Configuration for buying a new MacBook Pro for data processing

[Orange_Squash]

I'm a research scientist (physics) and looking to buy a Mac Book Pro for both work and as a home machine. Is there anyone out there who uses Macs for computer processing? I was lent a MacBook Pro but it's getting old and it's not mine but I think it's easier to work with than any Windows or pure unix environment, so it's time to upgrade.

For 20 years I've worked in research institutions where I was surrounded by computer experts who sourced (unix) machines and talked about RAM, multi-threaded cores, CPUs etc as I nodded blankly, but now I'm out on my own as a contractor and find I really don't know how to achieve the best set up without throwing more money at the problem than I need to. I know I need to school myself a bit on this but I'd be very grateful for some authoritative advice. The difference between the base model cost and all the upgrades is nearly double the price.

My processing jobs at present are CPU intensive but not memory limited (lots of little processes not using huge data files). I think I'm happy to use external storage for the most part with 1Tb built in (it's what I have now), unless this slows things down for reading and writing. I don't need to do high intensity image processing (I do data visualization but not movies etc.) but I do write huge PDF files of fancy results sometimes. Do I go for max RAM? Do I go for the full CPU speed upgrade or will I only get marginal gains? Will I notice the difference between 4.8 and 4.9 GHz for the turbo boost for a lot more money???! I'd appreciate any thoughts on this, thank you in advance.

 

[hobowankenobi]

Keep in mind you can't change RAM or storage later...so important to know what you will need for the foreseeable future.

Also, are you aware of the pending change from X86 to ARM CPUs, starting late this year?

You are set on a portable? You can get more oompf from a desktop for CPU intensive stuff. MacBook Pros running at high CPU loads for any length of time will have thermal limitations and will be very loud (fan at max speed), and short battery run times.

Generally speaking most Pro 2D work on the design side will find 16GB of RAM to be adequate. Some will want more, but mostly due to extensive multi-tasking, with more than a few apps open and working at once. 32 GB is plenty for most heavy lifters, and to help future-proof. More RAM is always better...really just come down to budget, and knowing RAM requirements (based on your or your peer's experience).

As for CPU, a similar story. How fast can you afford to go? Yes, we pay a premium for the last, fairly small speed bumps. As to how fast vs. cost, benchmarks may help decide. Pay attention to single vs. multi-core. Good to know if the software you will be running takes advantage of multicore CPUs.

The easiest question to answer would be about storage. internal storage is ideal, but costly. External SSD via TB or USB C can be very fast too, at a fraction of the price and with easy expandability. You have to define how fast you expect or require.

 

[hobowankenobi]

Also...what year/model is the MBP you are using now? Knowing how it rates to current models may help set your expectations of performance vs. cost.

 

[Orange_Squash]

Also...what year/model is the MBP you are using now? Knowing how it rates to current models may help set your expectations of performance vs. cost.

Thank you for your reply, I'm very grateful! I am using a Mid-2014 15" MacBook Pro. 2.5 GHz Intel Core i7, 16 Gb 1600 MHz DDR3 (RAM?), NVIDIA GForce GT 750M 2048 MB (Graphics card?) Intel Iris Pro 1536 MB (camera?). It was lent to me by someone who does similar work to me, but they also have occasional access to a cluster for bigger processing jobs.

I saw from the overview/review on here that it's been 300 odd days since the last upgrade to the 16" so it advises to wait before buying which I can do.

I know you can get more powerful desktop Macs but I do travel for work (and currently battle for home office desk with partner for our house office so I'm relegated to dining room table) - I think this flexibility is more important. On the other hand, travel is less of a factor these virus-riddled days...

I use IDL mainly which I can make into single-core processes to multi-thread if I absolutely had to but I hope not to.

If I can buy a machine that cuts my job run time in half my life would get significantly easier (currently e.g. 7-10 hours) - that is the order of magnitude gain that I would pay handsomely for. If it's marginal gains then perhaps not. My other option if that can't be achieved is as you say to go for a desktop, buy a cheap windows family laptop for the other stuff and boot my husband into the dining room to work instead, but for keeping the peace and not going crazy on the budget this is my first preference.