16" MBP best spec as desktop solution?

[Roc1]

Have an ageing 2010 imac which I'm looking to replace with a 16" MBP and an external display, probably with the new Benq SW321C as it ticks most boxes for me.

I'd be doing mainly PS and LR editing as well as occasional video using Final Cut, so wanted to ask what spec MBP to get for this kind of usage? Probably 16GB ram will suffice, but unsure of what processor and graphics card will suffice? All photo files etc will be kept externally so I imagine the 512 SSD will be enough?

Not done this kind of set up before, but like the idea of the MPB being able to be a desktop workhorse and then being able to take it out and about with me.

Thanks for any advice.

 

[leman]

Any spec will "suffice". Depending on what tools you use, the 8-core CPU might end up faster. Based on benchmarks I've seen, there is not much point for you to upgrading the GPU.

I cannot recommend using the MBP (or any laptop) as a desktop setup. It's just not good value for money.

 

[cmaier]

Have an ageing 2010 imac which I'm looking to replace with a 16" MBP and an external display, probably with the new Benq SW321C as it ticks most boxes for me.

I'd be doing mainly PS and LR editing as well as occasional video using Final Cut, so wanted to ask what spec MBP to get for this kind of usage? Probably 16GB ram will suffice, but unsure of what processor and graphics card will suffice? All photo files etc will be kept externally so I imagine the 512 SSD will be enough?

Not done this kind of set up before, but like the idea of the MPB being able to be a desktop workhorse and then being able to take it out and about with me.

Thanks for any advice.

Any spec will be fine for PS and LR - you’re more likely to be limited by I/O depending on where you store your library, etc.

Can’t speak to final cut.

 

[Hexley]

What's your use case?

 

[Clix Pix]

I use a 2018 15" MBP as a desktop replacement and have been very satisfied with it. Specs: i9, 32 GB RAM, 1 TB SSD, 20 Vega. I figure that I will be keeping and using this machine for several years so wanted to make sure that it would serve me well now and also in the future. I shoot still photography with a Sony A7R IV that has 61 MP, which creates fairly large files; I initially process images and then shift the folders to external storage, where images are readily available but not taking up space in the computer as time goes on. The machine is on a stand and I use Apple's BT keyboard with numbers pad and Apple's Magic Mouse II. I only plug in my external drives when I need them for some reason, either to add/transfer files or when I need to retrieve a specific folder or image.

At the time I bought the computer I wasn't shooting extensively and was primarily using a camera that had the more standard number of megapixels and which created smaller files, but I was looking ahead to the future and the day I'd be going with a camera with more resolution and larger files. For a while I just used the machine's 15" screen but eventually did buy an external monitor, LG's Thunderbolt 3 24" one, which is perfect for my needs and purposes.

 

[Roc1]

I use a 2018 15" MBP as a desktop replacement and have been very satisfied with it. Specs: i9, 32 GB RAM, 1 TB SSD, 20 Vega. I figure that I will be keeping and using this machine for several years so wanted to make sure that it would serve me well now and also in the future. I shoot still photography with a Sony A7R IV that has 61 MP, which creates fairly large files; I initially process images and then shift the folders to external storage, where images are readily available but not taking up space in the computer as time goes on. The machine is on a stand and I use Apple's BT keyboard with numbers pad and Apple's Magic Mouse II. I only plug in my external drives when I need them for some reason, either to add/transfer files or when I need to retrieve a specific folder or image.

At the time I bought the computer I wasn't shooting extensively and was primarily using a camera that had the more standard number of megapixels and which created smaller files, but I was looking ahead to the future and the day I'd be going with a camera with more resolution and larger files. For a while I just used the machine's 15" screen but eventually did buy an external monitor, LG's Thunderbolt 3 24" one, which is perfect for my needs and purposes.

Thanks sounds v similar to what I'll be using it for, but with Sony A9 files so not a large.

Is there a recommended dock to use for this set up? I've got one main 12tb external drive, and a time machine backup drive, so I assume everything inc the external monitor stays plugged into the dock, and then when I come to do work I just plug in the MBP into the dock too?

Also, if I'm to upgrade anything from the base model what should it be? RAM / Graphics Card / Processor? Like I say 80% is photo editing but will also be doing more 4k video editing this year.

Thanks.

 

[AustinIllini]

Thanks sounds v similar to what I'll be using it for, but with Sony A9 files so not a large.

Is there a recommended dock to use for this set up? I've got one main 12tb external drive, and a time machine backup drive, so I assume everything inc the external monitor stays plugged into the dock, and then when I come to do work I just plug in the MBP into the dock too?

Also, if I'm to upgrade anything from the base model what should it be? RAM / Graphics Card / Processor? Like I say 80% is photo editing but will also be doing more 4k video editing this year.

Thanks.

Graphics Card because it's inexpensive ("inexpensive" means at most $200). Then RAM.

 

[Clix Pix]

Thanks sounds v similar to what I'll be using it for, but with Sony A9 files so not a large.

Is there a recommended dock to use for this set up? I've got one main 12tb external drive, and a time machine backup drive, so I assume everything inc the external monitor stays plugged into the dock, and then when I come to do work I just plug in the MBP into the dock too?

Also, if I'm to upgrade anything from the base model what should it be? RAM / Graphics Card / Processor? Like I say 80% is photo editing but will also be doing more 4k video editing this year.

Thanks.

The only thing I have plugged into my machine that stays plugged in all the time is my Thunderbolt 3 LG monitor; I only plug in my external drives when I need to use them. I don't use Time Machine so that is not a factor one way or the other. So I don't really need a dock of any sort, but they do offer the ability to keep everything connected as well as also providing "legacy" USB-A ports if you still need them, too. I think a lot of people like CalDigit docks.

I agree with AustinIllini that first priority should be graphics, since you will be doing photo and video editing, and second priority should be RAM. 16 GB may be fine for now, but in another two or three years, you might be wishing you'd gone with 32 GB.

 

[Roc1]

The only thing I have plugged into my machine that stays plugged in all the time is my Thunderbolt 3 LG monitor; I only plug in my external drives when I need to use them. I don't use Time Machine so that is not a factor one way or the other. So I don't really need a dock of any sort, but they do offer the ability to keep everything connected as well as also providing "legacy" USB-A ports if you still need them, too. I think a lot of people like CalDigit docks.

I agree with AustinIllini that first priority should be graphics, since you will be doing photo and video editing, and second priority should be RAM. 16 GB may be fine for now, but in another two or three years, you might be wishing you'd gone with 32 GB.

Great many thanks I'll price up a few options and go from there.

 

[Fishrrman]

I guess I'm dumb, but for me, "the best desktop solution"... is to buy "a desktop".
A 2018 Mini i7/16gb/500gb SSD might hit the spot.
Less money, too.

 

[PeterJP]

Graphics Card because it's inexpensive ("inexpensive" means at most $200). Then RAM.

I would go for the other way round. The GPU will only help you with exports and conversions (e.g RAW to JPEG in bulk or MP4 to another video format). Those things take time in any case and the speed up will only be significant in stress situations, like when guys at my work (TV broadcaster) are on site and need to do things LIVE.

32GB are useful fast when doing video, even in full HD, and necessary when going to 4K. In your situation, I would by the second model (base 8 core) and upgrade to 32GB RAM. Or get the base 6 core, then add 32GB+1TB and save some bucks.

 

[Clix Pix]

I guess I'm dumb, but for me, "the best desktop solution"... is to buy "a desktop".
A 2018 Mini i7/16gb/500gb SSD might hit the spot.
Less money, too.

No, not dumb at all! A lot depends upon what a person needs and wants, plus planned usage of the machine. I've had desktops in the past: iMacs and a Mini, and I've had MacBook Airs in the past and MacBook Pros. The reason I have the setup I do now is because back in 2015 I was eagerly awaiting the announcement of the 21.5 iMac with retina, and when the announcement came I read the specs and was sorely disappointed. I knew what I wanted and needed in terms of specs and it was going to cost a bit to configure the iMac in the way that I wanted. I considered my situation and realized that I was hardly using the 2012 iMac I had in the house then, and that I was using my 2015" MBP that I had bought a few months before; with its internal SSD it was running circles around my iMac. I decided to try an experiment, and went out and bought a stand. I already had an extra keyboard and mouse around, so pushed the iMac further back on the desk to make more space and set up the MBP.

I realized a couple of things over the next few days -- I noticed that I didn't have a crick in my neck after using the machine for a while, and that was because the MBP on the stand was in an optimal position in terms of where my eyes fell when looking at the screen -- no need to tilt my head upward. I also realized that it was convenient when I was going somewhere to simply unplug the MBP and take her along with me, no fuss, no muss, and plug her back in when I got back home. Fortunately I didn't have to haul the iMac anywhere because as a rather petite woman getting up there in age I had difficulty when I did have to move it for some reason. Other factors also came into play, but to make a long story short, I went to the Apple store and bought a 15" 2015 MBP spec'd exactly as I wanted, brought her home and set her up on the stand, wiped the iMac and sold it and that was that! In 2018 I made the same choice as I really have found that the MBP (now with an accompanying external monitor) makes a dandy desktop substitute with a lot of benefits.

One reason I think laptops are so much more popular these days than desktops is the flexibility offered by one, the portability in particular. They are also more powerful now than they were years ago, and can be configured to be quite the fast machine. Especially if one is only going to have one computer, which is often the case for many people, a laptop does everything, whereas a desktop, while it may be more powerful and offer specific advantages that way, also is limited by its lack of portability.

 

[PeterJP]

I also realized that it was convenient when I was going somewhere to simply unplug the MBP and take her along with me, no fuss, no muss, and plug her back in when I got back home.

Exactly. I used to be much more mobile with my MBP 13. But now that I'm stuck at a desk most of the time (office or home office), I'm seriously considering upgrading to a 16" as a desktop replacement. Suppose I get 2 minis for about the same money? I'd have to struggle to keep everything in sync, even with the 2 x 1TB Onedrive subscriptions I happen to have.

 

[macintoshmac]

Have an ageing 2010 imac which I'm looking to replace with a 16" MBP and an external display, probably with the new Benq SW321C as it ticks most boxes for me.

I'd be doing mainly PS and LR editing as well as occasional video using Final Cut, so wanted to ask what spec MBP to get for this kind of usage? Probably 16GB ram will suffice, but unsure of what processor and graphics card will suffice? All photo files etc will be kept externally so I imagine the 512 SSD will be enough?

Not done this kind of set up before, but like the idea of the MPB being able to be a desktop workhorse and then being able to take it out and about with me.

Thanks for any advice.

If you know you want a desktop solution, you will really, really do better with a genuine desktop than going around with an MBP and external monitor and even eGPU if you need. The ergonomics are going to work out in your favour.

 

[Mark_EL]

I have owned a 2019 27” iMac with the I9 processor for about 10 months. I loved the display, loved the power, loved everything about it... except for being stuck to my desk in my studio all the time. But at least I still had my old 2011 MBP....until the GPU gave up on me for the second time. I kept working a couple of months without a laptop and pretty much hated it. So in January I decided to sell the iMac and go back to a 16” MBP.

I bought me a nice Raindesign laptop stand and a Caldigit Pro dock for working at my desk (for now still working with my Eizo ColorEdge 27” external display, but planning on buying a 4K or 5K display later) and when I am done in my studio, I just pick up my MBP and keep on working downstairs while sitting on the couch. I couldn’t be happier.

 

[gazwas]

I have owned a 2019 27” iMac with the I9 processor for about 10 months. I loved the display, loved the power, loved everything about it... except for being stuck to my desk in my studio all the time. But at least I still had my old 2011 MBP....until the GPU gave up on me for the second time. I kept working a couple of months without a laptop and pretty much hated it. So in January I decided to sell the iMac and go back to a 16” MBP.

I bought me a nice Raindesign laptop stand and a Caldigit Pro dock for working at my desk (for now still working with my Eizo ColorEdge 27” external display, but planning on buying a 4K or 5K display later) and when I am done in my studio, I just pick up my MBP and keep on working downstairs while sitting on the couch. I couldn’t be happier.

Have you notice much of a performance difference as all benchmarks point to the 2019 i9 iMac to be an extremely fast machine?

 

[Mark_EL]

Exactly. I used to be much more mobile with my MBP 13. But now that I'm stuck at a desk most of the time (office or home office), I'm seriously considering upgrading to a 16" as a desktop replacement. Suppose I get 2 minis for about the same money? I'd have to struggle to keep everything in sync, even with the 2 x 1TB Onedrive subscriptions I happen to have.

Syncing problems was one of the things I really disliked when I was working with an iMac and a MBP.

Most of my data is stored on my Synology NAS. But, being a professional photographer, I rely on programs like Adobe Lightroom and Capture One for my catalog storage. And unfortunately both those apps are a PITA for working with multiple computers. I store my original RAW files on my NAS but the LR Catalog has to be stored locally. You could store the catalog within a Dropbox Folder but thats prone to get corrupted if there is any delay in syncing or when LR is active on both computers at the same time for example. So thats not an option for me... If only Adobe made it possible to sync within 2 Lightroom Classic’s like you can sync between LR Classic and LR mobile, I would most probably kept my iMac and bought a bit cheaper MBP...

 

[Mark_EL]

Have you notice much of a performance difference as all benchmarks point to the 2019 i9 iMac to be an extremely fast machine?

In my use case, not really. As a professional photographer, I mostly work with Adobe Lightroom, Photoshop and Capture one. At the time when I bought the iMac, I was thinking about getting into some 3D software too, so therefor decided to upgrade the processor to the I9. However, a year has gone by and I am still only doing photography work only. Just a matter of lack of patience to get familiar with software like Blender. (One reason being that I would have to spend even more time in my studio)

In reality I think the 6-core I7 in the MBP would have been fine for my needs too. But I did need a 1TB SSD instead of 512GB, and by upgrading the base model to 1TB, the price difference with the more expensive model was too small for me, especially since the more expensive model has a bit better GPU as well. Thats what made me decide to go for the more expensive option. I did get 32GB ram as 16 is not always enough for me, working on very large files in Photoshop sometimes. I had 40GB in the iMac, but I never noticed a difference between 40 and 32 either....

 

[richinaus]

In my use case, not really. As a professional photographer, I mostly work with Adobe Lightroom, Photoshop and Capture one. At the time when I bought the iMac, I was thinking about getting into some 3D software too, so therefor decided to upgrade the processor to the I9. However, a year has gone by and I am still only doing photography work only. Just a matter of lack of patience to get familiar with software like Blender. (One reason being that I would have to spend even more time in my studio)

In reality I think the 6-core I7 in the MBP would have been fine for my needs too. But I did need a 1TB SSD instead of 512GB, and by upgrading the base model to 1TB, the price difference with the more expensive model was too small for me, especially since the more expensive model has a bit better GPU as well. Thats what made me decide to go for the more expensive option. I did get 32GB ram as 16 is not always enough for me, working on very large files in Photoshop sometimes. I had 40GB in the iMac, but I never noticed a difference between 40 and 32 either....

I also went from an iMac Pro to the 16" MBP [1tb, I9 32gb 5500m] with a 4k monitor and egpu. It is faster than my iMac and the only single negative is I can get the fans blasting on CPU renders. I am loving the fact I have the speed everywhere now.

 

[gazwas]

I'm a photographer and use Capture One, some Lightroom, PS and FCPX and my BTO 16" MBP gets delivered next week. As I shoot tethered into my old MBP a lot I'd usually transfer my session onto my 2013 iMac for processing the files and I was thinking I'd be also upgrading to a new 2020 iMac this year. However, I'm now considering if I just need to get a really nice 4K Eizo display.

 

[Mark_EL]

I'm a photographer and use Capture One, some Lightroom, PS and FCPX and my BTO 16" MBP gets delivered next week. As I shoot tethered into my old MBP a lot I'd usually transfer my session onto my 2013 iMac for processing the files and I was thinking I'd be also upgrading to a new 2020 iMac this year. However, I'm now considering if I just need to get a really nice 4K Eizo display.

In my experience, the MBP 16" is be a perfect replacement for a desktop computer, when you combine it with an external display. Right now I still use my Eizo ColorEdge 27" which has a resolution of 2560x1440. I must say that after working with the 5K iMac, the 2560x1440 resolution is not really cutting it anymore for me.

When I worked with the iMac, I used the Eizo + the 5K simultaneously and while the colors between the two displays were not really identical after calibration with the I1 Display Pro, they were both very good colour-wise. I guess that's due to the P3 vs Adobe RGB color space (?). Personally, I think the Eizo displays are too expensive nowadays, especially since the 27" ColorEdge is not available in a high resolution (as in 4K). I've been thinking about the BenQ SW271 (4K display) or the LG Ultrafine 5K display...

 

[Roc1]

Thanks guys. I did consider desktop imac but wanted to go for a dedicated 32" monitor along the lines of the new Benq SW321C as like the idea of having a matte screen along with everything else.

Think spec wise I'd go for 32gb Ram, 512 SSD, 5500 Radeon 8gb, so just need to decide on the i6 v i9 now.

 

[gazwas]

Thanks guys. I did consider desktop imac but wanted to go for a dedicated 32" monitor along the lines of the new Benq SW321C as like the idea of having a matte screen along with everything else.

Think spec wise I'd go for 32gb Ram, 512 SSD, 5500 Radeon 8gb, so just need to decide on the i6 v i9 now.

Good point on the 27” display on the iMac. I know 27” isn’t exactly small and its a great 5K screen but its a shame Apple don’t do a 32” version that was rumoured last year or the year before.

I’m waiting on my MBP and went for the 2.4 i9 (not sure why over the 2.3), 5500 Radeon 8GB for FCPX editing and decided 1TB SSD should be the best compromise. 512 SSD in my old MBP got quite full from time to time if I wasn’t organised with double checking I’d archiving photo shoots off the drive. Oh and in silver because all pro Macs should be silver. 🤓

Think I’ll look into the Benq monitors too, thanks for the heads up.

 

[gazwas]

Personally, I think the Eizo displays are too expensive nowadays, especially since the 27" ColorEdge is not available in a high resolution (as in 4K). I've been thinking about the BenQ SW271 (4K display) or the LG Ultrafine 5K display...

Thanks for the monitor info. Had a quick look at the 31” 4K Eizo and see what you mean, even more expensive than the computer! Can’t believe its the only 4k option they do?

The Benq SW321C Pro does look like a nice monitor (thanks @Roc1). Uniformity adjusted like the Eizo’s, 99% aRGB and 16 bit LUT. Not a proper 4K panel but half the cost of the 31” Eizo. Any experience of these?

 

[Mark_EL]

In my iMac I had a 512GB SSD which was more or less ok because I didn’t really mind using an external drive since the computer was stationary on my desk anyway. But for a mobile device like my MBP, I really needed/ wanted more storage because I don’t want to haul around with external drives all the time. You also need to consider the fact that you should ideally keep around 20% storage space free for the optimal performance. I would therefore advice the OP to buy the MBP with the I9 since that one already comes with a 1TB SSD on top of the faster processor...