I have to purchase a new computer because my MacBook Pro 2019 with an Intel CPU is no longer able to convert large files to STLs. This started with the OS upgrade to Mac Tahoe 26 and the upgrade to SU 2026. Prior to that, although getting slower and having a terrible time with large models, it did convert files properly.
I was under the impression that I needed to stay with a Notebook because anything with a larger screen would require me to be upstairs in the bonus room and I thought my wife didn’t want me to have mroe reasons to hide away from her, especially since I spend afternoons in the workshop. She has altered her position and I’m now expanding my search.
I’m staying with Apple for various reasons. I’m looking at the MacBook Pro with the new M5 CPU and 48 GB RAM and 1 TTB SSD, the Mac Studio with M4 Pro CPU, and the same memory scheme, and the iMac integrated computer with M4 CPU, 24 GB RAM and 1 TB SSD. Both the MacBook Pro and the separate Mac Studio—when you add the keyboard, trackpad and monitor to the Studio—are a tad over $3,000. The iMac is under $2,200.
With an $800 price difference, I’m inclined to go with the integrated iMac, but can it do the job? I’m building complex SU models including rendering, and doing animated films of SU walkthroughs and I need a robust machine.
Does anyone out there in SU land have any experience with the iMac and SU? If so, pleaae share your thoughts. And anyone else who has an opinion please share also.
The Mac Studio only has Max and Ultra chips, Pro chips are available only on MacBooks and Mac mini. The iMac is limited to the basic M4 chip which doesn’t support 48 gb of memory. In your case I’d get the M4 pro Mac mini with 48 gb of memory. You don’t have to buy the monitor, keyboard and mouse from apple to be able to use any desktop Mac, actually I don’t recommend it, the cheapest apple display costs $1500, I bought a 32” 4K display for 500. I use the Logitech Master 3 and with the MX keys and a space mouse, all those peripherals cost around 400 and are much better than the Apple mouse and keyboard.
Speced it out with your recommendations and it gives me a more powerful setup than with the Studio or the iMac. With the Logitech and Spacemouse components, plus monitor, it’s around $2,800. Less than the laptop, but more than the iMac. But it the iMac doesn’t cut it, the decision is moot.
Just for example: I bought my MacBook Pro in 2021 for $2,600+ and an equivalent MacBook today would be $3,000. But just for fun, I bought my kids an Apple 2GS in 1987 with no hard drive, 3.5" and 5" and it had sound and color and it cost more than $3000! In 1988 dollars!! $8,248 today. Computers and electronics is the one area where inflation seems to work backwards.
In the couple of weeks that I’ve been deliberating, prices went up on the new MacBook and my 2019 went from a trade in of $235.00 to “We’ll help you recycle it!” Seems like things are working against me…
I don’t have that answer. I did send the files out to others and they were able to convert them. I have to go back and re-read to determine if they were using a similar setup.
I re-read the responses, but didn’t get information about exactly what configuration was used in their tests. I’d revert the machine back to Sequoia if it was such a pain in the butt. Having to wipe the hard drive and reload the OS, sounds like potential big trouble.
I wish I could try out a new MacBook with SU and see if it works before I have to pay $3k to be disappointed.
The M4 pro Mac mini is more power ad supports more ram than the iMac which has the base M4 chip and doesn’t support the amount of ram you said you want. The Mac Studio base model has the M4 Max chip which is more powerful than the M4 pro on the Mac mini.
In my opinion the M4 pro or the M5 pro are more than enough to handle big projects, the Max chips are have almost the same cpu power but a way more powerful gpu, if you are going to render big scenes and time is valuable for you, you should go with a max or ultra chip, otherwise the pro can also get the work done but it’ll take more time to do it.
Where are you checking the components, the base M4 pro with 48gb of ram is $1800.
You don’t have to buy an space mouse if you are not used to one, the Logitech mouse and keyboard costs around $100 each if you want the best ones (mx keys with numpad and Mx master 4 mouse), there are quite good monitors on amazon 2K 27” for less than $400.
I just checked on amazon and if you buy the mx keys there it’s cheaper than on the Logitech website.
Well dear readers, before dropping $3k, I wanted to continue researching the problem. I talked with Apple and all the tech could come up with was completely uninstall SU 2026 and all its accessories and reload it. I was reluctant to do this for two reasons. First, I already did a test by opening SU 2025 (still on the machine) with the same problem. Second, I dreaded having to reload all my plugins.
I did a series of tests making an object more and more complicated to see when the STL conversion breaks down. And it DIDN’T! It kept exporting quickly and flawlessly. That tells that it may not be an equipment problem, but something amiss with just that drawing. Here’s the object. I just kept adding stuff.
So, before I spring for a new MacBook Pro 16" with the M5 chip, I’ll head back to the drawing board and see if I can reengineer that drawing. I may end up not 3D printing the walls with bricks, but use brick embossed styrene and do it old school. That’s not saying I don’t need a new computer. This one’s really slow with big SU constuctions, and I wanted to do an animated walk through of the engine room, but it just can’t handle it. But it’s no longer an emergent problem.
I think I’ve solved the problem without spending $3,000. Any geometric anomaly in the file was causing the converter to not convert large chunks of the file. I wanted to determine absolutely if it was a hardware or software problem before spending money that I did not have. I took one of the walls down to basics, deleting everything except the front surface and started over from scratch. This time I was absolutely scrupulous in making it as clean as possible. I was rewarded with a perfectly converted file with everything present. I’m in the process of completely redrawing all of the walls and testing each before moving on to the next. So far, I’ve finished four successfully.
I still need a new computer. This one is showing its age, with very short battery life and very sluggish response working with my large files, but I dont’ need to buy one now.
Here’s a drawing sample. I adjusted the wall lengths slightly so the bricks came out nicely in the corners.
The converter IS Much more sensitive than it used to be and I’m blaming that on the OS Upgrade. But I can get it to work so buying a new one is not an emergent crisis.
