MBP m5Pro vs m5Max 14" Comparisons and Conflicting Info

[Orange Turtle]

I kind of have a two step question here... first debating between a 14" MBP M5pro 18/20 with 64gb of ram 2tb ssd or 14" MBP M5max 18/32 with 36gb of ram 2tb ssd. I think Apple suggests the Pro and that is where I am leaning, but here's more info... In the past I had a M1pro for about 3 years, then a M1max for about a year.

I do basic video editing for a podcast-what does that mean? Usually 3 video tracks, 3 audio tracks, a background graphic or two that is static through out the show. Sometimes I put broll over sections as well. Each show is about an hour, exported in 1080p. Bought both already before the price increase- the Pro is $160 cheaper than the max, so not really a price difference.

I also tested both machines- did migration assistant so they were the exact same. Something strange happened... when I first tested the Pro exported a 51 minute video in 14:27 and the Max in 12:58. That is typcial from what I have been seeing from my pro since I bought it at launch. Was expecting the max to do much better.

Then after running some more tests there was an issue with Adobe Premiere on the Max, so I uninstalled it and did a re-install. This upgraded Adobe from 26.0.2 to 26.3. Suddenly it exported much quicker- and to keep variables consistent I updated the pro as well. After the update I exported the same 51 minute project and the Pro did it in 4:42 and the Max took 3:12. Huge increase!!

I am surprised that a simple adobe premiere update is responsible for such a dramatic shift. Anyone have any other insight to why the export speeds increased so dramatically?

I am leaning towards keeping the Pro with the unexpected increase since the update, but figured I would ask...

Which model is likely better to keep for the next 3-4 years? I know 64gb of ram is overkill, but I worry (rational or not) about 36 being enough in a couple of years (my previous M1 machines had 32). I don't do LLM, very minimal if any AI work right now. Main purpose is video editing.

Appreciate any insights.

 

[conmee]

If I recall, some MaxTech videos showed that initially, their Adobe tests weren't utilizing the new super cores optimally. I wouldn't be surprised if indeed an Adobe software update dramatically improved the results you were seeing.

Based on your workload, the M5 Pro should be more than enough for the next 3-4 years. I ended up with an M5 Max and 64GB to better handle local LLM work (I would have gone for 128GB but thought I'd have an M5 Studio by now and figured I'd save my money and not max out my mobile device... turns out I probably should have gone 128GB before the price hikes and continued M5 Studio delays... but this is a different topic entirely). Back to your question, if you are happy with the M5 Pro performance and it doesn't look like your work benefits much from the extra media engines in the Max, save your money. Unless you plan to dive into local AI anytime soon, 36GB should be more than enough. Run your tests again with Activity Monitor open and look at your memory pressure/memory used. If you're solidly still in "green" territory doing your normal work then 36GB will be fine. The other issue with the M5 Max in a 14" chassis like I have is that when you push sustained workloads, the fans will spin up and after 5 or so minutes, the chip starts to throttle. It's still faster than the M5 Pro even when the M5 Max is throttling, but it's much smaller delta. Unless you have a specific use case and/or are comfortable with a 14" M5 Max compromises, the M5 Pro is the best chip for a 14" chassis.

 

[Orange Turtle]

Appreciate the feedback. In retrospect the 64gb was excessive as I didn't understand "cached files". Fortunately it only cost me $190. The Max does export at 25%-35% faster with that extra encoder- so that is a real improvement (and my top goal). Being a base Max with 32 core and my exports taking about 5 minutes (or less) I don't think the heat/throttling becomes an issue- though you are right about putting a Max chip in a 14" size (I had an M1 Max like that).

Basically comes down to Ram and better battery vs better chip and encoder- which has me leaning towards the Max.

Thanks again for dropping a response!!

 

[benholt]

For podcast editing at 1080p with a handful of video/audio tracks and a static graphic, the Pro with 64GB is going to feel roomier day-to-day than the Max with 36GB. The extra media engine on the Max is real for exports, but you'll mostly notice it on 4K or ProRes-heavy timelines — at 1080p H.264 the difference is a couple of minutes at the end of a session, not something you feel while scrubbing. Where the 64GB shows up is when you start layering AE/Motion comps, or running Resolve + browser + Slack + a DAW without closing anything. My M3 Max 16" basically never engages the second encoder unless I'm doing multicam 4K. If you're staying on this podcast workflow I'd keep the Pro.

 

[Orange Turtle]

Thanks for the feedback! Yeah, I switched out from a M1Max 14"- it was incredible!

That's the thing right, what does the future look like? Better to have more ram or media encoder/GPU benefit?

This weekend I actually ran both machines side by side over multiple tests. My current exports are about 6:08 on the Pro versus 4:08 on the Max for a 67-minute 1080p episode, and no meaningful memory pressure on either machine. The Max did use 23gb of ram with about 10 cached. No current bottleneck with Ram, the media encoder/GPU benefit me now on exporting. Not sure how fast things will move to 4k video- potentially in 2-3 years?

Both machines are the same cost (on discount before Apple price increase)- so that isn't a factor.

M5Max is likely overkill 95% of the time, but extra short export speed is the factor. 64gb of Ram is overkill too, 36 just "feels" low for "future proofing."

It's probably a split decision and both machines are really great. Leaning towards the 18/32 14" M5Max due to 30% faster export speeds.