Level 50
Anyone?
Dec 4, 2023
23
Level 50
M2 M3 Macbooks - are all issues solved? Which one to get?
Hi,
I plan to take the plunge and go for one of the new M3's
I assume 16GB is fine but since I still use parallels with windows and linux I will go for 24BG or 36GB depending on the screen size. I noticed also that new macbook pro 14' has the same resolution as my 2019 macbook pro 16' so therefore also considering downsizing to 14'
What are your thoughts and pitfalls? One more thing to add is that I do not work at the desk or use additional monitors - I'm past that stage ;-) One screen is all I need.
Thanks in advance!
Level 122
i have an M2 macbook air and it works great, but I don't use Parallels so i'm not replying
Level 50
@Snapey phpstorm or vscode? And what memory?
Level 122
@aurawindsurfing vs code + Herd is my dev environment. Laptop has 16GB Ram
Level 80
@aurawindsurfing Don’t use Parallels so can’t comment. But I bought an M2 Pro when they came out earlier the year and had no issues with it, and also got a work-issued M3 Pro a couple of weeks ago and haven’t had any issues with that either.
I was dubious how much “better” the ARM chips would be over the Intel chips, but it really is night and day. My doubts made me plumb for extra RAM when buying my M2, so it has 32 GB of RAM, and I’ve not heard the fans once, and I could edit video in realtime in Adobe Premiere Pro without any lag or stutter; it was buttery-smooth.
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Level 8
@martinbean I'm planning to get the M3 Pro. May I ask a few questions?
On the M3 Pro, how's the indexing of PhpStorm? and also the battery life of it.
What I read on Reddit was that PhpStorm is draining the battery.
Thank you.
Level 80
On the M3 Pro, how's the indexing of PhpStorm?
@NoLAstNamE I don’t know, as I don’t use PHPStorm.
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Level 8
@martinbean Wow. I thought you were using PhpStorm. I'm using VSCode though but planning to switch to PhpStorm when I buy a Macbook (I might not now). Thanks, Martin.
Level 80
@NoLAstNamE Yeah, longtime VS Code user myself 🙂
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Level 50
Awesome!
So I guess 16gb is more then enough. How about screen size? New 16’ is nice but my thinking is if I’m ok with 2019 16’ which has the same amount of pixels as new 14’why bother with 16’ and pay for M3 PRO.
Level 80
@aurawindsurfing I’ve never been bothered about screen size. To me, MacBooks are meant for portability, so I’d rather have a 14 inch one in my backpack than a 16 inch one. It also becomes a moot point if you just dock it and plug it into an external display when at your desk.
Level 50
@martinbean To be honest I'm kinda confused. I bought 16' and I know it is 16 but it does feel smaller then Intel 16' for some reason.
Not sure why that is? Smaller bezels? Not sure. The notch is also hardly noticable apart from rare occasions where you need to so some housekeeping with the Menu Bar for instance.
Overall pretty sick machine.
Level 50
Just today I was doing iOS development on my M2 Air at our office, and tried to plug in two monitors. Turns out M2 only supports a single external monitor. Sigh. My Asus cost a bit less, is way faster and has no issues with multiple displays.
Level 50
@JussiMannisto I will not switch to any windows thats for sure. I also do not use external monitors. I can see however how Macbook air good enough already.
Level 50
@aurawindsurfing Yea, I wasn't trying to persuade you or anything. I'm just frustrated with Apple today (though 99% of that is Xcode).
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Level 27
@JussiMannisto This is only an issue with laptops running the standard M1/M2/M3 chip. Desktop models do just fine with two monitors, as do the laptops (and desktops) with the M1/M2/M3 Pro or M1/M2/M3 Max chips.
For the configurations that only support one external monitor, you can use a DisplayLink adapter to get around it (I haven’t tried, so no experience on that front).
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Level 3
@JussiMannisto I have a thing called Display Link, I run 4 screens in total, 3 external screens + my mac air m2 screen with no issues.
Display Link allows you to add multiple screens without apples arbitrary lock. The M2 runs multiple screens fine. its just that apple thinks plugging in multiple screens is a 'pro' feature.
Level 50
I decided to got for 16’ Macbook Pro with M3 Pro as Space Black does not come with simple M3. I will report back how working with it looks and feel. If I do not like it I will revert back to 14’ just thought that is it always nice to have more code space as this is my only screen.
Level 50
16' definitely feels good. I'm actually surprised it feels smaller then old 16' with intel for some reason.
Battery is unreal. I'm getting 2 days out of it.
PHPStorm indexing just flies I never heard fans kick in even rendering 4k videos.
Really happy with it!
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Level 8
@aurawindsurfing Hi, What I read on Reddit was that PhpStorm is draining the battery is it the case?
Level 50
Hey @NoLAstNamE
You know how you look at the battery indicator trying to judge how much time you have left? Well after 1 month with new machine I have to say that I stopped to look at it. Just not an issue anymore. I charge it of course but even at 10% it is not a panic rush, it's like "I think I can still finish this and push that commit to the production"
Highly recommend it to everyone who is thinking about switching from Intel Mac.
Just to clarify I only use PHPStorm.
Level 7
Hello @aurawindsurfing.
Would you mind sharing details of your machine? Looking forward to upgrade and dont want to overspend.
Thanks
Level 50
Hey @rodriguesbruno
I went for Apple M3 Pro with 18GB RAM.
I have to say that even when editing 4k video I also never heard fans to kick in.
Hope this helps! I'm sure you will be more then fine with M2 air.
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