Need a Mac desktop

[iandk]

Hi,

I just had to return my 16" Macbook Pro due to the screen quality and will have wait for the next update.

Therefore I just built a Workstation (Ryzen 7, Radeon 5700XT), which has awesome hardware and is currently running windows/ ubuntu, but I already miss macOS and the integration of the ecosystem.

So I'm thinking about either setting up a hackintosh or getting an additional solution to use as a desktop with macOS.
I've used my MBP as a desktop in the past, but I definitely want a computer, as I would like to separate my laptop from my desktop computer.

But it looks like my only options would be a Mac Pro which is definitely too expensive and a mac mini, which isn't able to run my two 4K monitors.
Sure, there are eGPUs but I dont want to buy another GPU and have another huge box on my desk.

Is there another solution that I haven't thought of yet?

A hackintosh would allow me to use my current powerful hardware but I'm not sure how stable this is for working.


Thanks!
Ian

 

[naerct]

I still have my "upgrade everything" 12-core 2009 cMP, but what's next? Mojave is an excellent OS, but time marches on. It may last me the rest of my life, but I'd like to be able to build a Hackintosh. I am definitely hooked on MacOS, and don't really want to deal with Windows again. I just wish they made an affordable desktop that's modular. So perhaps we will get some replies to the best methods and hardware. I looked at them in the past, but couldn't trust a Hackintosh while I was working. I don't mind having to learn how to mount a CPU again, and I have no more deadlines in retirement in case it takes a few days to get running after a destructive update...

 

[iandk]

yea I installed Windows on my new workstation but it sucks for productive work.

Gaming is fine, but nothing related to work.

 

[maflynn]

Is there another solution that I haven't thought of yet?

It seems if you need to run two 4k monitors and the mini is not capable (plus you don't want the added complexity of an egpu), your hands are kind of tied. Apple doesn't give you your choice.

What about the old mac pro?

You either need to go the hackintosh route, or switch to windows, which is probably not something you'd want give what you just posted

 

[iandk]

It sucks that there isn't a non "pro" Mac for users that dont want to use a laptop as a desktop.

 

[D.T.]

I personally wouldn't want to deal with a HackIntosh for anything work related, fun for a hobbiest type machine sure (I knocked around with one years ago).

People _are__ running two 4K displays directly off an '18 Mini:

No eGPU and two 4K monitors (no scaling). Is it possible?

Can the new Mac mini (i7/16GB RAM) drive two 4k displays with no scaling (or 1080p mode, which uses no extra GPU power)? I have one 4K monitor and would love to get another. I don’t do any intensive work, just browsing, videos, outlook, word processing etc. Any comments are appreciated. Thanks

forums.macrumors.com

Sounds good, but of course your specific use case (that might involve graphic intensive tasks) might "require" an eGPU.

I think the route of using a laptop in clamshell mode is a good option: you'd get a self-contained machine with a decent dGPU, built in power, and the ability to go mobile - since you owned one originally, I'd assume you want the latter[?]

The non-Pro Mac is the iMac, it could run one (or both) of your 4K displays as well.

Now, if you're specific desire is: not a Laptop, not an AIO/iMac, not a Mini + eGPU, then you're sort of running out of options. Mini without an eGPU is pretty awesome, in fact, I use a Mini for fairly robust development/design professionally, and it's also my main personal computer (I do run Windows in a VM, I just require a couple of specific tools, but a significant number of my dev tools are native MacOS).

 

[iandk]

I'm mostly doing coding, so nothing really gpu intensive.
I might give the mac mini a try. I heard a new one seems to be around the corner.

Yea, I could use a MBP in clamshell (will buy the next 16" once the display is fixed) but I would like to continue to use a seperate desktop.

 

[russell_314]

It sucks that there isn't a non "pro" Mac for users that dont want to use a laptop as a desktop.

You mean like the Mac mini? I think what you want is a desktop between the mini and pro but I don't see Apple releasing a third model anytime soon.

BTW you can run two 4K monitors without an egpu

 

[Gregg2]

Someone can educate me on this, but why isn't an iMac in the discussion? Can't you run a second monitor with it?

 

[iandk]

You mean like the Mac mini? I think what you want is a desktop between the mini and pro but I don't see Apple releasing a third model anytime soon.

BTW you can run two 4K monitors without an egpu

I dont need much performance, for this type of work I have my windows/ ubuntu workstation.

But the mac should be able to drive two 4K displays without a problem.
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Someone can educate me on this, but why isn't an iMac in the discussion? Can't you run a second monitor with it?

I already own two 4K displays which I'd like touse.
Therefore no iMac

 

[Fishrrman]

OP wrote:
"I already own two 4K displays which I'd like touse.
Therefore no iMac"

Well... if you want a Mac "desktop" and DO NOT want an iMac, you have two choices:
- Mac Mini
or
- Mac Pro.

How deep are your pockets...?

 

[iandk]

Not deep enough to justify spending that much on a Mac Pro.

 

[MacGizmo]

You can run two external 4K displays with an iMac (as well as any other Mac). Some may require an external GPU to connect, but that's a lot cheaper than a MacPro.