Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

rex3

macrumors member
Original poster
Jul 20, 2009
52
5
My sister is a graphic designer and she’s planning to get the new MacBook Pro 16“ with the M1 Pro chip and 1 TB SSD. The question is whether to spend the extra $400 on 32 gb of ram. She often runs Adobe InDesign and Photoshop at the same time, with large file sizes. I assume that 32 would be the wise choice but thought I’d check here with the experts to see what you all recommend. Thanks!
 
For sure get the most RAM you can afford. Especially with large image files etc. If you run out you will end up using the HD as ram which is faster than it used to be, but nowhere near as fast as RAM.
 
32 gb is more than 16 gb. Stated differently, 32 gb is better than 16 gb. Go with the 32 gb and you will be able to use the device for a very long time into the future.
 
Thanks! It’s a big help to swallow the extra $400 cost to know it’s the right way to go.
 
I’ve never used a Mac that had 16 GB of RAM in my life and I was a graphics guy, website designer, 3D illustrator for most of that time. 16 GB would have been nice at times - but it certainly isn’t necessary
 
Id go for 32, I think thats one of the best places you can spend your money. I think 64 is when your getting into a different territory for work. I am a pro video editor and 32 is fine for me, and has been for a long time. However you can probably work just fine with 16 if you are looking to save a bit. The memory on these works so well. We have a mac mini in the office with 8gb on the m1 and its actually really snappy and handles photoshop and stuff open no problem.
 
You also want to consider:

Compared to the previous 2019 intel 16", there's no dedicated VRAM. The 2019 had a minimum of 16+4 (16 GB RAM + 4 GB VRAM), while the new model starts at 16 GB unified. That means that if you use the same 4 GB for graphics (likely more because higher-resolution display), you'll end up with effectively 12 GB RAM.

This should still be plenty for most everyday users, but I'd go with 32 to do graphics work.
 
It really depends on the file sizes involved, the complexity of the projects, and what the users expectations are.

What is she using now? How big of a deal is $400 to her?
 
  • Like
Reactions: dwig
What about Pro vs Max?
It's safe to say more RAM is always best, and anyone who claims less is fine isn't going deep with their system.
This is coming from an old and have been around the CG/VFX (and now Film Production) circus.
And yes, I use both Mac, Windows, Unix, and Linux for CG work.
The above question is for colleagues that want to buy a new MBP.
 
That $400 price tag is insane but I went 32GB and am very glad I did, usually sit around 24GB of usage with more complex vector files running.
 
Its so funny that last year - everyone was saying get 16gb now that isn't enough lol.
 
Compared to the previous 2019 intel 16", there's no dedicated VRAM. The 2019 had a minimum of 16+4 (16 GB RAM + 4 GB VRAM), while the new model starts at 16 GB unified. That means that if you use the same 4 GB for graphics (likely more because higher-resolution display), you'll end up with effectively 12 GB RAM.

16GB on an M1 Mac is not the same as having a 12GB memory for the CPU and 4GB for the GPU (or 8GB and 8GB) on an Intel Mac. Unified memory is more efficient so it does more with less. I had an 8GB M1 this summer. It wasn't enough in the end, but it punched far far above its weight.

 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: Super Angulon
Having worked on some large files with Adobe products (Photoshop, Lightroom) using 16GB on an 14" M1 Pro, if I was to do it again and for professional work, I would get 32GB RAM. Adobe products use substantially more RAM on Apple Silicon than they do on an Intel machine with separate dedicated VRAM. Comparing the same work on my 14" MBP with my 2020 iMac (Intel), Photoshop and Lightroom use about twice the amount of memory. Yes, unified memory is more efficient, but twice the usage is twice the usage.
Although 16GB appears to work fine, it is clearly being more than fully utilized for large files and concurrently running apps.
The GPU, on the other hand, is underutilized (for non-video or 3D rendering work)
 
Last edited:
Its so funny that last year - everyone was saying get 16gb now that isn't enough lol.
I get your point and agree. The thing is that there is not a clear dividing line between enough and not enough, and the choices are now different.
"enough" RAM can mean:
What is the minimum I can get away with? (8GB, maybe)
What is a comfortable amount? (16GB, maybe)
How much will provide a significant benefit? (32GB, maybe)
How much is optimum? (64GB, maybe)
 
For me, it's the option. I take it you cant upgrade these so it's best to just top it off now.
I'm looking at the M1 Max version and pushing for 64GB.
Might as well go the distance.
SSD not so much since you can use plenty of other external options.
I just hope this isn't the same as the SGI O2/Octane UMA as far as Unified Memory goes.
That didn't do so well for me :p
 
  • Like
Reactions: dead flag blues
I recommend watching this.
Got caught in the rabbit hole and watched a few.
Thanks that was helpful.
Still went with the M1 Pro w 32GB/2TB as the required laptop specs.
It's not for me it's for work and if it were up to me and I had to money, I would still get the M1 Max.
 
  • Like
Reactions: weaztek
Still went with the M1 Pro w 32GB/2TB as the required laptop specs.
It's not for me it's for work and if it were up to me and I had to money, I would still get the M1 Max.

That was my position until I saw videos of the M1 Max having lower battery life. I had an order in for an M1 Max. I ended up canceling it and ordering an M1 Pro instead. So far it's performing as well as I an expect it to.
 
For me, it's the option. I take it you cant upgrade these so it's best to just top it off now.
I'm looking at the M1 Max version and pushing for 64GB.
Might as well go the distance.
SSD not so much since you can use plenty of other external options.
I just hope this isn't the same as the SGI O2/Octane UMA as far as Unified Memory goes.
That didn't do so well for me :p
My Onyx and Crimson Reality Engines had horribly expensive RAM. Thankfully I didn’t have to pay for any of it!

My 2021 16” Pro w 16gb is fine for what I’m doing. I had 400 layers open in PS, and the thing didn’t blink.
 
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.