Tips and opinions on my future upgrade path

[Peet_B]

Hi folks,
I recently sold my 12-core MacPro since it was driving me crazy with compatibility issues. So the only Mac I have left is my Mid-2014 MacBook Pro. I'm a graphic design student, so I'm afraid my ageing MBP with its even older GT750M graphics isn't up to the task anymore. I have several thoughts in my mind, and I'd like to hear your opinions and tips on them.

I could get an eGPU enclosure with a Radeon 5700XT, only problem is I only have thunderbolt 2 on my MBP. The thing that is bothering me though is the fact that when you combine these two, you're spending about €700,-... The other option is to wait for the new MBP's with Apple Silicon to arrive, but that could take another 1 to 2 years, and I don't think I can wait that long and work with my 6 year old MBP.

I seriously don't know what to do, so if any of you have better ideas please let me know!

 

[maerz001]

Buy a refurbished current MBpro

 

[Peet_B]

Buy a refurbished current MBpro

I'd love to, but sadly in the Netherlands Apple doesn't refurbish MacBooks themselves. The companies that "refurbish" MacBooks sell 2011-2013 models for around €1500,- which is almost triple the market value... The only options I have are the ones stated above, or looking for a used 16" MBP, but that's almost impossible or it just saves you about €100,-.

 

[maerz001]

Oh. Well for that i guess u have to buy new. What are the prices on iMacs?

But what makes you think to wait for ARM? They also won’t come cheap and software compatibility will take probably a year after release to solve.

 

[Peet_B]

Oh. Well for that i guess u have to buy new. What are the prices on iMacs?

But what makes you think to wait for ARM? They also won’t come cheap and software compatibility will take probably a year after release to solve.

The prices here are ridiculous. Apple products are easily 20%-25% more expensive than in the US. Me wanting to wait for ARM is performance, in combination with the power efficiency. Intel has lost a lot of their progress, and "new" chips are basically rebranded last generation ones. And while the performance on the 8-core 16" MBP may be good on paper, when I'm throttling at 99C all the time I might as well stick with the one I already have. I just want a reliable Mac that doesn't fry itself to death and not even deliver the performance as it should.