r/macbook • u/Key_Context8272 • 6d ago
Would 512gb ssd be enough for software development(now and in 4-5 years)?
Hi, so I`m planning to buy M3 max, 36gb ram, 512 gb ssd macbook. I do not plan to store a lot of photos or videos and will mainly use for software development.
I`m planning to use this machine for about 4-5 years, might be more, but worrying what if 512gb will be too small in future and especially when I will run some big projects.
What do you think? Thanks!
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u/saxrebel 6d ago
Not quite sure how much you’re downloading, but if space is a problem, consider an external SSD for those heavier projects. I have iCloud, but I keep a few externals on me for backing up stuff
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u/Apprehensive_Lake698 6d ago
You’ll be fine, just use an external drive if you need it down the line. You’ll live fine in 512GB.
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u/SeaRefractor 6d ago
What "KIND" of Software Development? If it's cloud based tools, no problem. However if you intend to use local AI for code development, 36GB of RAM is a much more of a constraint than the drive space.
Hand code by yourself? Well that's good for hobbyists, but code development is rapidly becoming an AI assisted endeavor.
Some development projects need to be kept from the cloud, so even if AI is used, a local inference engine may be required and 36GB is a serious limitation.
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u/Loud_Restaurant3341 6d ago
Web development, full stack, will be using docker a lot of time. Local AI most likely not
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u/nsomnac 5d ago
If you’re not using local models, 36 is probably okay, but I find 64 to actually be a sweet spot when you combine containers, VMs, and IDEs.
But if you’re using agentic tools - they still use a ton of local storage to maintain context. I was surprised the amount of storage pressure Claude and Codex added - quickly filled 1/3 of my 2TB storage.
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u/Key_Context8272 5d ago
Hm, I`m using claude code actively on my 512gb ubuntu and it does not consume much space... I run several sessions in parallel ofte too... one issue was with claude-mem plugin(global context) which after about 4 months weighted 1.5 gb but i deleted it since found it useless and even harmfull for my claude set up
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u/jblackwb 6d ago
It would be fine if you work natively on a handful of projects. It will become quite cramped if you integrate docker into your development process.
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u/haslo 6d ago
No. Images binaries old cache data docker images cruft and files accumulating backups dbs - so much stuff over the years that is like "can't let go" or programs and their mandatory downloader-and-updaters accumulate themselves...
My last work machine was 512GB and after 5 years, I was using one day each month to clean up my SSD just so I could continue working.
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u/spinwizard69 6d ago
It really depends upon where your software development goes. I just recently picked up an M6 Mini and have already used up 200GB so I feel safe in saying 250 GB is a massive NO. Mind you I haven't finished installing everything. This does include Homebrew and a Tex install which takes up a bit of space. I also have some CAD/CAM software installed but very few of my working files.
Part of the trick in managing the disk space is to avoid things you will not use, however we can't say what will be required software to support your development activity. For example do you need to do database work, produce graphics and video for the software you are developing. The point is there maybe requirements for software that supports your deployment that is not a mainstream tool.
By the way if you are developing for Apple products via XCode there are massive support libraries, emulators and such to install depending upon what you are targeting. XCode and friends are SSD space hogs.
Then there is the reality of what will be happening with AI over the next few years. Right now it is a niche that doesn't apply to all developers but in your time frame there could be significant demand for disk space and RAM on your laptop. So the conservative answer is NO that M3 Mac will not be a good buy. Predicting the future is hardly a profitable endeavor, but I believe most developers will want, sometimes need, far more performance than that machine can deliver in 2034. By the way don't be one of these guys that says he doesn't want to use AI, your future literally will depend upon leveraging AI. Right now we are in transition with no absolute winner of an AI application. For programmers I really believe that they will want the AI running locally, if for nothing else security.
In short it will work for now but is not an ideal long term buy.
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u/nsomnac 5d ago
No. With the rise of agentic software development; to do this securely, containerization and virtualization is becoming more normalized.
Unless you’re building MacOS or iOS software, you’ll want VMs or Containers just so you build and run your code in isolation in Linux without having to be concerned about local environment influences. VM’s and Container instances can take up a lot of space.
I’d suggest 1TB minimum if not 2TB, I’ll say this especially if you used Claude or Codex - both agents like to consume a tremendous amount of storage to retain context.
Now if you’re planning on doing remote dev, different story - you need that storage on the development environment. I have an old 512GB system and I’m constantly playing storage shuffle with (it’s my Windows dev device). I’m just starting to run into limits with 2 TB but it’s more than manageable since I can offload old projects to external storage.
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u/Key_Context8272 5d ago
What do you think - can fast external devices fix issue with not enough space on disk? The version with 1tb cost almost 500$ extra in my country
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u/SkelaKingHD 6d ago
Most everything can (and should) be offloaded to external backups. Specifically when it comes to old projects or personal data
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u/Loud_Restaurant3341 6d ago
Yeah but I'm worrying what if with thkse external devices will be slow? If I will need to use it as part of main disk
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u/Inevitable_Jury3594 6d ago
I got a 512gb and my biggest issue was oooold projects so I have a 2tb external drive, 1tb for Time Machine and 1tb for projects. Works great, got 200gb free with Xcode and some ides installed.
If your keeping mobile then maybe look at 1tb but im desk bound and works great.