Hi - first post here.
I'm a music photographer which means shooting hundreds of RAW images each night, then importing, culling, editing and exporting in double quick time. My cameras are Nikon D5 and D850 so that means big files - on the D850 at least.
Workflow: import and edit RAW in LR, export to PS and run Topaz Denoise and Sharpen AI plugins (if needed), then back into LR before batch export of .jpg. This might seem convoluted but I find the Topaz plugins work more intuitively from within PS than LR.
I currently own a 2019 16" i9 MBP with 32GB/1TB. It's ok, but runs uncomfortably hot on the legs with fans going flat out and the Topaz plugins are extremely slow - especially Sharpen AI. In addition, the machine is floored by Sharpen AI. I can barely open the dock when it's running. Plus, the battery life is woeful.
I definitely want a replacement but am confused by options and struggling to find definitive answers despite trawling forums and watching many reviews/benchmark tests.
Given the above workflow, would M1 Pro be fine, or is it worth going all in for the M1 Max?
In terms of memory, I read threads saying 16GB is plenty... and other threads saying LR is a disaster for RAM usage. Do I need to spring for 32GB? It does seem counter intuitive to get a new laptop with half the memory of my struggling old one.
If I'm all in on the Max and the 32GB then it will only be 1TB SSD. If I can save on the processor and memory, then it will likely be a 2TB SSD.
Finally, I believe that LR/PS and the Topaz plugins are not yet fully optimised for the new Apple chips so how much performance gain will I actually see? Is it worth upgrading at all? I feel it probably is, if only to get rid of the burning smell of the hair on my legs.
I'd really appreciate some guidance, thank you.
I'm a music photographer which means shooting hundreds of RAW images each night, then importing, culling, editing and exporting in double quick time. My cameras are Nikon D5 and D850 so that means big files - on the D850 at least.
Workflow: import and edit RAW in LR, export to PS and run Topaz Denoise and Sharpen AI plugins (if needed), then back into LR before batch export of .jpg. This might seem convoluted but I find the Topaz plugins work more intuitively from within PS than LR.
I currently own a 2019 16" i9 MBP with 32GB/1TB. It's ok, but runs uncomfortably hot on the legs with fans going flat out and the Topaz plugins are extremely slow - especially Sharpen AI. In addition, the machine is floored by Sharpen AI. I can barely open the dock when it's running. Plus, the battery life is woeful.
I definitely want a replacement but am confused by options and struggling to find definitive answers despite trawling forums and watching many reviews/benchmark tests.
Given the above workflow, would M1 Pro be fine, or is it worth going all in for the M1 Max?
In terms of memory, I read threads saying 16GB is plenty... and other threads saying LR is a disaster for RAM usage. Do I need to spring for 32GB? It does seem counter intuitive to get a new laptop with half the memory of my struggling old one.
If I'm all in on the Max and the 32GB then it will only be 1TB SSD. If I can save on the processor and memory, then it will likely be a 2TB SSD.
Finally, I believe that LR/PS and the Topaz plugins are not yet fully optimised for the new Apple chips so how much performance gain will I actually see? Is it worth upgrading at all? I feel it probably is, if only to get rid of the burning smell of the hair on my legs.
I'd really appreciate some guidance, thank you.
