Updating my intel I7 MacBook for photo editing

[F308gt4]

I’m looking to update my circa 2018 MacBook Pro (2.6Ghz, 6-core Intel i7 with 16gb memory and 512 Gb HD) for photo editing.

Currently I use the MacBook with DXO denoise and then transfer the output file to my 3rd gen iPad Pro to edit in Photomator. In my ideal world, I could do everything on the iPad, but it doesn’t look like any of the top rated denoise apps (DXO, Topaz, Lightroom) will let you do it on the iPad anytime soon, so I think I would just like to update my MacBook to do everything (denoise + editing) on the MacBook.

Hoping to pick up a new MacBook in one of the upcoming Black Friday/cyber Monday sales.

For the M5 MacBooks, it looks like the readily available systems would be 24gb, 1TB HD for right under $2k. I assume that should be fine for what I’m doing and a significant upgrade from my i7 MacBook?

It seems like if I want more memory it means special order from Apple, which takes a little time, and obviously no holiday discounts. I think there are some systems with the M4 processor and more memory, but the available systems typically have only a 512GB HD. I could probably live with that (I backup stuff to my NAS system), but really would prefer 1TB HD. Apple has the M4 pro with 24gb and 1TB for ~$2400- would the extra money for that system make any real difference for photo editing?

Is there any value to ordering a system with more memory for what I’m doing?

I’ve been checking sites like Best Buy, Amazon, Adorama, etc- any other sites I should look at that might have more options in stock?

Thanks!

 

[hobowankenobi]

Any of the M series is an upgrade, so yeah...an M5 with 24GB will be a substantial upgrade. Keep in mind that Apple Silicon (AS) architecture is generally more efficient in the way it uses RAM, not to mention sipping power, which also means much better battery run times and cooler (and thus quieter) CPU utilization.

Most folks are happy with 16GB of RAM on M series Macs...so unless you have a specific, fairly uncommon need, 24GB on AS should give very good performance on 2D work.

 

[F308gt4]

Any of the M series is an upgrade, so yeah...an M5 with 24GB will be a substantial upgrade. Keep in mind that Apple Silicon (AS) architecture is generally more efficient in the way it uses RAM, not to mention sipping power, which also means much better battery run times and cooler (and thus quieter) CPU utilization.

Most folks are happy with 16GB of RAM on M series Macs...so unless you have a specific, fairly uncommon need, 24GB on AS should give very good performance on 2D work.

Thank you, very happy to hear that. It seems that the M5 24gb, 1Tb is readily available and already some places starting to discount.

 

[hobowankenobi]

RAM use in the AS is surprisingly efficient. Unless your processes are abnormally RAM intensive, you should be good. Have you looked at memory pressure on your current Mac?

Even on base Macs with only 8GB from a few years ago, RAM seems to stretch farther than one would expect. My wife works from home with a first gen M1 with only 8GB, and even when memory pressure is high with tons of apps and tabs open, she almost never sees any visible slow downs or SBBOD.

 

[F308gt4]

RAM use in the AS is surprisingly efficient. Unless your processes are abnormally RAM intensive, you should be good. Have you looked at memory pressure on your current Mac?

Even on base Macs with only 8GB from a few years ago, RAM seems to stretch farther than one would expect. My wife works from home with a first gen M1 with only 8GB, and even when memory pressure is high with tons of apps and tabs open, she almost never sees any visible slow downs or SBBOD.

Thanks!

Now the big question is whether to pick up now (this weekend) or wait until Black Friday/cyber Monday. Microcenter has the 24gb/1Tb HDD for $1800, Best Buy, Amazon a little more. Worth waiting?

 

[hobowankenobi]

Sorry...got busy over the holidays. What was the outcome?

 

[MarineBand5524]

I’m looking to update my circa 2018 MacBook Pro (2.6Ghz, 6-core Intel i7 with 16gb memory and 512 Gb HD) for photo editing.

Currently I use the MacBook with DXO denoise and then transfer the output file to my 3rd gen iPad Pro to edit in Photomator. In my ideal world, I could do everything on the iPad, but it doesn’t look like any of the top rated denoise apps (DXO, Topaz, Lightroom) will let you do it on the iPad anytime soon, so I think I would just like to update my MacBook to do everything (denoise + editing) on the MacBook.

Hoping to pick up a new MacBook in one of the upcoming Black Friday/cyber Monday sales.

For the M5 MacBooks, it looks like the readily available systems would be 24gb, 1TB HD for right under $2k. I assume that should be fine for what I’m doing and a significant upgrade from my i7 MacBook?

It seems like if I want more memory it means special order from Apple, which takes a little time, and obviously no holiday discounts. I think there are some systems with the M4 processor and more memory, but the available systems typically have only a 512GB HD. I could probably live with that (I backup stuff to my NAS system), but really would prefer 1TB HD. Apple has the M4 pro with 24gb and 1TB for ~$2400- would the extra money for that system make any real difference for photo editing?

Is there any value to ordering a system with more memory for what I’m doing?

I’ve been checking sites like Best Buy, Amazon, Adorama, etc- any other sites I should look at that might have more options in stock?

Thanks!

You should see the crazy stuff I have my M1 Max 32GB run and I still have not heard the fans turn on.

You can probably get something in stock or even discount in the refurb store and it would impress the heck out of you.