Thinking of Moving Back to a MacBook Pro - Can It Support My Requirements?

Wonderstache on 02/11/2020 - 16:02

Hey all,

I've been having some laptop issues lately and if it ends up being returned I was curious as to whether I should give a Macbook Pro another shot.
I haven't had a Macbook Pro since 2013 but I'm fine with their OS.

I'm a front-end web developer & designer so I'd be looking at using this laptop with:

  • Parallels (Virtual Machine with Win 10 running Visual Studio)
  • Visual Studio Code
  • Affinity Designer/Photo (e.g. Photoshop)
  • Spotify
  • Firefox/Chrome

This is the model I'm currently looking at:
https://www.jbhifi.com.au/products/apple-macbook-pro-13-inch…

Would this model be a good fit for me? My colleague mentioned the older Macbook Pro's had fan/heating issues when running Visual Studio on Windows 10 through a VM.
I also decided to go for the 13 inch model as my current 15 inch screen is a bit too big for my liking.

I'm also aware that there's new ARM based models coming out soon(ish), but I'm moreso curious about the feedback of this current 2020 model, then I can decide whether to wait for the next iteration or just grab this one.

Appreciate any help/guidance :)

Thanks!

Computing Apple Computer Laptop

Comments

  • nubix on 02/11/2020 - 16:06
    +2

    If you need Windows for your work flow, don't get a mac.

    Source: Mac fanboy that upgrades essentially every year

    • Wonderstache on 02/11/2020 - 16:13

      I'm currently running Windows 10 on my laptop with a VM for my work's Win 10 Virtual Machine, so I'll be using a VM regardless. Would you still advise against?

      • nubix on 02/11/2020 - 18:09
        +1

        I got so sick of VMWare Fusion problems that I got a separate laptop solely for IE testing at the time.

        Things are probably going to work, but what's making you consider macs at all? I have an X1 Carbon that I prefer in every way :)

    • joshhayes on 02/11/2020 - 16:22
      +1

      but current macs can boot windows natively

      • NatoTomato on 02/11/2020 - 16:59

        More information: https://support.apple.com/boot-camp

        • Wonderstache on 02/11/2020 - 17:02

          Yeah I've used Bootcamp before which I'm sure would run fine on this device. Though I'd prefer to run it simultaneously whilst I use my other apps outside of the work VM. :)

          • rompastompa on 03/11/2020 - 13:07

            @Wonderstache: I run both. I'm using them for specific tasks and I don't need the information shared on each environment (I do sync via cloud / NAS). Some tasks run significantly better via bootcamp so, for me, it's worth having dual boot and running VM for quick tasks.

  • zoltanc on 02/11/2020 - 16:24
    +1

    I recently purchased the same MacBook, based on recommendations to go for the 10th generation Intel CPU as the 8th generation models had inferior cooling. Older models also had the butterfly keyboard, which I did not enjoy using much when typing.

    So far I have used it for everything you list except Parallels (or any VM software), and it has been great. However, I understand that running a Windows VM is likely to push it more to the limit.

    If you are going to use it mainly for the other software, and occasionally fire up the Windows VM, then I'd say go for it. I tend to Remote Desktop into my Windows PC when I need to do something on Windows (I can VPN to my home network if needed) and I find that is a good compromise.

    For heavy Windows VM use, I'll let others comment on that.

    • Wonderstache on 02/11/2020 - 16:49

      Hey thanks for your comment, I was actually curious about this model too because of it's dual fans. :)

      Hmm, would you be interested in setting up a test Win10 VM install on it with a trial of Parallels (or virtualbox etc) and let me know how it runs? Wondering whether it'll get the fans spinning loud in an office environment and if it actually heats up the device a bunch.

      • zoltanc on 02/11/2020 - 18:10

        Sure thing… downloading VirtualBox right now

      • markathome on 02/11/2020 - 19:07
        +2

        I was going to say the only problem with Parallels was that it keeps insisting on listing Mac apps in Windows but then I found the answer here (don't know why I missed it when I first looked for it six months ago):

        https://apple.stackexchange.com/questions/308927/how-can-i-s…

        I use a Mac/Parallels set-up for work too with Visual Studio and Service Fabric running on the Windows. The trick is to move as much of your workflow as possible to the Mac. However I'm quite content with the Mac.

        Parallels does seem zippier than VirtualBox though admittedly I've never used both on the same Mac. That said, while I haven't done rigorous testing, I would be skeptical of someone who said the only difference between the two is window dressing.

        Added after posting I should stress even though performance is completely satisfactory - just being that bit slower and bit clunkier (because it's an OS within an OS) I do find myself trying to avoid the Windows side.

      • zoltanc on 02/11/2020 - 19:32
        +2

        Okay I have installed Windows 10 in VirtualBox.

        During the entire installation and installing Windows Updates, the fan never kicked in. It was a bit slow though and then I realised it was only using 1 Core of the CPU. I increased it to 4 cores and installed some optional Windows Updates.

        The optional updates installed quicker. The fans did kick in this time but there were not too loud — this happened when MacOS Activity Monitor showed VirtualBox using up to around 250-300% CPU (am guessing that is across the 4 cores).

        Interestingly when I ran a Speedtest in Edge (on 1000/50 NBN) Activity Monitor showed CPU usage around 350-500%, and the fans spun up quite loud. Speedtest in a browser is known to hit the CPU quite hard, so I am not surprised by this — I only got 400 Mbps down in Edge as opposed to 600 Mbps in the native Speedtest app.

        • Wonderstache on 03/11/2020 - 16:15

          Thanks so much for running this test for me! So in the end a basic Win10 install in a VM made the laptop quite hot and loud?

          If the Macbook can handle the VM (whilst it runs a large solution in Visual Studio) and the fans aren't blazing crazy then it might be ok for me. I used to have a Razer laptop and when the fans spun up crazy the whole office could hear it and it was not great.

          • zoltanc on 03/11/2020 - 17:48

            @Wonderstache: If you max the CPU then yeah it would run loud. When the Win10 VM was sitting idle there it was quiet and started to cool down. For most tasks it ran warm with the fans occasionally kicking in at low volume (barely audible over my desktop PC fans).

            You could throttle it so that it does not use the max CPU to keep it quiet, but then it will take longer… depending on how long it takes to build you may be better of getting a different laptop.

            • Wonderstache on 20/11/2020 - 12:58
              +1

              @zoltanc: Hey, thanks for your help testing out this scenario for me the other week. :) I just got a 13" MBP (intel i5, 16gb RAM - 4 thunderbolt ports) and I'm running my VM on it fine!
              (Parallels wins by a mile btw)

              At times when compiling I did notice the fans spin up quite a bit but after installing this app my fans don't even reach 2000RPM, it's insane! http://tbswitcher.rugarciap.com (Maybe this app works nicely for you too? :D)

  • sTein0 on 02/11/2020 - 16:28
    +2

    I would argue that there is no point buying a laptop containing an Intel chip when the amd 4000 series is so much better. I'd highly recommend one of the new HP envy laptops with the new ryzen 4000 processor

    • sTein0 on 02/11/2020 - 16:31
      +3

      Additionally, Apple's practices on repairability are downright criminal (check out Louis Rossmann on yt for examples).

      • sridhar on 02/11/2020 - 18:24

        To offer a perspective that perhaps counters what sTein0 wrote, I'd like to say that Apple's customer support is amazing.

        They replaced the entire bottom panel of my 2017 MBP even when it was out of warranty and w/o AppleCare when it stopped working. They really honour Australian Consumer Law (and I didn't even mention it). The cherry on the top was an additional 2 year warranty.

        My brother fed up with his Toshiba and Lenovo laptops' issues and poor customer support, purchased the top-model 13" MBP yesterday. He needs to use Windows as well for some Excel/Access work and is researching on Parallels..

        • Icecold5000 on 02/11/2020 - 18:37

          Any reason why he didn’t go for the base 16”?

          • sridhar on 02/11/2020 - 19:56

            @Icecold5000:

            16 is even costly. Already I had gone overboard with high end config of 13inches

        • Member 0230 on 03/11/2020 - 09:10

          I second (and third) this. My personal experiences with Apple’s repair services over 10+ years are that they tend to be very accommodating, and in at least 4 separate cases very generous, with either free repair outside warranty, or total replacement of parts (not their fault) or entire units, including full replacement brand new MacBooks… twice. When they didn’t have to.

        • jonkvh on 03/11/2020 - 09:57
          -1

          Never understand why people rave about Apple customer service. If your constantly having refer back to the manufacturer, that is an issue. As for backing up your argument with Lenovo, no one buys that brand (CCP) and Toshiba, what can I say… for a start, their own software uses installer packages designed in the XP days.

          • mlbrooke on 03/11/2020 - 12:56

            @jonkvh: You can’t use rubbish to discredit, Lenovo ship/sell 25% of all laptops in 2019/2020:

            https://www.statista.com/statistics/255306/global-pc-market-…

            Dell, HP and all laptop manufacturers have failures with their hardware. Apples service in my experience has been exceptional always.

            • Wonderstache on 03/11/2020 - 13:53

              @mlbrooke: Yep I've currently got a Dell that I've had since March and it has 2 issues. My colleague has had a MacBook Pro for years and gets free support from Apple whenever there was a fault.

          • Member 0230 on 04/11/2020 - 10:45

            @jonkvh:

            If your constantly having refer back to the manufacturer, that is an issue.

            100%.

            So to clarify: In 14+ years of Apple product ownership (my PC ownership is way longer), on at least four separate occasions - at least twice for Macs, twice for iPhones - Apple went above and beyond for something they didn't have to / not a hardware fault / outside warranty, either performing repairs or complete replacements free of charge.

    • Wonderstache on 02/11/2020 - 16:49

      Thanks for your suggestion, what are your thoughts on the upcoming ARM Macbook Pro?

      • sTein0 on 02/11/2020 - 17:04

        Apart from my opinions on reparability, I would believe it would probably be an improvement over the current intel chips, however I wonder if Apple is only doing it to increase profits by not using Intel or AMD chips. Also, there might be compatibility issues due to the difference architecture.

  • jleno on 02/11/2020 - 17:36

    Hopefully you won't miss the USB/SDcard/display ports and good old fashioned function keys.

    • Wonderstache on 03/11/2020 - 15:07
      +1

      My current laptop is all USB-C already - don't miss them, don't need them. :)

  • No Username on 02/11/2020 - 19:00
    +1

    Apple EPP Pricing for the Apple MacBook Pro 13-inch 2.0GHz i5 512GB (Space Grey) [2020]

    A$2,829.00
    or
    A$3,099.00 with the i7

    I personally would wait for the ARM to come out. Intel CPUs are easy to hack and there are way too many CVE Advisories. I literally spent 2 hours today patching my Linux kernel and fixing Intel's microcode vulnerability after a fresh install.

  • xuqi on 02/11/2020 - 19:19

    13" systems will always be slower (lower power CPU), and produce more heat than the larger models.

    For a work machine with your requirements, I'd be looking at something similar to below:

    https://www.dell.com/en-au/outlet/refurbished-precision-m554…

    • Wonderstache on 03/11/2020 - 15:06
      +1

      I currently have a Dell that I got in March which already has 2 issues with it, going to avoid them for my next machine.

      • sridhar on 03/11/2020 - 22:33

        What issues are these and is Dell not fixing them (if they are hardware related)?

        • Wonderstache on 04/11/2020 - 10:04

          Ghost clicks on screen when lid is closed (using on an external monitor) and the touchpad not working most of the time. I've got a repair guy coming out but I've read a lot of people online saying it still hasn't fixed these issues.

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