14” or 16” MBP as only computer?

[The Cockney Rebel]

I’m currently using my iPad Pro as my main device, with Magic Keyboard.

Actually, I mostly just turn to my 12 Pro Max.

However, I miss having a regular computer.

The MBP will be sat on my desk, and will not be travelling anywhere. If I want to read articles or books or such, I’ll use my iPad Pro.

I’ll be going for the 16gb 1tb model.

Do you think 16gb of RAM will be enough for general computing? I’m looking to get back into street photography, using only my iPhone, so will likely use Lightroom.

Was in the Apple Store today, and I liked the screen real estate of the 16”.

It’s only a £200 difference between the two models.

Can you offer any pros or cons for going with either size?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Apple Knowledge Navigator]

If it's going to be sat at your desk and not travel anywhere, why not go for a Mac mini and display? Or wait for the next desktop? Even the M1 iMac would be great for photography.

 

[The Cockney Rebel]

If it's going to be sat at your desk and not travel anywhere, why not go for a Mac mini and display? Or wait for the next desktop? Even the M1 iMac would be great for photography.

I wouldn’t go for an old generation M1, now that the new models are here.

And I quite like laptops.

Appreciate the advice.

Do you think 16gb RAM would suffice, or would you place an order and wait for a 32gb model to be delivered?

Seems like they have the 16gb model available in stores for sale. They just happened to have sold out when I got there, but they will have more stock tomorrow.

 

[robco74]

If you won't be traveling, and it won't break your budget, then go for the 16".

However, docking with an external keyboard, mouse, and display can be more ergonomically friendly for long editing sessions. In that case, you may want to consider the 14", and put the extra 200 quid toward a good external display. Personally, when I know I'm going to be working for a good stretch, I dock my laptop and use a proper desk setup.

 

[ct2k7]

Your use case doesn’t sound like it needs more than 16GB RAM.

Honestly, any M1 machine will suffice

 

[applemanit]

I still don't know. In the beginning, I was saving money convinced to get a 16 inches MBP, then I tried both at the store and the 14 inches is cool. I could save some money and have a very portable laptop instead of a big expansive one. On the other hand, it would be great to have a bigger display, considering also that the notch looks bigger and more invasive on the 14-inch MPB. Any suggestion?

 

[lordhamster]

14 incher + my 49 inch Display for me. I rarely even have my current (work issued) 16inch 2019 open... I prefer the portability and just pair it with my large screen.

If however I was using the computer alone with no peripherals...then 16 inch without a doubt.

 

[Grohowiak]

I wouldn’t go for an old generation M1, now that the new models are here.

And I quite like laptops.

Appreciate the advice.

Do you think 16gb RAM would suffice, or would you place an order and wait for a 32gb model to be delivered?

Seems like they have the 16gb model available in stores for sale. They just happened to have sold out when I got there, but they will have more stock tomorrow.

If you want to burn money then sure it will work but for photography the M1 mini + good 4K monitor will benefit you A LOT more than the 14" or 16"
16GB on mac is like 32 on Win people say and as a dev I can confirm than never ever felt like I need more than 16gb. I use a lot of PS and AI as well.

I use ultrawide at home with occasional travel so I went 14" for extra portability.
Generally my opinion is that In any scenario working just out of a laptop screen has too many constrains. External monitor has a lot of benefits including health related ones. Looking down long term... good luck lol

 

[applemanit]

Difficult decision!

 

[The Cockney Rebel]

If you want to burn money then sure it will work but for photography the M1 mini + good 4K monitor will benefit you A LOT more than the 14" or 16"
16GB on mac is like 32 on Win people say and as a dev I can confirm than never ever felt like I need more than 16gb. I use a lot of PS and AI as well.

I use ultrawide at home with occasional travel so I went 14" for extra portability.
Generally my opinion is that In any scenario working just out of a laptop screen has too many constrains. External monitor has a lot of benefits including health related ones. Looking down long term... good luck lol

How much RAM did you go for on your 14”?

 

[Falhófnir]

As others have said, it doesn't sound like you need these new M1 Pro models, and they are very much overkill for what you're going to do with them. While they're 'newer', the M1 Pro is still based on the same M1 architecture, so the single core performance is near identical. That's what mainly influences the system fluidity and feeling of 'fastness'. The extra multi core performance only comes into play if you're going to be pushing the machine with heavy video work, 3D projects etc. Ditto RAM, 16GB is a lot already for 'general computing' and plenty for lightroom.

With the above said, what you're really wanting (and paying for) is the newer display experience (HDR, high refresh, retina etc) - so IMO go for the base or 1TB (£2,599) 16" without an additional monitor (if you are going to use a monitor then a mac mini is easily a better choice, I agree with @Apple Knowledge Navigator on that).

 

[The Cockney Rebel]

As others have said, it doesn't sound like you need these new M1 Pro models, and they are very much overkill for what you're going to do with them. While they're 'newer', the M1 Pro is still based on the same M1 architecture, so the single core performance is near identical. That's what mainly influences the system fluidity and feeling of 'fastness'. The extra multi core performance only comes into play if you're going to be pushing the machine with heavy video work, 3D projects etc. Ditto RAM, 16GB is a lot already for 'general computing' and plenty for lightroom.

With the above said, what you're really wanting (and paying for) is the newer display experience (HDR, high refresh, retina etc) - so IMO go for the base or 1TB (£2,599) 16" without an additional monitor (if you are going to use a monitor then a mac mini is easily a better choice, I agree with @Apple Knowledge Navigator on that).

Thanks for the detailed reply.

The model you recommended is the one I’d be going for.

I actually had one in my basket, ready for delivery on launch day, but was unsure so just left it.

Many Apple Stores have them in stock for store collection, so I could get one if I wanted to.

I’ve now personally seen them side by side, and I love the large display on the 16”. As it would be my only computer, that’s the one I’d go for.

The only thing that concerns me, is if 16gb will be enough for Lightroom? I don’t want to spend all that money on a beautiful machine, only to have a bottleneck. Of course, it goes without saying that if I do go for 32gb then I’ll have to wait for delivery.

 

[Grohowiak]

How much RAM did you go for on your 14”?

16GB

 

[applemanit]

I am thinking about this config:

-14-inch display
-10 core M1 Pro
-16 core GPU
-16 Gb RAM
-1 tb Storage

More portability, more power. What do you think?
I don't have an additional monitor but I could buy one if Apple will release the rumoured new Thunderbolt Display.

 

[Apple Knowledge Navigator]

I think you could probably answer the question yourself.

Although you haven't said otherwise, you are (I gather) not a photographer, graphic designer or video editor; therefore this would immediately rule out the need for a Pro Motion XDR display. Whether you want it or not is a personal matter.

And again unless I'm mistaken, you also don't require heavy compute tasks for things like programming, which rules out the need for a stronger CPU in the M1 Pro and Max.

I honestly think your best setup would be either a base 24" iMac or a Mini with a monitor of your choice. Sorted.

 

[The Cockney Rebel]

I am thinking about this config:

-14-inch display
-10 core M1 Pro
-16 core GPU
-16 Gb RAM
-1 tb Storage

More portability, more power. What do you think?
I don't have an additional monitor but I could buy one if Apple will release the rumoured new Thunderbolt Display.

Same as what I’m thinking of, except id go for the 16” display.

I don’t need portability.

What will you be using it for?

 

[jterp7]

First things, based on what youve stated yes go with the 16" for the extra 30% real estate.

Second, there arent any external apple displays that currently do what the mini led 120hz do (yet...). In terms of contrast, the cheapest thing ironically will be the 42" oled when it comes out next year at some point if u want good contrast AND 120hz. The pro photo grade monitors imo are for a very very small subset of people out there.

Third youre probably a good candidate for the mid 16"

On ram, having owned my 2012 rmbp for 9 years id consider because you cant upgrade after the fact but on use case 16gb should be fine

 

[The Cockney Rebel]

I think you could probably answer the question yourself.

Although you haven't said otherwise, you are (I gather) not a photographer, graphic designer or video editor; therefore this would immediately rule out the need for a Pro Motion XDR display. Whether you want it or not is a personal matter.

And again unless I'm mistaken, you also don't require heavy compute tasks for things like programming, which rules out the need for a stronger CPU in the M1 Pro and Max.

I honestly think your best setup would be either a base 24" iMac or a Mini with a monitor of your choice. Sorted.

Thanks for the advice.

I had an M1 Pro, which was returned for refund because of two faults (UK consumer law) and I got my money back.

I’ve been waiting for these new Macs.

I am actually a photographer, but haven’t been active for a while because I’ve been unwell.

I’d be getting back into photography, using just my iPhone (I’m completely self taught, and know Canon cameras & glass inside & out, so I want to try something new/challenge myself.)

I looked at the new MBPs side by side in store on Tuesday, and loved the 16”. I wouldn’t buy an older generation processor, when a new one is available and I have waited for this long.

I also just want to “treat” myself.

I’m sure you can understand where I’m coming from?

Thanks again for your input.

 

[applemanit]

Same as what I’m thinking of, except id go for the 16” display.

I don’t need portability.

What will you be using it for?

I use it especially to make music with logic pro. I do travel sometimes, but not very often.

 

[The Cockney Rebel]

I use it especially to make music with logic pro. I do travel sometimes, but not very often.

For the specs you want, it’s only £200 more for the 16”.

You just have to decide if you want the larger display or not?

 

[applemanit]

For the specs you want, it’s only £200 more for the 16”.

You just have to decide if you want the larger display or not?

No actually the price is the same for this configuration. The 16-inch base model has 512 Gb Storage, while the 14-inch top model has 1 Tb storage. Otherwise is the same. So yes, it's only a matter of size.

 

[The Cockney Rebel]

No actually the price is the same for this configuration. The 16-inch base model has 512 Gb Storage, while the 14-inch top model has 1 Tb storage. Otherwise is the same.

Like for like (specs) the 16” is £200 more expensive.

You said you wanted a 1tb SSD?

 

[Apple Knowledge Navigator]

I’ve been waiting for these new Macs.

I understand that anything new is exciting, but that doesn't mean you need it. You could save yourself a lot of money.

I am actually a photographer, but haven’t been active for a while because I’ve been unwell.

Sorry to hear that.

I wouldn’t buy an older generation processor, when a new one is available and I have waited for this long.

To be fair, M1 is more than capable for the vast majority of needs - even so much as multiple streams of 4K video editing. For photography it is equally just as capable, and all the M2 is going to do is add an extra GPU core and possibly modify the CPU cores in some capacity.

I also just want to “treat” myself.

You've answered your own question, then

 

[applemanit]

Like for like (specs) the 16” is £200 more expensive.

You said you wanted a 1tb SSD?

I don't know.. maybe I just need 512 Gb. On my actual computer I have data for 364 Gb but they are partially stored on one external disk. Anyway I don't want to waste money for something I don't actually need.

 

[Apple Knowledge Navigator]

Anyway I don't want to waste money for something I don't actually need.

This. Macs, and perhaps computing in general, is not like how it used to be even 10 years ago. You can accomplish so much more today on lesser hardware, to an extent that the 'pro' segment is becoming more and more specialised.

I can appreciate hobbyists wanting to play around with these products and that's fair if they have the money, but for everyone else the M1 is perfectly capable.

What I will say though - and this is only from my own experience - is that you should treat RAM no differently to an Intel Mac. My M1 Mini in some instances actually uses more RAM for the comparable app, which I can only put down to Apple still nurturing this new system.