would there be significant difference between 10Core CPU and 12 Core CPU?

[Crispe]

I have last years MacBook Pro M1 Max with 10c-cpu and 32c-gpu and it blows through Lightroom and Photoshop tasks. Can’t imagine any improvement would be worth it since it’s so fast now and I’m throwing some major layering and huge raw files at it. Save the money for a nice OWC or CalDigit dock. I find docks are mandatory if you have a lot of hardware to connect. Makes for a nice clean connection setup too. I only have one Thunderbolt cable connected to my MacBook 100% of the time.

I was going back and forth on how much benefit I would get out of the 12c in M2 Max vs 10c in M1 Max for like 2 weeks and wound up going for a certified refurbished M1 Max 10/32 instead for way way way less money. Still excellent machines even with the slightly slower and low core count.

 

[Chrysalis99]

I’m curious, can you connect the Apple Studio Display to a Thunderbolt dock (a powered dock) like the CalDigit or OWC, and then connect the MacBook Pro to the dock? I’m thinking I would like to be able to have both external thunderbolt SSDs and the monitor connect to my MBP via one Thunderbolt cable. And the Studio Display only has one Thunderolt input.

Don’t see why not. I have an LG34BK95U-W and OWC 4 bay Thunderbolt drive enclosure both connected to an OWC Thunderbolt Dock. My MacBook Pro is connected to the dock with one Thunderbolt cable and everything works flawlessly. The dock provides power to the computer and throughput on the drive enclosure is lightning fast. I also have a bunch of other gear connected to the dock but rarely have anything connected directly to the MacBook except that one Thunderbolt cable. Makes for a clean setup.

 

[Chrysalis99]

I was going back and forth on how much benefit I would get out of the 12c in M2 Max vs 10c in M1 Max for like 2 weeks and wound up going for a certified refurbished M1 Max 10/32 instead for way way way less money. Still excellent machines even with the slightly slower and low core count.

I think you made a smart move. The MBP M1 Max is still a helluva machine and you saved enough from that possible M2 purchase for lots of extras. I intend on keeping mine for several more years. Well done mate! 👍