"upgrade" to M1 chip

[Ralino]

Hi fellas,

I currently own an MBP13" of 2016. Chip is i5 2,9 Ghz, 8GB RAM and 256ssd.
I'm really appealed by the performances of the new M1 chip, and I'm considering buying a new MBP.
However, I was wondering if it's really an upgrade, as long as mine belonged to the top of the line in 2016, whereas the M1 is the MBP entry level...
My main usage is music, I'm working on Logic Pro. I also use it for very basic video editing with iMovie.
Could you please tell me your opinions on that?

Thank you very much!

 

[theluggage]

My main usage is music, I'm working on Logic Pro.

Logic itself should be fine, but the first thing you need to do is check the compatibility of any third-party virtual instruments, effects, audio interfaces etc. that you use. Quite a lot of that sort of stuff is still "coming soon" for Big Sur, let alone M1, and some manufacturers of audio interfaces etc. will see this as an opportunity to drop support for older hardware. (On the other hand, many audio interfaces are "class compliant" and don't need drivers, so they should just work).

In any case, unless you can afford to keep both machines for a while, I'd hold off a few months and let the early adopters flush out the teething problems before replacing something that's working - I wouldn't upgrade the "daily driver" to Big Sur just yet, let alone replace it with a M1.

Longer-term: looks like the M1 comfortably beats anything smaller than a 16" MBP in terms of performance as long as you didn't actually need more than 16GB of RAM. However, do bear in mind that you're losing 2 out of 4 TB3/USB-C ports and only get support for one external display.

 

[LinkRS]

Hi fellas,

I currently own an MBP13" of 2016. Chip is i5 2,9 Ghz, 8GB RAM and 256ssd.
I'm really appealed by the performances of the new M1 chip, and I'm considering buying a new MBP.
However, I was wondering if it's really an upgrade, as long as mine belonged to the top of the line in 2016, whereas the M1 is the MBP entry level...
My main usage is music, I'm working on Logic Pro. I also use it for very basic video editing with iMovie.
Could you please tell me your opinions on that?

Thank you very much!

Howdy Ralino,

The simple answer is really based on your existing MBP. Based on what you described, you have the Touch Bar model, with 4 Thunderbolt ports? The Apple M1 CPU will be an upgrade from your current i5. Your current one is only a dual-core model, and runs at only 2.9 GHz, the M1 is listed as an 8-core (not symmetrical, but more than your existing system) at ~3.1 GHz, so even non-compute bound tasks will feel snappier on the new system. Multi-threaded tasks will undoubtedly be faster on the M1 model. If you picked a 16 GB model, and won't miss the extra 2 TB ports, it will be. nice upgrade for you. Good luck!

Rich S.

 

[bill-p]

My main usage is music, I'm working on Logic Pro. I also use it for very basic video editing with iMovie.
Could you please tell me your opinions on that?

The problem will be with particular plugins and virtual instruments. Also, if you have USB interfaces as well, you should do your research and make absolutely sure they work. A lot of people are finding out the hard way that M1 Macs don't work with their peripherals.

Aside from that, I can gladly tell you that my M1 MacBook Pro does handily match or exceed my 16" Pro in everything, and it leaves my 2018 13" Pro far behind. Battery life is also very good. But... my advice to you would be: wait until MacOS 11.1 is out before you make your purchase decision. 11.1 fixes a lot of bugs and runs much more stable for me overall compared to 11.0.0 and 11.0.1.

 

[FilmIndustryGuy]

another thing to think about is screen size. I have the 16 inch and got the M1 but lets get real. I prefer the 16 inches of screen. On another note, apple will probably please new Macs in June so personally I would hold off and but one when you see more options unless you are struggling with speed over there. M1 air works great but its probably an rushed Mac and youll regret not waiting for a redesign.

 

[Vonnegut5]

I think it comes down to whether your tools are ready out of the box on day one with m1. My line of work I can’t be waiting for for apps to work or to become broke during an update.

 

[0279317]

Logic itself should be fine, but the first thing you need to do is check the compatibility of any third-party virtual instruments, effects, audio interfaces etc. that you use. Quite a lot of that sort of stuff is still "coming soon" for Big Sur, let alone M1, and some manufacturers of audio interfaces etc. will see this as an opportunity to drop support for older hardware. (On the other hand, many audio interfaces are "class compliant" and don't need drivers, so they should just work).

In any case, unless you can afford to keep both machines for a while, I'd hold off a few months and let the early adopters flush out the teething problems before replacing something that's working - I wouldn't upgrade the "daily driver" to Big Sur just yet, let alone replace it with a M1.

Longer-term: looks like the M1 comfortably beats anything smaller than a 16" MBP in terms of performance as long as you didn't actually need more than 16GB of RAM. However, do bear in mind that you're losing 2 out of 4 TB3/USB-C ports and only get support for one external display.

I agree. I've gotten emails (e.g., iZotope) advising not to upgrade yet. OP doesn't say if he uses 3rd party plug-ins etc.

 

[mikethebigo]

As everyone else has said, make sure whatever you use with your computer is compatible with M1 Macs. But if you're good on that front, the M1 will be much faster at everything than your 2016's CPU.