vm performance on 13 macbook

The articles are right. When running VM's, more RAM is definitely better - you're typically running a whole extra 'computer' (OS really) in the VM, so you need memory for it to run in.

The processors in the Pro line will almost certainly be better at VM's than the Macbook generally, particularly the 2018 models with the extra cores, but I'd still go for the extra RAM if at all possible with this type of use.

 

What drdaz said. The extra RAM will help you more than a faster CPU will.

Also, make sure you are configuring your Parallels VM properly. Allocating “too much” resource to it can actually slow it down.

The following blog post is a bit old, but it still holds true in my experience. I run VMs on a 12 inch MacBook with 8 GB of RAM, so I really feel it when misconfiguration slows down performance.

http://blog.parallels.com/2015/03/31/virtual-machine-performance-myths-debunked/

 

In my experience it is RAM, SSD and CPU - in that order. If you don't have enough RAM, then you seriously need SSD, and if you don't have enough RAM and no SSD then you need a seriously beefy CPU.

Today less than 16GB Memory is not worth it, if you need more than one virtual machine.

This is virtualization on different platforms with different virtualization solutions from VMware to KVM.

 

No CPU will fix this situation

 

Didn't we just have this conversation?

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/what-can-i-get-for-usd1000.2134511/

 

OP:

Of the three choices you posted, I actually think choice 3 might serve the best (if you wish to run virtual machines).

The 16gb of RAM is definitely a plus.

Also, regarding a 2017 v 2018:
Apple now extends the warranty for the 2017 keyboard for FOUR YEARS.
If the keyboard fails, that means you receive a whole new topcase -- including a new battery -- during the extended warranty period.

This means the 2017's have become "better warranted against failure" than the 2018s.

That "tips the balance" in favor of the 16gb 2017, in my opinion...

 

You do not say anything about the amount of RAM you have assigned to your Win VM?

I run test VM with Win10 and Win7 with 2 and 1 GB respectively. Those size VM should work in 8 GB.

My development VM, Win 7 with Visual Studio, runs with 8 GB of memory. I also found that Visual Studio requires a fair bit of CPU power to be responsive so I switched from a 2-core 13" (2014) to a 4-core 15" (2016).

So I guess the answer to what is best for you depends a lot on what you will be running in your VM. But I do agree with the general sentiment that memory is always

 

It does if you also have a fast disk ... not to the same extend as memory does, but it does have an impact.

 

I ran multiple VMs on my MacBook Pro 2014 8gb few month ago. Never saw slow down.
But I mostly use headless linux VMs, few times I had to use windows I didn't see any slow down either.

I use virtual box.

 

It was base cpu, I don't remember anymore.

 

Yea the Pro will run VMs a lot better.

 

Yeah, its really funny when loads of pips recommend maxed out Macs for running VM, when base ones work perfectly.

I currently have 16gb ram machine, and never use more than 8gb, even with few VMs on.