Should I get the MBP M4 Max or a Mac Studio + MacBook Air combo?

[chonkvandelay]

Hello,
I currently own a MacBook Pro 16” M2 Max, and it still performs great for my needs. However, I’m considering selling it — partly to avoid value depreciation, and partly to upgrade to a more powerful machine.

I use a Studio Display and almost always run my MacBook in clamshell mode, connected to that monitor. I only carry it when traveling out of town or abroad. While the 16” screen is great for productivity, it’s quite heavy to carry around.

Now I’m evaluating a few options:

• Get a Mac Studio (M4 Max, 512GB SSD) since I mostly use my setup as a desktop. I already have 4 external SSDs connected, and it would fit perfectly. However, since we experience frequent power outages here, I’d need to run it through a UPS, which was easier to manage with the MacBook battery.
• Also, I could go for a MacBook Air or MacBook Pro 14” for portability, in case I need to work elsewhere occasionally.

There are also rumors that the M5 models might launch this month, but I’m not sure how accurate that is. Should I wait for them? Will the Mac Studio also get updated soon with M5 chips?

Right now, I can get these models cheaper on Amazon than directly from Apple, so waiting could mean paying more later.

My main tasks are photo editing, video editing/rendering, writing, and general daily use.

So here’s my dilemma:
Should I get the MacBook Pro 14” M4 Max?
or go for a Mac Studio + MacBook Air (or maybe Pro 14") setup for roughly the same price?

Would love to hear your thoughts!

 

[ChrisA]

Yes, it is hard to decide what to buy when what you have works just fine. I'd say wait a few years

 

[chonkvandelay]

Yes, it is hard to decide what to buy when what you have works just fine. I'd say wait a few years

I would want to, but I need more portable macbook. I can't go everywhere with 16" MBP, so I will need to have smaller size for travel. Maybe used MBP M4 or new Air M4.

 

[Basic75]

So here’s my dilemma:
Should I get the MacBook Pro 14” M4 Max?
or go for a Mac Studio + MacBook Air (or maybe Pro 14") setup for roughly the same price?

Would love to hear your thoughts!

If you don't know what you need you probaby don't need anything new.

 

[theluggage]

I would want to, but I need more portable macbook. I can't go everywhere with 16" MBP, so I will need to have smaller size for travel. Maybe used MBP M4 or new Air M4.

(FX: Sound of old fogeys who used to travel around the world with PowerBook G3s - and thought that was an improvement on even older luggables - shaking their heads and tut-tutting )

Question is, do you ever need to do something while travelling that would need the power of a M4 Max? If so, probably go with the MBP Max. If you really don't, then go for the Studio.

As for the UPS requirement - are you using powered hubs and/or SSDs? Your laptop might keep itself going in a cut, but those won't, whereas a suitable UPS can power everything.