Hey Guys,

I'm a UI/UX Designer and using a 13 inches MacBook Pro 2018 model which is more than enough for me to get the ball rolling. But I've really interested in motion graphics and advanced CG stuff. I want to make a transition to this field. First I decided to learn C4D but then I did some research and found Houdini is leading in the industry so I just started learning Houdini.

To get straight to the point, I will be using Houdini along with RedShift and Octane. But my MacBook doesn't support RedShift and Octane because it doesn't have any required graphic card neither it provides Cuda cores. Now I'm really confused to choose between Mac and Windows as Mac is no longer supporting Open GL and going to Metal. Should I ditch my MacBook Pro and go for iMac Pro or old Mac Pro. Or I should make the switch to windows and build a custom PC with RTX 2080 Ti. TBH I really really love Mac and never been a fan of Windows. So if I am switching to Windows it will be only for my passion for Motion Graphics.

So I've been really confused to make a decision and investment for the long term. For the time I have got a maximum of $3000 budget lesser option will be really great for me.


Please do help me out to make the right decision.

- Mustafa

Hello, what you're asking for has been discussed a lot both here and on the Redshift and Octane forums, so first things first – learn how to search the forums.

Secondly, you are correct that neither Octane nor Redshift currently work on OSX. If you're open to working in Windows or (gasp) Linux you should consider doing so (as I am sure plenty of others will tell you).

If you're terribly opposed to Windows or Linux, you have two options: 1. start working with CPU based render engines such as Mantra, Karma, Arnold, Renderman or V-Ray. 2. Wait until Octane for Metal is released (supposedly soon) or Redshift for Metal is released (I wouldn't hold my breath, I'd be surprised if it gets here before next Summer).

You do have a third option which is what I use – a Hackintosh running High Sierra and a couple of older Nvidia GPU's. It works, it's fast, but it's a Hackintosh.

I hope this helps.

What OS are you running? If it's High Sierra or if your Macbook originally came with High Sierra (you have to revert in the case of Mojave/Catalina), you can run a 1080ti (fastest available functioning GPU) in a eGPU enclosure.

I run 1 with a Macbook Pro 2018 for home use, it runs surprisingly well. The 1080ti might be 2 generations behind, but it's certainly no slouch. I prefer it to my workstation with 2X RTX 2080, imagine that.

Single core speeds on Intel mobile CPU's are very good, so overall a very useable experience albeit hacky.

You can try it out before shelling out thousands of euro's if you're just starting out.