Macbook Pro M1 vs 2018 15inch Pro

[rhysgittoes]

Hi there,

Just about to splash the cash on a new macbook as my 2013 air isn't quite punching as hard.

I'm really torn between a 2021 13 inch pro M1, base model or a 512 15 inch 2018 pro bought form Ebay. They’re the same price

My main uses would be Logic pro, Matlab and Solidworks. A thing to consider is I have a PC as a main workstation and the M1 doesnt support native windows which is annoying.

Other things to consider:

They're around the same price in the UK.
The New keyboard is "much" better.
Matlab and solidworks aren't optimized for the m1 at all.


Is the old keyboard really that bad? Considering I get a dedicated GPU and more screen real estate.

Thanks for reading, any help will be appreciated.

Rhys

 

[ProfessionalFan]

I just traded in my 2018 15 inch Pro for the M1 Pro. I thought the smaller screen would be a problem, but after about a week of using the 13 inch, I actually like the smaller size more. I use it with an external monitor most of the day (did the same with the 2018) and then use it as a laptop at night to lounge with.

I love the new M1 and don't miss the 2018 one in the slightest. I do not use the apps you use so I can't confirm how well they function unfortunately. But everything I have used, has worked well even if it was going through Rosetta.

The 2018 would heat up so quick even if I wasn't doing much with it and then the fans would eventually come on and sound like an airplane.

I prefer the new keyboard over the 2018 keyboard in a big way. It feels better to use and I don't have as much fear of it failing. It failed on me twice in the couple years I had it.

The new computer runs cool, quiet and FAST. It is a real joy to use and one of my favorite purchases in years.

 

[BrettApple]

From someone using a 2018 6-core/32GB/512GB 15" as my daily work computer, I'd honestly go for the M1 MBP simply because this thing runs HOT and loud. Granted I'm not easy on it, it runs 4 displays (M1 can only drive one but I use a USB-C dock for two of those via DisplayLink), and I have tons of windows open but still! From what I've seen on those M1 chips with heat vs performance and the ability to still have a pretty heavy workload but without breaking a sweat - that's the direction I'd go. That and I very much dislike this butterfly keyboard though it is still totally functional.

Might be worth getting the one with 16GB vs 8GB but that's my only niggle. And I've heard even 8GB runs just fine even with apps maxing it out, likely due to the unified memory and crazy fast swap space when it needs it.

I'm waiting until 2021 if I can as my personal Mac is a 2013 MBP and while it's running Big Sur just fine, it's getting to that age where it's on the chopping block for macOS updates. Just to see what the rest of the lineup will bring.

 

[theluggage]

My main uses would be Logic pro, Matlab and Solidworks.

From what I see in other threads and reviews, Logic Pro itself, and it's standard instruments and effects, run incredibly well on M1, but third-party plugins, virtual instruments, any sound cards that need drivers etc. are hit and miss with many not yet being supported on Big Sur, let alone M1. Even with an Intel machine I'd hold off upgrading to Big Sur for a month or two.

First, check your actual RAM requirements. You may well be fine with 8GB, but if anything you're doing actually uses more than 8GB on Intel then it will most likely benefit from having more than 8GB on M1. Since the M1 is all-round faster at some things you may initially gain more on the swings than you lose on the roundabouts, but when the M1X/M2/whatever machines with more RAM roll out you'll fall behind. Unfortunately, you can't easily your RAM usage that just by looking at memory usage, since MacOS will "use" all the RAM it can get - you have to look at the "Memory pressure" on an 8GB machine.

Also look at SSD size - yes you can always add external storage, but if you're buying a laptop for portability then you don't necessarily want an external drive hanging off it. A full Logic Pro install with sound library is 72GB and while you can hive some of that off onto external it's far more convenient to have it in one place. Logic project files tend to burn a lot of space too. Remember that for performance and longevity you really, really don't want your system drive to get anywhere near 100% full.

Plus, remember that you're losing ports and support for more than one external display. A USB-C hub/dock is still sharing the bandwidth of a single USB 3 link multiple ways, and adding latency, a TB3 dock is better and gives you extra "first class" USB ports - but is more expensive.

OTOH, I wouldn't touch a butterfly keyboard with a bargepole. Apple dropped the design for a reason.

That said - assuming you verify that all of your software works - the M1 should blow your 2013 Air out of the water. Personally, I'd save my pennies until I see what the next round of more "pro" Apple Silicon machines have to offer - but they probably ain't gonna be cheaper so if (a) I had to buy now and (b) the 2018 15" was the only affordable alternative, I'd go with the M1.

 

[marameansdemon]

I just traded in my 2018 15 inch Pro for the M1 Pro. I thought the smaller screen would be a problem, but after about a week of using the 13 inch, I actually like the smaller size more. I use it with an external monitor most of the day (did the same with the 2018) and then use it as a laptop at night to lounge with.

I love the new M1 and don't miss the 2018 one in the slightest. I do not use the apps you use so I can't confirm how well they function unfortunately. But everything I have used, has worked well even if it was going through Rosetta.

The 2018 would heat up so quick even if I wasn't doing much with it and then the fans would eventually come on and sound like an airplane.

I prefer the new keyboard over the 2018 keyboard in a big way. It feels better to use and I don't have as much fear of it failing. It failed on me twice in the couple years I had it.

The new computer runs cool, quiet and FAST. It is a real joy to use and one of my favorite purchases in years.

I thought I was going crazy about the heat and the fans. I contacted Apple several times and they said it was normal with all macs (this is my first one, so I didn’t know). Long story short, I’m looking into trading my 2018 15” for an M1 and your reply made me make the decision to just get it. Big Sur rendered my computer useless and as much as I love it, I think it’s time to let go, even if it’s practically new.

 

[ght56]

Do you know if the M1 Macs or the T2 Macs play nice with any equipment you are using?

 

[adib]

Hi there,

Just about to splash the cash on a new macbook as my 2013 air isn't quite punching as hard.

I'm really torn between a 2021 13 inch pro M1, base model or a 512 15 inch 2018 pro bought form Ebay. They’re the same price

My main uses would be Logic pro, Matlab and Solidworks. A thing to consider is I have a PC as a main workstation and the M1 doesnt support native windows which is annoying.

Other things to consider:

They're around the same price in the UK.
The New keyboard is "much" better.
Matlab and solidworks aren't optimized for the m1 at all.


Is the old keyboard really that bad? Considering I get a dedicated GPU and more screen real estate.

Thanks for reading, any help will be appreciated.

Rhys

Be careful when buying a second-hand computer... Notably the one without warranty coverage. If anything goes wrong, you’re not covered.

The butterfly keyboard isn’t that bad. Key-presses are shallow, somewhat better for touch typing; however reliability is an issue – prone to dust and other particles making the keys sticky and double-type. If you’ve bought it new or refurbished from Apple, the company offers free keyboard replacement within four years of the original purchase date. Then again, buying it used from eBay may preclude this privilege.

Windows isn’t yet supported on an M1 Mac. Therefore SOLIDWORKS won’t run. There are some experiments running a virtualized Windows ARM64, but that requires custom modifications of the virtualization software and a copy of Windows available only for insiders.

The M1 Mac doesn’t support external GPU either; could be an issue if your workload depends on one (SOLIDWORKS?)

A third option is to buy a refurbished Intel Mac from Apple. These are “as good as new” albeit an older technology and depends on your luck of finding a good match between current offerings and your needs.

 

[ProfessionalFan]

I thought I was going crazy about the heat and the fans. I contacted Apple several times and they said it was normal with all macs (this is my first one, so I didn’t know). Long story short, I’m looking into trading my 2018 15” for an M1 and your reply made me make the decision to just get it. Big Sur rendered my computer useless and as much as I love it, I think it’s time to let go, even if it’s practically new.

Enjoy it!