Upgrading old MacBook Pro 2013 for graphic design work

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Level 1

4 points

Upgrading old MacBook Pro 2013 for graphic design work

I am a graphic designer and need to update my very old mac (MacBook Pro 2013). I use a ThunderBolt while working (also 2013) and wireless keyboard and mouse. I have heard and read a lot of pros and cons with M4 mac and that I will need adapters etc to connect to usb, camera card, my screen...

I was thinking of a Mac Book Air 13inch is enough, but because I am working with all the Cloud apps and need good storage and speed, some says I need to have a MacBook Pro which cost much more.

Then some warning against the M4..

I am really not a tech person at all and am very confused. I need someone to help me figure this out and explain what I need like I was a four year old.

So, to sum up: Portable Mac 13 inch or 14 max. Storage minumum 2T, and memory 68GB?

Please help!

[Re-Titled by Moderator]

Posted on Nov 21, 2024 7:38 AM

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Answer 1

OldGoat67

Level 3

566 points

Nov 21, 2024 10:04 AM in response to OuiDesign

Beh Oui, Oui Design!

you might be able to use an external eGPU with a Thunderbolt 3 to Thunderbolt/Thunderbolt 2 adapter, if you wanted to spend the $ to try to do that.. basically it depend on the chip you want in there… most powerful chip=more $ as everything is integrated onto one board and soldered in, upgrades after you buy are not possible… also you have to make sure ALL your apps, etc will run on Apple Silicon( M1, etc) … if not you will have to buy/upgrade them to versions that do.. catalina and up removes all support for 32 bit apps/software… so what used to work in Mojave won’t work in Catalina ( and up)

c’est tout..

John B

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Answer 2

OuiDesign Author

Level 1

4 points

Nov 21, 2024 10:43 AM in response to OldGoat67

Thanks for your reply!

It seems its more complicated than I thought 🤔😢. I have Creative Cloud I subscribe on but the no longer want to update my apps because of my OS. Big Sur v 11.7.10. Not even possible to update the OS anymore.

So do you think I should upgrade to an older one than M4?

What would be less hassle and less cost and to be sure that I will not be in trouble in a couple of years?

i am seriously confused with all of it.

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Answer 3

OldGoat67

Level 3

566 points

Nov 21, 2024 12:23 PM in response to OuiDesign

D’accord, Oui Design, Moi Aussi !

looks like your MacBookPro has reached the end of the linr for MacOS updates.. Big Sur? C’est fini… so, your big decision is if you want to switch over ( eventually) to Apple Silicon Macs ( which is what Apple is doing and offering now) … if you didn’t care about portability, a used MacPro from 2019 would be fine+4k monitor ; very expandable and powerful..good for graphic design… but if it has to be portable and have a built in monitor plus support an eGPU via Thunderbolt 3 ( helps with graphic design…lets your MacBook Pro handle beefier files) so maybe Late 2018/2019 MacBook Pro model… 2020( and later) brought the M1 ( Apple Silicon Macs) ( and M2, M3 and now M4 Macs) … the late 2019 ones could have been configured with a radeon pro 5600 ( 8 gig Vram) plus up to 8TB SSD and 64 gb of ram Max.. dunno if it was user replaceable or not… maybe look for a refurbished certified “maxed out” model..and 4 Thunderbolt 3 ( USB-C ) ports , 2.3 Ghz or 2.6 Ghz speed..

Ouf !!!!

John B

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Answer 4

OuiDesign Author

Level 1

4 points

Nov 22, 2024 2:19 AM in response to OldGoat67

Oh dear! I feel more and more confusion with all of the specs and numbers! 😂😢. It’s me, not you! You’re very helpful even though I still don’t understand the details. What I do understand though is that either way, I am up for some challenges in the future.

The thing is, its my client who is offering me a new mac which is great but not for everything I would need to connect with old screen etc. I was however very keen in a MacBook air. I do travel and need it for meetings so an mac mini or others is not an option.

so to break it down to a shopping list what would I ask my client to buy?

thanks again for your patience and expertise

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Answer 5

OldGoat67

Level 3

566 points

Nov 22, 2024 5:30 AM in response to OuiDesign

Pas de probléme, Oui Design… Vous voulez une Mac portatif… Un Mac Intel portatif, çe peut être trén bon, mais, c’est l’histoire ( un peu vieux) . L’avenir, c’est Apple Silicon…

Vôtre client peut chercher et achéter un MacBook Pro “maxé” de l’an 2019( pas trouvé dans le magasin Apple— produits reconditionées, et ainsi pas vendus) .. si vous voulez celle-ci, essayez eBay France, pour les macs portatifs d’Apple Silicon reconditionées( est certifiées) une MacBook Pro, M3 Max , écran de 16 pouces( Liquide Retina,3,456x 2,234 résolution native) , GPU 40 cœrs, SSD de 1To, 48 Go de mémoire unifée et 3 ports Thunderbolt 3.. 3,889 € dans le Magasin Apple ( séction reconditionné) , taxes pas inclus.., Je veux vous récommander d’achéter AppleCare+ quand vôtre client peut achéter une <nouveau> Mac pour vous..

Bienvenue au Canada !

John Brine

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