I need a new Macbook. I currently run a 2019 16' MPB i9 32GB ram. This thing cannot even power my monitor setup without so much lag it feels like I'm using something a decade older. I have 1 4k monitor, 2 2K monitors all 60hz. I'm a software engineer, have a much better machine for work, but do some part time work in the space as well. I develop using a lot of docker containers. Wondering what the best value is right now. I'm considering buying an M1 Max top spec for $1700 to last until holiday season where I'll then buy a M4 Max if it releases and pray on the resale value of the previous machine for subsequent upgrade, or buy a M3 Max right now for $3500. What do we think at the moment?
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New Macbook Purchase Advice
- Thread starter appleshill
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This is surprising. Let me guess… all your displays are connected via USB rather than Thunderbolt? Expand on how your displays are connected.
If they have to be x86 containers, an Apple Silicon Mac might not be the best tool for the job.
something is wrong with your setup. Likey a Docker issue.
You might want ot rethink you environment. Is the software running in dock graphics heavy? Then maybe not the best use of Docker
Yes a faster computer will mask the docker u=issues but best to address the root cause.
All via a brand new thunderbolt connected dock. But yes, dock is setup using conventional HDMI and DisplayPort cables. I suspect the culprit is that the dock uses displaylink so as to support M1 macs to support more than 2 monitors. But A.) I could not find docks not supporting this technology sold on Amazon. And B.) I had the monitors connected via 2 thunderbolt and a thunderbolt->HDMI and had the same poor performance.
I've found the emulator on my work machine to be sufficient if not more performant than my intel machine. But I also have a custom Desktop PC with a Ryzen chip that absolutely runs them more performantly. I have never once been impressed by a windows based laptop, I've no intention of converting now.
I want to add, even without docker running, it is still a VERY lackluster experience to use the machine connected to the dock with 3 monitors running. Noticeable glitches, frame drops, slow all together.
DisplayLink is a hardware / software solution so you must be running the DisplayLink Manager software and have a dock which supports DisplayLink technology. The only TB dock I'm aware of that supports DisplayLink is a Satechi dock. Is that the dock you are using?
The dock I am using is not Satechi, though I am aware displaylink is a heavy software solution, I am just deeply unsure why a 2019 I9 macbook is not keeping up. The dock I purchased is here. The satechi alternatives for the same use case appear to be $300 presently, which given this Mac tracks at being valued at ~$700 gives me reason to assume, it is time for a new mac.
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You know something, I decided based off your input to replace the dock with 3 separate inputs, it works far better, performance still sucks otherwise but at least monitors are now at 60HZ