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14” or 16” MBP as only computer?
- Thread starter The Cockney Rebel
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I think this is more of a want than a need for you. My answer is, if it’s not breaking the bank and you can afford it, go with the base model 16 inch and crank the storage to 1 TB if you can. Sounds like your scenario calls for a portable desktop replacement with occasional travel.
I have the M1 MBP and I’m already through half the storage (512 GB). Another reason is you want to future proof it just a bit. My upgrade cycles are every 5 years for upgrades. My last Mac was the Early 2015 13 MBP. I still use it for my Windows VMs.
I have the M1 MBP and I’m already through half the storage (512 GB). Another reason is you want to future proof it just a bit. My upgrade cycles are every 5 years for upgrades. My last Mac was the Early 2015 13 MBP. I still use it for my Windows VMs.
I understand.
However, £200 for double the storage would give you peace of mind, and considering you’re spending so much money on this machine I think it could be worth it.
No need for external drives.
If it were only an extra £200 for the 32gb RAM, I wouldn’t question it. However, £400 is a bit different. That would take the machine to 3k, then you start to realise that for about 300 quid more you get the Pro Max SOC.
This really is a fine balancing act.
It sounds like I'm in a somewhat similar position to you, only for me the 14" isn't on the table as I know I'll only be using the computer with it's inbuilt monitor. Overall the computer is pretty overkill for my usage, it's a quasi-necessary indulgence as Apple don't offer their cheaper machines in 15-16" display sizes and while I'm not a 'power user' that will make use of all the M1 Pro power, I do make good use of the extra screen space. Unless you're going to be working with giant photos (100s of MP resolution) my understanding is 16GB will be plenty.
Why though? Even as an amateur photographer, 32gb of RAM is very much overkill. You would need to be working with a very large library and very high resolution images, with lots of adjustments, to make the most of it.
I just thought it would prevent any bottlenecks, on a device I’d keep for a few years.
These machines are a lot of money, so I’m just trying to figure out the best config to go with.
So you reckon the £2599 model would be ideal for my use case?
If money isn't a concern, then the base 14" or 16" is more than capable for your needs.
Legal writing/research and securities analysis/equity trading. Love the larger screen size. My laptop is mostly a desktop replacement that allows my to work in office and at home office with the same computer. I simply connect it to an external monitor in each location and I am ready to go. For my portability/travel needs, an iPad suffices. For people who travel a lot, I can understand the 14". But for me, it's the 16" that works best.
I do travel sometimes but not very often and when I buy a computer I usually keep it for a long time, I don't swap it every time the new model comes. I've always had 15-inches laptops however the new MPB are thicker and heavier than the previous gen, maybe the 14-inches is a good compromise.
I assume the new MBP is basically the same form factor as my 2014 16" MBP -- although slightly thicker. Frankly, the weight/thickness difference is meaningless to me. Also, my aging eyes love the larger screen.
After having used 15" MBPs since 2010 (and now a 16" for work), I opted for the 14" this time. I am a hobby photographer using Lightroom and Affinity photo mostly. I was hoping that the slightly increased screen size compared to the 13" would be enough to not feel so cramped compared to the 15", and I think that's mostly true for me. The bigger screen (15+) definitely nice, especially for photo stuff or if it's your only monitor, but I do appreciate how much more portable the 14" feels and feel it's a decent compromise for me. I also use two 27" monitors at my desk (and the MBP monitor also) so I have bigger screens when I need them.
Being a hobby photographer (same as me: Street. What’s your passion?) how much RAM did you go for?
I’m wondering if 16gb will be good for Lightroom?
I don’t want to “just get by” when I’m spending so much money on a machine.
I'm a part time photographer & videographer and have been editing pictures via Lightroom, and 4K video on my 2014, 15" MBP which has an i7 processor and 16 gb of ram. I've had zero issues doing edits via Lightroom, photoshop and even Affinity Photo.
For videos, I've also had almost zero issues scrubbing through timelines and applying light edits (I mainly do photography with some video).
All of this on a 7 year old machine.
What I mean is, 16gb on the new M1 Pro MacBook Pro's will be more than sufficient to edit in Lightroom, photoshop and affinity photo.
I personally opted for the 14" MBP with a 10 core CPU, 16 core CPU and 1 TB hard drive (which I'm currently using). I also connect it to a 27" 4K external monitor for when I need more screen real estate.
That being said, I'm considering exchanging it for the 16" MBP (same specs) for the extra screen real estate because I don't normally travel for photography / videography. And even if I did, I wouldn't mind carrying around the larger MBP (it's what I did with my old 15" anyway).
I have the same spec. Really amazing laptop.
If I get one, I’ll be getting the 16” with the same specs as yours.
It’s only £200 more, and for that you get better battery life, a faster charger and that glorious screen.
I won’t be using external monitors, so it will be my sole machine.
I (almost certainly unnecessarily) went with 64GB, because I want to have this for a long time and I don't want to ever believe that I'm limited by RAM. My 2015 15" that it replaced had 16GB, and would choke with lots of layers in Affinity Photo. Lightroom also felt very slow for me a lot of the time, but I don't know if that was related to RAM. I had the base model with Intel iGPU so I imagine that played a non-negligible part in both apps' performance. I've only played a little so far, but Lightroom feels much faster with the same library on the new one.
You’ve got me thinking, now.
I think 32gb is the sweet spot.
But then, as I’ve said before, for just £300 more you can get the M1 Max.
This is the thing, you can just keep going and going with this configuration thing, and this is how Apple gets you.
With regards to photography, I sold my 5D Mk II years ago, with some lovely lenses (favourite was my 24-70 2.8L) but I haven’t shot in years. I was going to try to get into my street photography again, but this time using just my iPhone 12 PM as my camera! I have a good street photographer’s eye, so would like to push/test myself by using just the iPhone‘s cameras.
For that, I think maybe 16gb RAM would suffice. Having said that, if I regain my passion for street photography and decide to buy all new camera gear, then I’d be stuck with a machine with 16gb RAM.
There’s the dilemma.
Logically, going for the 512gb HD with 32gb RAM would be the better option, as I could always use external drives. But there’s a wait for that, and I’m not that patient! If I could walk into a store tomorrow and buy that configuration, I would.
I find typing to be more comfortable on the 14 than 16. I have medium sized hands. Anyone experience the same?
I must admit the 16's screen is incredible. It's so much more immersive than the 14. If you want to maximize ProMotion and all of its benefits, shouldn't you go with the larger screen? The 14 seems so wasteful for this type of screen tech. I have the 16 connected to and sitting in front and center of my LK 34 inch 5K2K and I'm barely looking at that display. The 16 is rather large though and it will likely stay on my desk 90% of the time.
I must admit the 16's screen is incredible. It's so much more immersive than the 14. If you want to maximize ProMotion and all of its benefits, shouldn't you go with the larger screen? The 14 seems so wasteful for this type of screen tech. I have the 16 connected to and sitting in front and center of my LK 34 inch 5K2K and I'm barely looking at that display. The 16 is rather large though and it will likely stay on my desk 90% of the time.
I concur with this.
I’ve had a 15” before, and I believe it’s the “reaching over” the extra space below the keyboard which can be uncomfortable, and actually lead to cramp. It’s not as ergonomic as the smaller casing.
I had the M1 MBP for a while, and that was much more comfortable to type on. I was into creative writing, and could be going at it for hours, with no discomfort.
However, that 16” screen is so alluring, that I haven’t even considered the 14”.
What specs did you go with on your 16”, and what are you using it for?
My machine will also be planted on my desk. It won’t be taken anywhere.
I haven’t bought one yet, as I’m still so undecided regarding specs.
Yeah, I'm sure I would have been fine with 32GB I retrospect. But I also can't let go of the delusion that someday I'll have 100MP medium format files to work with
I do think 16GB is likely to be plenty for Lightroom with iPhone files. People even say editing "real camera" RAW photos with 16GB M1 Macs is a breeze, so it probably wouldn't be an issue, especially if you're not going to be using Photoshop with tons of layers/etc 🤷♂️
I ordered the base-model for 14 and 16. I typically upgrade every other year so I am fine with the base-models and so far, it is over-kill for my non-Pro needs. I will be using it for very basic tasks and occasional video editing. Coming from the M1 MBP, the 14 feels much more familiar and comfortable when typing. The 14 screen is still wonderful but it's not as immersive as the 16. Plus the battery is not as good. I'll continue to use both for another day or so and make my decision.
But that’s the thing … I could get right back into my photography, thus start using photoshop again.Yeah, I'm sure I would have been fine with 32GB I retrospect. But I also can't let go of the delusion that someday I'll have 100MP medium format files to work with
I do think 16GB is likely to be plenty for Lightroom with iPhone files. People even say editing "real camera" RAW photos with 16GB M1 Macs is a breeze, so it probably wouldn't be an issue, especially if you're not going to be using Photoshop with tons of layers/etc 🤷♂️
I’m drawn to conceptual photography, which can require many layers in Photoshop, therefore, once again, I don’t want that bottleneck.
I’ve been looking at the 16” Max model, as that appears to be available for in store pickup, if you can find one. 1tb HD, 32gb RAM and the Max SOC. everything I’d need, and definitely future proofed.
Going for CTO builds results in waiting ridiculous amounts of time.
Such dilemmas, eh!