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

[RCA]

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.

A good set of GPUs is good for 3D rendering, video processing, machine learning and of course games. So, if you were one of those few appraisers who does house designing on the side - you know that ray tracing (creating the 3D effect of sunlight shining on a property) can be VERY slow. Otherwise, a few may also be getting into machine learning --- although most will probably offload this to some internet service.

But, yes, for the vast majority - a new $250-$350 video card will do just fine.

 

[RCA]

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.

I typically build mine as well - although at times I have had some electronic store like Central Computer or Fry's build the initial one, so as to get some kind of warranty. While the Mac Studio Ultra isn't upgradable - it has 6 thunderbolt 4 ports, which you connect connect sizeable thunderbolt 4 hubs to. While my 1Tb Mac is limited in storage I have 2 4Tb SSDs on it, plus the 100Tb Synology DS1821+ and I can add a lot more. The external SSD drives are just as fast as the internal. If I have something that needs more than 64 TB of memory, that will go on the Windows 11 machine (e.g. a large SQL Server database).

The Mac Studio M2 can support up to 5 8K monitors - more than enough.

And very importantly, I have AppleCare+ 2 years at a time renewable and cheap ($199). That is hard to beat.

Buy Mac Studio with M2 Ultra

Mac Studio now supercharged by M2 Max and M2 Ultra. Stunningly compact. Extensive connectivity. Customize yours. Free delivery. Buy now at apple.com.

www.apple.com

(I am not sure I will ever need one of these

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09GK8LBWS/?tag=realestatappraat

 

[Charles West]

Top GPUs are good for high frame rate 4k and 8k digital video playback too.

 

[RCA]

Top GPUs are good for high frame rate 4k and 8k digital video playback too.

The technology is constantly evolving and I am not definitely not sure how my system is going to work out in the long run.

1. One thing is that I have a small hard case made for storing the Mac Studio Ultra for travel. So, I can take that as my core desktop on the plane or wherever and set it up, instead of a laptop. I took with me down to Texas in August when my oldest daughter's family moved back from Paris and we helped get her new house set-up. I took my 38" LG monitor as well (which actually doesn't take up much room in the car. I brought my wife's system as she had to work remotely as well. Of course if I had to go on a plane it would just be a portable 15" monitor - or I would borrow one at the destination. Anyway, being retired, and especially once my wife retires, we will probably travel more - so the portability of the Apple is nice.

2. I do more QGIS - and plan to do more. That's many layers of digital maps stacked, with 3D and the processing can be intensive.

3. So, I have QGIS + R Studio (Statistics) + Database + MS Office + Adobe Indesign + etc..

4. I am NOT interested in MBA/Fannie Mae Rubber Stamp Cheap Appraisals. I am interested in what I call Valuation Engineering --- Accurate Appraisal with Prediction based on Causal Inference/Bayesian Statistics, yada yada yada. Yes my idea is to be able to accurately predict where the housing market is headed in the next 1-2 years for a given geographical area. Is it even possible? Well, I have my opinions.

 

[Charles West]

The technology is constantly evolving and I am not definitely not sure how my system is going to work out in the long run.

1. One thing is that I have a small hard case made for storing the Mac Studio Ultra for travel. So, I can take that as my core desktop on the plane or wherever and set it up, instead of a laptop. I took with me down to Texas in August when my oldest daughter's family moved back from Paris and we helped get her new house set-up. I took my 38" LG monitor as well (which actually doesn't take up much room in the car. I brought my wife's system as she had to work remotely as well. Of course if I had to go on a plane it would just be a portable 15" monitor - or I would borrow one at the destination. Anyway, being retired, and especially once my wife retires, we will probably travel more - so the portability of the Apple is nice.

2. I do more QGIS - and plan to do more. That's many layers of digital maps stacked, with 3D and the processing can be intensive.

3. So, I have QGIS + R Studio (Statistics) + Database + MS Office + Adobe Indesign + etc..

4. I am NOT interested in MBA/Fannie Mae Rubber Stamp Cheap Appraisals. I am interested in what I call Valuation Engineering --- Accurate Appraisal with Prediction based on Causal Inference/Bayesian Statistics, yada yada yada. Yes my idea is to be able to accurately predict where the housing market is headed in the next 1-2 years for a given geographical area. Is it even possible? Well, I have my opinions.

You seem to have a handle on it, I on the other hand need to do some research as I haven't paid attention for several years.

 

[cashcatz]

Looks like Apple just released the M3. I'm running my entire software business on a basic M1 Macbook Air (including compiling code, etc). It's an incredible machine with mind blowing battery life.

However, where Apple shines is the combo of hardware and software. Nobody else does it better. But it's probably the wrong platform if you need to run Windows compatible desktop software.

If you're going to still run Windows, I'd skip the hassle and just keep on keeping on with an AMD Ryzen machine. For a notebook, you can't go wrong with high end Thinkpads.

 

[RCA]

Looks like Apple just released the M3. I'm running my entire software business on a basic M1 Macbook Air (including compiling code, etc). It's an incredible machine with mind blowing battery life.

However, where Apple shines is the combo of hardware and software. Nobody else does it better. But it's probably the wrong platform if you need to run Windows compatible desktop software.

If you're going to still run Windows, I'd skip the hassle and just keep on keeping on with an AMD Ryzen machine. For a notebook, you can't go wrong with high end Thinkpads.

I'm not so sure. I suppose part of the problem with the M2 is that 3rd Party Software is just not keeping up with it. -- I am using the Ultra M2 for video recording. That is I am using the built-in M2 hardware video encoder - because it is supposed to be fast. It seems a bit slow. - I have to put in a 500ms delay into the audio encoder to slow it up and keep the voice in synch with the lips (using OBS). But, maybe it is some other problem.

Yes, the AMD Ryzen is fantastic ... until it crashes with an overloaded Windows 11 system.

BTW, the M3 chips (Pro, Max and Ultra) are expected to be about 10-20% faster than their M2 counterparts. The M3 Ultra isn't available at this time and I don't think there is a release date.