Torn between base model 16" and next upgrade in ram and cpu?

[Technerd108]

Okay I am a mess when it comes to making a big purchase. I try to go cheap then I regret it. Obviously none of the new MBP 14" or 16" are cheap but I am hoping to keep my laptop for several years. I am a Linux sysadmin and support staff. I am learning MacOS training to become an Apple MacOS support technician. I have a Linux box and Windows for work and will be using this Mac for work as well but I don't have a demanding gpu workflow. My work flow is more cpu intensive. So I am thinking the 16" with 32gb ram, 1tb ssd, and M1 Pro or Max?

Or should I just keep what I have as it is plenty fast. Just worried 3 years from now I will be wanting more ram? Although that seems like a stupid concern???

 

[lclev]

It sounds like you will be needing a mac something if you are going to be training to become an Apple MacOS support tech. Either the 16"/32gb/1tb with the M1 Pro or Max would work. You state your usage is more CPU intensive so you might consider going for the M1 Max. But I think either one would be fine.

I have the 14"/64gb/1tb with the M1 Max. I do a lot of video work mostly 1080 HD but some 4K. So far it has been fast, smooth, and stays cool when encoding. But I have only had it a few days.

 

[bsamcash]

You state your usage is more CPU intensive so you might consider going for the M1 Max.

The Pro and Max have the same CPU. The GPU, accelerators, and max RAM are different.

 

[lclev]

You are correct. I am getting use to this new ARM architecture. Thanks!

 

[Born Again]

there is a video that compares the ram. Virtually no difference between the 16 and 32.

I myself am still feeling a little indifferent about it though.

Using the 16 gb but wanted 32 but it's "custom" and not in stock at stores.

fortunately I can return this unit by January if I decide to.

 

[Technerd108]

I saw the video thank you!! I get that it can use ssd as swap and that it probably wouldn't be a problem as far as wearing out the ssd either. So basically if I ever need more than 16gb ram the cpu can allocate more using the ssd? So what is the limit? If we have a lot of free space on our ssd could it go to 100gb? On the 64gb it could go to 128gb ram using ssd?

I am just trying to wrap my head around all of this. Plus the fact the M1 pro has 200gb bandwidth. So as long as I don't need more physical ram the ram we have is much faster than what is available on PC's? and then once we go to the ssd it is limited to less than 7.4 GB/s or something like that? Wouldn't that throw everything off or am I not understanding something??

I am still leaning toward getting the extra ram but I think I could get by with the M1 pro. Now I am trying to decide between 512gb ssd or 1 Tb ssd? Once you get done it is getting pricy for me. I am just trying to balance what I want and what I need for a few years. Even if M2 or M3 blow these chips away it doesn't make these Macs perform slower over night. I am pretty sure because of the total package I will be content for a while if the performance can at least stay competitive. I am also a bit concerned that the memory and storage are unified because if any of them fail then the entire chip would need to be replaced? That could get costly so Apple Care seems to be required until we know reliability? So I can go $149 a year or pay the $399 for 3 years but that is a savings of $133 a year or just paying for 3 years at $149 a year and then I assume it is $149 a year after that and I am glad it doesn't seem to have a cap but has anyone thought about cost of insurance long term?

 

[the8thark]

Also consider how long you will have the Mac for. If you replace your Macs often then 16GB should be fine. But if you want to keep the Mac around for a while, your future workloads might need more than 16GB.

Also @Technerd108 Max has the 400GB/s memory bandwidth whereas the Pro only has 200GB/s.
Sure that's 400 or 200 for the entire SoC not just the RAM but that is another consideration.

For SSD, if you can get away with external storage, then 512GB will be fine but if you want a large chunk of your workflow on the internal (of cause backed up as well) then you'll want the 1TB.

Finally remember that the single thread performance over M1 vs Pro vs Max is the same.
Also you said your workflow is more cpu intensive. Pro should be able to handle that, assuming you have enough multithread/multicore workloads to make use of it.

People have replaced older intel MBPs with entry M1 and were blown away with how much more efficiently their workflow has become. So I think you might be able to get away with the Pro and have it as your daily driver workhourse for the next 5 plus years.
GPU is not an issue for you. So my opinion would be, if you do not need the 400GB/s memory bandwidth then a 32GB Pro should be just fine.

But please do get second, and third and fourth etc etc opinions.

 

[Born Again]

I saw the video thank you!! I get that it can use ssd as swap and that it probably wouldn't be a problem as far as wearing out the ssd either. So basically if I ever need more than 16gb ram the cpu can allocate more using the ssd? So what is the limit? If we have a lot of free space on our ssd could it go to 100gb? On the 64gb it could go to 128gb ram using ssd?

I am just trying to wrap my head around all of this. Plus the fact the M1 pro has 200gb bandwidth. So as long as I don't need more physical ram the ram we have is much faster than what is available on PC's? and then once we go to the ssd it is limited to less than 7.4 GB/s or something like that? Wouldn't that throw everything off or am I not understanding something??

I am still leaning toward getting the extra ram but I think I could get by with the M1 pro. Now I am trying to decide between 512gb ssd or 1 Tb ssd? Once you get done it is getting pricy for me. I am just trying to balance what I want and what I need for a few years. Even if M2 or M3 blow these chips away it doesn't make these Macs perform slower over night. I am pretty sure because of the total package I will be content for a while if the performance can at least stay competitive. I am also a bit concerned that the memory and storage are unified because if any of them fail then the entire chip would need to be replaced? That could get costly so Apple Care seems to be required until we know reliability? So I can go $149 a year or pay the $399 for 3 years but that is a savings of $133 a year or just paying for 3 years at $149 a year and then I assume it is $149 a year after that and I am glad it doesn't seem to have a cap but has anyone thought about cost of insurance long term?

Do not get apple care

Its not worth it.

I would definitely recommend a 1 tb.

Can I ask what is your workflow?

I wouldn’t worry about the longevity of the ssd. It would be years from now thus your notebook would be upgraded to m4 or m5 by then.

 

[leman]

Im sure that a 14“ with M1 Pro and 16 GB will be more than enough for your use case. It will be able to handle multiple VMs and andockest containers without issues.

Do not get apple care

It’s not worth it until it suddenly is. I would not want to own an Apple computer without warranty. Those are notoriously expensive to repair and there failure rates on premium laptops within the first 5 years are over 30%. Apples new subscription-based Apple Care is decent insurance, although it you can get warranty extension cheaper elsewhere go for it.

 

[Pressure]

Also @Technerd108 Max has the 400GB/s memory bandwidth whereas the Pro only has 200GB/s.
Sure that's 400 or 200 for the entire SoC not just the RAM but that is another consideration.

The processor cluster in the M1 Max can use up to 243GB/s with both the Performance cluster and Efficiency cluster engaged (highly unlikely workload for normal usage). The M1 Pro can only reach 204GB/s in the same manner. Source (AnandTech).

If your workload is merely processor depended there would be no difference between he M1 Pro and M1 Max unless you specifically need 64GB of RAM.

 

[Delarock]

I like max tech but for example for photographer difference is much bigger… go 32 gb if you want keep notebook for longer time.

 

[zarathu]

An Allstate plan is way better than AppleCare+ and much much cheaper.

 

[Pressure]

I like max tech but for example for photographer difference is much bigger… go 32 gb if you want keep notebook for longer time.

He just tested the M1 Max 64GB version.

 

[agent mac]

He just tested the M1 Max 64GB version.

He basically says buy a Max with 64GB of RAM. And there are lots of charts to support that. I rather wish they'd put in some additional bars to show that even with a 'base' Pro and a 'modest' 16GB, you're STILL going to be thrashing a machine from just a couple of years ago.
It's all so ridiculously subjective, and in two years time the amazing Max will be looking pretty 'meuhhwww' next to whatever M2 Max comes out.
It's a treadmill!

 

[Born Again]

I like max tech but for example for photographer difference is much bigger… go 32 gb if you want keep notebook for longer time.

Well that’s not the takeaway I watched.

If you’re stitching a massive file sizes the ram helps.

 

[Pressure]

He basically says buy a Max with 64GB of RAM. And there are lots of charts to support that. I rather wish they'd put in some additional bars to show that even with a 'base' Pro and a 'modest' 16GB, you're STILL going to be thrashing a machine from just a couple of years ago.
It's all so ridiculously subjective, and in two years time the amazing Max will be looking pretty 'meuhhwww' next to whatever M2 Max comes out.
It's a treadmill!

Well, it really depends on workload.

If you work with heavy files (15GB+) in Photoshop and Capture One he says minimum 32GB. Swap really ruins the performance on those kind of loads, unsurprisingly.