Mac Studio vs. MacBook Pro

[RyanC1384]

I work from my office most of the day, but also appreciate being mobile. I configured the Mac Studio with M1 Max (10 core CPU, 24 core GPU, 16 core Neural Engine, 32 GB memory, and 1 TB SSD) next to a 14 inch MacBook Pro and the difference was roughly $800.

Outside of mobility - what other considerations would you make in deciding which machine to pickup as your daily driver?

 

[F-Train]

Configured identically, I get $2200 for the Mac Studio and $3200 for the 14" MacBook Pro. The latter comes with a display, but in some cases is more likely to be throttled for thermal reasons.

 

[RyanC1384]

I already snagged one of the new LG 40'" Curved UltraWide 5K2K Nano IPS Monitors with Thunderbolt 4 - (40WP95C-W)

 

[UBS28]

The 14" doesn't get the maximum out of the M1 Max, you need the 16" version for that.

So if it is the choice between the 14" M1 Max MBP and Mac Studio if we exclude mobility, definitely go for the Mac Studio if you are going for the M1 Max chip.

The M1 Max chip on the 14" MBP is a waste.

 

[dugbug]

I mean, the thermal volume in the studio is substantial. That has to account for some benefit I imagine. Also, will the studio clock higher based on load? I dunno, there are some unknowns here that should fill in next two week.

BUT...
1. you get a built-in UPS with the laptop if you lose power a lot where you live.
2. you get mobility in a pinch if necessary.

 

[Wando64]

A same specs MBP will cost you as much as a Studio, plus a base Air (if you really need the mobility).

Do you really need all of that power on the road?

 

[DeepIn2U]

I mean, the thermal volume in the studio is substantial. That has to account for some benefit I imagine. Also, will the studio clock higher based on load? I dunno, there are some unknowns here that should fill in next two week.

BUT...
1. you get a built-in UPS with the laptop if you lose power a lot where you live.
2. you get mobility in a pinch if necessary.

FYI I’m probably going to quote this twice, 1 here & 1 in a different thread for a question.

honetly I figure anyone buying a Mac Studio or a fleet of them has an office with either a) backup office Power - like a massive server room UPS or a specific UPS block in the room with power cables plugged into it directly. Not just as a backup power when power in your building goes out, but also to maintain clean consisten power that doesn’t fluctuate.
#2 cannot dispute.

 

[Chancha]

The MBP with a battery and display will likely have less milage down the road, and if you use the KB and trackpad alot add them to the list too. So if someone is using the MBP permanently docked, having a choice of Mac Studio instead for like-specs is deemed more suitable, as you can distribute the choices and depreciation of peripherals freely.

The Studio also has a more complete set of I/Os, particularly a 10GbE port which is only possible with a dedicated NIC on the MBP. Have a 370W PSU will mean never power throttle, also supplying power to USB-PD / TB peripherals will not be limited (it is quite limited on a 14")

The Studio as a desktop obviously cannot be used mobile, but for its size it can at least be easily deployed elsewhere or even on-set, unlike the larger Mac Pro or even the iMacs.

Then for thermal and power headroom as discussed above, we will need tests to confirm but we already know the 14" is quite throttled for the M1 Max especially the 32 GPU core version.

 

[roland.g]

I already snagged one of the new LG 40'" Curved UltraWide 5K2K Nano IPS Monitors with Thunderbolt 4 - (40WP95C-W)

I have the 34" Ultrawide 5K2K from 2 years ago. Good screen. Same resolution so I imagine you get better real estate and I get better PPI, which at 5120x2160 may look better on the larger surface to avoid as much scaling.

 

[RyanC1384]

I have the 34" Ultrawide 5K2K from 2 years ago. Good screen. Same resolution so I imagine you get better real estate and I get better PPI, which at 5120x2160 may look better on the larger surface to avoid as much scaling.

I actually decided to return it after noticing how terrible the scaling looked and how small the native resolution was...sticking with my 38" ultrawide and may add a Studio Display.

 

[norwaypianoman]

If you are used to absolutely zero sound from your Mac. Would a Macbook Pro 14/16 be quiter and have better cooling than a Mac Studio ? (Should I make this question a seperate thread ?)

 

[Chancha]

If you are used to absolutely zero sound from your Mac. Would a Macbook Pro 14/16 be quiter and have better cooling than a Mac Studio ? (Should I make this question a seperate thread ?)

The 16” with only the M1 Pro (not Max) is known to have the best thermals among the configs. Its fans can remain stopped until reaching a certain load the latest among all.

Then of course nothing beats the M1 Air which is fanless, but by then you are losing a lot of performance against the Studio.

 

[eelpout]

you might want to check out ArtIsRight's review, he's a photographer and does detailed comparison's of all the M1's (and some Intels) on various photo specific apps and tasks. It's a bit surprising because he's finding, at least with the machines he's tested, that the MBP's do some things faster than the Studio (Max).

Looks like some of the reason could be centered around the speed of the SSD used in the Macs, especially write times. The SSD's tested were not all the same size, often the larger ones are faster (like the ones used in some MBP's here). But here, he finds the Studio (Max) 512GB is slower than the one used in the 16" MBP M1 Pro. What this tells me is if getting a Studio, maybe don't get the 512GB, but start with the the 1TB. Also, as we know now the SSD's in the Studio are socketed, not soldered like the MBP's. Could be part of the reason.

He also finds, as you move along in the review, that the MBP's load doesn't waver much on some tasks and all cores stay constantly in use, but the Studio has peaks and valleys. Possibly this is something Apple can work out in the future. Or not.

I'll put this here starting at the SSD comparisons.

Given what he's found, maybe a 16" MBP M1 Max is an option to seriously consider. Though it's pricier than the Studio M1 Max.

PS. and what his review has confirmed for me is for my photo editing needs, a desktop 32GB, M1 Pro machine is all I'd need. The current, ahem, planned(???) hole in Apple's lineup.