Changing My Primary Computer from AMD Ryzen 9 5950 to Apple Mac Studio Ultra M2

[RCA]

I'm getting a little older - and a little slower at 76. So, I have less time and interest to tinker around with Windows, especially Windows 11 - when my software environment just keeps getting more complex. Too many YouTube videos are saying that Apple Mac Studio Max or Ultra is absolutely stable, especially compared to Windows 11. I also found that Acronis and many backup systems cannot restore Windows as advertised.

While the Apple Mac Studio Ultra has a slightly faster CPU than the AMD Ryzen 9 5950 - it is quite a bit slower in general computation than the new AMD Ryzen 9 7950 (although the Ultra's M2 ARM has higher performance GPUs and Neural Cores, although you can get a high quality graphics board for the 7950 to make up for much of that) - I am far more interested in trading off stability and uniform interface for extra speed I don't need. In terms of price, you can build your own 7950 for significantly less than an Ultra. For a pre-built system, - Dell does have a Ryzen 7950 for about $3800. And, that is about as much as the $3,999 for the Mac Studio Ultra ... but I calculate this Studio Ultra will last me a good 10 years (Have had a couple of Apple computers before, including a still functional Mac mini and an Apple MacBook - both still functional), - and most likely do what I need.

With Parallels you can put Windows 11 on the Ultra. About everything else I need has a native M2 Silicon version to run directly on the Mac OS:

Also, the Mac Studio is under 8x8x4 inches - small enough to carry in my backpack with padding in the overhead compartment of an airplane. I do need to get a monitor - but usually there is one where I am traveling to - or I can carry along a thin laptop to use a monitor

System Configuration:

Mac Studio Ultra M2 (My primary computer). ($3999)
Parallels/Windows 11. ($199)
Mac OS (free)
Ubuntu Linux (free)
Docker Desktop on Mac. (optional min charge)
R and R Studio (free)
JetBrains Ultimate with IDEs for C#, C++, Python, Go, Kotlion, IntelliJ IDEA, etc.. ($150/year_
Adobe Creative Suite for Mac (Photoshop, Adobe Premier, InDesign, Illustrator, Adobe Rush, ....). ($56/month)
MathMagic for writing math equations in InDesign. $500 maybe every 5 years.
Spare Enterprise Architect. $150/ year)
Chief Architect ($100/year)
Alamode. ($600/year)
QGIS (Free)
Drone software (varies)
etc..

 

[N/A]

While both seem to be good options, and either brand will accomplish your goals, I personally would not switch to apple because of the muscle memory I have for windows. But that is something for you to decide, and you'll likely be happy with either choice.

Also windows is releasing a new feature to allow reinstalling the OS without disrupting data and without the need for a boot usb. Which reinstalling the OS every once in awhile might help with the instability issues.

Also they sell 4k monitors that fold up very thin and would be a good option for traveling. Link included below.
Amazon 4K Monitors

 

[RCA]

While both seem to be good options, and either brand will accomplish your goals, I personally would not switch to apple because of the muscle memory I have for windows. But that is something for you to decide, and you'll likely be happy with either choice.

Also windows is releasing a new feature to allow reinstalling the OS without disrupting data and without the need for a boot usb. Which reinstalling the OS every once in awhile might help with the instability issues.

Also they sell 4k monitors that fold up very thin and would be a good option for traveling. Link included below.
Amazon 4K Monitors

Thanks for the link. I never knew these existed. The 17.3" are kind of pricey though. Have to think about it.

My design theory on a home computer system now is that the decision on which computer to use as your main desktop should be weighted heavily in favor of both stability and performance.

NOTE:
1. Many reviewers are not that knowledgeable in building and using Windows, Mac and Unix systems. I have used all three at different times going back to 1979 when I bought my first Apple computer. They also base their reports on a lot of second hand information and are cautious not to seem biased one way or the other - especially against all powerful Microsoft. But since about 2015, I have developed a rather low opinion of Microsoft software (especially Azure for development and Windows 11). Also, up until this year I have always preferred making my own systems, which is cheaper and makes it easier to update individual components when desired. I just don't have the time any more to deal with crashes on my main system, because my main system is getting to complicated to reconstruct without reliable Restore software - and none of it, as far as I am concerned, works very well nowadays - at least not on home built computers.

2. So, my decision now is to go with the highest end Apple Mac Studio Ultra M2 for the Primary Computer that I will used for creating all programs (C#, Java, C++, R, Python, Clojure, Prolog, whatever), publishing (Adobe Indesign with MathMagic) and basic processing of photos (Photoshop+) and video (Adobe Premier, Final Cut, ...). The Mac Studio Ultra M2 Basic model of this appears to be satisfactory for my use. I rarely go above 25M on memory - and when I do - it is because I am setting aside large amounts of memory for MLS databases that cover most of California. -- I have stopped doing that now for several reasons. And whatever, I don't want to spend more than $4K on the main computer.

3. Now I still have my home made AMD based Ryzen 9 5950 - and I could eventually upgraded that to they 7950 - but only as a secondary computer for creating neural networks on a lot of data. So, the idea is that IF I need very high performance - I build the computer and access it remotely.

4. I still keep my Synology DS1821+ which holds 8x18T drives, and also works as a Unix server. That works as a back up for the entire system --- and Synology is, if nothing else, very stable. So, I consider the Apple + Synology. system to be very stable.

5. Note that Apple and Synology use their own products. You can[t change the internals of the Mac Studio at all. There is a benefit to that. Apple's MacOS is always completely in synch with the hardware - at least in the higher end computers like the Mac Studio. Synology, siimilarly, has their own OS. As far as the drives to put in the Synology which could be Seagate or WD (mostly) - I only used those drives Synology has certified. If I upgrade the memory in the Synology - I only use Synology memory.

6. So to reiterate, the part of my system for primary core use - is weighted heavily to both stability and performance (up to a point). It is based on high end Apple and Synology products/operating systems that totally control the hardware being used.

7. Yes Apple does have updates. You have to have updates for security and progress. But their updating is very centralized and controlled. Microsoft is a wild cat with high degrees of backward compatibility and ultra-wide support of hardware that in the end causes major problems in system stability - especially if you are building tightly woven, complex sub-systems that talk to each other.

Of course, my design decisions are tailored to my current requirements at the age of 76 after many years in software. If I were younger, I probably would still be building my own high performance systems.

 

[N/A]

Everyone is making those 4k monitors so just make sure to do your research. But I agree with your thinking, the ultra would be better in the long run with less time spent on diagnosing issues. I also like the idea of keeping a machine on the network to remote into if you need windows for something specific. For performance, either way will work, but mac os is defiantly more reliable. But also consider, if something does happen to the mac, you have to send it into a "professional" for repair, and that could be weeks or even months without your primary pc. Apple is moving closer to right to repair but nowhere near windows in that regard. Another good Windows/ Linux option is the Framework Laptop, its a modular design that will let you upgrade/ replace everything, including the motherboard, graphics, I/O, and more (but still the same reliability issues with software). That's just my thoughts, there's lots of options but it seems like you are very knowledgeable in this topic, and I'm sure you'll be happy with Ultra!

 

[RCA]

Everyone is making those 4k monitors so just make sure to do your research. But I agree with your thinking, the ultra would be better in the long run with less time spent on diagnosing issues. I also like the idea of keeping a machine on the network to remote into if you need windows for something specific. For performance, either way will work, but mac os is defiantly more reliable. But also consider, if something does happen to the mac, you have to send it into a "professional" for repair, and that could be weeks or even months without your primary pc. Apple is moving closer to right to repair but nowhere near windows in that regard. Another good Windows/ Linux option is the Framework Laptop, its a modular design that will let you upgrade/ replace everything, including the motherboard, graphics, I/O, and more (but still the same reliability issues with software). That's just my thoughts, there's lots of options but it seems like you are very knowledgeable in this topic, and I'm sure you'll be happy with Ultra!

I always get AppleCare+. For the Ultra M2, it is pretty cheap. $169 for three years - and after that you can renew it extended by 12-36 months - until your machine is no longer supported by Apple (probably about 6 years). 24/7, global, onsite repair. Can you believe it???? Where I live, there are many Apple stores - and they are pretty good at taking care of problems. For example, I often have a problem transferring my old system to the new one - and I can go in and someone will help - although it may take a couple of hours. When I worked at Apple back in 2015, we would get a lot of free Apple software - and I got Final Cut and Logic Pro - which I can still use. Once you buy these, you have them for life, with all updates. But you do have to transfer them to your new computer - via Tunes - so that is why the transfer is important.

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1636324-REG/apple_s9688ll_a_applecare_for_imac.html

Note, I would not recommend getting more than the minimum 1Tb SSD. You can get better and cheaper external SSD drives. I have 2x 4T Black WD drives in a $69 docking station. But 4T - they can get very very hot. You would not want them inside your precious Ultra M2. As external drives -you can always replace them or add on. Maybe more than 64G of RAM memory - but if you are not going to use it - it is just more internal heat and wattage. And that memory does cost quite a bit extra. I let one 4T SSD serve as backup for the Time Machine. ... And I will have another backup on the Synology for important development work.

EVERYTHING is encrypted. Synology now also has write-once (immutable) drives - so you what you back up is protected from a Ransomware attack.

 

[RCA]

Update on Apple Mac Studio Ultra M2:

1. Some important software does not install or run nearly as well on MacOS as on Windows 11. That's likely because Windows has such a larger share of the market that many companies focus first and foremost on their Windows version. A good example is the open source (and free) QGIS - which in its latest MacOS incarnation is buggy and simply not as nice as the Windows 11 version - which is also much easier to install. Yes, you can use Parallels to simulate Windows on Apple - but Parallels is generally not as good as pure Windows (although as a virtual system, one could claim it is more stable).

2. For either Windows or MacOS, if you install too many complex systems on a single computer - you risk problems. So, the MacOS/iCloud is my organizational (primary) system ( which of course integrates via iCloud with my iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, several other devices, laptop and smaller computers). Windows 11 is treated as a special purpose system for certain important applications, with an attempt to keep garbage off of it as much as possible (lean and clean). Synology DS1821+ serves as my internal hard backup, private cloud and local interface between all systems. Bitstream Small Business Endpoint Security, with Unify UDM oversees security for the entire system, along with Apple, Google and MS security.

Linux is invariably more of a headache for maintenance, but use if you can deal with the maintenance. And it is probably best on Docker.

The more systems you have the greater the maintenance burden. IF I could only have one system, it would probably be a Mac with Parallels --- like when I am 90 if I ever make it that far. The Mac is a bit slower than Windows but more stable.

 

[Charles West]

I need to update my gaming pc for Windows 11 which I am not happy about, but it is what it is. At a minimum will need a new motherboard, cpu, and memory, hopefully I can keep my GPUs and maybe prices will come down by the time Microsoft stops supporting 10 but probably wishful thinking.

 

[RCA]

I need to update my gaming pc for Windows 11 which I am not happy about, but it is what it is. At a minimum will need a new motherboard, cpu, and memory, hopefully I can keep my GPUs and maybe prices will come down by the time Microsoft stops supporting 10 but probably wishful thinking.

I'd get someone to make you an AMD Ryzen 9 7950 based desktop. With that you should be able to get a PassMark benchmark of about 65,000. I get 48,000 with my Mac Studio Ultra and 45,000 with my AMD 5950 desktop. Central Computers will do it for about $150. Should be able to put one together for $2300+, depending on the memory, storage and other options. The Apple Macs, even the best, are generally not nearly as fast as Windows 11 (despite maybe higher benchmarks) because the application software is not as optimized for MacOS compared to Windows 11 -- but Macs are more stable because they are more difficult to mess up, i.e. they are closed systems. Also, you can get almost endless low cost tech support for the Mac Studio.

After you have worked with a Mac Studio Ultra for a while and go to a good Windows 11 system - the Windows system will strike you as being really fast. I talked to some people at Chief Architect in Idaho - who really don't recommend the Mac anymore. It is just too damn slow. Yes, and all the hype we heard about M1. BS. Still, aside from being a bit slow, the Mac is solid reliable for most basic things. But it is easy to get blown away with all the "neural core" crap. You see, all you have to do is install a good Nvidia board on a Windows 11 system to bring it up to speed or surpass a Mac Studio Ultra M2 system. Of course, those video boards can cost $2500 or more. So, 6 of one, half a dozen of another.

 

[WestMichiganCG]

I would say you do you Bert. I still build my own computers and have had solid reliability for very long periods of time on my builds. I like being able to control all aspects of all the specs on my computer from the cooling to the layout to the components and form factors. My issue with Apple is that they aren't upgradeable anymore which you had stated. If you cannibalize the same laptop and swap the same memory stick you can have an issue. There are YouTube videos about this such as on LinusTechTips. I recently bought my daughter a MacBook Pro and it's a solid laptop, just not something I would use for my main computer. I do have an Ipad and a Microsoft Surface I use for travel. Your Synology is a solid choice, I store all my files on it and it auto backs up to Backblaze. The only thing I store on my main computer is programs. I'm not a server guy anymore and I'm also not a RAID guy anymore with the exception of the Synology.

 

[Charles West]

I'd get someone to make you an AMD Ryzen 9 7950 based desktop. With that you should be able to get a PassMark benchmark of about 65,000. I get 48,000 with my Mac Studio Ultra and 45,000 with my AMD 5950 desktop. Central Computers will do it for about $150. Should be able to put one together for $2300+, depending on the memory, storage and other options. The Apple Macs, even the best, are generally not nearly as fast as Windows 11 (despite maybe higher benchmarks) because the application software is not as optimized for MacOS compared to Windows 11 -- but Macs are more stable because they are more difficult to mess up, i.e. they are closed systems. Also, you can get almost endless low cost tech support for the Mac Studio.

After you have worked with a Mac Studio Ultra for a while and go to a good Windows 11 system - the Windows system will strike you as being really fast. I talked to some people at Chief Architect in Idaho - who really don't recommend the Mac anymore. It is just too damn slow. Yes, and all the hype we heard about M1. BS. Still, aside from being a bit slow, the Mac is solid reliable for most basic things. But it is easy to get blown away with all the "neural core" crap. You see, all you have to do is install a good Nvidia board on a Windows 11 system to bring it up to speed or surpass a Mac Studio Ultra M2 system. Of course, those video boards can cost $2500 or more. So, 6 of one, half a dozen of another.

GPUs are still ridiculous. I've got a pair of Poseidon's that work flawlessly so would like to keep them if still compatible with a new motherboard.