MBP 16'' M1 Max as main machine to replace 2017 27'' iMac?

[Tears Apart]

I've been using a 2017 27-inch iMac (4.2 GHz, 16 GB RAM) as my main machine at work for 4 years now, but with the release of the new M1 Pro/Max, I am now considering purchasing a 16-inch MBP with M1 Max/32 GB RAM/1TB SSD as my new main workhorse machine.

Am I right in assuming that performance-wise I would have a much better machine?

I am aware that I could simply run an external monitor through the MBP, but has anyone any experience of using a 16-inch screen for a whole day of work, especially when compared to a 27-inch one? Is it feasible/efficient?

For context, I work from home, and only seldom need the portability of a laptop.

EDIT: further context: my main areas of work are graphic design and light audio/video production.

 

[hj8ag]

I’ve been using a combo of 15” MacBook Pro/27” iMac for video editing (professionally) for the past few years. At the start of the pandemic I switched exclusively to using the 15” and it’s been fine - I eventually sold my 27” iMac, and I do miss the screen size but the hardware is more than capable.

I’ve been cutting on just the MacBook screen for a year, and it’s been fine though admittedly not quite as convenient as having the bigger display, but certainly not unworkable.

I have also used a 27” LG 5K screen with the MacBook and found this to be a great replacement for the iMac screen… but ideally I’m waiting for the mythical non £5k Apple monitor.

 

[GrindedDown]

I actually did the same thing as you a few weeks ago. I got rid of my 2017 iMac with 3.8ghz, 24GB ram, & RX 580 with 8gb. I actually sold it and got a steal for a 13 M1 MBP. That MacBook actually performed either the same or better in all of my video workflow tests than my imac, and I do pretty extensive edits with grades, green screen compositing, and working with prores footage.

I was amazed that the 13 inch was going toe to toe with that iMac. Only downside to the 13 inch I bought was it only has 8gb of ram. I plan on trading it in to apple and buying the base 16” m1 max with 32gb and 1tb. Based on my usage of M1, I expect the 16 to be a pretty massive leap in performance over my iMac. That and I expect this to be my workstation for 5 years or so. I imagine you’ll find the same thing if you go that route.

I do have an ultra wide monitor to use with this setup too, but the 16 looks like it would totally be suitable for regular creative work. I think the 14 would be just a touch too small if using it without an external monitor for graphics and photo/video work.

 

[Tears Apart]

Thank you for the feedback. It sounds like performance-wise I'd be not only upgrading, but also future-proofing for the next 4-6 years.

However, your comments made me think I would quite soon feel the need to revert back to a larger display, as it is conducive to more efficient work. Which in turn makes the idea of owning a stunning 16-inch Pro-Motion display that barely gets used a bit pointless.

Some more thinking needed...

 

[ManuCH]

I would honestly get the 14" MacBook Pro and an external 27" 4K screen. They are fairly cheap nowadays and it's really much better than working on a laptop screen. But that's just my experience, YMMV.

 

[klky]

I'm in a similar situation. Currently on a 2017 27" iMac and ordered a 16" M1 Max MacBook Pro with 64GB Ram. Didn't want to wait any longer for an update to the iMac Pro and am opening a photography studio soon so the added mobility will come in handy. Good luck with your decision!

 

[Tears Apart]

I would honestly get the 14" MacBook Pro and an external 27" 4K screen. They are fairly cheap nowadays and it's really much better than working on a laptop screen. But that's just my experience, YMMV.

I can totally see why it would be better than working on a laptop screen, but then again, I would be all the time wishing I was working on a screen of similar quality as that of the MBP. Size vs quality, a tough one to work out.

 

[Tears Apart]

I'm in a similar situation. Currently on a 2017 27" iMac and ordered a 16" M1 Max MacBook Pro with 64GB Ram. Didn't want to wait any longer for an update to the iMac Pro and am opening a photography studio soon so the added mobility will come in handy. Good luck with your decision!

May I ask how many hours do you continuously spend working on a computer (as opposed to, say, taking photos)? Asking because if I worked only a few hours per day in front of a screen, I think I'd have no issues making a 16-inch MBP my main machine.

 

[xxray]

If Apple ends up only using the M1 Pro and M1 Mac in the 27” iMac, I don’t know what the advantage would be to buying the iMac over the MacBook Pro besides maybe price. The iMacs used to have better performance being a desktop and a lower price. But with M1 Pro/Max, you would get the same performance on either device, but could bring your MBP with you wherever you want, and dock it on a desk with an external monitor whenever you needed a larger screen.

 

[GrindedDown]

I'm in a similar situation. Currently on a 2017 27" iMac and ordered a 16" M1 Max MacBook Pro with 64GB Ram. Didn't want to wait any longer for an update to the iMac Pro and am opening a photography studio soon so the added mobility will come in handy. Good luck with your decision!

If I was doing just photography, I would be inclined to just use the laptop screen a huge percentage of the time. My main focus though is video. I work with final cut and resolve a lot for grading and what not. I also work a lot with widescreen footage (2.39 to 1). I actually would be making use of both screens extensively. I generally would like to view as large of a video screen as I can for the video clips (on external display), while having extra screens for controls like video scopes and audio controls. The miniled is super appealing for grading footage because of the incredibly low black point and the HDR grading workflows for my work.

I’d say the 16 would be just fine to use as your only screen. I know I will a chunk of the time too.

 

[klky]

May I ask how many hours do you continuously spend working on a computer (as opposed to, say, taking photos)? Asking because if I worked only a few hours per day in front of a screen, I think I'd have no issues making a 16-inch MBP my main machine.

It varies from day to day and week to week, but I guess its not uncommon for me to spend 3-4 hours at a time editing in front of the computer. Although the main point for me going with the MBP, besides not wanting to wait any longer for an updated iMac, was the mobility factor between home and studio. As others have stated, there's always the option to buy an external monitor but I'm quite confident I won't need or want to do that. Hence my choice to go with the 16". The screens on these new MBPs also sound pretty amazing so it'd be a shame not to enjoy them to their fullest.

 

[mikepro]

I just did the same, yesterday ordered 16" M1 Pro, upgraded to 2TB storage. Coming from a 2017 5k iMac with 4.2GHz i7, AMD Radeon 580 pro 512GB SSD and 40 GB Ram (I added 32GB after purchase, 8GB made it a dog with chrome). I was a bit concerned with having just 16GB ram, but just couldn't bring myself to pay $$$$ for the jump to 32GB. I figure the M1's are pretty efficient with RAM, so I should be OK with 16.

What really convinced me to go for it was playing with the 16" in the store, and the fact that Apple will still give me $960 for my 4.5 year old iMac! Pretty amazing to get 40% of the value back in a trade 4.5 years later!

I'm sure I will miss my big 27" screen when working with photos and such, but the 16" screen at the store was pretty luscious. If needed, I will probably add an external display down the road. Hopefully there's a new LG 4k or 5k coming out soon, mini LED would be nice. It will be so nice to have something portable again to move around the house and that has ports again! I refused to get a laptop after the 2016 port delete/dongle-gate, and wanted the bug screen. But I did come to miss the portability of a laptop setup, so I think the 16" will be the best of both worlds.

 

[Arctic Moose]

I am doing exactly this. My iMac 5K 2017 4.2GHz/64GB/2TB will be out as soon as the new 14” Max/32GB/4TB arrives.

I am betting on Apple releasing a more affordable minitor though, because the 4K screens I have are terrible.

 

[3SQ Machine]

Just did the same --traded in my '19 iMac last night for a 16". Don't regret a thing -- and yeah, what about those crazy trade-in values? I only "lost" $400 since 2019, which is nuts.

Granted, I'm doing audio/Logic and can't comment on video editing -- but being able to do some light mixing ON THE COUCH and also just changing up to different settings with a desktop in my lap is a welcome change to my routine.