Send back Intel MBP?

[dvdrl]

Just today I received the text confirming that the Intel MBP13 (i7/16GB/1TB) that I ordered four weeks ago was shipped and will be with me within a week.

I am really tempted to send it back right away and get one of the new models, but I am torn. It looks like a tradeoff of a safer investment into the future vs the 1st gen risks.

And then I am sure that all the perf comparisons were made agains the 8th gen Intel CPUs, so the gap might not be as big with the i7.

What would you folks do?

 

[jav6454]

All 1st gen stuff requires risk. But Apple's performance claims (which usually turn out to be true) are too good to ignore. In your place, I would evaluate my expected usage and take it from there.

 

[dvdrl]

Thanks, that makes sense. I wish there was more data out there. But I still have a week…

 

[Serban55]

you should ask, because Apple is already extended the return policy until January
So you can return the intel one and go for the M1 Mbp and see how it goes with your needs

 

[leman]

There is absolutely no sense in getting an Intel 13” now unless you rely on some Intel specific features (Windows support for example).

 

[rjalex]

And obviously you need to evaluate which software you need NOW that is NOT yet been ported to the M1 chip ...

 

[leman]

And obviously you need to evaluate which software you need NOW that is NOT yet been ported to the M1 chip ...

I don't think this is the optimal line of reasoning. All Intel software will run on M1, maybe not as good as it could otherwise, but still. If you decide to buy Intel because Photoshop does not yet run natively, and then two months later native Photoshop comes out and makes your Intel machine obsolete... you are not winning anything.

 

[Serban55]

And obviously you need to evaluate which software you need NOW that is NOT yet been ported to the M1 chip ...

Under rosetta2, intel apps can run even better than the Intel based macs with iGpu...so that could be not true
Again, think that rosetta 2 takes around 60% performance from the app that you are using....but you gain 2x or 3x better Raw power with the M1 vs Intel one...so in fact you gain perf under Rosetta 2

 

[ght56]

What are you using the system for? How important is battery life?

If you need something that is unquestionably reliable and stable right out of the box, keep the Intel version. If you are okay with a bit more unknown, then going AS could mean vastly better battery life and improved performance with many applications. You could also set up your current system when it arrives and based on comparison reviews make your decision depending how big the real-world differences are between the AS and Intel Macs.

Comparatively speaking, the performance difference between the i5 and i7 is minimal.

 

[Serban55]

Again there is no drawback to go with M1, unless you rely , like leman said, on windows10 X86 OS...since we know and suspect Microsoft will be happy to license for you the win10 arm OS

 

[ght56]

There are absolutely drawbacks but it depends on the individual user's needs.

 

[dvdrl]

Thanks for all the replies! I am a software developer, so peak compilation speed is interesting. But this is not the machine that earns my money, but rather my private laptop where I work on my pet projects.

Windows development is an interesting feature, but for the price difference I could put a little Ryzen box somewhere and use it via remote desktop.

 

[dvdrl]

I am really interested in some real-life perf comparisons. Apple’s numbers come from a comparison with the 8th gen laptops. But right now I tend to send it back.

 

[Broko Fankone]

If you want to trade your working machine for a paid beta test then by all means return the intel and get the entry-level ipad macbooks.

 

[Yebubbleman]

If it was an Intel 2020 2-port model (i.e. with 8th Gen Intel), then I'd send it back and get an Apple Silicon model.

If you're fine with not having all of your apps be native for the first few months of ownership, then that's a good switch.

Today's 13" MacBook Pro is technically not the replacement for the Intel 2020 4-port model (i.e. with 10th Gen Intel). If you need Intel (for apps that are going to be 100% native today and/or x86 virtualization and/or Boot Camp, then either don't trade in your Intel model. Otherwise, the Apple Silicon model is what will be supported for longer going forward.

 

[Serban55]

"return the intel and get the entry-level ipad macbooks."
To compare the M1 macs running macOS with the 329$ entry level ipad...is nuts...and bad info to our OP
Today the ipad pro wants to be more like a mac with those keyboards and trackpads than vice versa

 

[sirexilor]

Thanks for all the replies! I am a software developer, so peak compilation speed is interesting. But this is not the machine that earns my money, but rather my private laptop where I work on my pet projects.

Windows development is an interesting feature, but for the price difference I could put a little Ryzen box somewhere and use it via remote desktop.

Well, there is no support for Docker or The Homebrew package manager.

 

[richmlow]

Just today I received the text confirming that the Intel MBP13 (i7/16GB/1TB) that I ordered four weeks ago was shipped and will be with me within a week.

I am really tempted to send it back right away and get one of the new models, but I am torn. It looks like a tradeoff of a safer investment into the future vs the 1st gen risks.

And then I am sure that all the perf comparisons were made agains the 8th gen Intel CPUs, so the gap might not be as big with the i7.

What would you folks do?

I personally am not a big fan of adopting first generation products, Apple or otherwise.


richmlow

 

[Broko Fankone]

"return the intel and get the entry-level ipad macbooks."
To compare the M1 macs running macOS with the 329$ entry level ipad...is nuts...and bad info to our OP
Today the ipad pro wants to be more like a mac with those keyboards and trackpads than vice versa

Where exactly did you read "entry level ipad"?

These new arm macs ARE entry-level machines and the only difference between all of their processors is that one of them has 1 extra gpu core.

All benchmarks are also yet to be seen. Anyone trading in their Intel macbook right now is doing so blindly. Not even going to talk about potential software issues.

To say "go ahead and replace your macbook" with something that is not yet seen the light of the real world is bad info for OP.

 

[Serban55]

He said "entry level ipad macbooks" and not entry level macbooks, but entry level iPAD
again , OP has also an Intel entry level macbook pro...so...when the M1 Macbook pro is better than Intel one 8th gen in every way....ok except if he use bootcamp etc no need to try the same throttle heat issues Intel
This is not something not yet seen in real world...some of us had the dev kit mac mini for months and lets not forget the return policy is until January if the OP is not pleased..

IF Apple lied big about these claims and in fact the M1 macs are slower than equivalent Intel macs...then....but based on what ive seen in the mac mini with 2 year old chip...i suspect Apple claims to be true in general

 

[dvdrl]

Just to clarify: my 10th gen i7 machine hasn’t even arrived yet (scheduled for next week). I might try to extend the life of my current laptop for another little bit and hope that they replace the higher-level mbps early next year.

 

[Broko Fankone]

Yeah, entry level ipad macbooks, because these macbooks are basically ipads in macbook bodies. I guess I should have clarified what I mean earlier.

The "real" arm macbooks will come next year with redesign. I am going to say this again - this release is meant to beta test the arm macs on a greater public scale. If you trust in that, go ahead and buy them.

Anyone in their right mind who actually needs to 100% rely on their machine to work as expected would be a fool to jump on this bandwagon. Especially considering next year we will likely have beefier models that come after a period of testing and ironing out issues on the ones they just released.

Fanboy away, you are recommending OP to transition based on a presentation and exactly ZERO real-life feedback and benchmarks.

 

[Serban55]

This release is not beta test...the mac mini dev kit was...the beta test will be the redesign macs from next year maybe
This year, apple give you a known chassis, with an already known, issue free magic keyboard, same battery, same speakers, and so on...just with a better M1 than A12Z chip that has no flaws after months
Again, we all know a redesign can be a beta test, not these all known designs, thats why apple didnt risk a redesign from the start of transition
So i would buy now and have the best return policy until January, than buy an redesign mac next year with maybe some tech that can have issues, like we know from the early past...

"I have no zero real life feedback"...i have my exp if you read between the lines...and again...and again, with Return Policy , no question asked so good...whats the problem? To let the OP try another Intel heat issues with terrible battery life under load?!
Again, OP if you want something new now , try the M1 and see for yourself...you can test and retest everything you do at max for days weeks if you want...if you are not happy, you return it and buy the Intel one on the same day.

 

[Broko Fankone]

Are you trying to say that a new chasis is more of a beta test than a completely new architecture, the switch of has not been seen for years and years until today? OK, sure.


One thing is true though, they can buy it and test it and then return it if they want to, if everything goes by plan. So by the very least be wary of your return window.

 

[Serban55]

Just to clarify: my 10th gen i7 machine hasn’t even arrived yet (scheduled for next week). I might try to extend the life of my current laptop for another little bit and hope that they replace the higher-level mbps early next year.

You could do that, but if next year they will redesign (i hope not) the higher level mbps you will again want to wait to see if the redesign has no issues like the 2016 did ..so you start the waiting game