Doubt | Which MacBook M2 to choose?

[semiraw]

Hello.

I have a question, because I don't know which Macbook to buy.
Is Macbook Pro M2 13" 24GB RAM or Macbook 14" M2 Pro 32GB RAM better for me?

I am a videogame designer (3D modeling) and audiovisual communication (video editing). Sometimes I mix both worlds without much graphic load. I would like to make a 3D animated short film.
The most powerful apps I use are Blender, Photoshop, Substance Painter and Final Cut.

I currently have a 2017 iMac i7 and it works for me, although it would need a bit more power.



Thanks!

 

[semiraw]

¿Qué me recomiendan para mis proyectos?

• MacBook Pro 13" + M2 + 24GB Ram
• MacBook Pro 14" + M2 Pro + 32GB Ram
• [Otro. ¿Cual?]

 

[wegster]

I am NOT a video editor nor do I do any 3d modeling anymore, however:
1. The M2 Pro has 200Gb/s memory bandwidth vs the M2 base(100), which should help in many data-intensive operations.
2. The M2 Pro has more GPU cores (up to 19) vs M2 10.
3. M2 Pro has I believe double the number of high performance cores vs M2, as well as more CPU cores.
4. M1 maxes at 24GB RAM vs 32GB available on the Pro - this could be helpful in video editing, rendering, etc.
5. The 14" screen IMO is nicer than the 13" all around.

Your call. Given your described use case, I'd immediately be looking at higher GPU core count.

 

[semiraw]

NO soy un editor de video ni hago más modelos 3D, sin embargo:
1. El M2 Pro tiene un ancho de banda de memoria de 200 Gb/s en comparación con el M2 base (100), lo que debería ayudar en muchas operaciones con uso intensivo de datos.
2. El M2 Pro tiene más núcleos de GPU (hasta 19) frente al M2 10.
3. Creo que M2 Pro tiene el doble de núcleos de alto rendimiento que M2, así como más núcleos de CPU.
4. M1 tiene un máximo de 24 GB de RAM frente a los 32 GB disponibles en el Pro; esto podría ser útil en la edición de video, renderizado, etc.
5. En mi opinión, la pantalla de 14" es mejor que la de 13".

Tu llamada. Dado su caso de uso descrito, inmediatamente buscaría un mayor número de núcleos de GPU.

Thank you so much!
You are right, yes.

How many gigabytes of SSD do you recommend?

 

[Basic75]

For your use cases I wouldn't go below 32GB of RAM. If you can use an external display at your desk the 14" is fine, otherwise I'd consider a 16" if portability and cost aren't too much of a concern.

 

[Basic75]

Macbook 14" + M2 + 32GB Ram

With correct names that's a MacBook Pro 14" + M2 Pro (or M2 Max) + 32GB RAM.

And yes, it's a bit weird to have "Pro" twice. Doesn't make it any more "Pro". Somebody at Apple must love this designation.

 

[semiraw]

For your use cases I wouldn't go below 32GB of RAM. If you can use an external display at your desk the 14" is fine, otherwise I'd consider a 16" if portability and cost aren't too much of a concern.

Thanks for the help!

For the toughest work, I'll use it on the table with an external monitor.

I think the 16" is too bulky for me.
I prefer to introduce it without any problem in any backpack and that it does not take up so much space on the table.

 

[semiraw]

With correct names that's a MacBook Pro 14" + M2 Pro (or M2 Max) + 32GB RAM.

And yes, it's a bit weird to have "Pro" twice. Doesn't make it any more "Pro". Somebody at Apple must love this designation.

HAHAHA. I didn't know.

It's already changed.
In the end it will end up being a tongue twister.

 

[Basic75]

How many gigabytes of SSD do you recommend?

Hard to say since we don't know how large your projects are. If you plan on using the laptop on-the-go you should have at least the space for all the projects you are actively working on. Everything else can be archived or stored on cheaper external drives. Just remember to back them up, too.

 

[semiraw]

Hard to say since we don't know how large your projects are. If you plan on using the laptop on-the-go you should have at least the space for all the projects you are actively working on. Everything else can be archived or stored on cheaper external drives. Just remember to back them up, too.

Currently, all my projects are kept on external hard drives (HDD and SSD).

I don't have any projects that require more than 100GB.
But possibly it does, and that's the problem. I don't know if for a semi-professional short film it will require a lot of storage...

Would you know how to help me in the audiovisual sector?

 

[kp98077]

personally, I wold get the 14 M2 on sale and go for that, I have seen some quality issues on the air.

 

[TechnoMonk]

Thanks for the help!

For the toughest work, I'll use it on the table with an external monitor.

I think the 16" is too bulky for me.
I prefer to introduce it without any problem in any backpack and that it does not take up so much space on the table.

I travel with my 16 MBP in back pack. It isn’t as big a deal for me. Try it out in an Apple Store if you have one near you.

 

[wegster]

With correct names that's a MacBook Pro 14" + M2 Pro (or M2 Max) + 32GB RAM.

And yes, it's a bit weird to have "Pro" twice. Doesn't make it any more "Pro". Somebody at Apple must love this designation.

No joke - 'I have a MacBook Pro pro, uhh, m2'.
"I have a non-pro MB Pro"
...
kinda lol all around, sort of a marketing fail, but maybe due to the M1 base in the 13" non-pro-'pro' but also as an option in the 14. If they wanted some semblance of sanity they could have left the air with 'base' chip, 13" MB 'pro" renames to 13" macbook, and the 14" and 16" MBPs only offer the Pro or Max chips.

 

[TechnoMonk]

You can always use or add external storage. Get the most RAM/Processor you can get before adding storage.

 

[TechnoMonk]

No joke - 'I have a MacBook Pro pro, uhh, m2'.
"I have a non-pro MB Pro"
...
kinda lol all around, sort of a marketing fail, but maybe due to the M1 base in the 13" non-pro-'pro' but also as an option in the 14. If they wanted some semblance of sanity they could have left the air with 'base' chip, 13" MB 'pro" renames to 13" macbook, and the 14" and 16" MBPs only offer the Pro or Max chips.

It’s not MacBook Pro pro. It’s either M2 Pro/M2 Max or M1 Pro. Most I know just use MBP.

 

[semiraw]

No joke - 'I have a MacBook Pro pro, uhh, m2'.
"I have a non-pro MB Pro"
...
kinda lol all around, sort of a marketing fail, but maybe due to the M1 base in the 13" non-pro-'pro' but also as an option in the 14. If they wanted some semblance of sanity they could have left the air with 'base' chip, 13" MB 'pro" renames to 13" macbook, and the 14" and 16" MBPs only offer the Pro or Max chips.

Exactly.
I think the same thing happens with the iPad Pro.

It is no longer known what is professional and what is not.

 

[semiraw]

You can always use or add external storage. Get the most RAM/Processor you can get before adding storage.

Do you think it would be better to wait to have money for 1TB? Or is it not worth it and already have the 512GB?

 

[TechnoMonk]

Do you think it would be better to wait to have money for 1TB? Or is it not worth it and already have the 512GB?

If you can wait, it can be an option. Where are your projects? External drive? Is your short film made in 4k? Do you see any need for upscaling it 4K? AI up scaling to 4k is superior, but is RAM hungry, and mills your GPU. I use MBP 16 M1 Max with 64 GB, it uses all the Ram, it can when I am up scaling. Adobe Premier Pro has AI content aware erase, and other tools which can take up RAM.

 

[semiraw]

If you can wait, it can be an option. Where are your projects? External drive? Is your short film made in 4k? Do you see any need for upscaling it 4K? AI up scaling to 4k is superior, but is RAM hungry, and mills your GPU. I use MBP 16 M1 Max with 64 GB, it uses all the Ram, it can when I am up scaling. Adobe Premier Pro has AI content aware erase, and other tools which can take up RAM.

Thanks for answering!

My projects don't usually have too much power demand (both 3D and video). They are stored on a 3TB hard drive and there is enough space.
I would show you some personal projects so you can see my work, but I don't want to SPAM.

I would like to render (or record) in 4K.
How much space does a 4K short film take up? More than 500GB?
And what about RAM? More than 32GB?

I have made 4K videos and have never had a problem with my 2017 iMac i7 with RAM (I have 32GB).

 

[TechnoMonk]

Thanks for answering!

My projects don't usually have too much power demand (both 3D and video). They are stored on a 3TB hard drive and there is enough space.
I would show you some personal projects so you can see my work, but I don't want to SPAM.

I would like to render (or record) in 4K.
How much space does a 4K short film take up? More than 500GB?
And what about RAM? More than 32GB?

I have made 4K videos and have never had a problem with my 2017 iMac i7 with RAM (I have 32GB).

I personally don’t think it’s SPAM, you can DM me the links. I love to see the work of folks using the Macs, and all the tools. Size for 4k depends on formatting, fps, deinterlacing, or other factors. I have seen typically anywhere from 1-4 GB per min, most of the stuff I have is usually around 1.3 GB per minute of footage.
I use a 1 TB internal drive and a 4 TB external. May be 1 TB for you isn’t a bad idea. Look for Apple education discounts/refurb deals.

 

[semiraw]

I personally don’t think it’s SPAM, you can DM me the links. I love to see the work of folks using the Macs, and all the tools. Size for 4k depends on formatting, fps, deinterlacing, or other factors. I have seen typically anywhere from 1-4 GB per min, most of the stuff I have is usually around 1.3 GB per minute of footage.
I use a 1 TB internal drive and a 4 TB external. May be 1 TB for you isn’t a bad idea. Look for Apple education discounts/refurb deals.

Many thanks for everything.

I'm new to this forum, although I've been reading for years.
So I don't know how to send DM, but I'll look at how to do it and show you my 3D designs.

I will look for discounts, but in any case I will have to wait for money.
Because I also have to buy a monitor and other accessories. My current setup revolves around the iMac.

 

[MacPoulet]

What’s the price difference between the two Macs? I find the 14” MacBook Pro to be an incredible value compared to some of the other models…

 

[wegster]

It’s not MacBook Pro pro. It’s either M2 Pro/M2 Max or M1 Pro. Most I know just use MBP.

You're super fun at parties, aren't you?

 

[kp98077]

I’m also not fun at the parties 🎉
But I’d go for the M2 Pro 14 hands down. Price difference is not that much.
I had two MBA 15” with quality issues and it got annoying honestly.

 

[Basic75]

and the 14" and 16" MBPs only offer the Pro or Max chips

That's the way it already was and is! You can't get the 14" with a base M1 or M2.