M1 Pro vs. M1 Max Buyer's Guide

[Realityck]

Honestly most people would be well served by the M1 MBA. And 99% of people would be fine with the Pro Base Model. That said, many more people will buy the Max who will never come close to needing all of that power.

I went with the M1 Pro Base model but upped the ram to 32 and storage to 1TB which is probably overkill. I keep laptops for at least 5 years and that will be just fine for 5 years and maybe even 10.

I seen a lot of discussion against the M1, that discussed the limitation with doing multiple video stream editing could certainly use the 32 GB Ram. But most average users could get away with the stock 16GB Ram that is on majority of 14"/16" configurations as there are lot of YouTube presentations to back that up.

Yes Apple should offer a larger Air for very casual users.

While I don't see the typical usage that you would need really much more than the 10/16 M Pro with 32 GB + 1 TB storage you chosen. Apple does provide the M1 Pro Max with a lot more of a GPU options. One would think you have to be aware of is the CPU cores is the same except for the lowest priced 14" config. I would have hoped that there were more CPU cores on more powerful M SoC's, but its evidence that this is only their initial M variations.

 

[zorinlynx]

I can't see Apple keeping all those bins of the M1 Pro. Unless they have a lot of fallout on two CPU cores and two GPU cores Apple must be "soft" binning these chips for the lower price points.
The "real" M1 Pro is the 10 CPU/16 GPU/16GB RAM model at the $2499 price point.

we'll have to see if the lower spec M1 Pro has some other thermal/power throttling like the difference between M1 Air and M1 Pro last year.

I actually wonder now; are the M1 Max and M1 Pro the same die, just with different binning?

It would make sense because you can use a lot more chips when they have that many cores and you can just disable the bad cores.

 

[phoenix155]

Hi, long time lurker, not much poster. I "Maxed" mine out with 64GB of Ram and a 4TB SSD for future-proofing. I figure if I'm going to keep this thing for the next 7 or so years, I might as well max it out so it will have staying power as time goes on. On top of that, the different between getting a 16-inch MacBook with the Pro chipset and 16 GB of Ram and maxing it out was, in my mind, negligible, again since the plan is to keep it for a really long time. The Trade-in value of my old MacBook was also surprising ($500+) and took a bit of the bite out of it, alongside the military discount using the "Federal Employee" store.
--Lex

 

[mannyvel]

I actually wonder now; are the M1 Max and M1 Pro the same die, just with different binning?

It would make sense because you can use a lot more chips when they have that many cores and you can just disable the bad cores.

No, the M1 Max is really a bigger chip. See the anandtech article on it.

 

[triton100]

For motion graphics the MAX for sure. Great machine. The upcoming MacPro will be insane can't wait to see those specs.

Don’t most graphic designers have a max pro though. The max pro is always going to win out in this field particularly with upgradable ram and gpu which even this laptop won’t be able to beat eg w6800 mpx duo

 

[SSDGUY]

The M1 Max (24 core) is only a $200 upgrade on the 16" and gives 24 core vs 16 core, but the option also kicks up the memory to 32gb (there's no 16gb option on the Max) So … it winds up being a $600 upgrade. But … twice as much memory and a better processor for $600 ain't bad, if you need it?

 

[triton100]

My experience is the opposite. The stock or lightly upgraded models resell better (as a percentage of their original cost, of course) just because the market for the maxed out models is so small. I remember a guy here selling a high end Mac pro during the pandemic and getting a pitiful return. I felt badly for him, but most people buying serious pro computers aren’t buying them second hand.

I’m sure the Mac Pro resale he got will still have been better than the measly 2,700 given by apple Trade in

 

[Jonas Danielsson]

What kind of operration kan video encode engines handle? Is it like a FPGA or ist only for apple prores and final cut?

 

[Realityck]

I don't do much "pro" work, but I do on occasion cut together a video vlog style or otherwise...(I'm otherwise a content consumer and somewhat traveler, esp since COVID is becoming more manageable more and more lately.) I'm leaning towards the higher spec'd base 14" model (with the M1 Pro, 10 Core CPU, 16 Core GPU and 16 GB RAM). My M1 Mac mini has 16 GB of RAM and I've had very few issues if any at all, so I think I'd be okay with only 16 GB on a 14" M1 Pro? I don't know... What do you guys think?

Most people not pro users will likely opt for M Pro 10/16 14"/16" config with 16 GB Ram. I also think 1 TB is worth it over 512GB for longevity of SSD.

I expect these configurations to sell the most.
14" 10-Core CPU, 16-Core GPU, 16GB Unified Memory, 1TB SSD Storage
16" 10-Core CPU, 16-Core GPU, 16GB Unified Memory, 1TB SSD Storage

If you wanted 32 GB then the $800 more for the M1 Max is a deal. (EDU its $700)

 

[Think creative]

I seen a lot of discussion against the M1, that discussed the limitation with doing multiple video stream editing could certainly use the 32 GB Ram. But most average users could get away with the stock 16GB Ram that is on majority of 14"/16" configurations as there are lot of YouTube presentations to back that up.

Yes Apple should offer a larger Air for very casual users.

While I don't see the typical usage that you would need really much more than the 10/16 M Pro with 32 GB + 1 TB storage you chosen. Apple does provide the M1 Pro Max with a lot more of a GPU options. One would think you have to be aware of is the CPU cores is the same except for the lowest priced 14" config. I would have hoped that there were more CPU cores on more powerful M SoC's, but its evidence that this is only their initial M variations.

A 14 inch MacBook Air is honestly probably my perfect machine. 16 gigs of ram is a limitation I’m nervous about, and also I would want more ports. For those reasons I may end up with a 14 inch pro this spring, but I can hold on till the airs come out to decided.

id take a 14 inch air with better battery life, and the ability to charge on both sides. thats a dream machine. If I can’t have that, these machines are perfect, just about $800 more than I’d prefer to spend.

 

[slplss]

Max all the way!

Maximus, Maximus!

 

[anthogag]

Put the “max” in the “mini”

 

[slplss]

Put the “max” in the “mini”

I'd take a M1 mini (or just last years M1) MBP with the redesign and XDR for <$1400.

 

[MallardDuck]

There's an error in the story - the Max is 200 MB/Sec at 24 cores and 400 MB/Sec at 32 cores.

 

[foobarbaz]

I actually wonder now; are the M1 Max and M1 Pro the same die, just with different binning?

It would make sense because you can use a lot more chips when they have that many cores and you can just disable the bad cores.

But at this size difference that's a lot of good cores and expensive silicon thrown away.

Certainly the 10/24 chip is a binned version of the 10/32. And the 8/14 chip is a binned version of the 10/16.

 

[beachbum45]

Honestly most people would be well served by the M1 MBA. And 99% of people would be fine with the Pro Base Model. That said, many more people will buy the Max who will never come close to needing all of that power.

I went with the M1 Pro Base model but upped the ram to 32 and storage to 1TB which is probably overkill. I keep laptops for at least 5 years and that will be just fine for 5 years and maybe even 10.

I had the same logic. I think 16'' MPro / 32 / 1TB is overkill for me right now, but maybe it won't be in 5+ years (my current is 2014 MBP)

 

[AddVariety]

So I'm debating whether I'll go for a 16 inch M1 Max or simply the M1 Pro.

My three options would be:

1. M1 Pro 16 GB 512 GB @ € 2749 (base model)
2. M1 Pro 32 GB 512 GB @ € 3209 (just RAM upgrade)
3. M1 Max 24-core GPU 32 GB 512 GB @ € 3439

I now have a 2018 MBP i7 6-core 16 GB 256 GB entry level with a couple of speedy (Thunderbolt) external SSDs. I do need 512 GB SSD for sure, but that's in the base model so it's fine.

And for ease of mind I'd like to upgrade to the M1 Max because of its higher RAM Bandwidth of 400 GB/s instead of 200 GB/s and the additional GPU headroom. I just don't think I need 32 GB of RAM, maybe it helps, but maybe it's overkill and it's a € 4670 upgrade in itself. Between #2 and #3 above the M1 Max seems a no-brainer for 'just' € 230 more, but if I scale down to the 16 GB RAM model, that's a whopping € 690 difference.

My workloads consist of development work, photo editing and some minor video editing.

 

[Wildkraut]

I like the M1 Pro. Can’t decide on the color.

Silver or Space gray? Which one?

Doesn’t matter, the color can’t save that notch. 😁

 

[cocoua]

so de A15 6+5 series for iPhone 13 has a cost around 50 USD, I know is not the M1MAx 10+32, but c`mon… same price as intel CPU+discrete GPU??

 

[Eric_WVGG]

Want a Macbook Air? Buy a Macbook Air.

Want a 14" or 16" Macbook Pro? Buy a 14" or 16" Macbook Pro.

Want a 13" Macbook Pro? —WHACK— Buy a 14" Macbook Pro.

qed

 

[Marshall73]

I really want to buy a 64GB max, I even had it in the cart but it would be like buying a Ferrari and just using it to go up and down my drive.

 

[foobarbaz]

There's an error in the story - the Max is 200 MB/Sec at 24 cores and 400 MB/Sec at 32 cores.

What's the source for that?

From Apple's website:

"M1 Pro features up to 10 CPU cores and up to 16 GPU cores, coupled with 200GB/s of memory bandwidth and as much as 32GB of unified memory."

"M1 Max is even more powerful than M1 Pro. It features a 10‑core CPU and up to 32 GPU cores, while the memory bandwidth jumps to 400GB/s"

 

[sudo-sandwich]

As they say, "if you don't know whether you need it, you don't need it."

Yep. The M1 is already fast, and Pro and Max are so fast (and expensive) that they're only worthwhile if you have a particular use case in mind.

My stuff is all old, so for now I'm buying a refurb M1 mini to replace my MacPro4,1, RPi4, and 2011 Mac mini server with just one low-power always-running machine. Eventually I'll replace my 2014 MBP and maybe stop using the mini as anything but a server, which would be fine.

 

[Realityck]

A 14 inch MacBook Air is honestly probably my perfect machine. 16 gigs of ram is a limitation I’m nervous about, and also I would want more ports. For those reasons I may end up with a 14 inch pro this spring, but I can hold on till the airs come out to decided.

id take a 14 inch air with better battery life, and the ability to charge on both sides. thats a dream machine. If I can’t have that, these machines are perfect, just about $800 more than I’d prefer to spend.

The problem with the larger Air thought is its so light they wouldn't place the same thermals in it, and it will be a display that not a 120 hz also minus the better 6 speaker setup for spatial audio, so what your actually getting might not be what you hoped. I think the lowest price 14" would blow that all away. Its just the weight that you need to consider.

 

[foobarbaz]

so de A15 6+5 series for iPhone 13 has a cost around 50 USD, I know is not the M1MAx 10+32, but c`mon… same price as intel CPU+discrete GPU??

Price is not determined by cost but by value.

If they provide speed and efficiency no one else can match, why should they charge less than the competition?
Now it's Intel's turn to catch up or to lower prices. If they lower prices enough to become attractive again, then Apple might strike back. Without a serious competitor, prices don't go down.