System(s) recommendations for a dev and gamer. 4-5k budget.

[vertice]

Hi all,

 

My computer needs have left me in a flurry of returns and exchanges, never entirely satisfied with the machines I have tried. Currently, I am using a Macbook 12in (core m3, 2017 model) but my gaming needs are obviously not being met (using GeForce Now Beta to get me through this period of time).

 

My hopes are that by listing my needs, budget, and tried systems, you could recommend a system or system(s) that will suit my needs and close this cycle of returns and exchanges.

 

A relatively roomy budget may make this seem like an easy task, but as someone with complex and often mobile needs, it's more complicated than it appears. I have been burned by many of the "best" options on the market. My dream machine would be a Macbook Pro 13 with the ability to max every game at 1440p and remain silent (I can dream, right?).

 

Budget: $4000-5000

 

Needs: 

- Software engineer that needs a Mac for development (iOS, Android, Web, and Security dev)

- Gamer that mainly plays WoW, Overwatch, CSGO, LoL, and most popular games at 1440p. I pretty much only game at home, but gaming on the go for light games like LoL and Hearthstone would be nice.

- Travel often, carrying a machine every day in a backpack to an office and traveling for events / client meetings

- Max laptop size roughly the size of a Blade 14 or Macbook 15in, but preferring something like a Macbook 12.

 

Tried:

- AW17: awful build quality. Not as good or upgradeable as a dedicated desktop. Cannot use as a dev machine.

- Razer Blade 14: Too loud. Struggles at 1440p. Cannot use as a dev machine.

- Razer Blade Stealth: Too loud. Poor quality control. Cannot use as a dev machine.

- Macbook Pro 13: External GPU support is only in MacOS (not counting hack-y work-arounds).

- Macbook Pro 15: dGPU struggles at 1440p. Large / heavy.

- Macbook 12: Can't game. Dev performace could be better.

- MSI GS63VR: Too loud. Cannot use as dev machine. Battery life is awful. Driver issues.

- Surface Pro: Can't use external GPUs.

- Custom Desktops: Crypto miner inflated GPU prices have made prebuilt systems more cost effective. Too bulky (or too loud in the case of mATX) in my design-centric apartment.

 

So here is my question: Given this budget, what machine or machines would you recommend I try?

 

My thoughts were a Macbook Pro 13 combined with the Corsair One (air-cooler 1070 model or liquid cooled 1080 model). 

 

What would you do?

 

 

[cj09beira]

Keep the Mac and get yourself a pc for home, there are plenty of small cases and components now a days that won't be loud

[genexis_x]

1 hour ago, vertice said:

Budget: $4000-5000

laptop+desktop

[TriBeard]

Given your budget and your requirement of a mac for work, get a mac as your dev machine/to use on the road (seems like you want a 13 since you think the 15 is too heavy and large, though the 15 would likely be able to handle some light gaming tasks while you're on the go if you got one with a dGPU and accepted 1080p gaming instead of trying for 1440p) and then build a nice desktop as your gaming machine.

[Pendragon]

Aero 15x