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./gear/amdgpu-vs-mac-local-inference — buyers' notes

amdgpu vs Mac for local inference — a fair fight

Apple silicon is easier to own — quiet, low power, and it just works. AMD Linux boxes deliver more memory bandwidth per dollar for large models, but demand more setup and driver care. For most people the Mac is simpler; AMD wins on raw tokens-per-dollar.

AMD Linux boxes vs Apple silicon for local LLM inference: bandwidth, tooling pain, power draw, and the honest verdict on which is easier to own.

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AMD Linux boxes give you more VRAM per dollar; Apple silicon gives you a quieter life and simpler tooling.

AMD Linux best $/VRAM — open ROCm improving, but expect driver wrangling and daylight-hours fixing
Apple silicon simplest to own — unified memory, no driver archaeology, ready out of the box
verdict start on Mac — add an AMD box once you need scale and can afford the ops time

Both are honest paths. If you want your model running tonight with the least fuss, Mac wins. If you're chasing max VRAM per dollar and don't mind the weekend, go AMD.

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