ZBrushCentral

Need help with choosing a Macbook Pro for zBrush

Need help on choosing what Macbook Pro to get and hope the community can point me in the right direction.

My iMac is too old now to successfully run zBrush (and crashing issues) and I need to upgrade. Old Betsy turned 10. I don’t have a big budget for a top-of-the-line computer. I’ve also become more mobile while working and switching to a laptop makes more sense. All my software is Mac-based so I’m going to have to go with a Macbook.

I have two options:

2.3GHz dual-core 7th-generation Intel Core i5 processor, Turbo Boost up to 3.6GHz - $1,299

2.4GHz quad‑core 8th‑generation Intel Core i5 processor, Turbo Boost up to 4.1GHz - $1,799

The 2.3GHz dual-core Macbook Pro is more budget friendly. Gives me enough left overs for Apple Care and some needed accessories. But the 2.4GHz quad‑core Macbook Pro definitely has a better processor with the quad‑core 8th‑generation Intel Core i5 processor.

Will the 2.3GHz dual-core Macbook Pro run zBrush fine? I’ll be running zBrush mostly on it with some Substance Painter and Photoshop work. I’m pretty good at keeping poly count down and using subtotals wisely. My zBrush work is mostly a hobby but do use it for some illustration work.

Or is my best bet to go with the 2.4GHz quad‑core Macbook Pro?

I’m looking to pull the trigger on a Macbook next week. Waiting for Prime Day on Amazon to see if the Macbook Pro will get a discount.

Thanks or the help.

Both systems are well within the recommended requirements listed at Pixologic :: System Specs

I recommend that you give that page a good read (including the info at the bottom).

At the end of the day, I’d go with the more budget friendly machine, but that’s just me.

Thanks. I ended up just getting the new 2019 iMac 27". Better processor & graphics card with the one I made. Plus I can upgrade the RAM to 128GB later on down the road. I figured I’d be using zBrush & SP way more at home. Glad I went with the iMac.