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Will the Core M be able to to 3D rendering??

B

ByteTheBooty

macrumors regular
Original poster
Mar 8, 2015
133
0
So I was taking a look at my university class for next semester and I saw that I will be working with a bunch of coding and 3D Redering type of computer softwares (going in engeneering). I don't know if anyone knows any of those, but I will be using CAD, Autodesk, DiTrace....

The thing is, I really really really want the MacBook, ever since it came out, I've been wanting it, and now today I just learned that I will be using these software which use 3D stuff. And I remember reading somewhere the the Core M can not do 3D Redering...I mean Its not nescessary to have these softwares, but if I'm buying a computer, one of the benefits should be to have these softwares on my Mac....

I know nobody knows yet and nothing is for sure, but can the new MacBook do 3D and handle my load?

I really hope I can stay with the nMB :(
 
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ByteTheBooty said:
So I was taking a look at my university class for next semester and I saw that I will be working with a bunch of coding and 3D Redering type of computer softwares (going in engeneering). I don't know if anyone knows any of those, but I will be using CAD, Autodesk, DiTrace....

The thing is, I really really really want the MacBook, ever since it came out, I've been wanting it, and now today I just learned that I will be using these software which use 3D stuff. And I remember reading somewhere the the Core M can not do 3D Redering...I mean Its not nescessary to have these softwares, but if I'm buying a computer, one of the benefits should be to have these softwares on my Mac....

I know nobody knows yet and nothing is for sure, but can the new MacBook do 3D and handle my load?

I really hope I can stay with the nMB :(
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It may be able o handle that stuff but it's gonna be a lot slower compared to a rMBP or a 15inch i7 rMBP if you're serious about getting into engineering you should invest in a machine that will fly through what you throw at it imo.
 
Ya, I'm a big fan of the new rMB. But I'm a writer. For people needing graphically intensive applications, I'd recommend the pro line...
 
:(:( you guys seem to be right...but still..

I still feel that I need to portability of the rMB...this is so sad, I was solo hyped about this computer
 
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ByteTheBooty said:
:(:( you guys seem to be right...but still..

I still feel that I need to portability of the rMB...this is so sad, I was solo hyped about this computer
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Well, you can always get one, install your apps and try it out. If it suIts your needs, keep it and be stoked. If it doesn't, you have 14 days to return it.
 
Theophil1971 said:
Well, you can always get one, install your apps and try it out. If it suIts your needs, keep it and be stoked. If it doesn't, you have 14 days to return it.
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This is precisely what I was going to do! I currently run solidworks in parallels on my rMBP, it works well on boot camp on the low end 2012 Mac mini, so I'm curious as to how it will handle.

It bothers me to have the pro computer for a program that I don't use too often, maybe just once a week. So other than solidworks, the rMB would be perfect for all of my other needs.
 
sonicrobby said:
This is precisely what I was going to do! I currently run solidworks in parallels on my rMBP, it works well on boot camp on the low end 2012 Mac mini, so I'm curious as to how it will handle.

It bothers me to have the pro computer for a program that I don't use too often, maybe just once a week. So other than solidworks, the rMB would be perfect for all of my other needs.
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I bet you will really like it. You will have a very portable computer and, when you need to do some 3D rendering, you'll just have to wait a little bit longer. It may not be that long after all.
 
Any laptop, save for pro-grade/workstation-class models, are going to be a slower with 3D apps, but they'll work. Just don't expect stellar performance and you'll be fine.

The cramped screen would be a bigger concern personally with all the tool bars and panels (same for Adobe apps).
 
crsh1976 said:
Any laptop, save for pro-grade/workstation-class models, are going to be a slower with 3D apps, but they'll work. Just don't expect stellar performance and you'll be fine.

The cramped screen would be a bigger concern personally with all the tool bars and panels (same for Adobe apps).
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That should be slightly offset by the retina screen.
 
iRun26.2 said:
That should be slightly offset by the retina screen.
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Sure, it helps tons - that's why I crank up the resolution to the full 2880x1800 on my 15-inch rMBP - but it makes some things more difficult to read/interact with because everything is much smaller. The level of comfort varies from one person to the next, tho.
 
dexterbell said:
Oh no, an extra 1.5 pound computer! Your poor aching back! #firstworldproblems
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1.5 extra pound is a lot for someone like me, who carries their computer, a bunch of school books, a lunch and a water bottle on my back THE ENTIRE DAY.
The MBA was quite heavy for me actually...I used to keep it at home somedays because even though it is light, it still make a big difference fro my back...

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Theophil1971 said:
Well, you can always get one, install your apps and try it out. If it suIts your needs, keep it and be stoked. If it doesn't, you have 14 days to return it.
Click to expand...

Unfortunatly, I dont want to buy a bunch of software that Im not going to use until next year...but i guess i should find some kind of Free software that those this type of 3D suff that I could install to test it out....anyone has an idea of I software worth testing??
 
Hi from my experience in 3d graphics classes in CS and animation school, the kind done in a CS degree will be far less cpu/gpu intense. It'll be mostly testing your knowledge on linear algebra in a 3d environment, even a base mba will do. If you are in a 3d modelling art class with unoptimized massive poly count z brush models, no laptop will save you.
 
Let me put it like this: if you are going to do CAD-style work seriously, then no, the MB is not a good machine for you. If its just for a class, it will do ok. It won't be particularly fast or smooth, and its certainly not the best tool for the job, but it will do ok. It just won't take as quickly or be as comfortable as with a faster laptop. A friend of mine used to do hobby 3D modelling on a 2011 MBA. A MB is a much faster machine.
 
Well if it worked "fine" on a 2011 MBA - will be more than fine on the new rMB.

You could always buy, then try it with the software you want to use and if it doesnt perform the way you want return it for a Pro.
 
I mean the logical smart thing would be to go with a pro...but ill try out the rMB with a similar software like you all are saying.. But its such a shame...I was so sure of my decision with the rMB and invested so much in watching every single hands on video and checking this thread 3-4 times a day..
 
Not sure how the software's requirements may have changed but I had such classes over two decades ago with labs full of 386 and 486 PCs. Check out the requirements for the software you will need to use and see if the MB will work. If you're doing this for school and not all day for work the performance, assuming adequate to run the software in the first place, isn't likely to make much difference.
 
If you really want the new rMB, like I do, then you should wait for it to be released and see if you can test first hand the software you will be using on it. The next best thing is to compare bench results that are similarly stressing on the machine as the software is, to other computers like the MBP. If you are not making a living off it, you could get away with reduced performance for the benefit of such a svelte machine.

I'll be getting away with using it because I have a desktop for more serious work when needed, so there is always that route too.
 
ByteTheBooty said:
I mean the logical smart thing would be to go with a pro...but ill try out the rMB with a similar software like you all are saying.. But its such a shame...I was so sure of my decision with the rMB and invested so much in watching every single hands on video and checking this thread 3-4 times a day..
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We humans don't always have to follow the logical path. I'm sure a rMB would be just fine for anything you are doing in school. Just go ahead and get one and try it out. If it is too slow, then return it. You only live once.

You sound kind of obsessed about it like me. I use mine for my job and while I don't do 3D modeling, I do CAD and it may push the rMB a little bit. It's my choice. My boss says I can use what I want. I value portability and think that the ability to take it everywhere overrides a slightly slower processor.
 
iRun26.2 said:
We humans don't always have to follow the logical path. I'm sure a rMB would be just fine for anything you are doing in school. Just go ahead and get one and try it out. If it is too slow, then return it. You only live once.

You sound kind of obsessed about it like me. I use mine for my job and while I don't do 3D modeling, I do CAD and it may push the rMB a little bit. It's my choice. My boss says I can use what I want. I value portability and think that the ability to take it everywhere overrides a slightly slower processor.
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I am more than obsessed with it...ive been waiting for something like this for 2 years...and I want the most portable thing since I will be carrying all day from 6am to 7am, in the train...
 
ByteTheBooty said:
I am more than obsessed with it...ive been waiting for something like this for 2 years...and I want the most portable thing since I will be carrying all day from 6am to 7am, in the train...
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I couldn't agree with you more. I've been waiting since 2010 to get a retina screen on a 11" MBA. They went even further and put a retina screen on a computer that is even smaller than the MBA 11" and yet it now has a 12" screen.

I am so excited: Almost like a little kid at Christmas. Sometimes it's good to please the little kid inside of you. :)
 
iRun26.2 said:
I couldn't agree with you more. I've been waiting since 2010 to get a retina screen on a 11" MBA. They went even further and put a retina screen on a computer that is even smaller than the MBA 11" and yet it now has a 12" screen.

I am so excited: Almost like a little kid at Christmas. Sometimes it's good to please the little kid inside of you. :)
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I know!!! same for me.. I was so happy with the price...I swear I started screaming when I saw 1299$....I mean for a 4gb 128gb I would have understood, but 8gb AND 256 SSD!?!?! that was a total shocker for me
 
ByteTheBooty said:
I know!!! same for me.. I was so happy with the price...I swear I started screaming when I saw 1299$....I mean for a 4gb 128gb I would have understood, but 8gb AND 256 SSD!?!?! that was a total shocker for me
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The entry point of 256G really surprised me. Last time the entry point for RAM was 2G. Now they start at 8G RAM (although 16G is not an option...too bad).
 
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