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maisiepom

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Jun 22, 2024
2
1
I have to test two Macbooks:

M2 Max Macbook Pro , 32GB Ram, 1TB Hard Drive.. Cost £2595. Battery Cycles 50
M3 Macbook Pro 14 11c/18GPU. 36GB Ram, 1 TB Hardrive Cost: £2459

My usage:

I produce and edit sound
I DJ with a windows application via Parallels
Usual office stuff

I will use the machine 70 percent at home, sometimes on the couch, sometimes on desk with 27inch monitor
30 percent out in coffee shops

As far as I can tell, both machines have similar power, but the M2 Max obviously has more GPUs. I don't often edit video, but do occasionally.

The 16 inch is massive but I could probably just about cope with it. It will have 12 months warranty from a refurbished vendor. M3 will obviously have Apple warranty and I would be able to add Applecare to this one.

I am really struggling to decide .. what would you recommend me going for?
 
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rovostrov

macrumors regular
Oct 3, 2020
180
132
I have to test two Macbooks:

M2 Max Macbook Pro , 32GB Ram, 1TB Hard Drive.. Cost £2595. Battery Cycles 50
M3 Macbook Pro 14 11c/18GPU. 36GB Ram, 1 TB Hardrive Cost: £2459

My usage:

I produce and edit sound
I DJ with a windows application via Parallels
Usual office stuff

I will use the machine 70 percent at home, sometimes on the couch, sometimes on desk with 27inch monitor
30 percent out in coffee shops

As far as I can tell, both machines have similar power, but the M2 Max obviously has more GPUs. I don't often edit video, but do occasionally.

The 16 inch is massive but I could probably just about cope with it. It will have 12 months warranty from a refurbished vendor. M3 will obviously have Apple warranty and I would be able to add Applecare to this one.

I am really struggling to decide .. what would you recommend me going for?
I'd probably go with the MBP 14"
The size will be easier to manage on the couch and at coffee shops. Since you just occasionally edit
video, the M3 should be enough to handle what you will need. 14" is slightly less expensive, has a newer processor and comes with 4GB more RAM. Also, being able to add AC+ is a bonus.
 

beach bum

macrumors demi-goddess
Oct 6, 2011
8,800
30,967
Philly
I also vote for the MBP 14” mainly because you can add Apple Care and also that the Max might be overpowered for intended usage. Also, I’m always leery of refurbished Macs that are from 3rd party vendors.
 

sublunar

macrumors 68020
Jun 23, 2007
2,311
1,680
M3 will also have longer supported life for software updates, not to mention the Apple Care option. I’d say the 14 inch more flexible on the go too - I take my M1 Pro everywhere.
 

maisiepom

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Jun 22, 2024
2
1
Thank you, I also have the option of a 14 inch Macbook Pro M2 Max, the same spec as the original for £2295. I am wondering if the Max chip, although overkill, might be future-proofing when it comes to light video editing.
 
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