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Ask HN: How would you, a software engineer, spec out a new MacBook Pro?

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Re: Ask HN: How would you, a software engineer, spec out a new MacBook Pro?

#11

Post by cercatrova »

Eugeleo wrote: post #5
avl999 wrote: post #4

The answer is do not buy a MacBook pro with their ridiculous premiums on memory and disk. Buy a Dell or Thinkpad, install Linux on it, will support all your usecases and you won't be trapped by Apple, will also save some $$$s in the process.

Thanks for the viewpoint l. I've been wholly satisfied with my old MacBook, though, and thus don't think the overhead of switching systems is worth it for me. Just out of curiosity, which Dell laptop would you recommend? Ideally a 14", light, and with good battery life. (I'll leave the more technical specs up to you)

The Dell XPS series are good, either the 13 inch or 15 inch, they don't have a 14 inch version. You could also get something with an AMD CPU (sadly Dell's are all Intel), the Intel ones have lower battery life.

Re: Ask HN: How would you, a software engineer, spec out a new MacBook Pro?

#12

Post by kevinherron »

I'd probably get the M1 Max with 64GB but I'd like to know if there's any discernible difference when driving two 5K monitors between the various GPU options.

I know it's not a great experience on my current 16-inch MBP with AMD Radeon Pro 5500M 8GB.

Re: Ask HN: How would you, a software engineer, spec out a new MacBook Pro?

#13

Post by procinct »

cercatrova wrote: post #11
Eugeleo wrote: post #5

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Thanks for the viewpoint l. I've been wholly satisfied with my old MacBook, though, and thus don't think the overhead of switching systems is worth it for me. Just out of curiosity, which Dell laptop would you recommend? Ideally a 14", light, and with good battery life. (I'll leave the more technical specs up to you)

The Dell XPS series are good, either the 13 inch or 15 inch, they don't have a 14 inch version. You could also get something with an AMD CPU (sadly Dell's are all Intel), the Intel ones have lower battery life.

I had a 2015 XPS 13 and it’s mobo died. It was disappointing but lead to one of the best support experiences of my life with a technician coming to my apartment to fix it for me.

Then the mobo died again 2 years later now out of warranty :(

My 2015 MacBook Pro is still going strong though :)

Re: Ask HN: How would you, a software engineer, spec out a new MacBook Pro?

#14

Post by andrei_says_ »

Eugeleo wrote: post #5
avl999 wrote: post #4

The answer is do not buy a MacBook pro with their ridiculous premiums on memory and disk. Buy a Dell or Thinkpad, install Linux on it, will support all your usecases and you won't be trapped by Apple, will also save some $$$s in the process.

Thanks for the viewpoint l. I've been wholly satisfied with my old MacBook, though, and thus don't think the overhead of switching systems is worth it for me. Just out of curiosity, which Dell laptop would you recommend? Ideally a 14", light, and with good battery life. (I'll leave the more technical specs up to you)

I am used to MacOS, and find Windows unbearable. Saying this as a former decade-long windows-only user.

Re: Ask HN: How would you, a software engineer, spec out a new MacBook Pro?

#15

Post by ev1 »

Jtsummers wrote: post #6
avl999 wrote: post #4

The answer is do not buy a MacBook pro with their ridiculous premiums on memory and disk. Buy a Dell or Thinkpad, install Linux on it, will support all your usecases and you won't be trapped by Apple, will also save some $$$s in the process.

Under business laptops, didn't check consumer, here's what Dell offers with 64GB of RAM and a 14" display: https://www.dell.com/en-us/work/shop/dell-laptops-and-notebo... It comes with 2TB of storage (NVME). There's some kind of discount on their site that brings the price down to $3739, but list before that is $5346. A 14" MBP with the maxed out processor and RAM (also 64GB) and 2TB of storage is $4099. So about $30…

For $5000 you also only get a standard 60hz 1080p screen on the dell

Re: Ask HN: How would you, a software engineer, spec out a new MacBook Pro?

#16

Post by Jeremy1026 »

Jtsummers wrote: post #6
avl999 wrote: post #4

The answer is do not buy a MacBook pro with their ridiculous premiums on memory and disk. Buy a Dell or Thinkpad, install Linux on it, will support all your usecases and you won't be trapped by Apple, will also save some $$$s in the process.

Under business laptops, didn't check consumer, here's what Dell offers with 64GB of RAM and a 14" display: https://www.dell.com/en-us/work/shop/dell-laptops-and-notebo... It comes with 2TB of storage (NVME). There's some kind of discount on their site that brings the price down to $3739, but list before that is $5346. A 14" MBP with the maxed out processor and RAM (also 64GB) and 2TB of storage is $4099. So about $30…

Thats one thing that the "Apple Tax" crowd never mentions. Yes, you can get another brand for 1/5th of the cost, but the specs aren't even close for 1/5th of the cost.

Re: Ask HN: How would you, a software engineer, spec out a new MacBook Pro?

#17

Post by moooo99 »

avl999 wrote: post #4

The answer is do not buy a MacBook pro with their ridiculous premiums on memory and disk. Buy a Dell or Thinkpad, install Linux on it, will support all your usecases and you won't be trapped by Apple, will also save some $$$s in the process.

I don't know if I missed something, but the last time I configured a comparable device (the Dell XPS 13) the prices for storage upgrades were basically identically. The overall configuration ended up being 200€ cheaper than the Apple equivalent, so not really worth considering the effort it takes to completely switch platforms.
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