Logos 8 Mac System Recommendations (what you'd actually want as a user)

Dear Logos Users,

My name is Steve. I'm the IT Director at my church. Admittedly, I am not a regular Logos user (outside of the mobile app) but I have a question about Logos 8 for those of you who use the Mac version regularly.

A number of our pastors are using Macbook Pros that are getting a bit long in the tooth--in some cases 5+ years old. I'm looking at refreshing their computers as our budget allows. Unfortunately, and I'm sure that you all can relate to this, we don't have an unlimited supply of money, so I have to be strategic in where I allocate resources.

I've seen the minimum requirements for Logos for Mac. (2GB of RAM, 30GB of storage, etc.) But I'm wondering what you all would recommend from a user's perspective. If I could, I'd gladly get all of our pastors 15 inch Macbook Pros with i7 Processors, 1TB SSD's and 32 GB of RAM. But that's not going to happen!

At the same time, I don't want to buy them low-end Macbook Airs that won't even be able to run Logos + Chrome together.

So, as a user, what do you consider to be the minimum requirements you'd want in your Mac to be able to run Logos comfortably, but also not unnecessarily running up the cost of your computer?

Any feedback would be awesome!

Thanks!
Steve

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Comments

JT (alabama24)

8 GB Ram, 250 GB HD (if only using Logos, word processor... larger to accommodate media files).

David Thomas

I'm the IT Director at my church. Admittedly, I am not a regular Logos user (outside of the mobile app) but I have a question about Logos 8 for those of you who use the Mac version regularly.

Steve, thank you for asking! I'm a PC guy so I don't have much specific advice, but I do know that an SSD is a non-negotiable in my experience. I had to struggle with an IT volunteer in a church in the past because in his role (School District IT Director) nobody needed SSD. The best compromise I could get from him was a Hybrid drive. Granted this was a few years ago and prices have now come down drastically. I am pleased that you value your staff enough to get them sufficient hardware without "breaking the bank".

Daniel Radke

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1091700#Comment_1091700

I do know that an SSD is a non-negotiable in my experience.

I second this thought. I've been a Logos user for more than 11 years and as I've done computer upgrades over the years, the one that made the most noticeable difference (a substantial one) was a move from a regular hard drive to a solid-state one. I would encourage you to prioritize getting a computer with SSD. Also, get as good of a processor as can be afforded. Having 8 GB RAM should be sufficient for Logos + Chrome.

JT (alabama24)

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1091706#Comment_1091706

David & Daniel are absolutely right about SSD, but the only Mac you can purchase without one is an iMac. The cheapest model comes with a 1 TB HDD, but you can upgrade to a 1TB "fusion drive" for $100. In my opinion, the $200 "upgrade" to a 256 GB SSD is not worth it... especially since many users rave about the fusion drive. If you are looking at desktop models, I strongly recommend the Mac mini. They were just updated today. The new standard is a 256 SSD for $799. For $200 more, you can get the 512 GB SSD. Of course, the Mac mini is bring your own Keyboard, Mouse, Display. This is the most economical way to get a Mac.

Steve Ferry

Thanks for your feedback, everyone! Super helpful! I agree that SSD's are non-negotiable when getting a new computer. I think I now have a good idea of the other specs I should be looking for as well. Thanks again!

Steve

David Betts

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1091777#Comment_1091777

Also - I was told if you don't have 2 or 3 backups, you don't (may not) have a back up.

It's one thing if you trust 'cloud backup.' If not, for external drives, personally I would have at least 2 different brands, eg Seagate / Toshiba. For sensitive info of others, it's probably best to have it "local."

'Time machine' drives require APFS format. You might consider formatting some drives to "ExFat" which can be read by both Mac & PC, just in case that is ever needed. Do your own research according to your needs. You may already know about backing up via wifi to 'central' drive(s). Depending on how you value your info alternate backups to off-site or in fire-proof storage.

As Always - verify & validate advise from others so the decision is your own.

Blessings, and Shalom!

David

A number of our pastors are using Macbook Pros that are getting a bit long in the tooth--in some cases 5+ years old. I'm looking at refreshing their computers as our budget allows.

My MacBook is 7 years old and still runs like a champ. It has 8MB RAM and a 256GB ssd and was low end when I bought it. It even runs the video conferencing stuff that we have to use these days with ease and speed.

I would have a look at what your pastors have installed that may clog up their drives. More than 256 GB ssd is overkill. With a new Macbook more storage can easily and cheaply be external with the almost the same speed as the internal drive.

Steve Maling

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1091862#Comment_1091862

Steve, just in case you haven't already found this link, you might find it useful.

JT (alabama24)

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1091862#Comment_1091862

More than 256 GB ssd is overkill

...for the purposes of Logos alone, agreed. There are other uses for a computer, however. Depending upon those needs, it may not be overkill.

JT (alabama24)

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1091873#Comment_1091873

Steve, just in case you haven't already found this link, you might find it useful.

Which link?

Steve Maling

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1091876#Comment_1091876

JT, thanks for catching this omission! https://support.logos.com/hc/en-us/articles/360007554992-Recommended-Hardware-and-Software

JT (alabama24)

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1091885#Comment_1091885

No, thank you Steve! [:)]

Keep Smiling 4 Jesus :)

A number of our pastors are using Macbook Pros that are getting a bit long in the tooth--in some cases 5+ years old. I'm looking at refreshing their computers as our budget allows. Unfortunately, and I'm sure that you all can relate to this, we don't have an unlimited supply of money, so I have to be strategic in where I allocate resources.

Welcome [:D]

The current macOS 10.15 Catalina runs on MacBook Pro models that are mid 2012 or newer => https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MacOS_Catalina so 5+ years old can be viable if hardware is working well (my MacBook Air for occasional Logos use is a 2013 model having 8 GB Ram with 256 GB SSD running macOS 10.15 in dark mode). MacSales offers Mac trade-in => https://eshop.macsales.com/trade-in-your-mac/ as does Apple => https://www.apple.com/shop/trade-in

MacSales is easier to search for MacBook Retina => https://eshop.macsales.com/search/?q=MacBook%20Retina&filter.catidpath=4160&sort.price=asc than Apple refurbished => https://www.apple.com/shop/refurbished/mac/

The 2019 MacBook Pro 16 inch has a larger screen with 3072x1920 resolution (compared to older 15.4" resolution of 2880x1800)

Apple refurbished 2019 MacBook Pro $ 2,379 Silver or Space Gray has 2.3 GHz Intel Core i9, 16" LED Display, 16 GB Ram, 1 TB SSD

MacSales refurbished 2015 MacBook Pro $ 1,429 in Good condition has 2.8 GHz Intel Core i7, 15.4" Display, 16 GB Ram, 1 TB SSD

GeekBench for 2015 MacBook Pro => https://browser.geekbench.com/macs/385 shows single CPU benchmark of 932 while 2019 MacBook Pro with 2.3 GHz Intel Core i9 benchmark is 1082, which is 16 % faster (humans tend to notice 10% or more faster CPU)

So, as a user, what do you consider to be the minimum requirements you'd want in your Mac to be able to run Logos comfortably, but also not unnecessarily running up the cost of your computer?

My primary mac for Logos & Verbum is currently a desktop model (have not needed a laptop since personal electronic devices are not allowed inside prison). Caveat: pandemic virus currently has me locked out of prison (praying & hoping for COVID-19 to be kept out of prison where social distancing cannot be done so many would become sick). Thankful for a friend helping me in early 2020 to buy a refurbished 2019 iMac 27" 5K having 3.6 GHz Intel Core i9 with 16 GB RAM, 1 TB SSD, & Radeon Pro 580x for $ 2,719 => https://www.apple.com/shop/product/GMVTMLL/A/Refurbished-27-inch-iMac-37GHz-6-core-Intel-Core-i5-with-Retina-5K-display plus an upgrade to 64 GB RAM with faster memory (CAS timing 15-17-17-37 instead of 19-19-19-43) that improved benchmark CPU scores by 5 %. But had no effect on rebuilding Logos indexes: took 2 hours 14 minutes to index Logos 8.12 Beta 2 having 1,010 Bible resources, 29,127 Library resources, and 33 Personal Books (verified Logos Indexer and macOS used all available memory during indexing). Used an external macOS 10.15 USB to boot up refurbished iMac to partition internal 1 TB SSD into three 333 GB partitions:

macOS 10.14 Mojave (macintosh HD)
macOS 10.15 Catalina
macStuff

Relocated Logos4 and Verbum folders (in my user's Application Support) to macStuff partition so one installation of Logos4 and Verbum is "shared" by my macOS 10.14 and macOS 10.15 bootable partitions (can only be used by one of the bootable partitions at a time, which avoids corruption potential). Having an administrator macOS account own macStuff partition prevents my Logos/Verbum user account from accidentally changing macStuff name (stable for symbolic link). My Logos4 folder uses 132 GB (purchased library has 101 GB of resources with 23 GB Library Index) and Verbum folder uses 15 GB (order total of $ 0.00 includes Logos 7 & Logos 8 Fundamentals & FREE: Reader's Classics Bundle). When the next macOS is released later this year, likely will upgrade macOS 10.15 Catalina (so can keep macOS 10.14 Mojave for older 32 bit applications). For Time Machine, am using 1 TB external SSD (excluded Logos4 and Verbum folders on macStuff).

Logos wiki => Install in different folder or drive has Relocate your folder with Resources, Indexes, ... and Relocate your Resources folder

Keep Smiling [:)]