Photographers! Why do you love your Macbook Pro M1? (Or should I go for an Air to save money, and why?)

CryssieJade on 10/06/2021 - 20:19
Last edited 10/06/2021 - 20:27

Pro Photographer here, finally upgrading my 2012 Macbook Pro (I know, I know)

Fellow photographers - why do you love your Macbook Pro M1? In comparison to what you had before, and features you can't live without now. How does the maximum RAM perform, etc

I'll be using PS and LR heavily for my work. Looking for at least 5-6 years longevity out of my machine here.

I've never had an SSD, should I go for more internal SSD space or save my $$ for external?

Anything else I need to know, apart from 'go for it'? 😂

Also looking for the most cost effective option to buy one, hence I'm trying to skimp on SSD space (maybe)

And what do you like about the Touch Bar integration with PS and LR?

Thanks!

Computing

Comments

  • the fig man on 10/06/2021 - 20:37

    I've got a 2013 MBP …. would also be keen to hear what M1 owners say (I do a lot of video editing)

  • mskeggs on 10/06/2021 - 20:53
    -1

    Still rocking my 2012 MacBook Pro as it has a 750gb SSD, and I am about to add a 1tb SSD in place of the DVD.
    It runs ok with 16gb RAM. It would run better if I reformatted and got rid of 9 years of junk files (actually only 4 years since last reformat).

    I look longingly at the new MacBooks each year, but no upgrade path, even for RAM and storage makes them terrible value. I suppose by the time of the m2 chip we might get a 1tb of storage for a reasonable price.

    BTW I am not being a stirrer here, but I hope Apple people realise I would have bought two MacBooks in the last 9 years if I could add my own ram and storage.
    They would sell many more computers if they made them better value.

    • jayboi on 10/06/2021 - 21:39
      -1

      yeah nah, very old processors and it is only good for basic less demanding tasks. M1 would blow a 2012 MacBook Pro out of the water, it's not even a comparison. Op is a photographer using demanding tasks and unfortunately a 2012 MacBook Pro wouldn't be able to cope anymore.

      • mskeggs on 10/06/2021 - 22:01
        +3

        OP is using a 2013 macbook today, presumably with the proprietary storage and soldered RAM, hope they bough 16Gb at the time. Probably due an upgrade. My laptop I am typing this on is a gen earlier i7, and has similar performance to last years Macbook Air.

        Yeah, it isn't up to scratch for CPU heavy tasks, but it is fine for office etc. use.

        My point is Apple is shooting itself in the foot by restricting upgrades (trying to force costly purchase time upgrades) because the outcome is many people just won't buy it.
        I like Apple gear, but a machine with the same specs as my 2012 machine, but a current processor is $4000. It's absurd. Doubly absurd because it forces the upgrade to be paid for now, rather than in 2 years when you fill up your disk or when apps need more ram, and when those things are cheaper.

        Anyway, feel free to pay whatever you want, I'm just posting to add to the message that Apple will sell more laptops if they make the RAM and disk upgradeable.

        • jayboi on 10/06/2021 - 22:33
          +1

          I 100% agree with you on the upgradebility standpoint and thats what really annoys me about my 2020 MacBook, If I could upgrade it, Id have 32gb ram and a 1TB ssd by now, and I think it'd be a smart decision on apples part to make it upgradeable.

        • CryssieJade on 10/06/2021 - 22:42

          Yes I did buy the 16gb upgrade at the time, I bought the smaller screen but most powerful machine available to me. To be honest, it still copes fairly well for its age, which is why I have never upgraded until now. I can't upgrade my OS anymore, therfore I cannot download updates of LR and PS, which I'm paying subscription fees for.

          • Muzeeb on 10/06/2021 - 23:19

            @CryssieJade: Mid 2012 MacBook pro introduced the retina display.

            Please tell me you at least have the retina display model?

            • CryssieJade on 11/06/2021 - 09:39

              @Muzeeb: Lol I wish…. apparently mine was late 2012 model but no retina display for me. I think I was told fibbies at the Mac store.

  • jayboi on 10/06/2021 - 21:45

    Get the M1 MacBook Air, MacBook Pro has a fan, 1 extra gpu core which you can get on the air if you want and Touch Bar and thats the only difference. I have a 2020 intel MacBook Pro and the Touch Bar is pretty useless even in photoshop and premier pro. Upgrade the MacBook Air to get 16gb ram and maybe a 512gb ssd if you need it.

    • deliriouss on 11/06/2021 - 13:28

      some number of GPU core if you opt for the 512GB model

  • RockyRaccoon on 11/06/2021 - 06:48

    Have a Mac mini m1, loving it, but really haven’t used the power yet, as I don’t have any native m1 programs.

    However the point I would make, as you are a professional, that means it’s a tax deductible item, thats you can fully write off, which Is a depreciation gift the govt has extended, wouldn’t that make it just doable. Talk with your accountant.

    • CryssieJade on 11/06/2021 - 09:40

      Yes it's definitely a full write off for me, but I'm also applying for a home loan, so trying to claim as little as I can on tax to make my income higher. Double edged sword sigh

      • RockyRaccoon on 11/06/2021 - 09:43
        +1

        Well keep in mind this has been extended for another year, so after the loan, buy the m1 and enjoy both the house and the power 😀

  • coxjon on 11/06/2021 - 13:36

    No problems with 4K video editing using Final Cut Pro on my M1 Air and an external SSD.

    • CryssieJade on 11/06/2021 - 16:54

      You don't notice that there's no fan?
      Tbh, I couldn't care less if there's a touch bar or not… I don't take my eyes off my screen when I work, and if I do, keyboard shortcuts are key

      • coxjon on 11/06/2021 - 17:54

        No I don't notice, but I don't use it on my lap. I haven't noticed any performance throttling but it is winter and I don't really use it heavily :)

  • Buy2Much on 11/06/2021 - 18:55
    +2

    Putting CPU/GPU/fan aside, as a LR user, these are the key things I'd pick the Pro over the Air for photo/video work:
    Pro battery lasts 2 hours longer than Air (16 vs 14)
    Pro has brighter screen than Air (500 vs 400 nits)
    And of course better speakers if you do some sound editing.
    Touchbar is a personal preference, I like it.

    On a side note, now is a good time to upgrade to M1 if you use LR Classic
    I use LR Classic on my M1 Pro, on 8GB RAM, driving an external 5K monitor as second screen, it runs fine even with dozens of browser screens opened.

    • CryssieJade on 11/06/2021 - 19:41

      Thank you, yours was the response I was waiting for. Yes, I use Lightroom Classic. Is there a reason you didn't choose the 16gb version? Or are you just figuring you'll upgrade before needing it?

      • Buy2Much on 11/06/2021 - 20:00
        +2

        To save $300 LOL. I was using MacBook Pro intel 8Gb for several years and that was fine for me, so with M1 being more efficient and powerful, I did not think it’s worth paying an extra 300 for more RAM, I spent on 512GB SSD instead. I don’t see my memory usage going over 7Gb while using LR. It’s up to your budget, 16Gb would be nice though.

        • CryssieJade on 11/06/2021 - 20:20

          See this is why I'm struggling with which model I want. Not to mention, the last time I bought my MBP was when it was just $1300. Nearly died when I saw how exxy they are now!

          • Buy2Much on 11/06/2021 - 20:23

            @CryssieJade: Mind you in 2012, the Aussie $ was on parity with US $…

            • CryssieJade on 11/06/2021 - 22:01
              +2

              @Buy2Much: This is true….

              I have just done a price check for the first time in a while, and what I thought was going to be a $3300 purchase is actually $2500 (for the specs I want). Big difference! I know what I'm getting now, in my mind I've just saved $800 😂

              • jace88 on 01/07/2021 - 14:16

                @CryssieJade: Did you end up getting it? Hopefully you were able to take advantage of the various 10% off gift cards + 10% off Apple PC deals lately to get a decent saving on your spec!

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