I’m running my roon server from a 2016 macbook pro, i5 8GB RAM. When it works, it works. Interface is decently fast and the fans only come on when I start up roon. However, since it’s running on top of MacOS, it does update/shutdown/quit every so often, or there are just random glitches that mean I have to restart Roon or reboot the computer, probably twice a week.
I am wondering if anyone has ideas about how to minimize MacOS’s interference or make it more lightweight. I have virtually nothing installed on this mac other than roon. I have one program that keeps the macbook always awake (Amphetamine) and another that keeps the battery at a 50% charge (Al Dente). Auto update is turned off. Are there features of MacOS that I can disable so as to minimize the frequency with which I have to restart?
I know the real answer to this question is to get an NUC and run ROCK. I’ll do that eventually but don’t feel like spending the money at the moment. Thanks!
An easier possibility than installing a Linux Server distribution would be:
Run MacOS remotely via Screen Sharing as one does with a Mac Mini. There are some tweaks required to ensure this is solid, such as not requiring a screen when restarting after an update, those are discussed elsewhere on this forum re Mac Mini setups.
Run MacOS RoonServer on it, not Roon Desktop.
This may achieve what you need without dealing with Linux Server distros, which may not be a perfect fit for a Macbook Pro.
I’m doing exactly the same on a MacBook Air I5 (late 2015). Auto update off, suspend off and permanently on power cable. runs only Roon Desktop as the core and is maintained with Remote Assistant. OS updates are done manually when necessary. Sofar (several months) no hiccups whatsoever.
Music files are on my Freebsd NAS and some on two SSD’s connected to the Core.
Coming back to this to say that switching from Roon to Roonserver made a huge difference. I was thinking about getting an NUC but now I don’t think I need to upgrade anything–the Mac is very snappy.