just how much storage?

[Dave245]

I’ve got the 500’ish GB model, it feels cramped when I start working with video. I’ve got a few TB of external SSD’s on order which will help.

Thank you, I intend to install a couple of apps like Pixelmator Pro and Final Cut Pro X, I’m just not sure how much space they take up. The system storage is also another one that takes up space,
Ideally I don’t want to be down to only 100GB by the time I’ve installed everything.

 

[PVDHell]

Thank you, I intend to install a couple of apps like Pixelmator Pro and Final Cut Pro X, I’m just not sure how much space they take up. The system storage is also another one that takes up space,
Ideally I don’t want to be down to only 100GB by the time I’ve installed everything.

I’ve got FCPX on there, I think it was 8-10gb total. It’s the 4K files that add up quickly. They need an external drive.

 

[Dave245]

I’ve got FCPX on there, I think it was 8-10gb total. It’s the 4K files that add up quickly. They need an external drive.

I haven’t got 4K footage, the only 4K would be from my iPhone. I video edit as more of a hobby and to help out a couple of friends from time to time. My main work is writing, I also like photo editing in Pixelmator Pro, that will be another app I intend to install.

 

[PVDHell]

I haven’t got 4K footage, the only 4K would be from my iPhone. I video edit as more of a hobby and to help out a couple of friends from time to time. My main work is writing, I also like photo editing in Pixelmator Pro, that will be another app I intend to install.

Yeah; I do Mountain Bike “edits” like this:

(Not my video, it’s a riding friend, but this is the type of thing I do as a hobby)

Even my GoPro can fill a 128gb card before I use up a battery.

 

[mollyc]

Does anyone know how much the basic system/program storage takes? I know some of this will depend on what extra programs one has installed. I am planning to get a Macbook Air soon to use instead of an iPad. I already have a 1TB 2017 iMac as my primary computer for all my "working" files and I have a NAS where I keep anything non critical that I would use in conjunction with a Macbook. So I really don't need a ton of storage for a Macbook since I would largely be using it to access remote files and/or web use. I was thinking that the 128 would be okay, but now I'm wondering if I should get a 256 just to be safe. I will install Photoshop CC, Bridge, and Lightroom CC, but other than that I can't think of any other major programs. I don't plan to do heavy editing on a Macbook, it would just be minor editing if I am traveling, and then those files would all get offloaded once I got home.

 

[Howard2k]

[doublepost=1556222773][/doublepost]

Does anyone know how much the basic system/program storage takes? I know some of this will depend on what extra programs one has installed. I am planning to get a Macbook Air soon to use instead of an iPad. I already have a 1TB 2017 iMac as my primary computer for all my "working" files and I have a NAS where I keep anything non critical that I would use in conjunction with a Macbook. So I really don't need a ton of storage for a Macbook since I would largely be using it to access remote files and/or web use. I was thinking that the 128 would be okay, but now I'm wondering if I should get a 256 just to be safe. I will install Photoshop CC, Bridge, and Lightroom CC, but other than that I can't think of any other major programs. I don't plan to do heavy editing on a Macbook, it would just be minor editing if I am traveling, and then those files would all get offloaded once I got home.

I would go with 256. I use a NAS too, but the local space is good for performance. I can edit files locally to get all the benefits of the SSD speed, and then move them to NAS when finished primary work with them.

Also be aware that the Pro* has 3x3 wifi, while the Air has 2x2. So the potential throughput to your NAS is 66% with the Air vs the Pro.

*Except for the nTB Pro, that is also 2x2.

The OS takes around 25GB.

 

[mollyc]

I would go with 256. I use a NAS too, but the local space is good for performance. I can edit files locally to get all the benefits of the SSD speed, and then move them to NAS when finished primary work with them.

Also be aware that the Pro* has 3x3 wifi, while the Air has 2x2. So the potential throughput to your NAS is 66% with the Air vs the Pro.

*Except for the nTB Pro, that is also 2x2.
[doublepost=1556222773][/doublepost]

I would go with 256. I use a NAS too, but the local space is good for performance. I can edit files locally to get all the benefits of the SSD speed, and then move them to NAS when finished primary work with them.

Also be aware that the Pro* has 3x3 wifi, while the Air has 2x2. So the potential throughput to your NAS is 66% with the Air vs the Pro.

*Except for the nTB Pro, that is also 2x2.

The OS takes around 25GB.

Thanks. I'm not looking for speed with a Macbook Air, just portability and a keyboard. I just got rid of my old iPad Mini 2, so "slow" is a relative comparison. I would mostly be accessing pdfs and videos from a NAS, not necessarily uploading photos. And even if I did, that's a capability I've never otherwise had, so I won't really feel like it's slow. My daughter has a 13" Macbook Pro, and I just don't need that kind of power for what I want to do. She uses hers for school; I want an iPad replacement, if that makes sense. Anything that I need "power" for I will do on my iMac.

 

[kp98077]

Does anyone know how much the basic system/program storage takes? I know some of this will depend on what extra programs one has installed. I am planning to get a Macbook Air soon to use instead of an iPad. I already have a 1TB 2017 iMac as my primary computer for all my "working" files and I have a NAS where I keep anything non critical that I would use in conjunction with a Macbook. So I really don't need a ton of storage for a Macbook since I would largely be using it to access remote files and/or web use. I was thinking that the 128 would be okay, but now I'm wondering if I should get a 256 just to be safe. I will install Photoshop CC, Bridge, and Lightroom CC, but other than that I can't think of any other major programs. I don't plan to do heavy editing on a Macbook, it would just be minor editing if I am traveling, and then those files would all get offloaded once I got home.

I’ve learned always go up one size more than you think!

 

[nouveau_redneck]

So, I purchased a 2018 MBP TB 256, but I just realized that the storage it is already occupied with ~81.93GB of the 256GB with "system" storage + my photos of 70GB + Misc. of 20GB, that puts me at a total of 171GB of 256GB (or 67% full) already! wondering if I should have got the 500GB. I didn't think I needed that much space.
The configuration I got was also 8GB of RAM.
Wondering what the best configuration would be without gong broke-lol

That is an incredible amount for system. My MBP running Mojave is using 4.5 GB system.

Are you using Time Machine or other backup software that is making snapshots? My system usage dropped significantly after I stopped using TM and deleted the snapshots.

Try running from terminal: tmutil listlocalsnapshots /

 

[nouveau_redneck]

Here is something to look at if snap shots are causing your high system usage.

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/solution-reclaim-storage-back-from-system.2073174/

 

[Weaselboy]

Does anyone know how much the basic system/program storage takes?

A new Mac out of the box with just the OS and included apps installed will use about 20GB of drive space.

 

[Dave245]

A new Mac out of the box with just the OS and included apps installed will use about 20GB of drive space.

Does that include Final Cut Pro?

 

[Weaselboy]

Does that include Final Cut Pro?

No... I'm talking about the default free apps like the iWork and iLife apps.

 

[Dave245]

No... I'm talking about the default free apps like the iWork and iLife apps.

Ok I just wanted to clarify. I think if I was to get the Pro it would definitely have to be 512 or 1TB. Trouble is when you get the machine it never has the full 512GB, probably more like 490GB then there’s apps on top of that. Future updates as well for MacOS and Mac updates like Final Cut.

Also I don’t know how true it is, but don’t the higher storage options (ie 1TB have a faster read and write speed)

 

[mollyc]

A new Mac out of the box with just the OS and included apps installed will use about 20GB of drive space.

No... I'm talking about the default free apps like the iWork and iLife apps.

Thank you! That’s very helpful. A 128 would probably work for my needs but I think I will go for a 256 just to be safe.

 

[currahee2100]

Thank you! That’s very helpful. A 128 would probably work for my needs but I think I will go for a 256 just to be safe.

With 128, I started getting very paranoid about my usage. It wasn't worth it.

 

[BODYBUILDERPAUL]

Thanks ! No external drives for me. That’s too much to do extra . I do use I cloud but for some reason it still counts in cloud and on computer. I’m sure it’s something I just don’t get ...seems odd I’m
Already so close to the 256 mark

I've been in the same boat! My first MacBook was 250GB - great at first I thought and then I started to build up a collection of surfing videos & travel vids and then started buying iTunes movies - I then spent 5 years fighting for that little bit of spare 5 to 10GB. Same thing with 16GB iPhones. My next MacBook was the 512GB one and it's really helped.
HOWEVER I do edit a lot in FCPX and use a lot of GB.
I'm waiting for the 2020 MacBook Pro 13" and I know that i'm going for the 1TB option.
Just sick of fighting for storage space. With my Apple TV 4K I ordered the 64GB just for never running out of storage and with my iPhone X I went for the 256GB as I use it as a my portable MacBook - everything on it from iTunes films to vlogs to music playlists to all of my photo albums.
It's just so nice not having to worry about running out of storage (I like to keep everything on my Mac - apart from iTunes film which tend to stay in the iCloud except maybe 10 fave ones).

 

[MSastre]

I’ve got the 500’ish GB model, it feels cramped when I start working with video. I’ve got a few TB of external SSD’s on order which will help.

When doing video, it's always best practice to keep your media and libraries on external drives instead of the system drive.