Switching from Macpro 6.1 to a MBP 16"... Is it a good idea or not?

[CC88]

Dear all

I'm thinking of switching from my MacPro 12 core, 64gb ram, 1tb ssd, dual D700 card to MBP 16 maxed out with 64gb of ram, the 2.4ghz i9 and external GPU.

I'm using my Macpro for Blender/Modo work, FCPX, Lightroom and Photoshop.

Will I have problems calibrating my external monitor using an eGPU? Can I use the mbp with bluetooth mouse and keyboard in clamshell mode and let it stay in stop without problems (say it wake up occasionally etc)?

I will attach also two external drive for backup (two raid thunderbolt 2 enclosure). Do they work fine with tb2 to tb3 adapter?

I will use the mbp 80% of the time attached to the power adapter and occasionally out of home.

The main reason for the change is that I can have a reasonable amount of money from my macpro now and not in the next two or three years, I can have a machine I can use also out of home when I need it and maybe it's also a much modern one.

Unfortunately at time of writing the new macpro it's too priced for my needs.

Can you help? Any suggestions?

Thanks a lot.

 

[Fishrrman]

I'd keep the Mac Pro for now, and get the 13" MacBook Pro instead for "portable needs".

If you need to keep costs down, consider getting one from the Apple refurbished store.

 

[chrono1081]

Dear all

I'm thinking of switching from my MacPro 12 core, 64gb ram, 1tb ssd, dual D700 card to MBP 16 maxed out with 64gb of ram, the 2.4ghz i9 and external GPU.

I'm using my Macpro for Blender/Modo work, FCPX, Lightroom and Photoshop.

Will I have problems calibrating my external monitor using an eGPU? Can I use the mbp with bluetooth mouse and keyboard in clamshell mode and let it stay in stop without problems (say it wake up occasionally etc)?

I will attach also two external drive for backup (two raid thunderbolt 2 enclosure). Do they work fine with tb2 to tb3 adapter?

I will use the mbp 80% of the time attached to the power adapter and occasionally out of home.

The main reason for the change is that I can have a reasonable amount of money from my macpro now and not in the next two or three years, I can have a machine I can use also out of home when I need it and maybe it's also a much modern one.

Unfortunately at time of writing the new macpro it's too priced for my needs.

Can you help? Any suggestions?

Thanks a lot.

I have a similar use case and I have no issues. I use Modo, Mari, ZBrush, Substance, Houdini, FCPX, and the Affinity suite with zero issues. I couldn't justify the cost for the new Mac Pro so I went the 16 inch route. I have a maxed out 16 inch (2019 model) and love it.

 

[G5isAlive]

I bought a MacBook Pro 16" and use it in clamshell mode 99% of the time. Maybe 99.5%. It has occurred to me I could have saved money and gotten a better computer if I had bought a Mac Mini or even iMac instead. Hear me out.

I too do need a portable device from time to time, but already own one. My iPad Pro fills that need for me these days. I like iPads for a variety of uses, been using them for years for web browsing etc (hate using laptops on my lap, only use them on a desk), so I already had the iPad.

About clam shell mode, yes you can use your laptop this way, but even though numerous people say there is no problem, it does seem to run hotter for me. It has been shown that once you hook up an external monitor to a 2020 MacBook Pro it does get warmer. At the end of the day, a laptop is designed from the ground up to be a laptop. Portable. With its own screen. And battery. You CAN hook up a lot of things to it, but there are trade offs (heat). People complain about that all the time here, they don't like the tradeoffs but expect a laptop to ignore the law of physics, and behave the same as a desktop.

So yeah, I sit here at my desk with my 2020 MacBook Pro 16" in clamshell mode looking at my 27" LG screen, typing on my separate Apple keyboard, using my wireless mouse, hooked to a dock to make it easier to connect to the internet (wired), time machine hard drive, and card reader. The top has dust on it.

I am essentially paying for a screen, trackpad, battery, and keyboard I never use. And you already have these as external devices hooked to your Mac Pro, and you said you wanted to hook up your monitor to it.

So, let's compare shall we. A base model 16" MacBook Pro, 2.6 Ghz, 6 core, i7, 16 gb ram, 512 mb SSD, costs $2399.

for $200 LESS, I can get a 3.2 Ghz, 6 core, i7, 32 gb ram, 1024 mb SSD, AND 10 gigabit ethernet. it is not a completely fair comparison gen 8 processor (Mac mini), not as good graphics (internal, but you said you were thinking GPU), but still.

OR if you need that 10th gen chip.. for still $200 less you can get a 27 inch iMac, 3.2 Ghz, 6 core, i5 (10 gen), 16 gb ram, 512 mb SSD.

See my point? You have been doing fine without a laptop. Sure it sounds great to be portable, but there are tradeoffs. You can get a better machine for less money if you give up the portability. Sure you need that?

 

[CC88]

I have a similar use case and I have no issues. I use Modo, Mari, ZBrush, Substance, Houdini, FCPX, and the Affinity suite with zero issues. I couldn't justify the cost for the new Mac Pro so I went the 16 inch route. I have a maxed out 16 inch (2019 model) and love it.

Thank you very much for answering. Really appreciated and very interesting use case. Do you use Modo render engine and preview? Does it spin fan all the time?

 

[CC88]

See my point? You have been doing fine without a laptop. Sure it sounds great to be portable, but there are tradeoffs. You can get a better machine for less money if you give up the portability. Sure you need that?

Very good points. Thank you very much for your words. You are totally right. I want to use a laptop as a desktop 99% of the time. Not a good idea for sure.

At time of writing I have found one person interested in my 2013 macpro at a reasonable price (I think I will never find another one in the future, it's not simple to sell a machine like that).

I have owned a Mac Mini in the past (late 2012 model) and it was a great machine... A really great one. But I think the one in store at the moment has an older CPU and components for the price. Also it has lower multi-core value than an i9 mbp. Sure it cost 1800 euro with base upgradable ram and 1tb ssd.

So I thought I can buy a macbook pro, use it one or two years waiting for ARM transition and then give it to my wife (she need a portable device) for replacing her old HP notebook ( don't take me for a fool, also intalling windows on it).

I own an iPad Pro + Pencil 2 at the moment but the feeling didn't start so much that I thought I'd sell it and get a less performing model like an air or the new rumored one.

 

[CC88]

I'd keep the Mac Pro for now, and get the 13" MacBook Pro instead for "portable needs".

If you need to keep costs down, consider getting one from the Apple refurbished store.

Thank you very much for answering...

I have found one person interested in my 2013 macpro at a reasonable price... My doubt is that I can't find another one in one or two years waiting ARM transition.

 

[Yebubbleman]

Dear all

I'm thinking of switching from my MacPro 12 core, 64gb ram, 1tb ssd, dual D700 card to MBP 16 maxed out with 64gb of ram, the 2.4ghz i9 and external GPU.

I'm using my Macpro for Blender/Modo work, FCPX, Lightroom and Photoshop.

Will I have problems calibrating my external monitor using an eGPU? Can I use the mbp with bluetooth mouse and keyboard in clamshell mode and let it stay in stop without problems (say it wake up occasionally etc)?

I will attach also two external drive for backup (two raid thunderbolt 2 enclosure). Do they work fine with tb2 to tb3 adapter?

I will use the mbp 80% of the time attached to the power adapter and occasionally out of home.

The main reason for the change is that I can have a reasonable amount of money from my macpro now and not in the next two or three years, I can have a machine I can use also out of home when I need it and maybe it's also a much modern one.

Unfortunately at time of writing the new macpro it's too priced for my needs.

Can you help? Any suggestions?

Thanks a lot.

If you need portability but only 1% of the time, I'd get a refurbished 2-port 2020 13" MacBook Pro or a 2015 13" MacBook Pro. I'd then either (a) keep your Mac Pro, (b) sell it and get a refurbished iMac Pro, or (c) sell it and get a beefed up 2020 27" iMac (8-10 core; and whichever combination of internal and external GPUs tickle your fancy). Getting a 16" MacBook Pro to mostly replace a desktop and not really get much portability benefit is hamstringing yourself for no real good reason.

 

[CC88]

Not a good practice for sure and not my usual way of doing things but I can also buy an amazon warehouse 16" i9 with 16gb of ram, see how it works for one or two weeks and then decide... Unfortunately it's the only way I can think of to try it.

I don't like the iMac. I own a 32" 4K monitor for video and photography that I want to keep. I don't like AIO.

 

[CC88]

BIG problem. Do I need to buy two apple tb2 to tb3 adapter to drive my two thunderbolt 2 external raid or there is a cable from tb3 to tb2 an hub or something else?

 

[monokakata]

If you're thinking about trying a 16" with a view toward returning it if it's not what you need, maybe you should consider doing the same thing with an iMac. You said you don't like AIO, I know.

Back in 2015, my 5.1 Mac Pro was giving a lot of trouble, and I'd just spent 2 weeks traveling and working entirely on my MBP 15" (retina). When I got home I was so attached to the retina screen that I ordered an iMac. I had always resisted that. Like you, there was just something about AIO I didn't like.

It didn't take me long to change my mind. The screen, of course was a big part of it. I'd been worried about storage (I got a 1 TB SSD model) so I picked up a 4-bay TB2 enclosure and put the MP's disks in it, and that setup was just fine.

The first iMac served me well, as has the iMac Pro that replaced it.

Bottom line is that at least one AIO-averse guy changed his mind.

 

[Hunter5117]

Back in 2014 I did exactly this. At the time I had a cMP 3,1 and a 2009 17" MBP both getting a bit dated. I sold the cMP and bought a 15" MBP with 1tb SSD and max memory - 16gb at the time. I also picked up external drives, an OWC thunderbolt dock, etc so that I could emulate the cMP in storage, displays etc. I worked like this for about 3 years but it was never as seamless as I wanted. Probably 70% of my work was at the desk with the MBP plugged in. However, every time I wanted to, say, work at the dining table, or go out to Starbucks, I had to eject all the drives, unplug, etc. I found this to be very tedious after a while. So, 3 years ago I picked up a cMP 5,1 and went back to 2 separate computers. And 2 months ago I picked up a 6,1 to replace the 5,1 so that I would continue to have a Mac Pro that would be compatible with future OS upgrades. I find it so much nicer just get up from my office desk and wander down to the living area where my MBP is waiting, or now days grab my iPad. My files are all on cloud or NAS so I can literally just keep working in an instant from almost anywhere. I have worked from home since 2005 and having the permanent office setup is critical to my keeping a distinct work ethic.

 

[CC88]

If you're thinking about trying a 16" with a view toward returning it if it's not what you need, maybe you should consider doing the same thing with an iMac. You said you don't like AIO, I know.

Back in 2015, my 5.1 Mac Pro was giving a lot of trouble, and I'd just spent 2 weeks traveling and working entirely on my MBP 15" (retina). When I got home I was so attached to the retina screen that I ordered an iMac. I had always resisted that. Like you, there was just something about AIO I didn't like.

It didn't take me long to change my mind. The screen, of course was a big part of it. I'd been worried about storage (I got a 1 TB SSD model) so I picked up a 4-bay TB2 enclosure and put the MP's disks in it, and that setup was just fine.

The first iMac served me well, as has the iMac Pro that replaced it.

Bottom line is that at least one AIO-averse guy changed his mind.

My first two iMac where the first intel, both core duo (32bit) and core2duo (64bit). When you buy an iMac and you want to sell it, you loose money both on computer and monitor side. Also I'm in love with 32" monitor size with matte finish. If my option is an Intel iMac I stay with my macpro for sure now.

 

[CC88]

Back in 2014 I did exactly this. At the time I had a cMP 3,1 and a 2009 17" MBP both getting a bit dated. I sold the cMP and bought a 15" MBP with 1tb SSD and max memory - 16gb at the time. I also picked up external drives, an OWC thunderbolt dock, etc so that I could emulate the cMP in storage, displays etc. I worked like this for about 3 years but it was never as seamless as I wanted. Probably 70% of my work was at the desk with the MBP plugged in. However, every time I wanted to, say, work at the dining table, or go out to Starbucks, I had to eject all the drives, unplug, etc. I found this to be very tedious after a while. So, 3 years ago I picked up a cMP 5,1 and went back to 2 separate computers. And 2 months ago I picked up a 6,1 to replace the 5,1 so that I would continue to have a Mac Pro that would be compatible with future OS upgrades. I find it so much nicer just get up from my office desk and wander down to the living area where my MBP is waiting, or now days grab my iPad. My files are all on cloud or NAS so I can literally just keep working in an instant from almost anywhere. I have worked from home since 2005 and having the permanent office setup is critical to my keeping a distinct work ethic.

Thank you very much for your message.

The only concern with my loved MacPro 6.1 is about future selling. I'm sure I can't sell it next year. Also I have some problems with catalina and external thunderbolt drive... I think on a mbp the new os will be much smarter. With a laptop I can install Windows on it, give it to my wife (she only use laptop) and buy a new ARM. All without having an (maybe) unusable ornament on the desk.

Will give a warehouse mbp 16" a try and see how it work. Unfortunately on the mobile side I'm not a fan of the iPad Pro I own. I don't like to edit video on an 11" monitor and also LR and PS are not the photography app I'm looking for as they are on the desktop side.

And also you know, I have a monkey on my back for trying out a new setup after years...

 

[chrono1081]

Thank you very much for answering. Really appreciated and very interesting use case. Do you use Modo render engine and preview? Does it spin fan all the time?

Yep I use Modo's renderer. It depends what I'm rendering if the fan spins or not. Anything intense like refraction roughness will spin them up (which is expected).

 

[jerryk]

Thank you very much for answering. Really appreciated and very interesting use case. Do you use Modo render engine and preview? Does it spin fan all the time?

Fans in a 15 or 16" MBP spin all the time. The base RPM is around 2000. They spin faster under load.

 

[jerryk]

Thank you very much for your message.

The only concern with my loved MacPro 6.1 is about future selling. I'm sure I can't sell it next year. Also I have some problems with catalina and external thunderbolt drive... I think on a mbp the new os will be much smarter. With a laptop I can install Windows on it, give it to my wife (she only use laptop) and buy a new ARM. All without having an (maybe) unusable ornament on the desk.

Will give a warehouse mbp 16" a try and see how it work. Unfortunately on the mobile side I'm not a fan of the iPad Pro I own. I don't like to edit video on an 11" monitor and also LR and PS are not the photography app I'm looking for as they are on the desktop side.

And also you know, I have a monkey on my back for trying out a new setup after years...

This is the wrong time to try something new with the Macs. Whatever you get now will be superseded by an Apple Silicon design in the next 20 months.

Also, if you want to run windows get a Windows laptop. You can buy one cheap and they will likely run windows better than the MBPro, with full support for drivers and ongoing Windows updates.

 

[G5isAlive]

As a large part of your decision seems to be you have a customer on the hook for your Mac Pro 6.1, can I ask for how much? It's already on the low side of its depreciation (i.e. won't go much lower) all other things being equal, whereas anything new you buy with the eye of selling it in the future will be on the high side of the depreciation curve. If you plan to pass anything you buy now to your wife, have you checked with her? what does she want? my wife didn't always appreciate getting my hand me downs.

I agree with your comments on buying a new Mac mini, the design is dated. however its a great time to buy a used one, and it probably WILL retain its resale value (more people buy them).

I hear you on the you have a monitor you love and hence don't want to buy an iMac. 1) you can hook it to your iMac and have a dual monitor system. if you have never had one, they are great and you will wonder how you lived without it. And you can set your external monitor as the primary. 2) I disagree with your assessment of the resale value of an iMac (you seem to think two separate things are depreciating). There is more demand for a used iMac than most any other Mac. more demand, higher price. 3) the current 27inch iMac is a beast. This years model is faster than the iMac Pro of 2 years ago. it is going to have great resale value in the future amongst those that want an intel Mac and want the best.

I agree that I would do my image/movie editing on a Mac versus iPad Pro any day. BUT, my earlier point was the iPad does a lot of things BETTER than a Mac (web browsing etc) and I guess I was assuming your portable requirement did not need Johnny on the spot image editing but you wanted to be able to answer email etc. That's what I need away from my desk.

But yes, I get it. You got a buyer on the hook. Sell!

 

[CC88]

As a large part of your decision seems to be you have a customer on the hook for your Mac Pro 6.1, can I ask for how much?

A part from the actual price I can get (2500 euro) my concern is that I will not find another person interested in my macpro in one year from now. You have to find people interested in multi-core environment, that use multi-core app etc.

I agree with your comments on buying a new Mac mini, the design is dated. however its a great time to buy a used one, and it probably WILL retain its resale value (more people buy them).

I have cancelled my mbp 16 order. But I will sell my macpro on Thursday. Then I will see... Maybe I can look around for a used macmini (although it's not simple to find an i7 with 1tb ssd at least).

But yes, I get it. You got a buyer on the hook. Sell!

 

[G5isAlive]

A part from the actual price I can get (2500 euro) my concern is that I will not find another person interested in my macpro in one year from now. You have to find people interested in multi-core environment, that use multi-core app etc.



I have cancelled my mbp 16 order. But I will sell my macpro on Thursday. Then I will see... Maybe I can look around for a used macmini (although it's not simple to find an i7 with 1tb ssd at least).

Congrats on the decision... I get the desire for an i7 but would not fixate on the internal SSD size (as long as it holds the system and apps). It has 4 thunderbolt 3 ports and those are plenty fast with an external SSD.

 

[CC88]

Congrats on the decision... I get the desire for an i7 but would not fixate on the internal SSD size (as long as it holds the system and apps). It has 4 thunderbolt 3 ports and those are plenty fast with an external SSD.

I know but I don't like rely on external for VM etc. So I prefer a 1tb internal unit. Will see at the moment there aren't any 2018/2020 used macmini on italian market.

 

[antipodean]

Sounds like it is definitely a good idea for you to sell your Mac Pro in these circumstances and replace it with a notional updated mac. The problem is more about which model is the appropriate replacement. Since the current Mac Pro is really a different product category entirely (cost makes it unattractive for all but very heavy users), you are left with few obvious candidates: high-end versions of the iMac, 16” MBP and Mac mini (w/ eGPU).

OP is not keen on the AIO desktop form factor, which rules out the iMac.

The 16” MBP does seem like better value than a fully-loaded Mac mini and will probably be easier to sell or find a good home for - simply because more people have use for a MacBook Pro than an i7/32GB/1TB + eGPU Mac mini set-up. Such a mini would be of interest to more of an enthusiast type, whereas the MBP will likely have broader appeal.

I suggest that OP try the 16” MBP. If it turns out to be underpowered for OP’s use case, either return it to see what Apple releases in the near future or purchase a powerful eGPU to take the strain when driving an external display.

 

[CC88]

I suggest that OP try the 16” MBP. If it turns out to be underpowered for OP’s use case, either return it to see what Apple releases in the near future or purchase a powerful eGPU to take the strain when driving an external display.

Thinking and rethinking about a mobile machine attached 99% of the time to my external disk, power supply and monitor it's not a good idea. I have an iPad Pro with pencil and I never used it for mobile video editing, lightroom or photoshop.

Reading what other have wrote I don't need a mobile machine (I love working with my 32" monitor).

Found a Razer Core X for 150 euro... I can give it a try with a mini and maybe I can use it in the future. Will see.

Sure I can benefit from 50% more single-core speed (lightroom, photoshop, modo modeling)... and with the difference I can buy a 16 core Ryzen only for rendering purpouse (if not using a render farm but this is not my use case). Or maybe I can switch to some GPU render based.