2024 MacBook Pro - Using it as my daily driver

[BLUEVOODU]

At some point super early this year, I ended up receiving and using a MacBook Pro 2024... and have been using it as my daily driver since January.  I was asked to write a bit of a review by @CreepinDeth and @retro junkie .  I can now say that I can use Windows, Linux AND MacBook (MacOS) as my daily driver without issues.

It has the Apply M4 chip - 10 Cores CPU and GPU (4 performance, 6 efficiency), 16GB memory, and 512 SSD.  I am running MacOS... no changes.

It really runs many processes well.  I have at least 4-5 Safari windows open with 15 (at least) tabs each and several applications.  If I run something like Starcraft 2 or a game on top of the processes while on Discord, the system still works but chugs a little bit.

Overall... it handles everything well and the Apple apps (Pages, Numbers, Keynote, Notes, TextEdit..etc) are good enough to get by with most everything you need to do except some power applications.  You can do resumes and about everything else you need to do on the standard day... within good reason.

Gaming - I haven't done a ton of gaming, but it the MacBook handles games like StarCraft, Starcraft 2, Diablo 2 and Diablo 3.  Diablo 4, However, is still not Mac compatible.

Where the MacBook really shines... is audio.  The MacBook has amazing sound for a Laptop.  I was truly blown away.  Nothing will beat awesome studio monitors or other dedicated sound systems, but the audio on the MacBook is absolutely better than all other Laptops I've heard (not saying others do not exist out there).

Most of my automation, infrastructure and testing utilities are setup and works as standard... Such as AWS Cli, VS Code, Amazon Q, Terraform, GitHub and many other integrations I use for my certifications and projects (and keeping up on cloud/automation skills).

Peripherals are a little odd... but I'm working through that.  Such as, I have a decent Dell docking station with thunderbolt.. and the Logitech peripherals do not work exactly like the Native Keyboard and trackpad.  I didn't install software and am still working through some of those things.

If you have questions, please let me know.  Thoughts... comments, Post it up!

[CreepinDeth]

Do you have an OS preference now that you're about 8 months in?

I would like to get a Macbook pro next time but I feel that it would be underused since I also have a decent desktop. The Air is doing just fine for me.

[BLUEVOODU]

@CreepinDeth - my OS perspective is this:

If you buy a new MacBook Pro... live with the MacOS for awhile before changing it if you're not super opinionated. Again, I've used several variants of Linux, Windows (pretty much every dos, windows variant and server os since the late 80s / early 90s)... and now the MacOS.

I think it works very well once you figure out the shortcuts and get everything properly setup.  It is quick and snappy and I personally believe it uses memory better... especially for office / home office tasks (browsing, resumes, writing, documentation, etc etc).

I love the integration with iPhone and iPad. That's something that would be lost with a different OS... and I was blown away by the audio on the MacBook Pro.

I have not used the MacBook Air enough for a comparison. If I was in your situation, still had my MacBook Air and bought a MacBook Pro, I would get everything setup on the pro and then try difference OS's on the air.

Let me know if you want more information.  I'm pretty impressed.  Gaming is a bit limited, but that' can also be the same on Linux as well. For example, I can play many blizzard games such as StarCraft and Starcraft 2, but Diablo 2 Rwsurrected and 4 isn't supported... but Diablo 3 is.

[CreepinDeth]

I'm not really in the apple ecosystem, so a lot of those features don't really do much for me. I'm also thinking about getting one of the latest Mac Minis instead of a Macbook Pro. The only thing I don't like is that you aren't really supposed to upgrade the internal components so you have to jump through some hoops to update some of them.

@BLUEVOODU Do you prefer doing your work on a MB Pro vs. the other machines you've used?

[retro junkie]

Personally I love the ability to instantly merge my iPhone "Messages" with "Messages" on my Mac Mini. I do group texts a lot. While sitting at my Mac Mini I can type something up and send without my phone and my big fingers issue.