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This likely is a great machine for creative pros. But as a developer, I wanted a desktop class CPU and just a separate monitor (tired of hearing my laptop fans

by atonse 7y ago

This likely is a great machine for creative pros. But as a developer, I wanted a desktop class CPU and just a separate monitor (tired of hearing my laptop fans all the time, and it not being expandable), so I can upgrade them independently. So while developers are pros, we won't appreciate things like XDR because we don't need them, unlike movie studios and photographers. So a $5k monitor is overpriced for editing code. But I honestly would've shelled out even $2k for a good monitor. $5k is too much. The computer seems like a better value if you know you'd keep it for 5-10 years.

nvahalik 7y ago
I’m right here with you. Just built a Win10 machine because of thermal issues. I don’t even mind having a laptop but is it too much to ask to pay iMac prices for mid grade hardware??
- rock_artist 7y ago
  The thing is, it doesn't need to be Win10 machine. Even if you're developing for Apple. If you need a "Mac Dev" you can setup up any Intel based machine with macOS. It's not "plug-n-play" but it's not that far from getting Linux running with drivers and performance you'd expect it to.
  - atonse 7y ago
    Yeah but if it's your primary machine, you don't want to live under the spectre of being one bad update away from hosing a day or two of productivity. I already have that happening with node modules, don't need an additional thing :)
thirdsun 7y ago
> But as a developer, I wanted a desktop class CPU and just a separate monitor (tired of hearing my laptop fans all the time, and it not being expandable), so I can upgrade them independently. What's wrong with the Mac Mini? Sure, there's no way to upgrade the CPU, but considering the resale value of Apple hardware replacing the whole machine every few years is actually a worthwhile upgrade strategy. Of course the same sell and replace upgrade path applies to the iMac (Pro) - I understand that you would like to keep the display separate, but it's a fantastic display which doesn't really have any alternatives right now. I don't see how you could much better in that category. Of course, if MacOS isn't that important to you, this discussion isn't worth having - in that case you could buy whatever you want.
- atonse 7y ago
  I wish macOS wasn't as important, but honestly it's the most important. I don't want to switch back to Windows or Linux at this point since I'm too invested in the Apple ecosystem (and it's certainly the most privacy conscious option right now).
  - thirdsun 7y ago
    Same here. And that's exactly why the choice between upgradeability and macOS is still an easy one, at least for me. Sure, I'd love to build an affordable, modular computer, particularly since AMD's renaissance, but not if it means sacrificing macOS.

by atonse 7y ago

nvahalik 7y ago

I’m right here with you. Just built a Win10 machine because of thermal issues. I don’t even mind having a laptop but is it too much to ask to pay iMac prices for mid grade hardware??

rock_artist 7y ago
The thing is, it doesn't need to be Win10 machine. Even if you're developing for Apple. If you need a "Mac Dev" you can setup up any Intel based machine with macOS. It's not "plug-n-play" but it's not that far from getting Linux running with drivers and performance you'd expect it to.
- atonse 7y ago
  Yeah but if it's your primary machine, you don't want to live under the spectre of being one bad update away from hosing a day or two of productivity. I already have that happening with node modules, don't need an additional thing :)

thirdsun 7y ago

> But as a developer, I wanted a desktop class CPU and just a separate monitor (tired of hearing my laptop fans all the time, and it not being expandable), so I can upgrade them independently. What's wrong with the Mac Mini? Sure, there's no way to upgrade the CPU, but considering the resale value of Apple hardware replacing the whole machine every few years is actually a worthwhile upgrade strategy. Of course the same sell and replace upgrade path applies to the iMac (Pro) - I understand that you would like to keep the display separate, but it's a fantastic display which doesn't really have any alternatives right now. I don't see how you could much better in that category. Of course, if MacOS isn't that important to you, this discussion isn't worth having - in that case you could buy whatever you want.

atonse 7y ago
I wish macOS wasn't as important, but honestly it's the most important. I don't want to switch back to Windows or Linux at this point since I'm too invested in the Apple ecosystem (and it's certainly the most privacy conscious option right now).
- thirdsun 7y ago
  Same here. And that's exactly why the choice between upgradeability and macOS is still an easy one, at least for me. Sure, I'd love to build an affordable, modular computer, particularly since AMD's renaissance, but not if it means sacrificing macOS.