iMac Pro/iMac 2018/Macbook Pro i9 - need some advice

[Holmenlund]

Hello,

I need a new machine to replace my old Macbook Pro 2012. I'm looking for one that will be used mostly for 1080p - 4k video compositing and editing (After Effects, Final Cut, Resolve) etc. It is therefore important that it has some power to work with.

I have thought of three different options:

1. The iMac Pro with 10 cores/64gb RAM /Vega64 16gb. But I am in doubt. Should I be concerned that the machine is nearly one year old and the hardware may soon be updated? Is the machine more than what I need?

2. The iMac 2018 (configuration unknown). This one would be updated regarding hardware (longevity) and this might have enough power for the work that I need it for.

3. The Macbook Pro i9 fully maxed out. If nothing happens regarding the iMac 2018 and the current iMac Pro is a no-go, this could be an option until the release of the iMac or and updated iMac Pro happens.

I hope you can help with some advice on what you think is the best solution. Pros/cons. Also like if I have overlooked other solutions.

Best regards,

 

[Peter_M]

Option 1 is a lot more powerful than option 3 (except for the lack of Quick Sync support), so it's not like its hardware will soon be obsolete. The MacBook Pro, even though it's very powerful, suffer from thermal limitations, as there's only so much you can do with such a compact design. As far as the iMac Pro goes, there's not gonna be an update anytime soon. If there'll be an update, it's probably Autumn 2019 at the earliest. AMD is nowhere close to releasing their next generation 7nm GPUs yet, and Xeon CPU updates are also more infrequent. AMD is supposed to give a keynote of their next line of 7nm GPUs at CES Januray 9., with a more detailed overview of their release plans for 2019.

If you can afford it, go for the iMac Pro IMO. It's an outstanding machine, although I strongly recommend getting Apple Care (very cheap for what you get). The iMac Pro is a bit of a gamble if you have limited finances, concerning its resale value as a new product (Apple Care is obviously recommended for resale of such an expensive item).

 

[Holmenlund]

Thanks for your input, Peter. How would your advice be on the iMac 2018 vs the iMac Pro? As mentioned I am doing 4k video editing (Premiere Pro, After Effects etc.). Looking at the pricetag and the hardware difference I am concerned if the iMac Pro would be overkill for me and thst the iMac 2018 would be just fine for my needs? I mean, its a totally different price and I’m not sure if I would use all the power/benefits from iMac Pro? What do you think?

 

[Peter_M]

There are others here who can give you better answers concerning programs like Premiere Pro and After Effects, so I'll leave it to them. If you search this forum, you'll see plenty of benchmarks - which can hopefully be of some help.

 

[Fishrrman]

If you're going to do 4k, you want to do it on an iMac, NOT on a MacBook.

I don't expect new iMacs until the 2nd quarter of 2019. I could be wrong, but that's how I see it.

That narrows your choices, I would reckon.

 

[theluggage]

How would your advice be on the iMac 2018 vs the iMac Pro?

Nobody can advise you on that until the iMac 2018 actually appears! However, what people are expecting is a 6-core i7 or i9 at the top end, which isn't going to seriously challenge the iMac Pro on long 4k video and effect jobs, especially not the 10-core one you're talking about.

If you have a business "time-is-money" justification for spending the money, the iMac Pro is probably the one to go for for your application - that's pretty much what it is designed for.

I'd guess that the Mythical Modular Mac Pro will be out - or at least announced - before the iMac Pro sees an update. That's been "promised" in 2019 - which is more certainty than there is over anything else!