M1 Pro vs. M1 Max for light video editing?

[reidmangel]

Hi guys,

Like many others on this forum, I'm on the fence between ordering an M1 Pro or M1 Max Macbook Pro configuration. I often shoot multi-cam videos with my Canon 5D Mark IV for 4K 60 FPS video, and iPhone 13 Pro Max. I typically use Adobe Premiere or Final Cut Pro for video editing. I mostly shoot videos for YouTube, but I'll occasionally edit 4K videos for work as well.

Additionally, I use Lightroom, Illustrator, and Photoshop on a daily basis for work.

I'm wondering if you think the following configuration would be enough for my use case, or if you think I should go for the M1 Max model?:

16" M1 Pro Macbook Pro - 32 GB memory/1 TB SSD

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[rawweb]

I think the configuration you spec'd out is perfect for your needs. Maybe consider 2tb storage, rather than 1. I always go with more than I need so I don't end up regretting if a project is larger, etc. As much as external SSDs are nice and fairly easy, internal storage rains supreme in almost every way with these new Macbooks.

 

[reidmangel]

Thank you for your response. I currently have a 256 GB SSD on my Macbook Air, and that definitely gets filled up quickly. However, I think 1 TB should be enough given I transfer files to external SSDs somewhat regularly. It's also just hard to justify an additional $400 for 1TB extra!

 

[Technerd108]

It is only another $200 from your current config to get M1 Max with 24 Core GPU and more decoders and double the bandwidth. Considering the overall cost of the machine and the fact you are adding the additional ram and your use cases it might be wise to spend the extra $ to get the M1 Max.

 

[reidmangel]

It is only another $200 from your current config to get M1 Max with 24 Core GPU and more decoders and double the bandwidth. Considering the overall cost of the machine and the fact you are adding the additional ram and your use cases it might be wise to spend the extra $ to get the M1 Max.

Well dammit, now I'm rethinking my purchase. The only issue is if I change my order, I have to wait until April 18th for the M1 Max configuration. Decisions, decisions...

 

[DJLC]

I'd tend to ask what you're using now and how often you want a new Mac...

For me? I do VERY light (i.e., 1080p) video stuff with Premiere Pro and After Effects. Was using a 2019 Mac mini i5 w/ 32GB RAM. Just upgraded to the 14" MBP M1 Pro 10/16 w/ 16GB RAM and 1TB. And it blew me away getting thru an Adobe Media Encoder queue — what would've taken the mini an hour or more was done in less than 20 minutes. And I think that's still using Rosetta 2!

If you're happy to get a new Mac again in the next 4 years or so, I'd say what you have spec'd will probably be fine for that period of time. If you'd rather it last longer than that or you expect to go beyond 4K in the near future, I'd say throw all you can into it with an M1 Max.

 

[internetrando]

Both will do a fine job for you. If you have the money, and you think you will regret not spending it, then by all means, upgrade the processor. I would highly recommend putting money into other areas first, though. RAM and SSD get my preference. These new processors are spectacular at all levels.

Watch this video, it may very well address your concerns regarding processor choices:

Spoiler: The M1 Pro does a spectacular job, and the M1 Max does even better.

You can also find M1 Max configurations in stock at Apple and other authorized retailers. They can be hit and miss, but if you keep checking, you should able to find them. Stock tends to go quickly. I was able to do same day pick up for my 14" M1 Max/64GB/2TB yesterday. I just checked and they still have remaining M1 Max configurations in stock for pick up.

Like you, I placed an order through Apple and was not slated for delivery until April. Over the last week, I was able to find my 14" and 16" M1 Max configurations in stock and, had both in my hands within 24 hours of finding them.

 

[reidmangel]

Both will do a fine job for you. If you have the money, and you think you will regret not spending it, then by all means, upgrade the processor. I would highly recommend putting money into other areas first, though. RAM and SSD get my preference. These new processors are spectacular at all levels.

Watch this video, it may very well address your concerns regarding processor choices:

Spoiler: The M1 Pro does a spectacular job, and the M1 Max does even better.

You can also find M1 Max configurations in stock at Apple and other authorized retailers. They can be hit and miss, but if you keep checking, you should able to find them. Stock tends to go quickly. I was able to do same day pick up for my 14" M1 Max/64GB/2TB yesterday. I just checked and they still have remaining M1 Max configurations in stock for pick up.

Like you, I placed an order through Apple and was not slated for delivery until April. Over the last week, I was able to find my 14" and 16" M1 Max configurations in stock and, had both in my hands within 24 hours of finding them.

Interesting - I've been checking for weeks now, and the Apple website always states that "Apple Store pickup is currently unavailable" when I try to configure a 16" model. If I were able to pick up a 24-core GPU model in-store, I would definitely do it.

 

[internetrando]

Interesting - I've been checking for weeks now, and the Apple website always states that "Apple Store pickup is currently unavailable" when I try to configure a 16" model. If I were able to pick up a 24-core GPU model in-store, I would definitely do it.

I have yet to see any 24 core models. I believe those are BTO only.

32 core models do show up pretty regularly in my area. The highest configuration that you can pick up in store is M1 Max 32 core, 64 GB RAM, and 4 TB hard drive. If you don't care about the color, that will double your chances; although Silver is likely harder to come by in any configuration. The higher end models tend to be more available, because there is a lower demand for the more highly priced models.