masters of macrumors, help me to chose what to do with my future.

[gifo]

Hello everyone,
lately i've been thinking around the "future" of my computing experience and i'm really struggling to choose what to do.
let's start with a wall of text:
i've been a mac user since like forever.
at the moment i'm using a late 2013 macbook pro 15" with dgpu, 512gb, 16gb ram.
the battery and the gpu are the gratest complaints i've around this machine.
the first is just getting old and should probably be replaced since it's just a little swollen, the second it's a freaking mobile graphic card from 2012, so it just aged poorly.
other than that the display it's still basically perfect, and the chassis has just a few superficial scrathes. it still works great BUT...
for a career change (let's call it like that) i'll be asked to use professional applications that at the current time run only on windows (and i don't think them are going to come on macos in a forseeable future).
those apps are mainly graphics intensive, and here starts the struggle.
the machine still works, better than a lot of more modern pcs but complex models are a PITA to handle.
So i've started to think about my options:

the first option could be to sell my machine and just buy a newer one, (i'm in europe) and i've laid my eyes on a specced out 16" macbook pro: 1tb ssd, 8core option, maxed out graphics and 32gb of ram (just to have long term relaiabilit i guess).
obviously it would be a "big money" option, luckily i would be able to get it at around 2900 euros after taxes BUT for sure having such a good machine and use it mainly for windows would be quite stupid IMHO.

the second option could be "upgrading" my current setup:
1tb ssd (with an adapter and with all the limitations of the nvme drives on non nvme native machines) at around 150euros
a new battery at around 180 euros.
an egpu setup with a more modern card, at around 500euros i suppose (razer core x, maybe an rx 580 and that freaking tb3 to tb2 adapter)
for a total of about 800 euros (1000, adding in good qhd external monitor).
obv this option is the "cheapest" one but also the one with the more "moving parts" that can become a problem.

the third option is probably the smartest one, but also the hardest one:
forgetting about macs by selling my current one and buy a windows machine:
the new xps looks sweet, but since portability is not a daily needing i could even opt-in for a more "bulky" machine with some additional horse power and maybe buy a "cheap mac" of some sort for my personal life.

said that going desktop is not an option,
that portability is a needing but not on a daily basis.
that i love 16:10 displays
that the 16" it's "old" hardware (i think 10th gen is coming soon)
that windows+amd options are getting everyday more interesting
that i don't dislike THAT much windows, actually i think windows 10 it's a great OS so far for me
that i'm in the 2000euros spending range (a little more for the mac but just because i will not be able to upgrade any of the components in the future).

what do you think would be the best option?
thanks in advance,

tl,dr:
macbook pro owner needs to use a lot of graphic intensive windows apps.
what's the best choice between:
new specced out mac ($$$) (*) (+++)
upgrading the current setup ($) (***) (++)
going full windows ($$)(*)(++)
$=money needed *=possibile hassles +=possibile personal satisfaction

 

[maflynn]

I'll be honest, I really didn't read your post, there's just too much there, and I went straight to the tl;dr

If you need to run windows, then the best tool for the job is a windows PC. Dell came out with a 15 and 17" machines, that look fantastic, I'd say they're hitting their stride with products. I also like Lenovo Thinkpads. In both cases, you get more computer for your buck then a MBP

For a Dell XPS 15" i7 with a 1650 Ti , 32GB of ram, and 1TB of storage, I'm seeing a price of $2,1500 A similarly configured MBP would run you about $3,200 (16" MBP i7 with a Radeon 5500, 32GB of ram and 1TB of storage)

I will say running windows on a MBP is possible, but the system and drivers are not tuned to windows, Apple's support is tepid at best with windows, i.e., drivers are not updated, serious lack of configuration of the touchbar in windows, poor battery and heat management, etc.

 

[Invisible Elf]

I've not been very pleased with Bootcamp on my 16", for games mainly though. If I were to mainly be using windows applications, I'd definitely go for a proper windows machine. You mentioned the xps, and it seems like a good alternative.

 

[russell_314]

I've not been very pleased with Bootcamp on my 16", for games mainly though. If I were to mainly be using windows applications, I'd definitely go for a proper windows machine. You mentioned the xps, and it seems like a good alternative.

Agreed. While there are people who actually buy brand new MacBooks to only run Windows that always seemed a bit insane to me. You're paying for macOS and tech support that goes with it. If you want a Windows laptop buy a Windows laptop. I'm not a fan of Dell at all but I do like Lenovo

 

[jerryk]

If you run Windows get a windows machine. The graphics will work better as will battery life.

 

[TravelsInBlue]

I’m in a similar boat, albeit I don’t need Windows apps for editing but I’m on a 2014 MBP, and I’ve held off upgrading because I don’t like the force touch trackpads, touchbar, and the fact that the new MBP’s only have USB-C. I’ve also frequented the forums enough to see too many issues, such as kernel panics with the T2 chip and audio clicking. It just hasn’t made sense to give up my working 2014 and spend $2000+ with too many trade offs.

Add software issues with Catalina and the fact that they dropped 32-bit support, which a few of the apps I use frequently fall into.

I love my Mac, but I know when it dies I’m probably going to get an X1 Carbon or X1 Extreme.

 

[gifo]

wow, thanks evryone for the replies.
for sure is nice to have feedbacks such the one provided by @Invisible Elf
i do really love my mac but i think that the time has come.

 

[fs454]

The 16" is hardly dated. Intel generation-to-generation performance increases are extremely negligible, the 8-core i9 machine is a beast.

At the same time, if you're primarily working on Windows, you should get the XPS or a similar W10 notebook. Power management is kinda wonky on Boot Camp and it cannot use the iGPU, only the dedicated GPU so your battery life will suck. I game on mine when away from my main gaming setup so that doesn't bother me, but if I was using Windows as a primary work environment on my 16" I'd look elsewhere.

Grab the XPS and retain your MBP so you can still use macOS for other things. A late 2013 15" is barely worth $500 these days, if you can afford to keep it, keep it.