Help decide on MacBook Pro pls

[Saijin]

Hi all

I currently have a 13,3 2016 MacBook Pro. 1tb and I believe 16gb Ram.
OS high siera.

A lot of apps and devices I recently got apparently aren’t compatible anymore so I’m thinking of either M1 Max or M2 max 16” MacBook Pro.
32-64ram & 2TB.

I do keep my computers for a very long time and I try not to do OS updates.

As this is a long term investment which of the 2 would you recommend?

Are the price difference significant to get M2 max?

Thanks!

 

[Fishrrman]

You didn't tell us which apps you use.

Chances are that you don't need to "over-equip" and over-spend on the MBP 16".

Get the M2pro (unless you can tell us WHY you'll need "the max").

32gb of RAM ought to be enough for 5-7 years, unless (again) you know why you'll need more.

Do you really need 2tb of storage?
Or will 1tb do (supplemented by an external SSD for seldom-used things)?

 

[Saijin]

You didn't tell us which apps you use.

Chances are that you don't need to "over-equip" and over-spend on the MBP 16".

Get the M2pro (unless you can tell us WHY you'll need "the max").

32gb of RAM ought to be enough for 5-7 years, unless (again) you know why you'll need more.

Do you really need 2tb of storage?
Or will 1tb do (supplemented by an external SSD for seldom-used things)?

1. I was thinking of the max version just so it'll last longer before I need to buy another mac.

2. I don't know why I'd need 64ram, again, was just thinking to future proof and just in case I end up using something that needs a lot of ram.

3. Yes, I do need 2TB of storage, I'll be transferring the 600gb I have from the current mac to the
new mac.

4. Apps I use Adobe products, multi windows of other apps.

I was even thinking of upgrading the current MAC High sierra to Monterey if it's possible, but I'm also afraid it'll just bog the machine down.


So yes, I'm debating between the previous gen M1max or M2max. I figure go with the newest if the price difference is not significant like $500 more or so.

 

[wilberforce]

Suggest don't overdo it on "future-proofing" which is a rather misleading word, as though it gives some solid assurance for future needs. Most likely there will some unpredictable reason why the computer is no longer suitable (regardless of amount of RAM/storage/cores), and you will wish you hadn't spent so much on it. "Future-guessing" would be a more appropriate term.

 

[Saijin]

Suggest don't overdo it on "future-proofing" which is a rather misleading word, as though it gives some solid assurance for future needs. Most likely there will some unpredictable reason why the computer is no longer suitable for changed needs or wants (regardless of amount of RAM/storage/cores), and you will wish you hadn't spent so much on it. "Future-guessing" would be a more appropriate term.

Gotcha.

what do you think of the M1 Max 64gb ram and 12core or was it 10 core.
Better get this instead of the M2 for what I'm thinking about?

 

[wilberforce]

Gotcha.

what do you think of the M1 Max 64gb ram and 12core or was it 10 core.
Better get this instead of the M2 for what I'm thinking about?

I agree with @Fishrrman - unless you know why you need a Max or 64GB, they will unlikely be of much benefit now or in the future, unless you have especially demanding needs. A Pro with 32GB RAM is already a highly capable machine, whether M1 or M2

 

[Saijin]

I agree with @Fishrrman - unless you know why you need a Max or 64GB, they will unlikely be of much benefit now or in the future, unless you have especially demanding needs. A Pro with 32GB RAM is already a highly capable machine, whether M1 or M2

I use Premiere Pro and Photoshop and multi tasking with other lesser softwares for Crypto, movie watching and online research.

So I'm guessing 32gb ram and the M1 is still more than good enough?

 

[wilberforce]

For video editing, there will be benefits from getting the Max (especially) and the M2 and 64GB RAM, but this greatly depends on how intensive edits you are doing, resolution (4K/8K), codecs, number of streams, etc. I personally don't do much video editing or use Premiere Pro, so I would defer to others that do.
For Photoshop (which I do use), M1 Pro with 32GB would be fine, IMO, for all but the most extreme users.

 

[Saijin]

For video editing, there will be benefits from getting the Max (especially) and the M2 and 64GB RAM, but this greatly depends on how intensive edits you are doing, resolution (4K/8K), codecs, number of streams, etc. I personally don't do much video editing or use Premiere Pro, so I would defer to others that do.
For Photoshop (which I do use), M1 Pro with 32GB would be fine, IMO, for all but the most extreme users.

When you use your photoshop and multitasking at the same time , your M1 Pro 32ram is still very very responsive and no lags?

If so then I think I’m locking down on M1 Max 32ram.

 

[wilberforce]

When you use your photoshop and multitasking at the same time , your M1 Pro 32ram is still very very responsive and no lags?

If so then I think I’m locking down on M1 Max 32ram.

I have M1 Pro with 16GB RAM which is OK but I would prefer 32GB.

 

[Saijin]

I have M1 Pro with 16GB RAM which is OK but I would prefer 32GB.

so 32ram m1max is very powerful and more than enough? No need for 64gb ram?

 

[wilberforce]

so 32ram m1max is very powerful and more than enough? No need for 64gb ram?

There is a difference between benefit and need. Very few people need 64GB, but some (and only some) will benefit from 64GB (such as faster bulk exports). Depends on how many dollars you want to pay for how many seconds saved. There is no single answer that is right for everybody, this is why there are options.
Yes, an M1 Max with 32GB is a powerful machine; it is unlikely you would be disappointed. IMO, most people who would significantly benefit from more than this already know who they are.

 

[Saijin]

There is a difference between benefit and need. Very few people need 64GB, but some (and only some) will benefit from 64GB (such as faster bulk exports). Depends on how many dollars you want to pay for how many seconds saved. There is no single answer that is right for everybody, this is why there are options.
Yes, an M1 Max with 32GB is a powerful machine; it is unlikely you would be disappointed. IMO, most people who would significantly benefit from more than this already know who they are.

Got it. M1max with 32gb then.

Any suggestions where I might find the best prices? Or even a refurbished from Apple?

 

[A1423]

I ran out of ram once and it really bothered me, not only that but I was creeping dangerously close(personal opinion) to the 16gb using the MS office. I’m flirting between 32 and 64. I’d rather have piece of mind so I’m guessing I’m going with 64. But I may just stick with the 32.

 

[ncm34]

A few months ago, I went for a 14" M1 Max / 64 / 1TB and saved quite a bit (about $800) going through Apple Refurb. The machine has been flawless and I've added AppleCare+ indefinitely. I'm a software developer that occasionally uses Figma & photo/video editing apps. The most I've ever used is 52GB when I was really pushing it with 150+ tabs and IDE open. On a typical day I'll see 20-30GB in use. I don't think you can really go wrong with either choice, as 32GB is still plenty, however to your point there could be more peace of mind with more RAM as you plan to hold the machine for a long time.

 

[Tagbert]

I ran out of ram once and it really bothered me, not only that but I was creeping dangerously close(personal opinion) to the 16gb using the MS office. I’m flirting between 32 and 64. I’d rather have piece of mind so I’m guessing I’m going with 64. But I may just stick with the 32.

Not entirely sure what you were doing that 16GB was not enough for MS Office and that would cause a low memory warning. AFAIK when you get low memory, the probably is often that there is not enough room on the SSD for more swap. Otherwise the OS will swap apps to storage to make room for the active apps. Even when your browser has lots of tabs and some websites consume unreasonable amounts of RAM, the OS will swap less used tabs to storage to make room for the RAM hogs. Unless you have a single app using all of the RAM you should not literally run out of RAM.

 

[A1423]

Not entirely sure what you were doing that 16GB was not enough for MS Office and that would cause a low memory warning. AFAIK when you get low memory, the probably is often that there is not enough room on the SSD for more swap. Otherwise the OS will swap apps to storage to make room for the active apps. Even when your browser has lots of tabs and some websites consume unreasonable amounts of RAM, the OS will swap less used tabs to storage to make room for the RAM hogs. Unless you have a single app using all of the RAM you should not literally run out of RAM.

I don’t want to hijack the OP’s thread, but;

It wasn’t that. I only had office running and was using 12-14gb of ram consistently. I’m testing a 32gb M2 max and hovering at 16gb using only office. I mostly use excel and outlook, with some word sprinkled in there.

The program I was using that caused me to run out of ram I think got up to 90 something gb and used an insane amount of swap. I have since gotten a new program for the same thing that doesn’t have a memory leak issue. But I’m still in the I need piece of mind category.

I had a 1tb SSD. With 500 something remaining.

 

[Saijin]

Yah M1 Max 32ram and 2TB it is.

Best place to buy for lowest cost?

And a side question:

I have the 2016 MacBook Pro and upgraded to high siera years ago.
Is it safe to upgrade it to Monterey or will it bog down?