Advice Needed. Computer for work.

[RRW1282]

Hey Everyone,

Long time lurker on the forums. Finally decided to create an account.

So for a while now, I've been using my personal 16" M1 Macbook to complete certain tasks for my job. Management asked me to look into getting a computer for the organization so I don't have to keep using my personal computer.

Currently, I do a lot of work using Photoshop, Illustrator and Lightroom. We're planning on expanding to videos as well.

I'm looking to get an Macbook M3 either Pro or Max but unsure of what specs would work best for the tasks I'm being asked to complete.

I was wondering if anyone had advice as to which chip Pro or Max, how much RAM would be best for taking on video editing and more involved projects for PS AI LR and whatever else the job throws my way.

Thank you so much in advance!

 

[raythompsontn]

If work is paying for machine, go for the maximum configuration. If your work has a budget, get the highest configuration you can get within the budget.

 

[RRW1282]

If work is paying for machine, go for the maximum configuration. If your work has a budget, get the highest configuration you can get within the budget.

Thanks for your reply.

I get that, but I'm not quite sure what the budget is. I'm sure if I could articulate the reasoning behind needed more RAM or a better Chip or more storage I might be able to convince them. That's why I'm asking for the work I'm being asked of what would be people's recommend specs.

 

[raythompsontn]

Go for 32 Gig of memory and 1 TB of disk space. I use Photoshop and Lightroom on 16 Gig without issues. Adding in Illustrator (which is more of memory hog than Photoshop) and I would opt for doubling the memory. Disk space is not as important as important files should be kept on external media for backup and storage purposes. The choice of CPU between PRO and regular is not a big deal. Video rendering benefits from more CPU, not photo editing applications.

 

[Fishrrman]

I'd ask for a MacBook Pro 16", m3pro is good enough, 32gb RAM (or is it 36gb now?), 1tb SSD or 2tb if you can talk them into it.

 

[dwig]

Best for the task will be one with a lot of RAM and with a lot of internal SSD space. I'd recommend 32Gb RAM as a minimum and 1Tb SSD as a bare minimum. If you can bump the SSD up to 2Tb all the better. You also want external SSD storage space for storing files, but the faster internal space is needed for the files with which you are currently working and for swap files.

 

[geta]

It hard to recommend without a budget… but for your needs, if the budget allows it, you should get 16” MBP M3 Max 16 cores CPU/40 cores GPU, 48GB RAM and 1TB storage, or with 64GB RAM and 2TB storage if its within your budget