yes. But easy to pack when traveling.
When home, just plug in your external display.
 
Pj0146 said:
Good Morning,

Have been out of the Mac game and had a 2016 MacBook Pro and want something to be able to work from home and connect to external monitors and run windows for work. Do any of you out there have any advice as to if I should buy the M1 and or upgrade RAM? Thanks for your help!
Click to expand...
With the new M1 machines

If you need to run windows you’ll have to virtually run an unlicensed version of Windows for Arm.

You then will need to check the software you use for work will run under emulation with Windows for Arm.
 
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macsareveryinteresting said:
Since you are just working from home. It depends on what you do. If you let’s say just for an example, you work for a bank, you don’t need that much memory and an advanced computer. But if you are like a music composer or a photographer, than you do. Upgrading the RAM slot would be a huge upgrade in working. Getting the M1 MacBook may be a waste of money because they are currently working on a new one and there is not much of an upgrade from it. Okay, let me get to the external monitor part. This one is a little hard. If you are on a budget, do not get the “Pro Display XDR.” The Mac Mini isn’t a monitor but it is a secondary or tertiary workstation depending on what you want. So I would say to go for a cheap but fast monitor. Make sure it has a fast response time and has decent graphics. You are also going to need an HDMI input on your MacBook. I don’t remember if the 2016 MacBook has it. I hope this helps and contact me if you need anymore help.
Click to expand...
Ok so the M1 would be a waste for this then? If my goal is the be under $1000 would you recommend an intel Mac mini?
 
Pj0146 said:
Ok so the M1 would be a waste for this then? If my goal is the be under $1000 would you recommend an intel Mac mini?
Click to expand...
What windows software do you run?

Are you happy to run unlicensed. Unsupported windows?
 
Pj0146 said:
I am borrowing my wife’s dell that has 10 on it. I guess I am fine with whatever!
Click to expand...
The reason I ask is it’s a pretty key question.

If you NEED to run windows and your software doesn’t run on windows for ram, or you are not happy running an unsupported OS. All M1 macs become an instant Do not buy.
 
I guess ideally I would want it to run windows 10/11 but not needed for heavy video editing. Sorry for all the questions. I appreciate the input everyone!
 
There are way too many unanswered questions here for anyone to provide you solid advice.

For example,

1) Which specific Windows applications do you need to access for work? Can they be accessed virtually via MacOS through something like Citrix, or do you need to be running Windows locally? If you can log in via Citrix, then you may not need to run Windows at all.
2) What is the primary reason why you want to switch back to MacOS after using your wife’s Dell? Are you mostly interested in the efficiency / battery life of M1, or will you use resource heavy applications that require the processing power of M1 Pro / M1 Max and more RAM? Some other reason that would provide insight into your goals here?
3) What is your maximum budget for this laptop?
4) Other than work activities, what applications will you be using on your new MacBook Pro? Photo editing? Coding? 3D Design? Data analysis? Spreadsheets? Video streaming? Gaming?
5) Do you plan to travel and/or use the laptop heavily on battery, or will it mostly be plugged in at home?
6) How many external monitors do you need to plug in simultaneously (you mentioned “monitors” so I assume it’s more than one)? Are they 4K or 5K or 6K monitors?
 
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julesme said:
There are way too many unanswered questions here for anyone to provide you solid advice.

For example,

1) Which specific Windows applications do you need to access for work? Can they be accessed virtually via MacOS through something like Citrix, or do you need to be running Windows locally? If you can log in via Citrix, then you may not need to run Windows at all.
2) What is the primary reason why you want to switch back to MacOS after using your wife’s Dell? Are you mostly interested in the efficiency / battery life of M1, or will you use resource heavy applications that require the processing power of M1 Pro / M1 Max and more RAM? Some other reason that would provide insight into your goals here?
3) What is your maximum budget for this laptop?
4) Other than work activities, what applications will you be using on your new MacBook Pro? Photo editing? Coding? 3D Design? Data analysis? Spreadsheets? Video streaming? Gaming?
5) Do you plan to travel and/or use the laptop heavily on battery, or will it mostly be plugged in at home?
6) How many external monitors do you need to plug in simultaneously (you mentioned “monitors” so I assume it’s more than one)? Are they 4K or 5K or 6K monitors?
Click to expand...


Sorry,
1. I have yet to need anything beyond the ones that come with Windows OS so nothing specific
2.I loved my macbook and the battery/efficiency that my macbook had and want something that can function like that
3. I would like to keep it under $1200 or so if possible
4. I would imagine basic coding/data analysis work but nothing super heavy
5. Mostly plugged at home with some road work a possibility but not a lot
6. I would to clamshell my laptop and use two monitors

Thank you for all the input! I appreciate it
 
Pj0146 said:
Sorry,
1. I have yet to need anything beyond the ones that come with Windows OS so nothing specific
2.I loved my macbook and the battery/efficiency that my macbook had and want something that can function like that
3. I would like to keep it under $1200 or so if possible
4. I would imagine basic coding/data analysis work but nothing super heavy
5. Mostly plugged at home with some road work a possibility but not a lot
6. I would to clamshell my laptop and use two monitors

Thank you for all the input! I appreciate it
Click to expand...
Could you not feasibly just run the Mac equivalent to the windows apps? For every stock windows app, there’s a MacOS equivalent?

iMovie for Movie maker, GarageBand, all the Microsoft apps have the Apple versions (but of course you can get MS office for Apple now).

Is there a specific named application that your work depends on that absolutely has to be in a windows environment?
 
Not that I can find...but based on those recommendations, would the M1 and 8gb of RAM be enough?
 
Pj0146 said:
Good Morning,

Have been out of the Mac game and had a 2016 MacBook Pro and want something to be able to work from home and connect to external monitors and run windows for work. Do any of you out there have any advice as to if I should buy the M1 and or upgrade RAM? Thanks for your help!
Click to expand...
No M-Apple silicon can run Windows legally period.
If you need to run Windows 10 or 11 for work, and you are not self-employed, stay away from Apple silicon Macs.
Get a refurb Intel Mac or get a x86 Windows laptop.
 
Two external monitors? M1 Mini with 16GB RAM, try to find a refurbished one. Eventually the M2 will be released, but no one knows when. Also folks think a M1 PRO or MAX mini will come out, but it could be in January, or it could be a year from now. If you had to buy today, I’d look for a refurb mini, use the savings to buy your monitors. You’re not saying anything specific about what you’re using on Windows, so if it really is just system software, I’m unaware of anything that Windows OS can do by itself that Mac OS can’t do.
 
"I guess ideally I would want it to run windows 10/11 but not needed for heavy video editing"

If you absolutely, positively need to run windows on it (I mean "boot and run" Windows, not just "through emulation")... then don't get an "m-series" MacBook.

I'd suggest the "May 2020" Intel MacBook Pro 13" -- from Apple's online refurbished page. Full warranty and you can buy AppleCare if you want.

These are the last of the MacBook Pros with "Intel inside" and can boot and run Windows if you need to.

I'd suggest getting 16gb of RAM if you can.
 
Pj0146 said:
Good Morning,

Have been out of the Mac game and had a 2016 MacBook Pro and want something to be able to work from home and connect to external monitors and run windows for work. Do any of you out there have any advice as to if I should buy the M1 and or upgrade RAM? Thanks for your help!
Click to expand...
Like others mentioned more or less already: If you need to run Windows for work, an M1 (and any other Apple Silicon) is a no no, because it simply can not run Windows natively. Buy a Windows machine instead. Even the Intel Mac is a bit of a risk these days (it can not run Windows 11 and how long will it be supported?).
 
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