16" M1 Pro 16GB RAM vs 16" i9 5600m 64GB RAM?

[TheOutlier]

Hi,

I'm curious which laptop would perform better for the purpose of video editing, designing in Figma, motion graphics, and opening large files and multiple tabs, etc.

The 16" MacBook Pro M1 Pro Chip with 16GB RAM or the i9" 2019 MacBook Pro with 5600m GPU and 64GB RAM? Would 16GB RAM (unified memory) be superior to 64GB RAM from the Intel?

From my research, the Intel i9 models with the 5600m chips fixed the "hot and noisy fan" issues that were popular amongst the i9 models without it.

 

[redheeler]

Is M1 with 32 GB not an option?

 

[FreakinEurekan]

Answering out of order

From my research, the Intel i9 models with the 5600m chips fixed the "hot and noisy fan" issues that were popular amongst the i9 models without it.

Eh... i9 5600m was better than SOME Intel. But still hot & noisy, compared to Apple Silicon.

The 16" MacBook Pro M1 Pro Chip with 16GB RAM or the i9" 2019 MacBook Pro with 5600m GPU and 64GB RAM?

M1 all the way.

Would 16GB RAM (unified memory) be superior to 64GB RAM from the Intel?

No. You'll likely see swap with 16GB RAM, and might encounter memory pressure issues.

But still - that disadvantage is more than compensated by the superior performance of M1.

If you can get M1 with more memory, all the better. But even if you can't - it's better than Intel.

 

[steve123]

The 16" MacBook Pro M1 Pro Chip with 16GB RAM or the i9" 2019 MacBook Pro with 5600m GPU and 64GB RAM? Would 16GB RAM (unified memory) be superior to 64GB RAM from the Intel?

M1 machine is going to have far better performance. You will be somewhat limited to how many apps you can have going at one time though. If you have the option to get more RAM with the M1 machine you should consider it. There is also the issue of Apple Intelligence. The new Pro apps have features that use the neural engine that does not exist on the Intel CPU. Apple does not provide these capabilities on machines with Intel processors.

 

[dmccloud]

Hi,

I'm curious which laptop would perform better for the purpose of video editing, designing in Figma, motion graphics, and opening large files and multiple tabs, etc.

The 16" MacBook Pro M1 Pro Chip with 16GB RAM or the i9" 2019 MacBook Pro with 5600m GPU and 64GB RAM? Would 16GB RAM (unified memory) be superior to 64GB RAM from the Intel?

From my research, the Intel i9 models with the 5600m chips fixed the "hot and noisy fan" issues that were popular amongst the i9 models without it.

The limiting factor with the M1 Pro would be the RAM, not the SoC itself. That M1 would run circles around the Intel machine in every aspect, most notably battery life, fan speeds/noise, and forwards compatibility, especially with Apple Intelligence and apps such as Final Cut Pro and Logic Pro. Chances are that the Intel machine doesn't take full advantage of the 64GB RAM, so bumping the M1 to a 32GB config would be a happy medium.