It's not too much to go on... Laptop (size) or Desktop? Which programs? Which type/size of graphics?
But for graphical use I'd say:
GPU:
- higher GPU options are of no real benefit except for some artistic filters that finish faster or the final batch export
- but lower configurations are limited in the number of displays one can connect
RAM (unified memory):
- 16 GB should be the absolute minimum for handling multiple/larger files without swap
Storage:
- I'm a fan of using external storage instead of paying the insane Apple upcharge. I don't see graphical work bottlenecked by using significantly cheaper external SSDs.
- So unless one travels a lot, I'd say 512 GB is completely fine and still guarantees maximum internal SSD speeds
CPU:
- Hard to tell, but for most stuff, base config is pretty sufficient. Only for generating lots of previews or batch exporting would a higher config make sense.
So for desktop use, I'd probably say, anything more than a Mac mini (base) M2 Pro won't feel any different:
-
$1300 Mac mini M2 Pro (10c/16c/16c) with 16GB of RAM and 512GB SSD
- RAM and SSD can be increased if the budget allows it. 32GB RAM result in $1700 and would be my preferred choice.
(the non-
Pro M2 Mac mini (8c/10c/16c) for $1000 would probably also suffice but the M2 Pro is faster, allows for more displays and has 2 additional Thunderbolt 4 ports)
For laptop usage, it depends on the preferred display size/portability. The same M2 Pro SoC as above but in a laptop is:
-
$2000 14" MacBook Pro M2 Pro (10c/16c/16c) with 16GB of RAM and 512GB SSD (120Hz, 1000 nits, P3, Liquid Retina XDR display)
With a little less power (same as the non-Pro M2 Mac mini) but a larger (yet inferior) screen than the MacBook Pro above:
-
$1700 15" MacBook Air M2 (8c/10c/16c) with 16GB of RAM and 512GB SSD (60Hz, 500 nits, P3, Liquid Retina display). 24GB RAM result in $1900. The
13" MacBook Air is always $100 cheaper than the 15".
To max out the budget on a desktop Mac, the Mac Studio trumps the previous devices but I suspect it's overkill.
-
$2000 Mac Studio M2 Max (12c/30c/16c) with 32GB of RAM and 512GB SSD.
Nonetheless, it is the better choice than the $2000 Mac mini with 32GB RAM and the (12c/19c/16c) M2 Pro.
Others may see it differently (especially the lower SSD config) but that should start the ball rolling.
