Looking to get a new Macbook Pro 16 - your thoughts please

[Christopher11]

Hey guys. i want to get a newish machine to run Logic Pro X, and my many other apps for video editing, etc. I was looking at this, but it has an Intel processor. Not sure if that will work as well with new version of Logic. I love the specs though. Let me know your thoughts, thank you!

 

[Rkuda]

I personally can't recommend any Intel Macbook. They run crazy hot, intel sucks ass compared to Apple Silicon and runs even slower when it throttles due to heat. Not to mention it will be not supported by Apple sooner rather than later.

There is a listing for an M1 Max with 64Gigs of RAM at the top of the page for less than that Intel.

M1 Max 16 inch Apple MacBook Pro | 32GB Ram | 1TB SSD | 24-Core GPU 2021-2023 | eBay

(Sold from 2021 - 2023). MASSIVE 1TB SSD - MASSIVE STORAGE! MACBOOK PRO 16" M1 MAX. POWERFUL 24-CORE GRAPHICS (GPU). APPLE 10-CORE M1 MAX PROCESSOR. 24-Core Apple GPU - ELITE VIDEO EDITING. MASSIVE 1TB Flash Storage - 1000GB.

www.ebay.com

 

[Christopher11]

Thank you, I should have mentioned I need a larger SSD. I would prefer 4 TB, actually found one with 8, may go with that. So you're saying get one with Applle Silicon chip? Better performance?

 

[Christopher11]

Incredibly, this idiot wants 3200.$ for a machine in which he states the R and 5 keys do not work! lol.

 

[apostolosdt]

Stick to Apple Silicon, whatever the rest of specs you’re after.

 

[Christopher11]

Overheating plus obsolescence just too much against it? I'm starting to agree with you. How do you like this machine? Where would you buy yours if you were getting one now?

 

[Fishrrman]

NEW MacBook Pro's are going to be released this coming week. Only a few more days.

Don't buy ANYTHING until you have a chance to review the new models.

Consider yourself as having been duly warned by having read this post.

 

[Christopher11]

Thank

NEW MacBook Pro's are going to be released this coming week. Only a few more days.

Don't buy ANYTHING until you have a chance to review the new models.

Consider yourself as having been duly warned by having read this post.

Thanks bro, I am going to wait until mid or late November to upgrade my machine so I will be sure to do that. Do you know your posts, with their dire warnings and frequent use of all caps come off a bit strident? In any event, yes, going to wait.

Incredibly, after I just configured a new machine at Apple store, and it said they can deliver by November 20th! lol! What? If I'm paying 5200.$, I would prefer to see it within a few days. Is that typical with new machines? This ain't like buyin a Lamborghini to me: this is my workhorse and once I'm ready to buy I wanna hit the ground running with it. I may be buying off Ebay or other reseller for this reason.

 

[Christopher11]

Stick to Apple Silicon, whatever the rest of specs you’re after.

Thank you. You kind folks and the guys at LogicProHelp.com have me convinced to stay away from Intel and buy M2 or M3, so I'm gonna do that.

Let me ask you though, the machine I found that has very pro specs and 8 TB of storage (an attractive feature) for 2300.$ doesn't overcome some of the worries about heat and the Silicon being better? This is a link.

 

[Fishrrman]

Christopher wrote:
"Do you know your posts, with their dire warnings and frequent use of all caps come off a bit strident?"

YES.
That is exactly my intent.
I am who I am, and am too old to change.
(Carry on...)

 

[Christopher11]

Got it. Do you think

Christopher wrote:
"Do you know your posts, with their dire warnings and frequent use of all caps come off a bit strident?"

YES.
That is exactly my intent.
I am who I am, and am too old to change.
(Carry on...)

Got it. Thanks for the help, much appreciated.

 

[Christopher11]

What do you think Apple will come out with next week for the MB Pro? An M4 chip? Some other innovation? What would you guys like to see most of all as an improvement over the current M2 and M3 models?

 

[XboxEvolved]

What do you think Apple will come out with next week for the MB Pro? An M4 chip? Some other innovation? What would you guys like to see most of all as an improvement over the current M2 and M3 models?

I think you got it all covered already but I wouldn't ever buy an Intel Mac. M4 is definitely coming this week I am just not sure if there will be much in terms of surprises other than maybe the redesigned Mac mini. Everything else will be essentially the same, possibly a new color scheme (darker black? I dunno.), and I would suspect the same prices that we have now on the Apple website just with bumped up specs, likely bumped up RAM and possibly storage.

I personally wouldn't recommend buying so much space for a computer unless money isn't a factor but I suspect it is to an extent for you. I would never personally due to the ridiculous markup, and I think for what you will use it for will be totally fine just buying external SSDs, and actually it might even be a better idea for the kind of work you will be doing, along with another backup drive for Time Machine (if you don't already have one). If you can live with 1TB storage you can get a 16' MBP Pro series chip (such as the M4 later this week) for under $3k and it will be a HUGE LEAP compared to what you are used to now, quite frankly, if you are like me, it will make you feel stupid for even ever owning an Intel machine.

 

[Christopher11]

I think you got it all covered already but I wouldn't ever buy an Intel Mac. M4 is definitely coming this week I am just not sure if there will be much in terms of surprises other than maybe the redesigned Mac mini. Everything else will be essentially the same, possibly a new color scheme (darker black? I dunno.), and I would suspect the same prices that we have now on the Apple website just with bumped up specs, likely bumped up RAM and possibly storage.

I personally wouldn't recommend buying so much space for a computer unless money isn't a factor but I suspect it is to an extent for you. I would never personally due to the ridiculous markup, and I think for what you will use it for will be totally fine just buying external SSDs, and actually it might even be a better idea for the kind of work you will be doing, along with another backup drive for Time Machine (if you don't already have one). If you can live with 1TB storage you can get a 16' MBP Pro series chip (such as the M4 later this week) for under $3k and it will be a HUGE LEAP compared to what you are used to now, quite frankly, if you are like me, it will make you feel stupid for even ever owning an Intel machine.

Agreed but I don't like the idea of having to attach an SSD external every time I work on a project. I really need it all on board. So, I will pay the extra money, I know it's steep. How do you like this machine?

 

[XboxEvolved]

Agreed but I don't like the idea of having to attach an SSD external every time I work on a project. I really need it all on board. So, I will pay the extra money, I know it's steep. How do you like this machine?

It's a great machine but for that money I would just buy a brand new machine.

 

[Christopher11]

It's a great machine but for that money I would just buy a brand new machine.

Then you get the warranty and security of a new purchase? Fair enough, but if I get the specs and 4 TB I'm looking for, it will be a lot more than 3200$, more like 5500.$

 

[profcutter]

Keep your eyes open, sometimes shops have sales on higher end configs. Microcenter often has higher spec'ed models for significant discounts. If you're ok with an M3 when the M4s are out, it's not a bad choice. As for intel? HARD NO. Too old, too loud, too unreliable. I loved my 2015, but at this point there's no reason not to do apple silicon.

 

[Allen_Wentz]

Hey guys. i want to get a newish machine to run Logic Pro X, and my many other apps for video editing, etc. I was looking at this, but it has an Intel processor. Not sure if that will work as well with new version of Logic. I love the specs though. Let me know your thoughts, thank you!

1) Stop wasting your time and ours comparing details among Macs now. Wait the few more days to see M4 specs and pricing, then pursue the question. Price/performance differences between M3 and M4 need to be evaluated; M3 may be best value if you can still get one with plenty of RAM.

2) Look to the future because your new Mac will be computing in the future 2025+, not in 2024 and previous. So think about your work/apps/OS and how those things may evolve in 2026. The process is neither simple nor precise, but it is an important exercise. E.g. do you think your apps or the Mac OS will be utilizing AI in 2026? Will that make RAM even more relevant for computing than it already is?

3) Realize that RAM needs will increase like they consistently always have for 40 years. Sacrifice on other things but do not sacrifice on buying RAM. External SSDs for instance are inexpensive and can even provide a simple backup; reduce internal SSD size to reduce cost but do not reduce RAM.

4) Do not use a sleazy vendor or accept lesser RAM just to get a new Mac a few weeks sooner.

5) Did I mention that RAM is essential to computing and should not be compromised when building a Mac?

 

[Christopher11]

Yeah, you guys have me convinced, Intel Macs are out. Thank you, I didn't know about Micro. I found this one. Although, for that much money, I really should get Applecare.

 

[Fishrrman]

"What do you think Apple will come out with next week for the MB Pro? An M4 chip?"

M4 MacBook Pro, in 14" (not sure if there will be a 16" with [only] the M4 CPU).
M4pro MacBook Pro, in 14" and 16" sizes.

(also an m4 iMac and m4 and m4pro Minis)

 

[Christopher11]

I need a 16" screen. I would imagine the M4 Pro 16" will be quite expensive.

 

[cateye]

Consider Apple refurbished. Note that this is different than refurbished from Amazon, Best Buy, etc. Apple refurbished are like-new quality direct from Apple with the same warranty as new, but a 15-20% discount. Available configurations change daily, sometimes several times a day, so it's good to decide the specs or range of specs you need, then check back often until the machine you want is available. At that point, buy immediately. They can go out of stock within hours.

Agree with Allen_Wentz: having plenty of memory at the get-go is going to matter far more than having the absolute latest and greatest processor. Respectfully, anyone who would lobby for you to only consider a top of the line, brand-new M4 are giving you FOMO advice, not "I use my computer to do work" advice. For video editing + Logic, any modern, Apple Silicon-based Mac will work well: M2 Max or M3 Max, with plenty of memory and as much storage as you feel is important to have internally. I'd even consider a first-generation M1 Max if the price and specs were right (I still use an M1 Pro-based 16" MacBook Pro to run my business as a graphic artist/editorial designer. It doesn't let me down in the slightest. But I realize the needs of video editors are unique and that's not my wheelhouse).

But speaking of storage, general advice you can take or leave: Don't be so hung up on maximum internal storage unless portability is paramount above all other considerations, including budget. You're going to pay a huge premium for that 8TB storage tier, regardless the model, because Apple's storage pricing is (like most OEMs) completely insane. 2–4TB is the value sweetspot. Augment this as your needs dictate with speedy externals.

 

[chrono1081]

Hey guys. i want to get a newish machine to run Logic Pro X, and my many other apps for video editing, etc. I was looking at this, but it has an Intel processor. Not sure if that will work as well with new version of Logic. I love the specs though. Let me know your thoughts, thank you!

I wouldn't waste my money on the intel processors at all especially for that price.

I had the 16 inch intel MBP, top of the line, 64 gigs of ram, and it throttled because the chip got so hot and the fans kicked on the entire time.

Running it in non-clamshell mode helped a little but I sold it when the M series came out and I haven't looked back.

 

[HDFan]

I just configured a new machine at Apple store, and it said they can deliver by November 20th! lol! What? If I'm paying 5200.$, I would prefer to see it within a few days.

Special configurations need to be built from scratch at the factory which takes time. Then add maybe a week for shipping.

I may be buying off Ebay or other reseller for this reason.

Be careful with ebay or any reseller without good return and warranty policies. People have lost all of their money on Ebay.

 

[Christopher11]

Consider Apple refurbished. Note that this is different than refurbished from Amazon, Best Buy, etc. Apple refurbished are like-new quality direct from Apple with the same warranty as new, but a 15-20% discount. Available configurations change daily, sometimes several times a day, so it's good to decide the specs or range of specs you need, then check back often until the machine you want is available. At that point, buy immediately. They can go out of stock within hours.

Agree with Allen_Wentz: having plenty of memory at the get-go is going to matter far more than having the absolute latest and greatest processor. Respectfully, anyone who would lobby for you to only consider a top of the line, brand-new M4 are giving you FOMO advice, not "I use my computer to do work" advice. For video editing + Logic, any modern, Apple Silicon-based Mac will work well: M2 Max or M3 Max, with plenty of memory and as much storage as you feel is important to have internally. I'd even consider a first-generation M1 Max if the price and specs were right (I still use an M1 Pro-based 16" MacBook Pro to run my business as a graphic artist/editorial designer. It doesn't let me down in the slightest. But I realize the needs of video editors are unique and that's not my wheelhouse).

But speaking of storage, general advice you can take or leave: Don't be so hung up on maximum internal storage unless portability is paramount above all other considerations, including budget. You're going to pay a huge premium for that 8TB storage tier, regardless the model, because Apple's storage pricing is (like most OEMs) completely insane. 2–4TB is the value sweetspot. Augment this as your needs dictate with speedy externals.

All true and excellent advice. Thank you truly. Totally agree about Apple Refurb- do they often come with AppleCare? That would make it even more attractive. I checked that a few days ago, it's just that they didn't seem to have a lot of 16" models. I'll check it again, very thoughtful of you to post a link, thank you.