Working remotely drives demand for Macbook Pro upgrades
- The user currently works on their own machine, using VMs and Docker, requiring at least 32GB of RAM.
- They are weighing the pros and cons of purchasing a high-end configuration versus a minimum requirement build with an M4 Pro CPU.
- The final decision hinges on the balance between cost and long-term performance needs.
In early 2025, a professional working remotely has raised concerns about the suitability of their current laptop for their job requirements. Utilizing virtual machines and Docker, they found that their older machine, equipped with 32GB of RAM, might not suffice for increasing demands. Given the high pricing for additional RAM from Apple, they are deliberating between a baseline configuration, featuring an M4 Pro CPU, or opting for a maxed-out configuration. Their previous employment provided them with a Macbook Pro M2, but reliance on their older Intel model has led to reflections on the longevity of their devices and whether investing in a top-tier model is justifiable. While they acknowledge that the upgrade offerings from Apple are often incremental, they also express curiosity regarding the comparative performance of the M1 Max versus the M4 Pro, with observations indicating that certain workloads could lead to a preference for the M1 Max despite it being an older model. Moreover, they outline the challenges of potentially needing cloud services to run their VMs, especially during times of travel when internet access could be unreliable, hence the importance of having robust local hardware. Ultimately, their considerations are shaped by usage patterns, financial implications, and performance requirements as they navigate the decision to upgrade to a new Macbook Pro model.