Doubt | Which MacBook M2 to choose?

[ThomasJL]

How long do you plan to keep the computer? If you plan on keeping it for more than two or three years, then consider future-proofing it by paying for more RAM.

By the way, this is yet another reason why Tim Cook is so awful. In the past, we could buy Macs with the minimum amount of RAM, and then in a couple of years, max out the RAM for a much lower price with high-quality Crucial brand RAM.

 

[semiraw]

How long do you plan to keep the computer? If you plan on keeping it for more than two or three years, then consider future-proofing it by paying for more RAM.

By the way, this is yet another reason why Tim Cook is so awful. In the past, we could buy Macs with the minimum amount of RAM, and then in a couple of years, max out the RAM for a much lower price with high-quality Crucial brand RAM.

I will be more than 3 years, yes. Apple's warranty here is 3 years.

But I won't be around as long as I've had my current iMac (7 years of the purchase). I think 4 or 5 years is fine.
In 4 or 5 years, do you think I'll run out of 32 GB of RAM?

In fact, on the iMac I have 32GB, which I changed myself. I have another brand, much cheaper.

 

[wegster]

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

I’m sorry; you’re absolutely right, only the 13 non-pro-pro and the MBA come with the base chip.

Combination of pricing out my MBP16 Intel ‘replacement system’ like 157 times, then backing out by the time it’s specced out and looking at a different model. So if they’d just drop the ‘pro‘ from the 13”, the lineup would kind of make sense again MBA or Macbook, or MBPs.

 

[wegster]

Thought I replied but the whole ‘how big is a ‘short’ 4K video’ is going to have some varying answers. bitrate and FPS, codec, as well as working space, e.g. if not just editing video and adding minor overlays but if also rendering, all add up in both working space and final movie size.

If you shared some samples with the other poster, he may be able to give more specific insight, but worth scanning through anyways:

How Much Hard Drive Space Do You Need for 4K Videos?

4K is pretty much the standard resolution for modern videos. With TVs, monitors, gaming consoles, and handheld cameras all built for displaying or recording 4K videos, this level of detail has become more accessible than

3dinsider.com

Video File Size Calculator (by format)

The video file size calculator determines how much space a video takes up on your disk, depending on the video format and compression.

www.omnicalculator.com

 

[ThomasJL]

But I won't be around as long as I've had my current iMac (7 years of the purchase).

First and foremost, I am sorry to hear about that. I hope your health improves and you live longer.

In 4 or 5 years, do you think I'll run out of 32 GB of RAM?

32GB should be OK in four or five years for moderate multi-tabbed web browsing and having a couple of everyday apps open simultaneously. But for 3D modeling and video editing, I don't know if 32GB will be OK because I lack experience with those types of apps.

 

[Allen_Wentz]

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!

The app types you list like RAM. 24 GB RAM for the life cycle of a box bought today would be inappropriate. IMO with the direction Apple's Unified Memory Architecture is going 64 or 96 would be most appropriate. I bought 96 even though today I only need ~50.

One can intentionally hamstring a new box by cheaping out on RAM, but IMO that is short-sighted thinking. The Mac OS's excellent memory management will allow limited RAM to work reasonably, but less than optimal RAM shows as performance reduction over time. My opinion is that intentionally laming a multi-thousand-dollar Mac by constraining RAM is inappropriate except under dire financial constraints.

 

[Allen_Wentz]

How long do you plan to keep the computer? If you plan on keeping it for more than two or three years, then consider future-proofing it by paying for more RAM.

By the way, this is yet another reason why Tim Cook is so awful. In the past, we could buy Macs with the minimum amount of RAM, and then in a couple of years, max out the RAM for a much lower price with high-quality Crucial brand RAM.

You need to read up on Apple's Unified Memory Architecture. Claiming "...reason why Tim Cook is so awful" is just wrong.

 

[Allen_Wentz]

I will be more than 3 years, yes. Apple's warranty here is 3 years.

But I won't be around as long as I've had my current iMac (7 years of the purchase). I think 4 or 5 years is fine.
In 4 or 5 years, do you think I'll run out of 32 GB of RAM?

In fact, on the iMac I have 32GB, which I changed myself. I have another brand, much cheaper.

It is not so much running out of RAM as it is being sub-optimal. I consider it likely that in 3 years or less you will be taking advantage of more than 32 GB RAM if you have it available. Read up on Apple's Unified Memory Architecture; I strongly believe that OS and apps will be taking more advantage of it as time goes on.

 

[HDFan]

For Video editing:

• For the MacBook Pro, either the M2 Pro or M2 Max are excellent choices. If you can afford the Max, get it. But the Pro will do an excellent job in editing. I don’t see any advantage to the 38-core GPU system, simply because no editing software today effectively uses the 16 cores in the M1 Pro, much less the 38 cores in an M2 Max.

RAM

• For HD editing, 16 GB of RAM is enough.
• For 4K editing, 32 GB of RAM is enough.
• For multicam editing, 64 GB of RAM is enough.

My recommendation is an editing system with 1 – 2 TB of internal storage.

How to Configure M2 Macs for Video Production and Editing | Larry Jordan

 

[semiraw]

RAM

• For 4K editing, 32 GB of RAM is enough.
• For multicam editing, 64 GB of RAM is enough.

My recommendation is an editing system with 1 – 2 TB of internal storage.

How to Configure M2 Macs for Video Production and Editing | Larry Jordan

Thank you very much for the article, it has clarified everything for me.
It stands to reason that 64GB RAM would be better in all respects, although it won't show up in performance against other lesser RAM options but it will in the long run.

Anyway, this article has convinced me with 32GB RAM + 1TB.
At the moment I don't plan on doing projects as advanced as multi-cameras in the future. I'm a realist, 32GB RAM is enough for me. 2TB is a lot for me. I always save my files on external hard drives and my projects are not that advanced.

Thank you!

 

[semiraw]

Si compartió algunas muestras con el otro posteador, es posible que pueda brindar una visión más específica, pero vale la pena analizarlas de todos modos:

How Much Hard Drive Space Do You Need for 4K Videos?

4K is pretty much the standard resolution for modern videos. With TVs, monitors, gaming consoles, and handheld cameras all built for displaying or recording 4K videos, this level of detail has become more accessible than

3dinsider.com

Video File Size Calculator (by format)

The video file size calculator determines how much space a video takes up on your disk, depending on the video format and compression.

www.omnicalculator.com

Thanks for your answer!

I did not know those web pages and I think they are wonderful.
512GB is tight, but 1TB is enough.

 

[izzy0242mr]

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.

If money is a concern, save some money and get a 14" M1 Pro MacBook Pro. You aren't going to notice a huge performance gain between the 14" M1 MBP and 14" M2 MBP, but will save a lot of money buying a gently used Mac.

You can save about $800 getting a used mint condition 14" M1 Max MBP with 1 TB SSD and 32 GB RAM instead of a brand new M2 Mac. https://swappa.com/listing/view/LXGO40419

 

[wegster]

If money is a concern, save some money and get a 14" M1 Pro MacBook Pro. You aren't going to notice a huge performance gain between the 14" M1 MBP and 14" M2 MBP, but will save a lot of money buying a gently used Mac.

You can save about $800 getting a used mint condition 14" M1 Max MBP with 1 TB SSD and 32 GB RAM instead of a brand new M2 Mac. https://swappa.com/listing/view/LXGO40419

That's the path I went after far too much back and forth. MBP 14 M1 Max with 64GB and 2TB...for $2300, vs over $4K. Different usages vs the OP but not IMO leaps and bounds vs M2 chips lineup, but for OPs stated usage, I'd probably be leaning to the Pro or Max chips whether M1 or M2.

 

[Makisupa Policeman]

Definitely go with the 14” M2. The 13” is the old chassis/design, and the dreaded Touch Bar which sucks IMO. NTM with the 14” you get a better chip, faster SSD, more RAM, and more ports, plus MagSafe.

Edited for clarity

 

[Makisupa Policeman]

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

In this case you could easily get away with a binned 14” M2, you’re going to get a lot more performance out of ASi even at 16GB RAM than you ever did out of your Intel machine.

 

[semiraw]

Hello!

Can you help me choose a monitor? -> https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/external-4k-monitor/

Thank you so much

 

[semiraw]

That's the path I went after far too much back and forth. MBP 14 M1 Max with 64GB and 2TB...for $2300, vs over $4K. Different usages vs the OP but not IMO leaps and bounds vs M2 chips lineup, but for OPs stated usage, I'd probably be leaning to the Pro or Max chips whether M1 or M2.

Macbook Pro 14" with 10-Core + CPU 16-Core GPU or 12-Core CPU + 19-Core GPU?

 

[wegster]

Macbook Pro 14" with 10-Core + CPU 16-Core GPU or 12-Core CPU + 19-Core GPU?

I went with a gently used M1 Max MBP 14, so 10 CPU core/32 GPU cores.

MacBook Pro "M1 Max" 10 CPU/32 GPU 14" Specs (14-Inch, M1 Max, 2021, BTO/CTO, MacBookPro18,4, A2442, 3650): EveryMac.com

Technical specifications for the MacBook Pro "M1 Max" 10 CPU/32 GPU 14". Dates sold, processor type, memory info, hard drive details, price and more.

everymac.com

Note the memory bandwidth increases and GPU cores increase going from M <base chip> -> Pro -> Max so for video work modeling and rendering I'd be considering a Pro or Max chip if possible, including e.g. an M1 Pro/Max over an M2 base.

 

[Lucas Curious]

For Video editing:

• For the MacBook Pro, either the M2 Pro or M2 Max are excellent choices. If you can afford the Max, get it. But the Pro will do an excellent job in editing. I don’t see any advantage to the 38-core GPU system, simply because no editing software today effectively uses the 16 cores in the M1 Pro, much less the 38 cores in an M2 Max.

RAM

• For HD editing, 16 GB of RAM is enough.
• For 4K editing, 32 GB of RAM is enough.
• For multicam editing, 64 GB of RAM is enough.

My recommendation is an editing system with 1 – 2 TB of internal storage.

How to Configure M2 Macs for Video Production and Editing | Larry Jordan

is this accurate? Davinchi can't utilize more than 16 gpu cores? So why are editors buying the Max versions of these Macs or the Mac Studio?

Also any difference in h.265 decoding between 14" M1 Max and M2 Max? I know there is a difference with ProRes but why use ProRes when these Macs eat compression.

 

[HDFan]

Davinchi can't utilize more than 16 gpu cores?

Dunno. He hasn't written about Davinchi configuration.