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Switching from Windows to Mac - suggestions please

T

thatkiwigal

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Hi all,

I want to switch from my mid-range Windows Dell desktop to a Mac and I'm looking for some recommendations please.
I've read heaps of stuff online but I'm getting kinda overwhelmed by all the info out there, so here I am!

I work a lot with graphics in both 2D with Adobe, Affinity, and other graphics software (sometimes with a Wacom tablet), and I'm also now starting to learn 3D design with Blender, plus I want to get into 3D printing this year.
I also do some open-world gaming, mostly exploring different virtual worlds etc which can sometimes put a strain on my mid-range PC. I don't use a VR headset though, cos I tried that once and it made me really queasy, lol!

I'd really appreciate your suggestions and insights for a Mac that would best suit the tasks I mentioned above and any other advice you may have about making the switch, thanks in advance 🙂
 
Hi, Thatkiwigal –

I'll assume you're a newcomer to Mac models.

Apple has an introductory "Help Me Choose" page.

Don't get overwhelmed by the specs. Probably the one certainty is that you want a Mac with an Apple Silicon processor (released in 2020 or later) as opposed to an earlier Mac with an Intel processor. Apple Silicon chips for the Mac are numbered "M1," "M2," and so on. You'll probably start by choosing between an iMac (with its own built-in display) and a Mac mini (where you bring all the peripherals including the display).

The entry-level iMac and Mac mini, even as early as the M1 models from 2020, are sufficient to run graphics software, Blender, and 3D games, but you'll feel the tradeoffs with graphics-heavy games with adjustable quality settings. (If you need faster renders, more disk space, and so on, then you can worry about specs.)

When shopping: used Macs from reputable sellers (from eBay, et cetera) come with a little risk, but are generally pretty reliable and can be heavily discounted, even from one generation back. For more assurance than that, make sure you've checked out Apple's outlet for refurbished Macs, where they offer discounts and full warranties.
 
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If you haven't bought yet, consider spending a little more for updgraded RAM and SSD.

The basic configurations of 16/256 are usable, but may become cramped in the future (particularly the SSD).

I'd suggest 24gb of RAM (if available) and at least a 512gb SSD.
BE AWARE that you can buy from the Apple online refurbished store and save 10-15% on some items. (I bought a 2018 and 2024 Mini as refurbished, both were excellent deals).
 
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thatkiwigal said:
I also do some open-world gaming, mostly exploring different virtual worlds etc which can sometimes put a strain on my mid-range PC. I don't use a VR headset though, cos I tried that once and it made me really queasy, lol!
Click to expand...
Here's my thoughts.

I've been a mac user since the early days, but I also been a PC user since the IBM 5150 days, so I'm pretty well versed regarding both platforms. I say that, not to brag but I have a good sense of what works and what doesn't on both platforms.

I recently switched completely over to the Mac and my gaming PC is largely unused. When I was looking to get a new Mac last summer, I was looking at the M4 Mini for 499 (was on sale for 399), but doing more due diligence that was just to under-powered for me. I bought the M4 Pro Mini but found it was inadequate regarding gaming, and it ran too hot for my liking. Long story short, I got a M4 Max studio base model which does everything I need and more. I've included my benchmarks below that hopefully give you some context of how the M4 Pro and the M4 Max stack up, at least to the 7800XT which I know is not the most powerful GPU by today's standards

Back to gaming, since Macs are not known for gaming, you have three options to game.
1. Native, games on steam have a mac version, the Mac App store has the game (only a tiny subset of AAA games are available on the Mac).
2. Crossover, like the steam deck that uses Wine, Crossover is available and largely works well for many games, so many if most of your current windows games should run
3. Streaming, such as GeForce Now. I've used this for a little while, and my monthly sub is expiring soon. I'll not be renewing the subscription. I have pretty good bandwidth for my internet but GFN complains more often then not that its insufficient and games bogs down.


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I would look towards the M4 MAx Studio given your stated needs, if you want to wait for the M5 Max (or ultra) Studio then you'll be better. The improvements of the M5 over the M4 are significant. Pricing and availability is up in the air, could be 1st qtr, or later we don't know.
 
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Thanks so much for all your helpful replies, you've given me a lot to think about.

I'm thinking that maybe I should hold off making a purchase until the M5 Max comes out... sounds like it'll be worth the wait!
 
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OP sounds vaguely like me a year ago, although I wouldn't refer to my old but still useful Dell Inspiron 3847 desktop (even with maxxed out RAM, GPU, and HD cloned to SSD) even as mid-range, quite a bit less than that. Also, never got into anything 3D with it and gaming best described as minimal.

When MS said it can't run Win11, I jumped to macOS soon thereafter with a base mini M4 pro. As I did and OP may discover, some monitors may not look as nice using HDMI. Only because of a local sale I got a Studio Display about a month after I got the mini and for me it's been great.

I do agree with all of the suggestions above. Get the most you can afford, and if waiting is not an issue then that may be even better.
 
Be sure to research the software you use and see if Mac has the same or equivalent. For instance, I use an outliner called Inspiration, which runs on Windows and Mac, but only on a Mac OS that runs 32-bit software. My Macs are stuck at Mojave, which is now quite old, because I don't want to give up that application. Also note that you'll have to buy all new software, which will increase your cost. Or you can use Crossover, which runs Windows software on Mac, but only on Intel Macs, not the newer M-series ones.
 
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