M1Pro Macbook has completely changed the game for my work / business

[stoobysnax]

I'm a music producer. Have been land locked to my studio for 15 years. Had a Mac Pro 2019 16-core.

Just got the 16" M1pro... and it has radically altered my work / life situation for the better. In the studio, its same as it ever was, plugs in to my system / monitors and good to go (and for most tasks it beat out my Mac Pro 16-core and felt snappier overall)

But the ability to now work anywhere, with a virtually silent machine that lasts seemingly forever on batteries with no power limitations is mind boggling. I can now do zoom sessions from my kitchen table if it's a nice day, or out back in the yard. Can hit the coffee shop and work on stuff. And can do all of this with all the CPU power I need. I get burned out ALWAYS being in the studio, and the ability to work elsewhere is so unbelievably liberating.

Obviously much of this was possible before on a previous MacBook / laptop... but not really for me, the trade offs were too high.

So ya... if you are on the fence, don't be...

 

[NY Guitarist]

Which configuration did you get and what software are you using?

 

[jav6454]

Glad to know it is working out. I came from a 2008 MacBook. So it's night and day and battery life is so much better than my old Mac when its battery worked.

 

[bluespark]

I'm a music producer. Have been land locked to my studio for 15 years. Had a Mac Pro 2019 16-core.

Just got the 16" M1pro... and it has radically altered my work / life situation for the better. In the studio, its same as it ever was, plugs in to my system / monitors and good to go (and for most tasks it beat out my Mac Pro 16-core and felt snappier overall)

But the ability to now work anywhere, with a virtually silent machine that lasts seemingly forever on batteries with no power limitations is mind boggling. I can now do zoom sessions from my kitchen table if it's a nice day, or out back in the yard. Can hit the coffee shop and work on stuff. And can do all of this with all the CPU power I need. I get burned out ALWAYS being in the studio, and the ability to work elsewhere is so unbelievably liberating.

Obviously much of this was possible before on a previous MacBook / laptop... but not really for me, the trade offs were too high.

So ya... if you are on the fence, don't be...

I'm a lawyer, but same experience here. My prior laptop (13" MBP) was fine, but I only used it when traveling. The 16" MBP has untethered me from my desk. I can have a fully productive work session anywhere, and that was *never* possible before.

 

[stoobysnax]

Which configuration did you get and what software are you using?

I got a 16", M1Pro, 32GB, 4TB SSD.... I run mainly Logic Pro and then a ton of plugins. And I got the big drive to run everything internally... No more externals... That has made a HUGE difference too. I just sold my Mac Pro 16 Core because this machine beat it out on pretty much everything.

I strongly considered a 24 Core Max with 64GB of RAM (I am coming from a 16 Core Mac Pro with 64GB RAM) but after a LOT of research, learning about the new RAM and my needs, I decided 32GB was 100% enough, and my experience so far has been that that is for sure the case. I do this full time as my only gig, and run really big sessions, and it runs like a dream. Caveat, I'm not a composer who runs a ton of gigantic string libraries and ****, but even then, I can run a ton of those too no issues.

The Max chip came with too many trade offs for me... heat, battery etc. I can confidently unplug my computer at 6pm from my studio, bring it home, work on it at night a bit, wake up in the morning and work on a full morning session elsewhere all morning, actually running sessions not just browsing the web lol, and not run out of battery. It's totally liberating not having to even worry about bringing the power supply.

 

[NY Guitarist]

I got a 16", M1Pro, 32GB, 4TB SSD.... I run mainly Logic Pro and then a ton of plugins. And I got the big drive to run everything internally... No more externals... That has made a HUGE difference too. I just sold my Mac Pro 16 Core because this machine beat it out on pretty much everything.

I strongly considered a 24 Core Max with 64GB of RAM (I am coming from a 16 Core Mac Pro with 64GB RAM) but after a LOT of research, learning about the new RAM and my needs, I decided 32GB was 100% enough, and my experience so far has been that that is for sure the case. I do this full time as my only gig, and run really big sessions, and it runs like a dream. Caveat, I'm not a composer who runs a ton of gigantic string libraries and ****, but even then, I can run a ton of those too no issues.

The Max chip came with too many trade offs for me... heat, battery etc. I can confidently unplug my computer at 6pm from my studio, bring it home, work on it at night a bit, wake up in the morning and work on a full morning session elsewhere all morning, actually running sessions not just browsing the web lol, and not run out of battery. It's totally liberating not having to even worry about bringing the power supply.

Thanks for the info! Looking to get a MBP and wasn't sure of specs for real world use.

 

[spiderman0616]

Same. The fluidity of the OS because of M1 and the ability to work with it anywhere on ANY project and still leave the power cables at home—I still can’t get my mind around it.

 

[jav6454]

Thanks for the info! Looking to get a MBP and wasn't sure of specs for real world use.

What specific usage are you looking to do?

 

[stoobysnax]

Same. The fluidity of the OS because of M1 and the ability to work with it anywhere on ANY project and still leave the power cables at home—I still can’t get my mind around it.

Ya, it's next level game changing

 

[NY Guitarist]

What specific usage are you looking to do?

Similar to stoobysnax's usage. Music production using Logic Pro X and Digital Performer, various plug-ins, and a lot of VI's.

Also I produce video content so I hope to be able to work effectively with DaVinci Resolve Studio, FCPX etc, while I'm on the go.

I was holding out for a Mac Studio but decided to wait for any hardware announcements at the WWDC. I finally got my Metric-Halo ULN-8 MKIV so location recording with a laptop makes sense at this time.

What's killing me now is the 2.5 month wait time to get one.

 

[jav6454]

Similar to stoobysnax's usage. Music production using Logic Pro X and Digital Performer, various plug-ins, and a lot of VI's.

Also I produce video content so I hope to be able to work effectively with DaVinci Resolve Studio, FCPX etc, while I'm on the go.

I was holding out for a Mac Studio but decided to wait for any hardware announcements at the WWDC. I finally got my Metric-Halo ULN-8 MKIV so location recording with a laptop makes sense at this time.

What's killing me now is the 2.5 month wait time to get one.

In my opinion, you won't see any M2 Mac Studios or the likes. I believe WWDC will be Mac Pro oriented. That said, the M1 Pro should suite you best. The Max is more video/photo oriented. Which Mac, I can't say as you are looking at the Studio and that's a desktop setting, but unsure if you want a mobile station.

 

[MarineBand5524]

I just received my new M1 Max 16" yesterday. It's insane!! Crazy smooth, quick and so much better than my base 2019. I'll be using it for programming, 3D rendering, and probably some Adobe stuff as well.

10-Core CPU
32-Core GPU
32GB RAM
1TB HD