MBP M5 Max vs Mac Studio M2 Max

[Foxer]

Thinking about “upgrading” my MacStudio M2 Max (64 gb, 1 TB ssd) to a 16-inch MBP M5 max (48 GB 2TB). Will use it as a desktop (external displays) but can also replace my laptop. Don’t use it for anything too demanding - occasional audio file converting and Civilization VI.

Any performance hit that I should expect. Never used a laptop as a desktop CPU before because there was usually a GPU hit, but that doesn’t seem to be an issue anymore. if I’m missing something, I apologize for my ignorance.

 

[Tdude96]

I don't think you'll find any performance hits from M2 Studio Max to 16-inch M5 MBP Max. The memory is faster, the memory bandwidth is higher, the CPU is faster, the graphics cores are faster, the SSDs are faster. The only "hit" will be from anything memory-heavy since you're going from 64 GB to 48 GB.

The 16" is a wise choice. Bigger chassis, bigger fans. It'll take longer before it gets heat soaked than the smaller model. I have the M3 Max in the 16" and a co-worker has the same machine in 14". Mine can absolutely run more intensive tasks for longer without throttling. The 16" MBP will throttle under high load for sustained periods, while the Studio is unlikely to do so. However, the M5 Max is so much faster than the M2 Max, thermal throttling under high load won't take all that benefit away.

The one area (other than losing 16 GB of memory) where I think that you might see some slowdown on the M5 Max is that a lot of software companies haven't optimized their products to make use of the M5's new core types. That will lead to some areas where you might see your M2 Max outperform your M5 Max. However, it should just be a temporary problem until those companies start optimizing for the new chip.

 

[hovscorpion12]

Any performance hit that I should expect.

"Hits' No. The M5 Max makes the M2 max feel like a base M1 from 2020.

 

[1BadManVan]

Do you even need such a spec'd out machine if you're just using it for civ and the occasional audio file conversion? That seems like complete overkill. A MacBook Neo could play civ and do audio files. Not saying get a Neo, just saying your examples don't at all indicate you need anywhere near such a high spec Mac for

 

[avro707]

Thinking about “upgrading” my MacStudio M2 Max (64 gb, 1 TB ssd) to a 16-inch MBP M5 max (48 GB 2TB). Will use it as a desktop (external displays) but can also replace my laptop. Don’t use it for anything too demanding - occasional audio file converting and Civilization VI.

Is it even necessary to upgrade? The M2 max seems well powerful enough if all it does is converting an audio file and Civilization.

Or is the anonymous laptop the limiting factor?

 

[1BadManVan]

Is it even necessary to upgrade? The M2 max seems well powerful enough if all it does is converting an audio file and Civilization.

Or is the anonymous laptop the limiting factor?

He wants a laptop, the m2 is the studio, he wants the portability factor which i understand. What i don't understand is why he's going all out so much for specs for what he uses it for lol. For his use case if he actually wants the portability, just get an m5 air 15". Much lighter and portable, can still be docked and run dual screens etc and easily handles those tasks