Thoughts on spec

[Henry-orange]

After a few years waiting, I’ve decided now is the time to pull the trigger on a MBP, but I’m a bit torn on which spec would work best for me.

This will be my only machine for working as a freelance marketer. I work with InDesign, Photoshop and Illustrator on usually small print/digital projects - exhibition graphics and 200 page brochures are probably the biggest files that I work with (<100MB). There’s also some Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Chrome in there too.

I’ve done a lot of reading around and RAM seems to be the most important factor for Adobe CC, followed by CPU. I’ve read conflicting reports on the importance of a dGPU and looking at my own usage, Illustrator seems to be the only one that calls on the dGPU in my current Windows laptop, and even then it’s not very much. ID and PS just use the integrated GPU.

So, could anyone advise on what they think would be best for me regarding...

1. RAM - 16 or 32GB. My current usage doesn’t go above 11GB and normally hovers around 8GB. How does Windows RAM management compare to Mac OS?
2. CPU - I’m considering either of the 13” TB options or the 2.2 gHz in the 15”, but could go to the next i7 if need be.
3. GPU - should I go for a 15” for its dGPU or will the integrated graphics be fine for ID, PS and AI on Mac?

I’m fairly indifferent to 13” vs 15”. I’d love the portability of a 13”, but can see the extra screen estate of the 15” being valuable too. I rarely travel far beyond around the house, but work predominantly plugged into a separate screen. So I’ll just go with whichever provides the best value vs performance.

I was set on a 13”, i5, 16GB, 512GB, but now it’s time to make a decision I’m wondering if that’s the best choice, so any help would be gratefully received.

tl,dr - which spec MBP for InDesign, Photoshop and Illustrator.

 

[SoyCapitanSoyCapitan]

Judging from the apps and file sizes you have kindly detailed above, 16GB is enough for you.

Windows RAM management is basically identical to macOS. You're still relying on Adobe etc to be memory efficient.

It sounds like you would be happy with the 13" model with i7 processor. I have a friend who does the same work as you on a very high level and she has a 13" connected to an external monitor.

If you want to be more mobile and don't want to be connected to a monitor then the base model 15".

 

[Henry-orange]

Brilliant, thanks - that’s especially helpful on the RAM.

I guess it’s just a case of deciding on the screen size...