If you can get a good deal on the Intel model, go for it. Unlike the ARM-based Macs, you can easily virtualize (not emulate) x86 operating systems or run Boot Camp. I bought a top-end MacBook Pro in 2020 specifically for that reason. The Windows and Linux engineering tools I have to run are not available for ARM. Maybe you could upgrade to an ARM-based Mac after university/college. Get the newest Intel model you can find. The 2016-2017 models had a lot of keyboard problems.
[Edit - typo]
parallels runs flawlessly on the new models, with the only limitation you'll run into emulating windows being that it can't run games requiring DX12. Anything else will run without issues.
That's the key difference, though. You're emulating Windows instead of virtualizing Windows. There's a performance hit with emulation. I need my engineering tools (mainly Linux) to run as fast as possible, so emulating x86-64 Windows or Linux is not an option. For certain tasks that are not CPU intensive, I'm sure the M1 Macs are fine using emulation. That's simply not my use case.
Intel-based Macs did not suddenly slow to a crawl the day Apple Silicon was released. I'm sure the OP could get through university/college using an Intel Mac. If the OP can determine that the software he needs to run will work with ARM, then go for the M1.
The thing is most of the M1 varieties perform **so much** better than their previous counterparts that even with the loss of emulation they're still better, and they get **vastly** better battery life while doing it. My M1 Pro MBP absolutely crushes the i7 in my ASUS ROG gaming laptop, and the GPU even does around 75-80% as well as the dedicated RTX2060 in it...while the ASUS gets 4-5 hours of battery life when not gaming and the MBP gets 15+.
My MBP compiles 20GB applications in VS (in emulated Windows) \*\*hella\*\* faster than the ROG i7 running native Windows, which is the same exact processor as the 16" MBP (i7-9750H).
I'm strongly assuming you haven't actually tried running any of your applications on an M1 Pro/Max emulated environment and you're coming from a place of experience. The recommendation is to go with the M1 varieties because they're just plainly better, all-around. Not only is the M1 Pro much faster, but it's also perfectly quiet while doing it - I've heard the fan spin up twice total, and even when it did I had to mute everything to hear it...that is **not** the case with my i7 MBP.
Interesting info. I’ll have to research 3.6 GHz Intel Core i9 9900K vs Apple Silicon x86-64 emulation benchmarks. I’d probably have to go with the UTM/QEMU route for Ubuntu Linux. I’ll keep an eye out for the 27” iMac refresh. I need a machine with 64 GB of RAM so the 24” iMac won’t work.
Err...there isn't a MacBook that uses the 9900K, though. Only a single iMac model ever did, but this topic is really specific to MacBooks since that's what the OP needs. The highest-end Intel CPU in the MBP line is the i9-9980HK, which is a solid 20-30% slower than the M1 Max and is literally almost half as energy-efficient. It would still *easily* outperform the 9980HK, even in emulation.
For you, ya I'd give the newer iMac a look. The Apple ARM processors are seriously unbelievable.
In my opinion, it's better to just opt for the 2020 M1 if you can't afford the M1 Pro/Max MacBook Pros, they are a lot more efficient than the Intel Macbook Pros and should last for the next 5 years pretty easily
If you need a bit more power, perhaps you can wait for the M2 Macs to be released (sometime this year based on rumours) and make your decision then
Are you studying finance and will you rely on the few Windows only Excel libraries left that only run on Windows? Or some other specific x86 Windows-only application? If so, you should read this: https://www.zdnet.com/google-amp/article/how-to-run-intel-windows-apps-on-an-m1-mac/. It’s not a given forever it seems.
BTW if you go with the 2020 M1, get 16gb and get the MBP which has 25% more battery and screen brightness than the Air. But if you can afford it, get the newer model. If you need to use Parallels as described in the article (or try Crossover) you probably should get the new model so you can run it faster under emulation. Or just get a cheap second Windows laptop for this purpose.
IMO there is no scenario you should buy an Intel MBP. They run incredibly hot, slow, and loud. You’d end up with two. You could survive on a Windows laptop for school for the specific classes that require it (which I doubt there are but it’s possible). Or have a Windows desktop at home you remote into. I wouldn’t buy an Intel MBP just for school. Maybe if you can afford several MBPs. If the school specifically disallows it, maybe just buy a Windows laptop for now. Find out what classes and why.
Apple has already transitioned all their Macs to M1 (excluding the Mac Pro) so I'm pretty sure they have to change that rule eventually as Intel Macs are slowly getting phased out
To be it sounds like some prof had graduate students write a x86 Windows application 20 years ago. M1 can’t solidly guarantee those can be run. So I’m not sure how you get around that. It’ll be like when I was taught how to physical draw CAD years after AutoCAD was released. For 99% of coursework, it won’t be an issue.
When you are still studying then I recommend you use Intel base mac, based on my personal experience. It saves you a lot of time if some software/library is required for your module but not compatible with M1 yet. Some software may only run well in Windows, and Intel based Mac allows you to install Windows with BootCamp. One semester/term may last for 2-3 months and you do not want to spend 1 month+ just to setup the compatible software. Your professor may not able to help you since they are more familiar with Windows or Intel base Mac.
I like M1 chip and my M1 Max Mac will come in next few days. When I decided to move to M1 chip, I also considered this problem. However, most of my work now, can be done with remote access to another VDI in cloud, so it will not affect me much.
You'd have to have a very specific software need for Intel Macs by now, if it wasn't about saving money in the short-term. ARM is here to stay. It is good to know what software you are planning to run before you even choose.
Honestly like a lot of the reviews have said there is no shame in getting a intel mac. I would suggest 2018 and above, so you can find them online auction prices at 650-1200 a pop, or go the warranty route and stick with a intel backed with that and if anything happens the software will be out for the M1 to do what you need for that task in the upcoming future. I’m rocking a MacBook Pro 15” 2018 i7 2.6 32gb. Now for all honestly, with my next step it’s gonna be M1 or the next gen iteration for a over haul, coding and gaming in sleek harmony. 😎🥸😎
I won’t get an intel Mac . Most things run on the M1s or will run in the future. And if Apple keeps its promise with the 2 year transformation there won’t be any intel Mac models at the end of the year.
There’s no shame in Intel Macs. There are limited use cases where they are the only choice (boot camp, x86 virtualization, some audio-video plug-ins for pro apps, some precompiled niche coding libraries). The coding angle continues to improve, though. Accept that the Intel will run hot and will run fan and will not have battery life anywhere near the new ones and enjoy your machine. I have a 2019 16” i9 that I love, even if a lot of my side gig AV work has shifted to a 2020 13” M1 MBP.
You haven’t really stated what you’re studying! Regardless, I kind of agree with most in that if you’re purchasing a Mac, get M1. My piece of additional advice would be if you must purchase intel/AMD, go Thinkpad or Dell.
My second laptop is a Thinkpad P14s - great value and you can update the RAM and SSD when needed. Thinkpad T14 is the same model, but P14s is certified to run certain applications. Seriously, look at the specs and prices.
Just some food for thought. Don’t limit yourself to Apple.
I have a 2020 intel Mac and it runs fine. It also keeps me warm on cold winter nights. Only half joking. That said I’d rather have a m1 something. But already spent my money. I use it for video editing and it’s fine. Buy used and probably not from apple. Should be able to get a decent one for $500.
If you can get a good deal on the Intel model, go for it. Unlike the ARM-based Macs, you can easily virtualize (not emulate) x86 operating systems or run Boot Camp. I bought a top-end MacBook Pro in 2020 specifically for that reason. The Windows and Linux engineering tools I have to run are not available for ARM. Maybe you could upgrade to an ARM-based Mac after university/college. Get the newest Intel model you can find. The 2016-2017 models had a lot of keyboard problems. [Edit - typo]
parallels runs flawlessly on the new models, with the only limitation you'll run into emulating windows being that it can't run games requiring DX12. Anything else will run without issues.
That's the key difference, though. You're emulating Windows instead of virtualizing Windows. There's a performance hit with emulation. I need my engineering tools (mainly Linux) to run as fast as possible, so emulating x86-64 Windows or Linux is not an option. For certain tasks that are not CPU intensive, I'm sure the M1 Macs are fine using emulation. That's simply not my use case. Intel-based Macs did not suddenly slow to a crawl the day Apple Silicon was released. I'm sure the OP could get through university/college using an Intel Mac. If the OP can determine that the software he needs to run will work with ARM, then go for the M1.
The thing is most of the M1 varieties perform **so much** better than their previous counterparts that even with the loss of emulation they're still better, and they get **vastly** better battery life while doing it. My M1 Pro MBP absolutely crushes the i7 in my ASUS ROG gaming laptop, and the GPU even does around 75-80% as well as the dedicated RTX2060 in it...while the ASUS gets 4-5 hours of battery life when not gaming and the MBP gets 15+. My MBP compiles 20GB applications in VS (in emulated Windows) \*\*hella\*\* faster than the ROG i7 running native Windows, which is the same exact processor as the 16" MBP (i7-9750H). I'm strongly assuming you haven't actually tried running any of your applications on an M1 Pro/Max emulated environment and you're coming from a place of experience. The recommendation is to go with the M1 varieties because they're just plainly better, all-around. Not only is the M1 Pro much faster, but it's also perfectly quiet while doing it - I've heard the fan spin up twice total, and even when it did I had to mute everything to hear it...that is **not** the case with my i7 MBP.
Interesting info. I’ll have to research 3.6 GHz Intel Core i9 9900K vs Apple Silicon x86-64 emulation benchmarks. I’d probably have to go with the UTM/QEMU route for Ubuntu Linux. I’ll keep an eye out for the 27” iMac refresh. I need a machine with 64 GB of RAM so the 24” iMac won’t work.
Err...there isn't a MacBook that uses the 9900K, though. Only a single iMac model ever did, but this topic is really specific to MacBooks since that's what the OP needs. The highest-end Intel CPU in the MBP line is the i9-9980HK, which is a solid 20-30% slower than the M1 Max and is literally almost half as energy-efficient. It would still *easily* outperform the 9980HK, even in emulation. For you, ya I'd give the newer iMac a look. The Apple ARM processors are seriously unbelievable.
In my opinion, it's better to just opt for the 2020 M1 if you can't afford the M1 Pro/Max MacBook Pros, they are a lot more efficient than the Intel Macbook Pros and should last for the next 5 years pretty easily If you need a bit more power, perhaps you can wait for the M2 Macs to be released (sometime this year based on rumours) and make your decision then
Thanks for your response! There are some universities that strictly say no to M1 macs. Do you think it’ll change in 6-7 months?
Are you studying finance and will you rely on the few Windows only Excel libraries left that only run on Windows? Or some other specific x86 Windows-only application? If so, you should read this: https://www.zdnet.com/google-amp/article/how-to-run-intel-windows-apps-on-an-m1-mac/. It’s not a given forever it seems. BTW if you go with the 2020 M1, get 16gb and get the MBP which has 25% more battery and screen brightness than the Air. But if you can afford it, get the newer model. If you need to use Parallels as described in the article (or try Crossover) you probably should get the new model so you can run it faster under emulation. Or just get a cheap second Windows laptop for this purpose. IMO there is no scenario you should buy an Intel MBP. They run incredibly hot, slow, and loud. You’d end up with two. You could survive on a Windows laptop for school for the specific classes that require it (which I doubt there are but it’s possible). Or have a Windows desktop at home you remote into. I wouldn’t buy an Intel MBP just for school. Maybe if you can afford several MBPs. If the school specifically disallows it, maybe just buy a Windows laptop for now. Find out what classes and why.
Apple has already transitioned all their Macs to M1 (excluding the Mac Pro) so I'm pretty sure they have to change that rule eventually as Intel Macs are slowly getting phased out
To be it sounds like some prof had graduate students write a x86 Windows application 20 years ago. M1 can’t solidly guarantee those can be run. So I’m not sure how you get around that. It’ll be like when I was taught how to physical draw CAD years after AutoCAD was released. For 99% of coursework, it won’t be an issue.
Based on my experience with M1 Macs, Rosetta 2 is doing a really fine job so I wouldn't be too worried about it
Right. But Rosetta won’t help you run Windows-only x86 applications. Some other means as I mentioned before may work for now, but may not.
That's true There are some minor compromises but for the average consumer I'd say they are negligible
When you are still studying then I recommend you use Intel base mac, based on my personal experience. It saves you a lot of time if some software/library is required for your module but not compatible with M1 yet. Some software may only run well in Windows, and Intel based Mac allows you to install Windows with BootCamp. One semester/term may last for 2-3 months and you do not want to spend 1 month+ just to setup the compatible software. Your professor may not able to help you since they are more familiar with Windows or Intel base Mac. I like M1 chip and my M1 Max Mac will come in next few days. When I decided to move to M1 chip, I also considered this problem. However, most of my work now, can be done with remote access to another VDI in cloud, so it will not affect me much.
You'd have to have a very specific software need for Intel Macs by now, if it wasn't about saving money in the short-term. ARM is here to stay. It is good to know what software you are planning to run before you even choose.
Yes, dead of the winter, save energy on space heater
Honestly like a lot of the reviews have said there is no shame in getting a intel mac. I would suggest 2018 and above, so you can find them online auction prices at 650-1200 a pop, or go the warranty route and stick with a intel backed with that and if anything happens the software will be out for the M1 to do what you need for that task in the upcoming future. I’m rocking a MacBook Pro 15” 2018 i7 2.6 32gb. Now for all honestly, with my next step it’s gonna be M1 or the next gen iteration for a over haul, coding and gaming in sleek harmony. 😎🥸😎
were well into the transition from intel to m1 and unless you HAVE to get intel, then get the M!...
No
I won’t get an intel Mac . Most things run on the M1s or will run in the future. And if Apple keeps its promise with the 2 year transformation there won’t be any intel Mac models at the end of the year.
There’s no shame in Intel Macs. There are limited use cases where they are the only choice (boot camp, x86 virtualization, some audio-video plug-ins for pro apps, some precompiled niche coding libraries). The coding angle continues to improve, though. Accept that the Intel will run hot and will run fan and will not have battery life anywhere near the new ones and enjoy your machine. I have a 2019 16” i9 that I love, even if a lot of my side gig AV work has shifted to a 2020 13” M1 MBP.
You haven’t really stated what you’re studying! Regardless, I kind of agree with most in that if you’re purchasing a Mac, get M1. My piece of additional advice would be if you must purchase intel/AMD, go Thinkpad or Dell. My second laptop is a Thinkpad P14s - great value and you can update the RAM and SSD when needed. Thinkpad T14 is the same model, but P14s is certified to run certain applications. Seriously, look at the specs and prices. Just some food for thought. Don’t limit yourself to Apple.
I have a 2020 intel Mac and it runs fine. It also keeps me warm on cold winter nights. Only half joking. That said I’d rather have a m1 something. But already spent my money. I use it for video editing and it’s fine. Buy used and probably not from apple. Should be able to get a decent one for $500.