M3 Max vs M4 Pro, No 64GB RAM option with M4 Pro?

[Mity]

I was really hoping that the new M4 MBP with the M4 Pro chip would support 64GB of RAM just like the new M4 mini. Unfortunately, this doesn't seem to be the case. Apple is trying to force people to upgrade to the highest tier M4 Max to get at least 64GB of RAM (you can't even get the binned M4 Max!!!). This sucks, unless it's an error on the website! I don't need more CPU power than the M4 Pro but I do need lots of RAM for my data engineering projects. Totally separate convo but I need to have lots of apps and tabs open.

But the fact that this can be done on the M4 Mac mini with the exact same chip is kind of weird.

Given this, am I better off waiting for a sale on the M3 Max models rather than buying the new M4 Pro models with 48GB of RAM? Last year between Thanksgiving and New Years, B&H ran crazy deals on the M1 Max models. I believe 16-inch M1 Max 64GB RAM 4TB SSD for $2700ish. I didn't pull the trigger because I bought a fully spec'd 16-inch Intel MBP in 2019. I felt like I needed to wait to justify that purchase.

I realize that this is not an objective post and I suspect there will be more like this one coming...

 

[sinsin]

I really hope it's a mistake, how is it possible that you have only one memory choice of 36GB in the entry Max model? Writing this in a M1 Max binned chip with 64GB!!

 

[Matck06]

I've just seen this now and I also find it really strange that the m4 max binned only supports 36 gb max whereas the m3 max binned could go to 96GB max.

 

[smbu2000]

Very strange how the binned m4 max is limited to 36GB. The binned m1 max and m2 max could both have up to 64GB. The binned m3 max removed the 64GB option (only on the full m3 max), but the binned m3 max was 36GB or 96GB.
Why is the newer one so hamstrung at only 36GB?

Users now have to go full m4 max to get more RAM or buy the m3 max instead. Strange.

My current 14” binned m1 max is running happily with 64GB of RAM.

 

[Mity]

Genuinely hoping that it is a mistake. If you bought an M1 Pro/Max machine, you made the right choice.

 

[Basic75]

Genuinely hoping that it is a mistake. If you bought an M1 Pro/Max machine, you made the right choice.

The M4 Max looks really great, and I'd like one, but there's nothing my M1 Max 64GB won't do, gonna wait another 2-3 years.

 

[Mity]

The M4 Max looks really great, and I'd like one, but there's nothing my M1 Max 64GB won't do, gonna wait another 2-3 years.

Your upgrade cycle is ideal. By the time you need to upgrade, Macbooks will have meaningful improvements like WiFi-7 and who knows what else (Face ID? OLED? Actual TB5 peripherals?). And you don't lose out on any performance until then because the M1 Max is so capable.

 

[splitpea]

Look at the fine print on that page. Not a store bug. This is clearly intentional to squeeze more money out of people who need lots of memory.

Especially if the Macrumors article comparing chip specs is true and the Pro can support 64GB of RAM.

 

[DesertNomad]

I am coming form an Intel i9 16" MBP (2019) with 64GB and the 5600M GPU (8GB).

I was really hoping for an M4 Pro with 64GB, but that option is only on the Max. since my current machine really has 72GB (RAM + VRAM), I didn't really want to drop down to 48GB on my new one esp as I expect it to last 5 years.

I went with the M4 Max and 64GB.

 

[BeingFree]

I am coming form an Intel i9 16" MBP (2019) with 64GB and the 5600M GPU (8GB).

I was really hoping for an M4 Pro with 64GB, but that option is only on the Max. since my current machine really has 72GB (RAM + VRAM), I didn't really want to drop down to 48GB on my new one esp as I expect it to last 5 years.

I went with the M4 Max and 64GB.

Going to a almost never fan running MacBook m4 pro is going to be like living in a different universe. The memory is so much faster, fans don't run, it's going to be drastically better even if it doesn't have 64 gig of RAM. I'm in exactly the same boat, the best deal for more RAM is to get the m4 pro version that has 48 gig. The fact that low end m4 Max only goes to 36 gig is ridiculous.

 

[Mity]

I am coming form an Intel i9 16" MBP (2019) with 64GB and the 5600M GPU (8GB).

I was really hoping for an M4 Pro with 64GB, but that option is only on the Max. since my current machine really has 72GB (RAM + VRAM), I didn't really want to drop down to 48GB on my new one esp as I expect it to last 5 years.

I went with the M4 Max and 64GB.

I have the same machine: i9 5600M 64GB RAM. Though I haven't used it in ~2 years. I purchased an M3 Max with 128GB of RAM a few months ago and I found it to be too much for my needs so I returned it. RAM management is a bit more aggressive on Apple Silicon Macs so I was a bit confused at first. Now, I'm quite sure that I only need 64GB as well.

 

[DesertNomad]

I have the same machine: i9 5600M 64GB RAM. Though I haven't used it in ~2 years. I purchased an M3 Max with 128GB of RAM a few months ago and I found it to be too much for my needs so I returned it. RAM management is a bit more aggressive on Apple Silicon Macs so I was a bit confused at first. Now, I'm quite sure that I only need 64GB as well.

I just cancelled my order on the 14" Max 16/40, 64GB/4TB and opted for the 14" Pro 14/20, 48GB/4TB.

I was really only getting the Max to get 64GB, but I think it will be ok at 48GB.

I really don't need the extra GPU and would prefer less heat/fans. I use it for software development and have two large external screens (6K). The Pro still supports two external 6K displays so should be fine.

 

[Melbourne Park]

It's not easy if you want RAM. These are the prices for a 1 TB 48 GB M4:

USA

14" Apple M4 Pro chip with 14‑core CPU, 20‑core GPU, 16‑core Neural Engine 2799
14" Apple M4 Max chip with 16‑core CPU, 40‑core GPU, 16‑core Neural Engine 3699 +900 +32%
16" Apple M4 Pro chip with 14‑core CPU, 20‑core GPU, 16‑core Neural Engine 3099
16" Apple M4 Max chip with 16‑core CPU, 40‑core GPU, 16‑core Neural Engine 3999 +900 +29%

16" Adds $US300 extra in both versions
Australia:

14" Apple M4 Pro chip with 14‑core CPU, 20‑core GPU, 16‑core Neural Engine 4599
14" Apple M4 Max chip with 16‑core CPU, 40‑core GPU, 16‑core Neural Engine 5749 +1,150 +25%
16" Apple M4 Pro chip with 14‑core CPU, 20‑core GPU, 16‑core Neural Engine 4899
16" Apple M4 Max chip with 16‑core CPU, 40‑core GPU, 16‑core Neural Engine 6499 +1,600 +33%

16" Adds $Au300 extra in 20 Core GPU version
16" Adds $Au450 extra in 20 Core GPU version

Canada
14" Apple M4 Pro chip with 14‑core CPU, 20‑core GPU, 16‑core Neural Engine 3749
14" Apple M4 Max chip with 16‑core CPU, 40‑core GPU, 16‑core Neural Engine 4974 +1225 +33%
16" Apple M4 Pro chip with 14‑core CPU, 20‑core GPU, 16‑core Neural Engine 4049
16" Apple M4 Max chip with 16‑core CPU, 40‑core GPU, 16‑core Neural Engine 5299 +1250 +31%

16" Adds $Ca300 20 GPU Core and $Ca325 for 40 Core GPU

USA

14" Apple M4 Pro chip with 14‑core CPU, 20‑core GPU, 16‑core Neural Engine 2799
14" Apple M4 Max chip with 16‑core CPU, 40‑core GPU, 16‑core Neural Engine 3699 +900 +32%
16" Apple M4 Pro chip with 14‑core CPU, 20‑core GPU, 16‑core Neural Engine 3099
16" Apple M4 Max chip with 16‑core CPU, 40‑core GPU, 16‑core Neural Engine 3999 +900 +29%

16" Adds $US300 extra in both versions

The cost of the RAM - from 48 GB to 64 GB - is in the USA, $200. So going from 14" @$2799 1TB/48 GB to $3899 for a 1 TB/64 GB costs $1,100. And increase of 39%. For the 16", the increase is $1,200 an increase of 35%.

I also wanted 64 GB so instead, I bought the Pro with 48 GB and I upgraded the drive to 2 TB. For me in Australia though, the one I ordered - a 16" Pro 2TB/48GB cost $Au5,499. Although I added to the prices listed here a Nano screen. But if I bought a 14" with one TB drive and 64 GB RAM, the cost would be $6,049 (+ more for a Nano screen). $Au550 extra to get the extra 16 GB in a 14" with a 1 TB drive, along with the double number of GPU cores. .... I'm going to handle a 14" but I am still uneasy about just 1 TB, although the cost for a T-5 2TB External drive is about the same as a 1 TB upgrade for a MacBook.

 

[UnifiedMelody]

I'm happy with going to the M4 Max unbinned with 64GB ram this year, becaus Apple lowered Australian prices by 600$(?) or was it 500$ across the entire board. Which somehow makes up for the M3 Max which was ridiculously priced.

 

[Mity]

Companies (especially Apple) don't lower prices unless they're making up for it elsewhere. My guess is that USD strength has something to do with it and their FX hedges paid off. Speculation on my part.