I'm considering an upgrade for my Mac setup since my current Intel-based MacBook Pro with 16GB RAM is struggling with my development tasks. I mostly develop iOS apps (so I need macOS for Xcode and App Store publishing), and I work on cross-platform projects where I often run iOS and Android simulators at the same time. I also use Docker Desktop for running heavy containers like PostgreSQL and Redis, while managing two projects simultaneously—typically involving both frontend (React) and backend (Node.js, Laravel). I tried the MacBook Pro with the M2 Pro Max recently, and while it had great performance, it was too bulky for daily use. I'm now curious if the M2 or M3 MacBook Air with 16GB or 24GB RAM could handle this workload without overheating or throttling issues. I'd love to hear from anyone who's used a MacBook Air for heavy development. What's your experience like?
5 Answers
Any of the Apple Silicon Macs should be able to handle your workload without breaking a sweat. If you're using an alternative to Docker, like Orbstack, you'll save a ton on resources too.
For your workloads, RAM will be more critical than CPU. I'd definitely recommend the M3 MacBook Air, and if you can, go for 24GB or more. It might not seem necessary right away, but it'll extend the life of the machine in the long run.
I think 24GB RAM should be fine. With Docker, 16GB might be a bit tight because it can eat up your RAM even if those containers are mostly idle.
Is it really safe to say the MacBook Air would be good with 24GB?
Yes and no. The Apple Silicon CPUs can handle development tasks well, but if you're pushing a lot of memory like 24GB in Redis, it might not be enough. It really comes down to how you use it with Postgres and Redis.
Thanks for the insight! I actually don't have that much in Redis, so that's helpful.
I'd suggest going for at least 24GB. I have an M2 Air with 16GB, and while it's great, adding a Docker container really pushes it. And remember, you can have a lot running—IDE, browsers, etc.—before hitting a limit.
True, but Xcode consumes a lot of RAM as well.