What desktop computer should I get as a freelance developer?

[fraxool]

Hi,

I'm a pro freelance web / app developer and I currently have a 2019 15" Macbook Pro (i9 2.3Ghz, 16Gb RAM etc). I'm thinking about selling it to get a nice desktop computer and buy a used base-config Macbook / Air / Pro next to it.

Why am I considering this? My current Macbook pro is constantly overheating with fans running at 100% almost all the time. Even when I'm not doing heavy tasks, I can hear them a lot. When I do bigger tasks, it throttles and the performances sometimes become really poor. I think it also comes from the fact that I have the MBP plugged in a 4K monitor when I'm working.

I work almost all the time from my desk and still need a laptop for when I travel (but with the Covid issue, I think I could wait for the next ARM laptops on this point).

My use is a professional one - my computer is where I spend most of my day working as a web and app developer. I mainly use it for VSCode, XCode, Android Studio, local servers, Photoshop and also sometimes video editing with Adobe Premiere Pro (for YouTube & my personal use).

So I'm looking for a desktop computer for this use and ideally that does not throttle / make constant fans noises. I'm thinking about a 2020 Mac Mini (but I am suspicious about getting overheating issues again) or a 2013 Mac Pro (6,1). I'm not really considering the iMac knowing that it will get a redesign around 2021 and that it is also subject to throttling issues.

So what are your suggestions on what I should get?

Thanks

 

[Cookie18]

A Mac Mini with an eGPU sounds perfect for what you need. The i7 model performs significantly faster than all but the highest end 2013 Mac Pro and any graphics card you added would be better than the graphics in the Mac Pro’s.

The Mini is a really powerful workhorse these days, with an eGPU it gives any Mac under $5000 a run for its money.

 

[fraxool]

Thanks for your reply! The Mac Mini with eGpu is a solution I could eventually consider. Only issue is I think the Mac Mini is also a noisy machine from some video reviews I’ve seen. It’s not a « big » problem but if I can have a machine that is silent even in heavy tasks (and doesn’t throttle) that would be amazing

But I definitely get it that the Mac Mini is probably the best value for money today.

I will wait for other suggestions ;-)

 

[Cookie18]

Thanks for your reply! The Mac Mini with eGpu is a solution I could eventually consider. Only issue is I think the Mac Mini is also a noisy machine from some video reviews I’ve seen. It’s not a « big » problem but if I can have a machine that is silent even in heavy tasks (and doesn’t throttle) that would be amazing

But I definitely get it that the Mac Mini is probably the best value for money today.

I will wait for other suggestions ;-)

For what it’s worth I’ve heard my Mac Mini i5 fan one time. I don’t max out the CPU but I push it enough that it really works. I wouldn’t trust those reviews because I haven’t seen anybody on here complaining about it either.

If your work load has it running at 100% (the only time the fan comes on) then it isn’t powerful enough for you in the first place.

 

[fraxool]

Thanks! Do you use a 4K monitor along with your Mac Mini?

 

[Cookie18]

Thanks! Do you use a 4K monitor along with your Mac Mini?

I use a 4K monitor and a 1080p/144hz monitor.

 

[Yebubbleman]

Hi,

I'm a pro freelance web / app developer and I currently have a 2019 15" Macbook Pro (i9 2.3Ghz, 16Gb RAM etc). I'm thinking about selling it to get a nice desktop computer and buy a used base-config Macbook / Air / Pro next to it.

Why am I considering this? My current Macbook pro is constantly overheating with fans running at 100% almost all the time. Even when I'm not doing heavy tasks, I can hear them a lot. When I do bigger tasks, it throttles and the performances sometimes become really poor. I think it also comes from the fact that I have the MBP plugged in a 4K monitor when I'm working.

I work almost all the time from my desk and still need a laptop for when I travel (but with the Covid issue, I think I could wait for the next ARM laptops on this point).

My use is a professional one - my computer is where I spend most of my day working as a web and app developer. I mainly use it for VSCode, XCode, Android Studio, local servers, Photoshop and also sometimes video editing with Adobe Premiere Pro (for YouTube & my personal use).

So I'm looking for a desktop computer for this use and ideally that does not throttle / make constant fans noises. I'm thinking about a 2020 Mac Mini (but I am suspicious about getting overheating issues again) or a 2013 Mac Pro (6,1). I'm not really considering the iMac knowing that it will get a redesign around 2021 and that it is also subject to throttling issues.

So what are your suggestions on what I should get?

Thanks

Unless you need an Intel Mac (either to Boot Camp or virtualize Catalina or older macOS releases, x86 Windows, or x86 Linux or any other x86 specific purpose), I'd strongly consider waiting until Apple Silicon Macs are released.

Given that, it sounds like, for your uses, you'd be fine with a Mac mini with an eGPU or a high-end 21.5" iMac (4K; don't bother with the non-retina 21.5" iMac). Both machines are, sadly, still on 8th Gen Intel, so I'd only buy if you absolutely need something before an Apple Silicon replacement is released. That's not to say that you might not also be fine with one of the new 2020 27" iMacs. But again, Apple Silicon is around the corner, so unless you're in a rush, consider waiting.

Thanks for your reply! The Mac Mini with eGpu is a solution I could eventually consider. Only issue is I think the Mac Mini is also a noisy machine from some video reviews I’ve seen. It’s not a « big » problem but if I can have a machine that is silent even in heavy tasks (and doesn’t throttle) that would be amazing

But I definitely get it that the Mac Mini is probably the best value for money today.

I will wait for other suggestions ;-)

The Mac mini really doesn't make that much noise. I guarantee you an eGPU will generate more noise. That might be a reason to consider an iMac though. Those things are pretty good about being quiet. But again, it's unlikely that we'll get noisy Apple Silicon Macs, considering they will run substantially cooler than their Intel equivalents.

 

[phrehdd]

Kind of curious as to why you would need an eGPU for web and app development unless your apps are video intensive. You didn't mention if your tool set (software) are multi-core capable. The Mini does come in a hex core option. Two things to consider - you can locate the mini in a manner that minimizes noise and you can also find ways to keep it somewhat cooler than just sitting on a desk. I would argue that the Mini might be a good fit with a suitable amount of RAM and some effort to keep it cool. I admit I find that Apple continues this notion of form over function to a serious fault but we can endure.

 

[fraxool]

Thank you very much for your replies! I totally agree with the fact that it may be more interesting to wait for the new Silicon Macs coming by the end of the year.

Anyway, I think I still want a desktop computer along with my laptop. So what I would still plan to do is selling my current MBP in all cases, buy a desktop computer (Intel based) and a Silicon MB/P when they are available. Mostly because I'm not sure if my softwares will run perfectly in the first iterations of the new Silicon Macs, so having a desktop Intel-based computer would probably still be interesting.

As for the softwares I use, they are not very demanding in terms of GPU I guess. I'm a full-stack developer and I mainly use Visual Studio Code, XCode, Coda 2, Photoshop and I run (occasionally) some virtual machines with Windows to test my apps / websites in all environments. I also have a small YT channel so I do video editing 2 to 4 times a month, but it's some light video editing using Adobe Premiere Pro / iMovie (when rendering with my i9 MBP, I can't do anything during this time because it throttles a lot - and also sometimes when I use my 4K monitor).

I'm also highly thinking on eventually building a hackintosh. I already did it in the past with success - only thing is the resell value is close to nothing... So in the end, yes the Mac Mini with a great processor (i5 at least) and eventually with an eGpu would be the best choice. The eGPU may be needed I guess for a dual 4K monitors configuration, don't you think?

 

[Cookie18]

Thank you very much for your replies! I totally agree with the fact that it may be more interesting to wait for the new Silicon Macs coming by the end of the year.

Anyway, I think I still want a desktop computer along with my laptop. So what I would still plan to do is selling my current MBP in all cases, buy a desktop computer (Intel based) and a Silicon MB/P when they are available. Mostly because I'm not sure if my softwares will run perfectly in the first iterations of the new Silicon Macs, so having a desktop Intel-based computer would probably still be interesting.

As for the softwares I use, they are not very demanding in terms of GPU I guess. I'm a full-stack developer and I mainly use Visual Studio Code, XCode, Coda 2, Photoshop and I run (occasionally) some virtual machines with Windows to test my apps / websites in all environments. I also have a small YT channel so I do video editing 2 to 4 times a month, but it's some light video editing using Adobe Premiere Pro / iMovie (when rendering with my i9 MBP, I can't do anything during this time because it throttles a lot - and also sometimes when I use my 4K monitor).

I'm also highly thinking on eventually building a hackintosh. I already did it in the past with success - only thing is the resell value is close to nothing... So in the end, yes the Mac Mini with a great processor (i5 at least) and eventually with an eGpu would be the best choice. The eGPU may be needed I guess for a dual 4K monitors configuration, don't you think?

The Mac Mini supports multiple 4K monitors with no issues so long as you have enough RAM, which you would.

 

[mj_]

I think in your case a 2020 27" iMac would be the better solution, especially since you could use your existing 4K monitor as secondary display if so desired. If you want quiet and cheap go for the hexa-core i5 base model with 256 GB SSD, and then add external SSD (or HDD) storage and additional RAM yourself. If you prefer internal storage get more SSD storage but don't pay Apple prices for the RAM as it is user-expandable through a door at the back, which can save you a lot of money. The base model iMacs are known to be very quiet and inconspicuous under normal day-to-day load. Make sure to avoid the 95W varieties as the iMac's cooling system wasn't designed for 95W CPUs but can handle 65W perfectly fine.

And btw: yes, your MacBook Pro throttles and overheats because you plugged it in to a 4K display. There are numerous threads on these and other forums documenting this issue. The 15" MacBook Pro is a great device but as soon as you plugin an external 4K display it goes bonkers.