Replacing 14in M1 Pro with 16in M4 Pro/MAX

[AltecX]

I recently started a new job and while not NEEDING a new laptop yet they are willing to reimburse me 50% back on a new machine. I was going to wait till the M5 MBP hoping that it would have an OLED, but it may make better sense to get a new machine now instead. I do have to make the purchase in the next 11months, I have to do it in my first 1yr of employment. After that they would only pay me back 25%.

I currently have a 14in M1Pro with 32GB RAM and 512 storage. I am debating moving to a 14/16in M4Pro or Max with 48GB and 1TB storage. I know that I won't see a world changing performance gain as I mostly work in documentation, and some python and light Photoshop/After Effects use. My M1 does it perfectly well.

Given the fact I'd be saving about 50% if I buy now vs later, would it be logical for me to make the spend now instead of waiting a year? Possible OLED would be great, but its definitely not a make or break. Is there any rumors about M5 that may make it worth the wait or extra cost??

 

[MacCheetah3]

I’m not one to lean too much on rumors for buying decisions. Coincidentally, the recent Google ad highlight is a valid jab at future promises.

Anyway...

I recommend waiting until at least November, that is, of course, if you’re willing.

MacRumors Buyer's Guide: Know When to Buy iPhone, Mac, iPad

This page provides a product summary for each Apple model. The intent is to provide our best recommendations regarding current product cycles, and to provide a summary of currently available rumors for each model. This page is based on rumors and speculation and we provide no guarantee to its...

buyersguide.macrumors.com

P.S. If I would have waited another six months (at the time), it’s more than possible I would have a Mac Studio rather than a high specced mini. However, I’m not hating my decision.

 

[AltecX]

I’m not one to lean too much on rumors for buying decisions. Coincidentally, the recent Google ad highlight is a valid jab at future promises.

Anyway...

I recommend waiting until at least November, that is, of course, if you’re willing.

MacRumors Buyer's Guide: Know When to Buy iPhone, Mac, iPad

This page provides a product summary for each Apple model. The intent is to provide our best recommendations regarding current product cycles, and to provide a summary of currently available rumors for each model. This page is based on rumors and speculation and we provide no guarantee to its...

buyersguide.macrumors.com

P.S. If I would have waited another six months (at the time), it’s more than possible I would have a Mac Studio rather than a high specced mini. However, I’m not hating my decision.

Last I heard there was no MacBook Pro update expected this year. So I'd have to wait till 2026. Which is fine, but may end up with me having to pay near full price for an M4 machine just before the M5's actually release. Which I'd prefer to avoid.

 

[MacCheetah3]

Last I heard there was no MacBook Pro update expected this year.

Which you need to be careful about trusting. The claims could be based on misinterpretation, the person’s wants, outdated information, etc.

As noted in the linked Buyer’s Guide, the average period between MBP releases is 384 days. The most recent being in November 2024, and the one before that being November 2023. That seemingly makes it decent odds of a later fall launch. Additionally, Apple has been consistent getting it’s latest M series SOC to portables, which you can see via Mactracker or...

All Apple MacBook Pro Specs (2006-Current): EveryMac.com

Tech specs for all Apple MacBook Pro from 2006 to the latest. Dates sold, processor type, memory info, storage details, configuration options, model identifiers and more.

everymac.com

None of this guarantees a release in three months, six months, a year, or ever. And there’s the rub.

 

[tenthousandthings]

Last I heard there was no MacBook Pro update expected this year. So I'd have to wait till 2026. Which is fine, but may end up with me having to pay near full price for an M4 machine just before the M5's actually release. Which I'd prefer to avoid.

If Gurman's sources are accurate, there will be [1] no chassis redesign and no tandem OLED screen, and [2] M5 Pro/Max will not appear until early 2026. These two things are qualitatively different. The first is about the hardware roadmap -- he's either right or wrong, but it isn't something that Apple can change easily. That decision was made years ago, and can't be changed on the fly. I think most likely he is right, but I wouldn't bet on it. Since you have 11 months and you are happy with your current machine, you have the luxury of waiting, especially since it doesn't matter of he's right or wrong -- you have to buy regardless.

The second is more of a business decision. Gurman:

"The company is also working on upgraded MacBook Pros and Airs... Though those computers were originally slated for a 2025 release, Apple is considering pushing them back to 2026... The new products are part of a push to get back to more consistent revenue growth following this fall’s iPhone launch. After a pandemic-fueled sales surge in the early part of the decade, Apple has suffered from spottier demand the past two years."

So, if he's right and it's about revenue flow, then the shift to a Spring launch window for the flagship Pro/Max silicon and the MacBook Pro might not be a one-off. It makes sense from a marketing perspective -- it opens up that Fall launch window for new products, giving them the spotlight before the high-revenue Macs launch in Spring.

I believe the M5 Pro/Max will be worth the wait -- there are solid (non-Gurman) rumors that it will have SoIC architecture, and that means it will be the start of a whole new class of M-series silicon. You probably won't get your tandem OLED display, but you'll get silicon that is parallel to your M1 Max -- the first of a new breed of Apple Silicon.

 

[maflynn]

Given the fact I'd be saving about 50% if I buy now vs later, would it be logical for me to make the spend now instead of waiting a year?

No, that's using girl logic (seriously).

My wife will say she saved 20 dollars while spending 100 dollars on clothes. You now how to save 100 dollars? By not spending the money in the first place.

Since you stated, you're not going to see any benefit in performance in buying the laptop right now, then don't buy it. Your current MBP is more then up to the task and given your stated use case, even the M5 would be over kill