Macbook pro 14" M1 Max w/10-core CPU/32-core GPU/16-core Neural Engine 32GB/1TB vs. Mac Studio with same specs (except RAM) of 64GB/1TB

[transphasic]

Hi all. To replace my aging 2017 27" iMac, I am considering getting a MBP 14 with the same exact specs (except for only 32GB of RAM for $2,600) vs. a Mac Studio with the same exact specs (except for 64GB of RAM) for the same price (MBP is on sale at that price point near me).

I would have to acquire a monitor for the Studio of course, but I would also be using the MBP with a larger monitor most of the time anyway, so it would need to be purchased either way.

My 2 options:
A- get a Studio for home use and a MBA M2 for travel
B- get a MBP 14 and use it for both home and travel

Regarding Option B: if the MBP is as capable and powerful as the Studio, and I can live with its weight for travel, this would be a simpler, cheaper solution - but the weight of the MBP is a major concern as I have two bad shoulders.

Regarding capabilities of the Studio vs. the MBP with the same specs except for RAM, is there a difference in the two machines' performance? I want to make sure that the desktop is a powerful, fast machine, without compromise.

 

[wilberforce]

One advantage of Option B is you don't need to transfer/sync files between two machines

 

[transphasic]

One advantage of Option B is you don't need to transfer/sync files between two machines

Correct - a big potential issue, and I just found the 64GB MBP for $200 more...

 

[tstafford]

YMMV - I just went through the same conundrum.

Step One - I bought the MBP14 base with the thought that it could be a dual purpose machine (I'd use it as a desktop and a laptop.) I connected it to two ASD, was using its internal screen as a third plus bluetooth keyboard and mouse. My assessment was that for my needs (no content creation) it is a very powerful machine and easily capable.

Step Two - I found myself attaching and detaching it from it's two cables all the time - several times a day. First world problem but this came to annoy me and was scratching up the laptop (space grey) around the ports. So I started to consider a Caldigit TS4 (only doc I know that can handle two ASD).

Step Three - I already have two ASD, keyboard, mouse so I asked myself would I rather pay $400 for a Caldigit or just bite the bullet and buy a base Studio. Answer easy - Studio. It adds the benefit of being able to handle more than two external displays (remember - I have MBP14 base). So I added Studio (and a third ASD - yeah, yeah I know. . .). Plus now I have a set of Katnu YU2 attached (sweet). Believe it or not much of the I/O on Studio is now taken: 3 TB4 (monitors), both USBA (printer, kantu) and ethernet. But I can still add two more monitors if I want to!!

My take:
If I was going to try for the one machine approach I would 100% buy the MBP w/ the Max chip. I'd do so primarily for the ability to support a third external display but also comes the additional RAM. I think this still would have irritated me because of the need to connect all the cables. For me the issue was that I needed the portability multiple times a day. If I only used it as a laptop once or twice a week, I'd go with one machine. But that's not how I live.

If I could wave the wand I'd go back and get a MBA M2 and a Studio. Now I have the MBP 14 and Studio but cannot justify on any level swapping out the laptop. Frankly the screen on the MBP is enough to make me want to keep it anyway. But the portability of the MBA M2 is enticing of course.

I have been very happy with the Studio. Been meaning to type up my take on it for non-creatives in the forum (will try to do so later today). My guess is the Studio will be with me (or my kids) for the next six or seven years. It has a ton of headroom. So I feel good about the cost - spreading it across that long a life it becomes reasonable (IMHO). I'll swap out the MBP when there is something compelling - for sure sooner than the Studio (my guess is an M3 MBA)

 

[nottorp]

I think it's mostly a matter of preference. I've never bitten into the laptop as desktop replacement thing so I'd go for the Studio and MBA. As a matter of fact I *will* go for them as soon as I decide I can safely switch architectures.

My current laptop never gets anything plugged in except power (and even for that i bought a magnetic cable) while my current desktop has a whole herd of octopuses (octopi) securely plugged in. But then I never do work on the laptop if i can avoid it.

But again, it means copying work on a secondary machine. If your work involves git repos it's not much of a bother. Otherwise I don't know.

So basically I'm afraid it's your decision