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M4 Macbook Pro as the primary computer?
- Thread starter dizmonk
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Well I don't run my computers into the ground because I want them to last. But I will say most friends I know use their computers until they break or can't function smoothly anymore. I'd say most of them hold onto their computers for at least 10-15 years.
My sister used her previous MacBook Air for like 11 or 12 years before moving on. It was falling apart at that point with the thing running hot as an oven and many of the keys on the keyboard have popped off. I personally wouldn't use a laptop for that long but my point is, most people are like my sister. If it aint broke, dont mess with it. In other words no need to spend money on a new one.
The people who upgrade every 3-4 years are techies. I know many people who are using 10+ year old laptops.
I didn’t baby my 2012 MacBook Air, but neither did I mistreat it. I used it daily, occasionally using an external keyboard, frequently plugging a larger monitor in, and that lasted me until last year, when I gave it to my brother in perfect working order. Zero problems, and only a couple of very minor dings in the aluminium.
MacBooks are made to be used. They respond well to being looked after, but no need to go overboard.
It is four 8TB Samsung QVO SSDs. They’re only SATA speeds, but for media/file storage and playable they’re fine - the network tends to be the bottleneck.
I use the OWC Mercury elite dual mini. It’s a USB-C bus-powered enclosure that can hold two SSDs. I have two of them.
One one enclosure the drives are set up independently. One 8TB for Plex and one 8TB for file storage. The other enclosure is set to Span (JBOD) so that macOS sees on single 16TB volume. This is used for Time Machine for both the Mac Mini and my MacBook Pro.
Honestly if I didn't already have a custom PC, I would very likely just use my MBP as my primary computer since my use cases have changed since getting the PC 4 years ago. But with it being worth no more than $600 (if that) and I really need at least 3 monitor output (4 even better), I would have no issue selling it. In fact when I got the MBP last November, I really did consider it but after you factor in the cost of a good laptop dock and the extra wear I would put on the MBP battery it's just not worth it. A good reliable laptop dock isn't cheap and then you have to go through all the trial and error in finding one that works with no issues.
Step 1. Read Reviews
Step 2. Order it
Step 3. Use it.
Step 4. Don't obsess over it.
Doesnt seem that hard to me.
If I sold my desktop PC and after the cost of a good dock I would likely only net about $400-500 back and that's CAD $. Not worth it.Step 1. Read Reviews
Step 2. Order it
Step 3. Use it.
Step 4. Don't obsess over it.
Doesnt seem that hard to me.
If the M4 Pro could output to 4 monitors and I could remove the battery then I would likely do it. These are the only two things holding me back.
For me my biggest gripe using my desktop PC is that it generates heat and after even a few hours using it it gets my room so hot. Even with multiple fans on and the window open.
Whereas I could use the Mac all day and it won't generate any heat into the room. Huge advantage.
I was just replying to your comment on how hard it was to find a dock to use. not your whole history
you do seem to buy and exchange a lot of computers though, judging by the threads you start about this or that.
what do you do with 4 monitors? just curious.
I was just replying to your comment on how hard it was to find a dock to use. not your whole history
you do seem to buy and exchange a lot of computers though, judging by the threads you start about this or that.
what do you do with 4 monitors? just curious.
I use my desktop PC for video editing. Will not settle for less than 3 monitors, but much prefer 4 as I have use cases for the 4th.
I'm on my 3rd Mac, the 15 inch M3 MacBook Air, 16GB ram, 1TB SSD. It's plenty powerful for my needs as a high school teacher as my main computer.
My previous two Macs were:
1) 2012 13 inch Macbook Pro
2) 2020 13 inch (still Intel) Macbook Pro
I would still be using my 2020 Intel Mac if I didn't have a need for more performance. In late 2023 I found MacWhisper to create subtitles/transcripts from video and audio files and that was a killer app for me. My Intel Mac did it way too slowly and I thought a lot about upgrading. Then I found a website showing how the M1 and M2 series Macs both doing substantially better with MacWhisper transcription than an Intel model, and then I had to make the upgrade to M3 as that would have even bigger gains. I would prefer to have waited until the M4 arrived which was a few months away, but I couldn't wait any longer.
As others have noted, Intel Macs still get the job done if you're doing basic office and web browsing, but if you need more performance like with anything AI related done locally on your computer, you have to go with Apple Silicon.
For a second monitor, at work I plug my Mac into a 15 inch portable monitor, and at home I plug it into a 24 inch 4K monitor, and I carry around my 2020 iPad Pro for its Sidecar functionality when I need a super portable option. These are enough for my needs.
My previous two Macs were:
1) 2012 13 inch Macbook Pro
2) 2020 13 inch (still Intel) Macbook Pro
I would still be using my 2020 Intel Mac if I didn't have a need for more performance. In late 2023 I found MacWhisper to create subtitles/transcripts from video and audio files and that was a killer app for me. My Intel Mac did it way too slowly and I thought a lot about upgrading. Then I found a website showing how the M1 and M2 series Macs both doing substantially better with MacWhisper transcription than an Intel model, and then I had to make the upgrade to M3 as that would have even bigger gains. I would prefer to have waited until the M4 arrived which was a few months away, but I couldn't wait any longer.
As others have noted, Intel Macs still get the job done if you're doing basic office and web browsing, but if you need more performance like with anything AI related done locally on your computer, you have to go with Apple Silicon.
For a second monitor, at work I plug my Mac into a 15 inch portable monitor, and at home I plug it into a 24 inch 4K monitor, and I carry around my 2020 iPad Pro for its Sidecar functionality when I need a super portable option. These are enough for my needs.
I have a (custom built) desktop gaming PC and it never warms up the room like that. There are times I wish it would during winter, but even under load (gaming, video editing) that machine rarely breaks 85C on either the CPU or GPU.
What I meant is, basic thermal logic. PC doesnt run hot, it runs cool (30-33C at idle) but like with all PCs heat comes out of the back fan, so putting that into any room will increase the room temp. Like you said, good during winters, not so much in summer.