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Best Configuration on the 2019 MBP? Or get a PC?

hotdwag

hotdwag

macrumors member
Original poster
Jun 15, 2016
49
59
I'm looking at the 2019 Macbook Pro and am constantly messing with the upgrade options. My work is allowing me to trade in my current MBP (2016 "Esc") towards the purchsae of another MBPro that is my own property.

Using the device for FCPx, General administrative tasks, and gaming in bootcamp.
  • While the Vega 20 is not necessarily a "gaming" GPU, how is experience in general? I have a GTX 970 available but no eGPU enclosure... I could use the saved money to buy an eGPU enclosure to use in bootcamp if the Vega 20 is just plain not worth it... but that isn't portable.
  • Did you upgrade the storage and not regret it? (The cost is just... ouch) I currently have a 512gb drive and constantly have 10-23gb available. It would be nice to have 1tb, but it would be a lot cheaper to get a compact external.
  • Are there any advantages to 32gb of RAM other than allowing for openning of more programs? It seems like it "future proofs" to a degree, though not sure to what amount.
Or I could just keep current device and purchase a MSI GS65 with a 2060 for around the same cost. However, I use my work MBPro for media consumption and other home tasks. Any input appreciated
 
You aren't going to be playing recent AAA titles at ultra settings. It's roughly equivalent to the laptop version of the GeForce GTX 1050 Ti. So a lower end gaming GPU.
https://www.notebookcheck.net/Radeo...ce-GTX-1050-Ti-Laptop_9391_7346.247598.0.html

How much data will you offload? My rule of thumb with storage on a new computer is it should have at minimum double the capacity you currently use. This gives you room to grow. At 10 to 23GB available. You are way below the 10% minimum remaining capacity for an SSD. Ideally they should not be more than 80% full.

Is FCPx for work? If it is 32GB can speed up large video workloads. Especially 4K video. 32GB is actually pretty light for 4K. Pugetsystems recommends 32GB for 1080p and 64GB for 4K.
 
Best upgrade for video editing?
2019, eight core, no CPU upgrade (paltry 100MHz), Vega 20, 32GB, 2TB.

Most affordable option?
2015 macbook pro.
(just me? ok)
 
As mentioned, the Vega 20 isn't a gaming GPU and you won't be able to play games at high settings. However, more compact EGPU units with a RX 580 like the Gigabyte Gaming Box would be a better option or a Sonnet eGFX Breakaway Puck RX 570. Sure, it's not as portable, but they will be more powerful than the Vega 20. You don't necessary need to hook a monitor to it, although you will lose some performance if you use the internal screen with the EGPU. It will still be faster than the Vega 20. On the plus side, you can upgrade it later with a more powerful GPU, as long it fits in the enclosure.

Note that you can direct an app to use the eGPU only without a monitor hooked up in macOS Mojave and Final Cut Pro X should be able to take advantage of it.

I use a EGPU setup with my 2018 Macbook Pro and it's pretty good, although my enclosure is a lot bigger.

If you travel a lot, you probably want the Vega 20 instead.
 
ruslan120 said:
Best upgrade for video editing?
2019, eight core, no CPU upgrade (paltry 100MHz), Vega 20, 32GB, 2TB.

Most affordable option?
2015 macbook pro.
(just me? ok)
Click to expand...

How long do you think the 2015 MBP will be a viable system compared to the just released 13" with 16GB and 128SSD ? Just be doing basic things on the OSX side but need to run Parallels for IT / Business things.
 
Arcus said:
How long do you think the 2015 MBP will be a viable system compared to the just released 13" with 16GB and 128SSD ? Just be doing basic things on the OSX side but need to run Parallels for IT / Business things.
Click to expand...

The new 13” seems pretty good but gets pricier with SSD upgrades. With the 15” you can upgrade the SSD - sky’s the limit.

13” Pros:
- Thunderbolt 3
- Newer CPU
- Newer Hardware (will probably last longer)
13” Cons:
- Butterfly Keyboard (high failure rates)
- Non user-upgradable SSD
- No hyperthreading

15” Pros:
- Larger screen
- Upgradable SSD
- CPU has hyperthreading
- More ports
- Good keyboard
15” Cons:
- No thunderbolt 3
- older hardware, might fail sooner

If you don’t mind having to run Parallels off an external drive then I’d personally go with the updated 13”.
 
Arcus said:
Thank you very much for the reply. Can I ask why I would have to run Parallels off of an external? Can assume it would be because of space taken up by the guest OS?
Click to expand...

Correct. It seems like an inevitability, especially with a paltry 128GB of built in storage. You could upgrade the internal 13" ssd when ordering the machine, but iirc cost is a concern here.
 
The RAM and SSD upgrades add up quickly. And then you wonder if you're spending close to 2 grand, why not go for the faster one right away. Until you spec it up and it's 3 grand...
 
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MRrainer said:
The RAM and SSD upgrades add up quickly. And then you wonder if you're spending close to 2 grand, why not go for the faster one right away. Until you spec it up and it's 3 grand...
Click to expand...

Ah, the somber reality that Apple is actually doing the smart thing here by catering to the 80% of users that don't need anything above 8GB or between 128-256GB of local storage... and that most users here are the 20%. (and as such, these things are appropriately priced)
 
hotdwag said:
I use my work MBPro for media consumption and other home tasks. Any input appreciated
Click to expand...
Since you use FCPX, I'd not recommend a PC for your work, but rather get two machines. Your work computer and your home computer, that way you get to enjoy the best of both worlds.
 
ruslan120 said:
Ah, the somber reality that Apple is actually doing the smart thing here by catering to the 80% of users that don't need anything above 8GB or between 128-256GB of local storage... and that most users here are the 20%. (and as such, these things are appropriately priced)
Click to expand...


8GB/128GB would be sort of OK for my parents, I admit.
But I'd want 16 and 256 (at least). I wouldn't want to carry around an external drive.

Not with a laptop.
 
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