Which MBP for Option-Trading/Data Analytic/Learn to Code Beginner

[acogitot]

New to the Forum, so hello to all and hope people can help me out deciding on what is the right spec for me.

My needs are pretty simple at the moment: Looking to run Parallel Windows VM so I can run trading software such as MetaTrader, Tradingview... etc, while learning some Data analytic and coding at the same time (no creative work for me at the moment, perhaps down the road). Apple is so "good" at pricing their products that I find myself keep on going up the ladder and end up thinking about getting M3 Max even though I believe it is an overkill for me so my questions for all you guys are (thanks in advance):

1. Should I go 18 or 36gb of RAM - I am assuming M3 Pro would be more than suffice unless someone tells me otherwise?
2. 14" or 16" - I am thinking about pairing the MBP with the 49" Samsung Curved Monitor or 2 27-inch Monitor to start - which means the MBP will likely not be used as a 3rd monitor and it would stay in closed position most of the time.

I watched a few YouTube Videos and some people recommend just the 14" M3 Pro based mode (11 core) and upgrade RAM to 36gb would be enough for most people. Would this be enough for the next 4 years? or Should I go with the 16" M3 Pro with 36gb RAM ($600 price difference)? or Do I need to go to the M3 Max 🤣.

Thanks everyone.

 

[maerz001]

1st thing is your software able to run on Windows ARM? if not you are stuck with the old Intel Macs.
If running VM, RAM depends very much on how much you allocate to the VM. I have no idea how much trading programs need.

since its docked anyway I guess you can go with the smaller 14". I cant imagine that a trading software uses anything close to what a Max chip offers.

 

[parseckadet]

Honestly, I would go with whatever got you the most RAM for the least amount of money. Only because of of running the VM. I don't know much about the trading software, but I imagine they're not doing a lot of data crunching, and that they're just displaying data. As for learning to code you don't need some super powerful machine. You can use a base iPad with Swift playgrounds even. I honestly think you would be fine with an M1 Air with 24GB of RAM if you went with that single monitor. Obviously, if we you go with two monitors then you're forced to upgrade to a Pro chip or better. Even then, find a refurb Pro with 32GB of RAM and you'll be set. I doubt you need more than that, unless these trading apps are just total RAM pigs.

Take this with a grain of salt if you're doing stuff involving the entire order book for a whole day for some really popular options, like spiders or ETFs. That sort of work could max out even 128GB of RAM. But if you were doing that you'd probably be a market maker working for one of the big firms lie Schwabe or Goldman and you would use what they gave you and not here asking us.