Resolved Another user struggling with config

[Adazonk]

Hi all,

I currently have a 2016 MacBook which I’m feeling a little cramped on and was contemplating an upgrade to a pro however I’ve been having a little trouble deciding which size and config to go with.

I’m a test analyst for a UK wedbsite
I’m looking to get into development and was looking for a machine to replace my MacBook in everyday use and to to start practising coding (C#) and development mainly and maybe play the off 4X game (CK2, EU4 etc).

Regarding my budget, ideally the cheaper the better but I’m fortunate in that this isn’t a major consideration for me.

My current thinking is;

512GB over 256 as I’ll have a boot camp Partition with Visual Studio installed.

And that’s about it....
Questions that I have are;
Will 8GB be sufficient for the next few years for general use and development or should I look at 16GB. my work machine has 64GB of RAM for working with Visual Studio, admittedly I’m dealing with very large solutions which I won’t be at home but I don’t want to hamper myself a year or so down the line.

15 inch seems better for screen estate but I prefer the form factor of the 13 inch. My concern is this wouldn’t really mitigate my current problem of feeling cramped on a 12 inch. I’d also like to use this machine to remote into work from home.

This leaves me looking at the top spec 15 inch which I know is total overkill for my use case. Could anyone cleverer than I or with similar usage weigh in and help me make a decision?

Thanks

 

[maflynn]

Tbh, the 2016 model that you have is more the powerful to do what you want it for.

 

[Adazonk]

Tbh, the 2016 model that you have is more the powerful to do what you want it for.

I’m sure I could get by but it took over a minute to load an empty solution and I find the 12 inch screen somewhat cramped. With the new models out I thought now would be the time for an upgrade.

Edit; I should add it’s the M3 model MacBook

 

[maflynn]

I find the 12 inch screen

Oh, I misunderstood your post. I thought you had a 2016 MBP.

Well then the current 2018 MBP (particularly the 15") will blow the doors off the 12" MacBook. Sorry for the confusion. Many people call the MBP a MacBook and I thought that's what you did.

 

[Adazonk]

Oh, I misunderstood your post. I thought you had a 2016 MBP.

Well then the current 2018 MBP (particularly the 15") will blow the doors off the 12" MacBook. Sorry for the confusion. Many people call the MBP a MacBook and I thought that's what you did.

Ahh, I did wonder!

Yeah, I’m edging toward the 15” at the moment.

 

[NoBoMac]

512GB over 256 as I’ll have a boot camp Partition with Visual Studio installed.

Will 8GB be sufficient for the next few years for general use and development or should I look at 16GB.

Have you checked your memory usage (ie. Activity Monitor on Mac, Resource Monitor on Windows)? That would give you an idea which way to go re: RAM.

Since RAM is soldered on, personally, I'd go 16GB just to be safe, but might be overkill for your needs.

 

[SDColorado]

I would recommend the 15” as well, if you are finding the 12” screen real estate cramped. I appreciate the lure of the smaller form factor, having given a 13” a go myself. But I think in the long run you will find the 15” more a pleasure to work on.

The suggestion of using activity monitor to tack your current use-age and memory pressure should help guide you toward how much you need. That said, with it being soldered on, would probably go with 16. I can’t recall seeing any complaints from folks about having too much RAM, other than the cost of it

 

[Adazonk]

I would recommend the 15” as well, if you are finding the 12” screen real estate cramped. I appreciate the lure of the smaller form factor, having given a 13” a go myself. But I think in the long run you will find the 15” more a pleasure to work on.

The suggestion of using activity monitor to tack your current use-age and memory pressure should help guide you toward how much you need. That said, with it being soldered on, would probably go with 16. I can’t recall seeing any complaints from folks about having too much RAM, other than the cost of it

Yeah, I'm coming down on the base model 2.6 15"/16GB/512. Unless anyone has any good reasons to go for the 2.2 and upgrade the SSD? Because at that point it's only ~£150 for the processor and GPU bump

 

[Newtons Apple]

Yeah, I'm coming down on the base model 2.6 15"/16GB/5216. Unless anyone has any good reasons to go for the 2.2 and upgrade the SSD? Because at that point it's only ~£150 for the processor and GPU bump

Same model I have and it is awesome. It should more,than handle your needs for years to come.

 

[SDColorado]

Yeah, I'm coming down on the base model 2.6 15"/16GB/5216. Unless anyone has any good reasons to go for the 2.2 and upgrade the SSD? Because at that point it's only ~£150 for the processor and GPU bump

Assuming that the last 4 digits in the specs is meant to say 512, I believe that’s probably the most common spec and should do well for you.

 

[Adazonk]

Assuming that the last 4 digits in the specs is meant to say 512, I believe that’s probably the most common spec and should do well for you.

Yes, it does, I'm not sure how I did that!

Thanks for all your help.

 

[SDColorado]

Yes, it does, I'm not sure how I did that!

Thanks for all your help.

I wasn’t sure if it was meant to be 256 or 512, since the necessary digits for each were present

That will be a very nicely spec’ed machine. Enjoy!