Just a quick question for anyone who does apple stuff....

MegaPinches · Monday at 19:27

Hi,

Long time PC user, remember having a Macbook at work in 2005 we needed for one process and gifted first ipad I intended to use for reading PDFs and it being pain in the arse to just doing basic things I do on PC like USB and stuff. We needed to do something at work using a web based app but it required us to update the browser but it wouldn't let us because we needed to update the OS but we couldn't do that because of the hardware age or specs can't remember. Anyway not here to start anything about that PC vs mac silliness. I just need to know are these things still the case and to what extent?, My nephew is a Mac user and wants a Macbook with 64gb ram and decent CPU for some music software he uses (though its on PC too), Ive recommended a Laptop but since hes always used Mac and not into PC's as a hobby or anything might be worth sticking with that since that's what he knows. He's found a refurbished Macbook 2019 with 64gb ram and Intel 9980HK which at the time looked like a really nice system and be perfect for his music software even now, I was just wondering are these tight restrictions still a thing on Apple even with ones using PC hardware? is this still a thing, are we going into run into issues using dated hardware, I know nothing about them at all. I just remember being infuriated by the whole process with Macbook and ipad.

Thanks for any input

Cheers

ChrisD. · Monday at 19:32

I would not be buying a Mac of any form in 2024, nearly 2025 without an Apple Silicon CPU. Unless it's an extremely basic web browsing machine.

I personally find Windows more restrictive. It installs software I haven't asked for, it spies on me without my consent, it updates when it feels like it, and it incorporates annoying full screen setup dialogues you can't exit out of. There's more, but the only reason I use Windows is for games. Everything else is Mac and I haven't noticed any software restrictions. If a specific app isn't available, there will be alternates.

eldergeek · Monday at 19:40

MegaPinches said:
Hi,

Long time PC user, remember having a Macbook at work in 2005 we needed for one process and gifted first ipad I intended to use for reading PDFs and it being pain in the arse to just doing basic things I do on PC like USB and stuff. We needed to do something at work using a web based app but it required us to update the browser but it wouldn't let us because we needed to update the OS but we couldn't do that because of the hardware age or specs can't remember. Anyway not here to start anything about that PC vs mac silliness. I just need to know are these things still the case and to what extent?, My nephew is a Mac user and wants a Macbook with 64gb ram and decent CPU for some music software he uses (though its on PC too), Ive recommended a Laptop but since hes always used Mac and not into PC's as a hobby or anything might be worth sticking with that since that's what he knows. He's found a refurbished Macbook 2019 with 64gb ram and Intel 9980HK which at the time looked like a really nice system and be perfect for his music software even now, I was just wondering are these tight restrictions still a thing on Apple even with ones using PC hardware? is this still a thing, are we going into run into issues using dated hardware, I know nothing about them at all. I just remember being infuriated by the whole process with Macbook and ipad.

Thanks for any input

Cheers

I would say that if money is tight, you could probably get a decent spec M1 or M2 mac right now in good condition if you looked around for a decent price - I'd suggest Backmarket or KRCS, Ebay has some good options in terms of outlet stores or even apople refurbished. In terms of hardware dating, I just gave my best friend my old 16" macbook pro - and I only did that because I reckon it probably has at least another five years in it, which I think is reasonable.

As someone who recently switched full time to Linux/MacOS, I find that the only real limitation with both are the limitations that you place upon yourself; if you care to make the adjustment in your workflow, I think you could actually find it rewarding and easier to work with - Airdrop for example is something that I've found i use far more than I thought i woould in terms of transferring images and video from my phone to my desktop.

MegaPinches · Monday at 19:48

eldergeek said:
I would say that if money is tight, you could probably get a decent spec M1 or M2 mac right now in good condition if you looked around for a decent price - I'd suggest Backmarket or KRCS, Ebay has some good options in terms of outlet stores or even apople refurbished. In terms of hardware dating, I just gave my best friend my old 16" macbook pro - and I only did that because I reckon it probably has at least another five years in it, which I think is reasonable.

As someone who recently switched full time to Linux/MacOS, I find that the only real limitation with both are the limitations that you place upon yourself; if you care to make the adjustment in your workflow, I think you could actually find it rewarding and easier to work with - Airdrop for example is something that I've found i use far more than I thought i woould in terms of transferring images and video from my phone to my desktop.

Hi,

I'm just thinking for him, he's 18 he's used Mac his whole life never had a PC and will be traveling Europe with it, even though I'd never switch I think in his case its best but I just want to confirm that there will be no issues for example say upgrading his Browser due to hardware age and things like this I experienced before. These macbook's 2019 with intel 9980hk refurbs are about 900quid, top spec at the time £4k+, if he'd rather that than a new Lappy then I just want to make sure, my intial reaction was pff its old.

Also with regards to prices is that any good, I'm totally unfamilar with the scene.

Its for Ableton Music suite, he insists on 64GB ram. How much we talking for M1/M2 used with 64gb Ram

Thank you

eldergeek · Monday at 19:58

MegaPinches said:
Hi,

I'm just thinking for him, he's 18 he's used Mac his whole life never had a PC and will be traveling Europe with it, even though I'd never switch I think in his case its best but I just want to confirm that there will be no issues for example say upgrading his Browser due to hardware age and things like this I experienced before. These macbook's 2019 with intel 9980hk refurbs are about 900quid, top spec at the time £4k+, if he'd rather that than a new Lappy then I just want to make sure.

Also with regards to prices is that any good, I'm totally unfamilar with the scene.

Its for Ableton Music suite, he insists on 64GB ram. How much we talking for M1/M2 used with 64gb Ram

Thank you

@ChrisD. Might be a better authority on it and may be back to back me up but memory and processing doesn't work in the same way in the silicon series - if he has 16gb he should be completely fine, but that said - on a windows PC your nephew absolutely does not need 64gb memory but if you're insistent, it would be better to by a relatively new windows laptop with a decent processor, and buy your own DDR4 ram to install yourself which is relatively easy to do. Either way, as of right now any software updates should be a moot point.

ChrisD. · Monday at 20:01

That piece of software looks to have an Apple Silicon version.

MegaPinches · Monday at 20:03

eldergeek said:
@ChrisD. Might be a better authority on it and may be back to back me up but memory and processing doesn't work in the same way in the silicon series - if he has 16gb he should be completely fine, but that said - on a windows PC your nephew absolutely does not need 64gb memory but if you're insistent, it would be better to by a relatively new windows laptop with a decent processor, and buy your own DDR4 ram to install yourself which is relatively easy to do. Either way, as of right now any software updates should be a moot point.

Yea I just did a spec comparison of M1 v 9980hk and it said max was 16gb on the M1?

Lol you try telling him that, he's a DJ and he's been told he needs 64gb for Ableton, I said just get a new lappy with 32gb job done.

Ok thank you for the leads, i'll investigate that, anyone else feel free to chip in

Cheers

MegaPinches · Monday at 20:04

ChrisD. said:
That piece of software looks to have an Apple Silicon version.

Can you elaborate please, is this regarding it not need the same amount of ram as the windows version?

Cheers

ChrisD. · Monday at 20:06

MegaPinches said:
Can you elaborate please, is this regarding it not need the same amount of ram as the windows version?

Cheers

It means it will run natively on Apple Silicon, and won't require Rosetta.

I can't comment on the RAM requirements, I don't know the software. Maybe get in touch with them?

MegaPinches · Monday at 20:13

ChrisD. said:
It means it will run natively on Apple Silicon, and won't require Rosetta.

I can't comment on the RAM requirements, I don't know the software. Maybe get in touch with them?

Right got ya, Rosetta?!? so i've just found out what that is. So if your a mac person is it generally considered better to have Apple silicon than intel then. He can stretch further with the budget.

Thanks

ChrisD. · Monday at 20:16

Apple don't sell Mac's with Intel CPUs any more. Future OS releases will be Apple Silicon only.

Apple Silicon is ridiculously good, massive performance, very cool running (I never hear fan noise), insane battery life.

MegaPinches · Monday at 20:19

ChrisD. said:
Apple don't sell Mac's with Intel CPUs any more. Future OS releases will be Apple Silicon only.

Apple Silicon is ridiculously good, massive performance, very cool running (I never hear fan noise), insane battery life.

OK, well battery life will be big thing for him. I'm going to look into used M1/M2 with as much ram as possible.

The future MacOS thing is enough for me to say no to that Intel mac now.

Thanks all, really helpful info.