Level 1

37 points

Which MacBook Pro to buy or not?

I have a 2019 MacBook Pro 16" with 32GB Ram, 2.3 GHz 8 Core i9, AMD Radeon Pro 5500M 8GB graphics card.

So, all in all pretty good specs, and I've been really happy with it (despite the M processor appearing not long after I bought it!)

However, I recently updated it to Sequoia from Ventura and have definitely noticed some quirks and performance issues. Specifically the fans seem to be on a lot more (even when the machine is doing very little - they're on now as I type this (no other apps open than Safari).

They never seem to go into overdrive, but they were never on before and the low level noise is noticeable when I'm working.

This laptop cost £3200 5 years ago and until the upgrade was working like an absolute charm. I'm reluctant to upgrade but machines as recent as the M3 models are already looking like quite good value for money.

What I don't want to do is upgrade to a lower performing machine but I find the new configurations confusing - for example is 16GB RAM on an M3 gonna be better than the 32GB I have on the Intel machine?

I remember the hyperbole around the first M1 chip, is the most basic configuration on an M3 gonna outperform the highly specced machine I currently have?

Thanks

Phil

MacBook Pro 16″, macOS 15.5

Posted on Aug 1, 2025 2:25 AM

Top-ranking reply

Servant of Cats

Level 8

35,075 points

Posted on Sep 15, 2025 10:46 AM

Phil Weyman wrote:

What I don't want to do is upgrade to a lower performing machine but I find the new configurations confusing - for example is 16GB RAM on an M3 gonna be better than the 32GB I have on the Intel machine?

Some people will tell you that you can get away with less RAM on Apple-Silicon-based machines, either because they are "more efficient" or because they have very fast SSDs.

I would not make that assumption. The data that you are working with is not going to become magically smaller, just because you are working with it on an Apple Silicon machine. Also, while your Intel-based Mac has 32 GB of main memory plus 8 GB of dedicated video memory belonging to the GPU, Apple Silicon machines use a Unified Memory architecture. On an Apple Silicon Mac with 32 GB of RAM, the GPU doesn't have its own separate RAM, but is using part of that 32 GB of RAM.

That is, in Wintel PC terms, Apple Silicon Macs have "integrated GPUs." Now the Unified Memory setup on a Max chip may allow the Max chip's GPU to deliver the type of performance that would normally require a discrete GPU, over in the Intel world. But in terms of the amount of RAM needed, I would not want to make the assumption that you could replace a machine with (32 GB RAM + 8 GB VRAM) with one with only 16 GB RAM total – and not suffer from any performance degradation as a result.

I remember the hyperbole around the first M1 chip, is the most basic configuration on an M3 gonna outperform the highly specced machine I currently have?

In terms of CPU benchmarks,

MacBook Pro (16-inch, 2019) (2.3 GHz) – 1344 / 5969
MacBook Pro (14-inch, M3, Nov 2023) – 3091 / 11611
MacBook Pro (14-inch, M4, 2024) – 3813 / 14837

If you move up a notch to a Pro chip:

MacBook Pro (14-inch, M3 Pro) (11/14 core) – 3087 / 13959
MacBook Pro (14-inch, M4 Pro) (12/16 core) – 3870 / 20240

This suggests that the Apple Silicon notebooks would be nigher-performing IF you have enough work to throw at them that the speedup is visible in terms of human reaction times, and IF you don't starve them for RAM.

Note that MacBook Pros and MacBook Airs with plain M3 chips can only drive one external monitor with their lids open, or two external monitors (with limitations) with their lids closed. Mac notebooks with Pro chips, Max chips, and plain M4 chips can all drive at least two monitors at the same time as the built-in display.

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25 replies

Sep 15, 2025 10:53 AM in response to neuroanatomist

neuroanatomist wrote:

I would not expect Intel machines to be supported for much longer.

If I'm not mistaken, Apple announced at their developer's conference that Tahoe will be the last major version of macOS that will run on any Intel-based Mac.

Phil Weyman Author

Level 1

37 points

Sep 16, 2025 2:35 AM in response to leroydouglas

I guess I'm only making that statement based on my experience - agreed it's a generalisation to say the no-one should upgrade as it appears many people have no issues.

I'm just frustrated that since upgrading I've had these issues and wish I could revert.

Anyhoo - gonna keep trying to isolate the problem and will update the thread if I find anything.

Tempted to install Tahoe in the optimistic hope that it will sort the issues. Could always make them worse though!

Sep 17, 2025 9:11 AM in response to Phil Weyman

RE: DropBox

You report said that some components of DropBox contain invalid files that could be malware (or possibly damaged).

If you insist on using Dropbox, I recommend you un-install it completely and re-install the appropriate version, direct from the developers web site, never from a third-party.

In addition, I recommend you DO NOT allow DropBox to run at all times in the background. Just Start it when you need it, and Quit it or do a Restart when you are done updating.

-------

If you need an additional backup, Time Machine can add an additional drive at any time. It will create a new stand-alone backup on the new drive, and every-other backup goes to every-other drive.

You can also use a drive on another Mac on your network as a shared backup destination, provided it is running MacOS X 10.13 High Sierra or later.

Phil Weyman Author

Level 1

37 points

Sep 18, 2025 12:30 AM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder

Dropbox is definitely the legit version - I looked into the the invalid files and they have Chinese characters in the file name which is causing the issue. They are legitimate files that I am working on so I know they are not a virus.

I need Dropbox for work as I share files with other colleagues, however, I will try and turn it on only when necessary and see if that is compatible with my workflow.

Sep 18, 2025 5:55 AM in response to Phil Weyman

<< I looked into the invalid files and they have Chinese characters in the file name which is causing the issue. >>

Not user files. Exactly THIS component, part of DropBox itself:

Unsigned Files:

Running app: /Library/DropboxHelperTools/Dropbox_u501/dbkextd

Details: Domain name invalid - possibly malware

I recommend you re-install Dropbox so that you are CERTAIN that goofy file is the correct one for you Mac and not damaged or malware.

When completed, Do not leave Dropbox running in the background, punishing performance by re-reading your files over, and over, and over. launch when you need to sync. Quit when synced. Its resource use is NOT negligible, as it appears in your report among top 5 in Memory, Network use, and Energy use.

steve626

Level 6

13,881 points

Sep 19, 2025 12:38 PM in response to Phil Weyman

P.S. I never commented on your original query about buying a new MacBook Pro. I plan to use my 2019 MacBook Pro and update it to Tahoe, which I believe will be the furthest it can go with the MacOS. It still runs quickly and is responsive with no issues, so I will continue to use it. Then, maybe a year from now, when a new MacOS comes out that won't run on Intel chips like mine, I will probably obtain a new laptop.

Phil Weyman Author

Level 1

37 points

Sep 16, 2025 2:36 AM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder

Thank you - I will look into this and post any findings.

Phil Weyman Author

Level 1

37 points

Sep 16, 2025 10:38 AM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder

So, I ran EtreCheck and here's the report for anyone with the patience and know-how to take a look:

EtreCheck report

Phil Weyman Author

Level 1

37 points

Sep 17, 2025 1:48 AM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder

Thanks for spotting.. Surely this doesn't affect performance/overheating though?

Sep 17, 2025 7:00 AM in response to Phil Weyman

<< Thanks for spotting.. Surely this doesn't affect performance/overheating though? >>

All of the items I mentioned could affect performance is some way.

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Which MacBook Pro to buy or not?