New Mac (laptop?) needed

[Chris Fleming]

I'm not sure if this should go here. Mods, please feel free to move it to the correct location.

 

Currently I have two Macs. The one I use primarily for Vectorworks is as follows:

 

2017 iMac 27 inch with 5K retina display.

4.2 GHz Quad-Core Intel Core i7

64 GB 2400 MHz DDR4

Radeon Pro 580 8 GB Graphics

 

My current laptop is:

 

Late 2013 MacBook Pro 15 inch

2.6 GHz Intel Core i7

16 GB 1600 MHz DDR3

Intel Iris Pro 1536 MB Graphics

 

Would it be possible for me to purchase a Mac Laptop that would be able to handle Vectorworks Architect easily? If so, please make recommendations with specs. My plan would be to also use a larger monitor when in office for VW work. I'd move my current iMac to my other office duties here.

 

I'm sorry if this is a basic question, but feel your advice is better than an Apple salesperson's because you all know what I'm running and have no interest in selling me anything. I do require it to be a Macintosh product, as all of our machines are Apple and I don't want to go outside that environment.

 

Here's hoping you can help!

 

EDIT: to add I'm using VW2023

Edited December 16, 2022 by Chris Fleming

[zoomer]

9 minutes ago, Chris Fleming said:

a Mac Laptop that would be able to handle Vectorworks Architect easily?

 

Macbook Pro M1 Max, 16", 32 GPU core, 64 GB memory, 1 TB SSD.

Should last again a similar time frame (?)

 

But wait 1-4 months until the MBP M2 update should be released.

Should be reasonably faster with a few more CPU and GPU cores

and maybe up to 96 GB memory.

Maybe again a bit more expensive.

 

If you like the MBP M2, go for it.

If not, buy the MBP M1 from above anyway, then at a likely reduced price.

 

[Chris Fleming]

Thanks for the quick reply! As much as I'd love to wait for the M2, we're making some purchases for tax purposes. Again, thanks!

 

[zoomer]

You didn't really work with the MBP but mainly with the iMac.

Your iMac is not the fastest anymore but is still specced for

even larger VW projects.

The MBP M1 described above will be equally capable but will

be noticeably faster.

 

I recommended the top of the line M1 MBP.

Because I thought about the usage time of your last MBP.

That is quite an investment.

 

If the maxed out 16" M1 MBP does not fit your budget or you do plan

to replace it earlier, there are some options to save some money :

 

- If you want max mobility and use external monitors, you could take the 14" option

- if you are sure to not ever use GPU rendering (Redshift, Twinmotion, Enscape, ...)

  you can easily go down for a binned version of Max with only 24 GPU cores.

  Or even down to the M1 Pro with 16 or 12 GPU cores.

  That will be still good for VW's GPU usage in 3D Views

 

But please do not go with less than 32 GB memory. Apple ARM shares the

memory between GPU and CPU.

M1 can swap data to their fast SSD pretty good if you exceed the available

memory by multiple Apps so you hardly notice. But it will not help if you

will need all memory just for your project in VW. Then exceeding available

memory will slow VW down and make it lag and no fun to work with.

 

If it fits your budget, better go with min. 64 GB Apple-taxed expensive

memory, which you can't upgrade later in any way.

 

 

But there is also the option to upgrade to an additional desktop in a few years,

if you have the large Monitors in office anyway.

If the MBP gets too weak for increasing project sizes, you could add something

like a Mac Mini or Mac Studio at that time.

 

 

And you may find something MBP M! suitable already in Apples refurbished Shop.

But usually I buy my Macs at standard PC online shops, which have similar prices

but for new Macs. Also there are already price drops for M1 MBPs and if I see

that right, nothing beats the South American River-named large shop's offers.

Edited December 16, 2022 by zoomer

[bcd]

2 hours ago, Chris Fleming said:

Would it be possible for me to purchase a Mac Laptop that would be able to handle Vectorworks Architect easily?

16" MBP M1 Max 64GB runs VW like a dream.

[mjm]

13 minutes ago, bcd said:

16" MBP M1 Max 64GB runs VW like a dream.

And I have the M1 Max MBP 16" w/ 32GB ram. That 32 GB is a little underpowered for VWX IMHO.

 

VWX is the only app which noticeably runs the battery down and makes the machine warm / near hot.

Edited December 16, 2022 by mjm

[Chris Fleming]

Thanks everyone! All great info. As for price, Zoomer, we had a great year and need a solid write off, so I plan on loading it (64 GB and 2Tb SSD). Also will stick with the 16". I'm considering calling my Apple store and inquiring about the M2. I'll see if they'll let me pre-pay to get it in this calendar year.

 

Again, thanks for your help everyone!