M3 Pro or M3 Max: Who is the M3 Pro right for? (Choosing for video editing)

[cannono]

I am currently on a MacBook Pro 2018 13” Intel i5 2.3GHZ with 256GB SSD

I am ready to upgrade to a better MacBook Pro for video editing. I do 4K video side work in DaVinci Resolve, with some effects but not 3D work.

I just ordered an M3 Pro 12 CPU/18 GPU with 36GB memory. Should I cancel?

I’m struggling to understand if I should have worry about hitting any walls by not choosing M3 Max. I’d prefer not to get it if I don’t need it due to cost, but am I going to regret M3 Pro for my type of work?

 

[pappkristof]

With the upgraded specs the Pro is already close in price to the Max. For long term the Max will be a much better choice .

 

[Ifti]

For your uses you'll be fine with the Pro. That's already quite an upgrade from your older MacBook. I don't see how the Max will benefit you any more then the Pro at all. Unless you just want to get dragged into the marketing hype.

 

[MayaUser]

If you worked with an i5… you will be pleased with m3 pro
M3 max i think its an over $500 upgrade included ram

 

[MacPoulet]

I've got a base 14" M1 Pro and it's more than enough for that kind of work. I think the more important question is how much better is the M3 Pro (and its higher price) over the M2 Pro for your workflow?

 

[roddyricchfan]

Depends on if you do your work professionally or not I think. If it's for a hobby, then I think it'll be ok saving some money. Will be a 1000% difference vs the i5 regardless. Maybe the max will be a 1500% performance boost. Really depends on if the money is negligible to you or not and if you're going to be using your machine to make money I think.

 

[galad]

It depends a lot on what kind of editing you do. Which video formats do you use? M3 Pro will probably be more than enough.

 

[ZMAN Z28]

I edit 4K video using FCP X on my base model M1 non pro with 512GB storage. I exported a 21 gigabyte file size 4K movie in 26.5 minutes. It does it just fine. Last weekend in the Apple Store, I created a 33 GB movie and it exported in 1 minute and 50 seconds on the base M3 base 14" 8GB 256GB exported a 33 GB movie. On the 14" M3Pro with 18GB/512GB base model for $1999, it exported the same file in 50 seconds. I did not test it on a M3 Max Macbook Pro.