Ask HN: M1 Pro 14' still worth it for development?
People that own a M1 Pro 14' and have been using it for a while do you think it is still worth it for development mainly React and Flutter?
If your question is about whether to wait for the next iteration see: https://buyersguide.macrumors.com/#mac
As a general purpose machine for development / web dev, then the answer is yes, it's still worth using because it was worth using when it first launched and that didn't change.
Many guides come with instructions specifically for OSX including homebrew install commands etc. https://brew.sh/
The MBP 14' M1 laptop is a powerful, robust machine with great battery life.
If you enjoy that, first class support for all common webdev tool chains, and enjoy OSX, then it's still worth it for web dev.
An overlooked point is many courses and youtubers will be making videos using the same machine as you on OSX so it's good for that purpose as well (i.e. to learn and see the instructor using the same environment as you are.)
ESR is mostly wrong about this. He assumes that the person asking the question is not writing in good faith or that they have not considered and dismissed alternatives, without evidence. It's almost always appropriate to assume the person asked what they asked for a good reason ignore the question if you don't know the answer.
SO is plagued with this nonsense, where people answer the question they wish was posted (because it's all they know?) instead of just moving on.
I recently started a job that requires react and docker so here's what works for me. Install node.js from their website, use npm to install typescript language server globally, docker binaries like Minikube suggest using `sudo install minikube`, reading the manual for `install` says it simply copies the binary over to /usr/local/bin (already in path! security issue for brew owning this to your user??). You can then use `install` for any CLI tools you need (jq!).
macOS was never designed for package managers, brew does an exceptionally poor job at being a package manager while also fighting against macOS to stay functioning. I highly recommend avoiding brew, it is certainly not a necessity nor supported by packages it hosts.
I’m not using flutter but react development is very smooth on the M1, especially when you use vite.
But you absolutely need at least 16GB of ram is you use a VM or two.
I know a souped-up M2 (Likely a "M2 Max") is likely this year, but the difference between The original M1 and the M2 is so marginal that I doubt it's worth the wait for a hypothetical "M2 Max".
They're fast, they run docker & other nice dev tooling, they have great displays for text, and they're super quiet.
Now that I'm thinking about it I didn't have a problem w/ the 15" Intel either, and the dimensions are pretty similar. I'm pretty slim and short though; I don't feel like a T-Rex typing.
https://www.notebookcheck.net/Apple-MacBook-Pro-14-2021-Lapt...
https://www.notebookcheck.net/Apple-MacBook-Pro-16-2021-M1-M...
I am semi-regularly dealing with temperatures in the 80-90s in celcius with my ThinkPad T440p in a docking station.
From a glance at your links it looks like they didn't get anywhere near that in their testing, so I probably have nothing to worry about, but I guess when the M2 Max comes out I'll give some thought to getting the bigger model, even though I don't tend to like overly large things. With ThinkPads I would absolutely not want a numpad (often on 15" models but not 14"), but it looks like Apple doesn't put those on any laptops anyway.
Also, Flutter and react are not exactly the most demanding development frameworks.
In terms of hardware, M1s are portable, and battery life is great IF you use sparse apps that don't hog up the cpu all the time (running Slack, VSCode, and a bunch of docker containers isn't going to make your battery last anywhere close to advertised, although still respectable). The processor is great, but not significantly faster than competitors at similar price points. External monitor support sucks, external hubs are annoying, keyboard is good but not the best. Long term repairability is also probably not a thing, Apple wants you to buy a new laptop instead.
Software wise, this is personal preference on what you like/want or dislike. Personally, having used Mac OS for work on my work issued M1, I still prefer Linux every time. The two main reason is being able to run a lightweight tiling windows manager like i3wm that starts up way faster than Mac's UI, and not having to deal with permission system for things like camera, microphone, e.t.c.
If you don't travel often, I still maintain that the best possible use of 2 grand for computer is to build a desktop for around $1500, monitor included, and then get a cheap used laptop.
Don’t missguide people please!
M1pro is crazy fast in comparison to other laptops at similar price point.
I literally got ruby etc compiled in seconds, while in minutes for top intel based macs.
Granted, maybe it's a valid consideration for video editors and the like, but you won't notice significant differences in our line of work.
But don’t expect crazy battery life in dev mode for 14”