Which M2 MBP 16" for a developer?

[rweiser]

Hi, all! I'm due for a new MacBook Pro 16" (currently using a 2019 model - 2.4 GHz i0, 64 GB RAM, AMD 5500M 4 GB), and given that I'm new to the whole Apple Silicon world, I'd appreciate some guidance on what configuration would best suit my needs.

• I am a software engineer, mostly mobile and backend. I usually have Xcode, Android Studio, and/or IntelliJ open - sometimes all three.
• I'm not currently working with Docker containers, but I have in the past and may again in the future.
• I usually have Safari, Chrome, Slack, Mail, Spark, Calendar, WhatsApp, Messages, Trello, Asana and SourceTree open.
• I often have some combination of Preview, Notes, Postman, DBeaver and Pixelmator Pro open.
• I also frequently use many other apps, of course, like Photos, iMovie, Numbers / Excel, VLC, AnyList, etc.
• Some background utilities are always open, like Alfred, BetterTouchTool, Dropbox, etc.
• I have two external monitors - currently 1080p, but might upgrade to 4K (or 5K?) at some point. Often when I'm connected to them, my system struggles to keep up, which makes the fans and other thermal throttling measures kick in. This sometimes brings my system to a crawl, with a delay of a few seconds between when I type and when the words show up on my screen. (This seems to be especially bad when I'm running a video conference, especially in Google Meet / Chrome, or a WhatsApp video call.) When this happens, I am left with no choice but to disconnect the external monitors. I would love to be able to use two powerful external monitors without any tradeoffs.
• Sometimes I do some basic 3D modeling (TinkerCAD, Cura). Might move to more advanced stuff (Blender) at some point.

Given all the above, what system would ensure that I have the "buttery smooth" Apple Silicon experience I've been hearing about, for as long as possible? I'd like something that will grow with my needs, so that I'm not as frustrated in three years as I am now with my 2019 model (which I expected to last longer).
Specifically - M2 Pro or M2 Max?

[Edit: And if the Max, 30-core or 38-core GPU? I know I don't do much graphics-intensive work, but if there's any chance that a weaker GPU will cause the same crawl when I'm using external monitors, I want to avoid that like the plague.]

And how much RAM?

Thanks!

-Reuven

 

[leman]

If you are not using any GPU workloads, there is not much sense in getting the Max. I’d buy the Pro model with either 16 or 32GB of RAM.

 

[kasakka]

I'd probably go for the base model M2 Max just for the better external display support and the ability to have 64 GB RAM in case you need it.

 

[cbum]

I'd probably go for the base model M2 Max just for the better external display support and the ability to have 64 GB RAM in case you need it.

Sorry but I'm confused about your description. If you get the 64GB RAM M2 Max, it's not a base model, right?

I only bring this up because as far as I know, you can't upgrade RAM on these new models, or has that changed again?

 

[kasakka]

Sorry but I'm confused about your description. If you get the 64GB RAM M2 Max, it's not a base model, right?

I only bring this up because as far as I know, you can't upgrade RAM on these new models, or has that changed again?

By base model I meant the cheapest M2 Max processor/GPU option.

RAM and disk drive are still non-upgradeable. I don't know if Apple offers a service where they basically just swap your system for a different configuration or if it's easier to just sell and buy a new one. That's why it's best to consider what you need now and in the future.

I know that I'm probably going to be fine with 32 GB and 512 GB disk drive for most things, but will probably go for 64 GB + 1 TB for safety considering I'll be using this as a work machine for the next 3 years since I'm getting one through my employer.

I currently have a 2019 16" Intel MBP and it has really struggled with external display support when you start playing at the higher end - multiple monitors with 4K+ (or similar ultrawide/super ultrawide or high refresh rate options) and that's what I would like to avoid by picking the M2 Max.

 

[DeejayDannyJ]

Honestly, save yourself a few quid and get a refurb M1 Max 32/64Gb while you can.

No need to always have the latest and greatest to keep up with the jones's - Real world differences between the M1/M2 Pro / Max are not going to change anyones lives unless they are churning out the content at an extremely high rate.

I'd personally recommend no less than 1TB internal SSD if you can afford it.

I came from an i9 2019 MBP 16" in Nov (didn't want to wait for the 14/16" M2 MBP's - the difference is dramatic, such a pleasure to use when compared to intel based Macs.

 

[rweiser]

Thanks, everyone. Not sure I got much clarity out of this discussion, but I still appreciate hearing the range of perspectives!

 

[skiabox]

I'd probably go for the base model M2 Max just for the better external display support and the ability to have 64 GB RAM in case you need it.

I am looking to buy the m2 pro with 32gb ram and 1tb sdd.
This is the first time I read that I need to buy the max version for my 2 external 32inch 4k monitors (one of them supports the hdmi 2.1 protocol).
Do you have a link or a video to prove that statement?
Thank you.

 

[kasakka]

I am looking to buy the m2 pro with 32gb ram and 1tb sdd.
This is the first time I read that I need to buy the max version for my 2 external 32inch 4k monitors (one of them supports the hdmi 2.1 protocol).
Do you have a link or a video to prove that statement?
Thank you.

With the M1, for example the 40" 5120x2160 ultrawides have had different levels of scaling available whether you have a base model M1 vs Pro/Max/Ultra. See long thread.

I think you will be fine with Pro. I am aiming for the Max mostly for the 64 GB RAM as well as a plan to get the Samsung 57" 7680x2160 super ultrawide when it releases, depending on its specs and price.

 

[neo_cs193p]

Any config will drive 2x 4K displays extremely smoothly and with no fan noise.
If you would like the best battery life, get the M2Pro with 32 GB RAM.
If you want 64 GB RAM or more than 2 external displays, you will need to sacrifice some battery (and cash) and get the M2Max.
The CPU power will be superb either way, as there is no difference between the Pro and the Max (other than memory bandwidth).

 

[IncreasinglyFrustrated]

Max it out, seriously - 12/38/96. Also, upgrade your monitors to ASDs/LG 5ks at a minimum, (would recommend XDRs though). Use a friend's/family member's military or edu discount to save some coin, and then deduct everything else this year; (adds up to a 25-40% discount depending on your tax structure, if you're in the US).

If you sit in front of a machine all day, it might as well be the best. With nicer monitors, your eyes will thank you as well.

 

[ewu]

always max it if you want it to work with you 5 years.

 

[rweiser]

always max it if you want it to work with you 5 years.

That's what I did in 2019, and here I am 3 years later with a machine that throttles way more often than I would think it should. (Did the same in 2015, and it barely lasted 4 years.) Will it really be different with Apple Silicon?

 

[maflynn]

That's what I did in 2019, and here I am 3 years later with a machine that throttles way more often than I would think it should. (Did the same in 2015, and it barely lasted 4 years.) Will it really be different with Apple Silicon?

Are you upgrading every 3 to 4 years because you have too, or because you want too? Its ok to want too. Its impossible to discern the future, but M2 MBP doesnt' incur the same throttling, temps you're dealing with now, but that doesn't mean in 3 or 4 years an M5 would be a great opportunity to upgrade.

If you're incurring issues now and you have the opportunity to do so, then go for it.

 

[MrGunny94]

Make sure you have 32GB of RAM. I have a M1 Pro and I do a bit of coding with YAML and python, however when I get docker containers running and have like a Ubuntu VM running on the side I can easily get to 75-80% memory pressure. On my day to do day without Virtual Machines connected to Dual 4.2K monitors I'm around 55-65% memory pressure, if I put a VM on top of this I jump to 70%

A quick print screen of my workflow right now with 16GB of RAM.

 

[rweiser]

Are you upgrading every 3 to 4 years because you have too, or because you want too? Its ok to want too. Its impossible to discern the future, but M2 MBP doesnt' incur the same throttling, temps you're dealing with now, but that doesn't mean in 3 or 4 years an M5 would be a great opportunity to upgrade.

If you're incurring issues now and you have the opportunity to do so, then go for it.

Somewhere in between, but closer to "have to". My machine is frequently unusable for some of the tasks I'd expect it to be able to handle - specifically, developing backend and mobile side-by-side on two external monitors. Not just, "This is kinda slow and that new machine looks bright and shiny", but "There is a 4-5 second lag when I'm typing in Xcode if I have two external 1080p monitors plugged in, so I need to unplug my monitors in order to be able to use the machine, and then I've got 20 apps all vying for space on one 16" screen".
I'd be perfectly happy to have a great machine last for 5+ years, even if it isn't the fastest thing out there anymore.

 

[adonis3k]

With the M1, for example the 40" 5120x2160 ultrawides have had different levels of scaling available whether you have a base model M1 vs Pro/Max/Ultra. See long thread.

I think you will be fine with Pro. I am aiming for the Max mostly for the 64 GB RAM as well as a plan to get the Samsung 57" 7680x2160 super ultrawide when it releases, depending on its specs and price.

Which Mac's support 7680x2160 at 240Hz?

I don't think a 4090 can run it either, not sure what Samsung are running in their adverts?!

 

[dmccloud]

That's what I did in 2019, and here I am 3 years later with a machine that throttles way more often than I would think it should. (Did the same in 2015, and it barely lasted 4 years.) Will it really be different with Apple Silicon?

One thing to keep in mind is that the Intel machines were using CPUs that fit into the thermal profile of the Mac, rather then the top tier CPUs you might see on the Windows side. So even a maxed out MBP would likely have a mid to upper-mid range CPU instead of the higher end part used in a top-tier Windows-based laptop. With Apple Silicon, most of the thermal considerations are a moot point because these SoCs run so much more efficiently and at noticeably lower temps than an Intel Mac at the same tier. This allows Apple to ramp up the performance with M(x) Pro, Max, and Ultra versions of the SOC.