Advice for a stop gap MacBook to run SketchUp 2021
-
Note: I already posted the below on the official Sketchup forum but I’m trying to get as many viewpoints as possible to help make an informed decision best for me .
Hi,
This is my situation - I’m currently using an MacBook Pro mid 2012 16gb to run SketchUp pro 2020 (though I do have the perpetual licence for 2021) on its last legs and a M1 Max 64gb MacBook Pro that I use for more powerful software.
I have no intention to go to the SketchUp subscription model (even if I did I’d want to keep my perpetual license working)
I know it would run on the m1 if I put the system software back to big sur - but then I couldn’t use my other software.
As much as I’d like to purchase a new m5 MacBook Pro 16” laptop for the more powerful software, to get similar specs to the m1 is ridiculously expensive and out of my price range.
I did have a look at 2nd hand m1 low spec MacBook airs and pros as a stop gap for a few years but even the 16gb ram are £600-£700 plus which is too much.
The compromise seems to be getting a 32gb or 64gb ram 2019 MacBook Pro 16”
(Note - I know apple is no longer supporting intel’s but I think the last compatible os with Sketchup pro 2021 is big sur (but if a later os unofficially runs SU2021 better please let me know))
what I don’t know is if the minimum spec of that model is enough or what processor or graphics card I should be trying to aim for (I think entry level is 2.6GHz 6‑core Intel Core i7 with AMD Radeon Pro 5300M with 4GB of GDDR6)
Would the entry level MacBook Pro 2019 16” 32gb be powerful enough to handle most jobs (what file sizes can it handle) or should I try and get better specs?
What I’m less sure about is if base specs are more than enough or if there’s higher specific spec I should try to tick a routine the boxes on:
- **i7 or i9
- 2.6ghz or 2.3/2.4ghz processor
- Radeon pro 5300m or 5500m graphics card
- 4gb or 8gb of GDDR6 memory on the Radeon pro graphics card**
(Sorry if I got some of the terminology mixed up)
thank you in advance for any advice
Hello! It looks like you're interested in this conversation, but you don't have an account yet.
Getting fed up of having to scroll through the same posts each visit? When you register for an account, you'll always come back to exactly where you were before, and choose to be notified of new replies (either via email, or push notification). You'll also be able to save bookmarks and upvote posts to show your appreciation to other community members.
With your input, this post could be even better 💗
Register Login
Advertisement