New MBP need advise

[kate2kate]

I will be purchasing a new MBP. I have a mid-2015 16 inch. It has 16gb of memory.

The use will be editing photos and videos and have multiple apps running at once and about 20 tabs in safari open. I run my business from my laptop. I want to future proof my laptop so I can keep for many years.

Someone here suggested I look at the activity monitor to see how much memory I am using. (great suggestion)

I am using around 13gb of memory now. Do I need 64gb of memory? My son says no. Which processor will work for me.

 

[Fishrrman]

You might consider 32gb RAM.

Be aware that this is a $400 "bump up" in the price of the 2021 MBP 16".
But since you run your business on it, I'll reckon that can be "written off".

RE CPU power... I think you'd be fine with the "base model" (2,499).
Again... upgrading RAM from 16gb to 32gb adds $400.

The base SSD is 512gb -- can you get along with that?
Upgrade to 1tb SSD adds $200.

Apple's page on these:

Buy 16-inch MacBook Pro

Discover the MacBook Pro laptop with the M4 family of chips, built for Apple Intelligence. Get credit when you trade in an eligible Mac. Buy now.

www.apple.com

 

[kate2kate]

You might consider 32gb RAM.

Be aware that this is a $400 "bump up" in the price of the 2021 MBP 16".
But since you run your business on it, I'll reckon that can be "written off".

RE CPU power... I think you'd be fine with the "base model" (2,499).
Again... upgrading RAM from 16gb to 32gb adds $400.

The base SSD is 512gb -- can you get along with that?
Upgrade to 1tb SSD adds $200.

Apple's page on these:

Buy 16-inch MacBook Pro

Discover the MacBook Pro laptop with the M4 family of chips, built for Apple Intelligence. Get credit when you trade in an eligible Mac. Buy now.

www.apple.com

I am ok bumping up to 32gb and 1T SSD. I can buy above the base model CPU as well. I don't purchase laptops often and I knew I was going to need a new one soon so I have been saving.

Is it beneficial to go to 64gb to future proof my laptop. I want to keep my new one between 5&7 years.

 

[MBAir2010]

32 is enough for heavy..... well everything!
these MacBooks Pros are great machines
even the 2010 will perform everyday heavy graphic design in 2022.

 

[glenthompson]

I doubt that 64gb is needed in a reasonable lifetime. I’m still running a 2011 iMac with 16gb in one location and it does fine. Depending on what software you use for photo and video editing you might consider the processor with more GPUs.

 

[wilberforce]

If you are using Adobe products for photo/video editing (which I do) I would get 32GB RAM. I have a base 14" MBP with 16 GB RAM, and think I could benefit from a bit more. 64GB is not necessary.

For photo editing, the M1 Pro is fine, there is little benefit from the M1 Max.

For video editing, the M1 Max might be of benefit as it might reduce export times as it has twice the video encoders. Basically depends on how much you want to pay to do certain tasks (which don't happen often) a bit faster.

 

[Technerd108]

I think you could get the base model 16" with 1tb ssd and be just fine for several years. These machines are very powerful. That being said I completely understand your concerns.

The ram in these machines is ddr5 and it is soldered to the mother board so the cost is a bit more justified for the jump from16 to 32gb ram for $400.

Now once you have jumped to 32gb ram the M1 Max is another $200 for 8 more gpu cores. Considering the overall cost of the machine and interest in keeping the device a long time I think it is a good idea to get the M1 max.

If you get the 16" with 1tb, 32gb ram, M1 Max it will cost $800 more than base model and I think it is worth it.

That is what I would do if I were you. Good luck!