Deciding on Computer Upgrade Path...

[Sparky1]

HI everyone...


Trying to sort out a new upgrade path for myself.


Currently running:
Mojave

MacBook Pro (Retina, 15-inch, Late 2013)
2.3 GHz Intel Core i7
16 GB 1600 MHz DDR3
NVIDIA GeForce GT 750M 2 GB
Intel Iris Pro 1536 MB
Pro Tools 2020.5.0


I am starting to run low on memory - often hitting high 90's%... plus the computer is a few years old...

My sessions are currently on an external SSD - with the OS on the main drive

Trying to decide if I should pick up one of the 16-inch Macbook Pro's which are upgradeable 64 GB of Ram - or wait for the 16-inch M1 (or whichever larger screen size they come out with) - I have a large external monitor - but often use the laptop screen as a second monitor...

I also use this laptop daily for everything else - so not strictly a music computer

Looking for suggestions or insight I will want to consider...

Thanks

Sparky

[Obsidian Dragon]

To me, this is mainly a question of timing and need. If you have a need (not want) for an upgrade now, the Intel MacBook Pro is your best option given the RAM options available and the current certified compatibility of the processor. In most cases, if you can wait, the newer M1x based MacBook Pro appears to offer very impressive performance and is the future direction of Apple (and hence Avid Protools given the time lag). The one concern many folks here have is the current limits to RAM on the newest M1 based Macs (8GB or 16 GB only). Hopefully future M1 based chips will have significantly more RAM options. Having said that, there is a sentiment among reviewers that the new Apple silicon is more efficient with RAM and can do more with less, but that still needs to be quantified objectively. So to answer your question, is your current MacBook Pro struggling and not able to perform as you need? If so, your needs dictate that you replace it with what is available now. If you can hang on or limp along for now (6 months to a year), you can see what Apple has to offer then and how Avid responds with native M1x compatibility and then make your purchase accordingly. This dilemma happens every time there are significant changes in the technology landscape and often the next shift happens before the last change is even completed. I prefer to get the latest-greatest available when making purchases but hold on to that for a long as I can to maximize my investment. I'm a hobbyist so this approach works for me. If you do this professionally, your business needs drive the decision-making process differently. I hope this helps.

[Sparky1]

You are a wise soul... Obsidian Dragon - thank you....

I, too, am a hobbyist...

Being that I use this computer daily for other things besides music - I also kinda worry that not all my existing other software will not be happy on Big Sur - as the new M1's - as I understand it - are not able to be backdated with older software versions of Apple's OS'

Sparky

[The Weed]

Originally Posted by Sparky1

- as the new M1's - as I understand it - are not able to be backdated with older software versions of Apple's OS

AFAIK, no Mac can be backdated to an OS that is before the OS it shipped with. So if you purchase a new Mac today and your software needs an older OS than what it comes with, you're out of luck. The only time that isn't true is if you purchase a refurbished Mac, which may come with a newer OS than originally, then you could backdate the OS, but only as far as the original OS it came with.

[JFreak]

They say 16GB on Apple Silicon is equivalent to 32GB on Intel. That obviously does not count if you have massive amount of sample-based instruments, cannot beat laws of physics. The reason may be that memory is closer to CPU and also the SSD is said to be 3GB/s compared to 1GB/s of 2013 MBP, which makes accessing swap memory three times faster.

If I was in your pants, I would make a clean install of Catalina, install everything needed manually (no automatic migration whatsoever) and wait until Apple releases next gen machines with 32GB memory. That is, assuming the computer won't break while waiting.

I'm on a 2013 trashcan with 64GB memory and only hoping this won't break until there is a machine I would actually want to buy.

[JFreak]

Originally Posted by The Weed

AFAIK, no Mac can be backdated to an OS that is before the OS it shipped with.

True.

Apple provides hardware drivers with OS install, so whatever was the earliest version when the hardware model was sold is the earliest. Nothing you can do about it, no individual driver updates provided by Apple, all comes within OS updates.

If you need to know what was the earliest OS version, go to everymac.com

[Southsidemusic]

Originally Posted by JFreak

They say 16GB on Apple Silicon is equivalent to 32GB on Intel. ...

Where do you get these quotes from??? Who are ”They” ?? The sales people ?? Jeeez

I just posted that those statement is BS and the architecture and RAM access of the new M1 macs dont equal 32GB in any real life situation! It was the same thing when Apple said we had 8 cores but that half of them were ”virtual cores” which again did NADA for audio production but worked as a placebo purchase.

We tested this in an EXTENSIVE test with REAL sessions on borh the 16GB Mac Air and the Mini 8GB and that statement is completely Shiiiiit Speak! Period

[JFreak]

I take your word for it. Havent used any Apple Slilicon model myself


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[albee1952]

Hmmm, you do have some things to consider:
1-Do you really need to use a laptop? Choosing a desktop will likely give you more power for less money.
2-If you buy a new computer for recording, why not dedicate the new machine to ONLY recording and use the old laptop for everything else. That would allow you to keep the audio computer "lean and mean".

Food for thought

[Southsidemusic]

Originally Posted by JFreak

I take your word for it. Havent used any Apple Slilicon model myself


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Brother I know for a FACT you are a Really smart intelligent person and know a LOT about audio tech so I would assume if you have 16GB they cant magically become 32GB in any shape or form.