Which 2018 MBP should I go for?

[Momo13Drums]

Now that the new MBP's are out and I', back from vacation, I'm finally going to jump into one. Can anyone recommend a MBP configuration (and why) for the usage below?

• Plan to keep the laptop over 5+ years, hoping it will keep up with my tasks for that long
• 4k Video editing (currently using Sony A7iii)
• Photo editing primarily in Lightroom and Photoshop (Sony A7iii)
• Content creation in Photoshop (mostly light work, but sometimes I deal with VERY large artwork files)
• Accommodate video/photo editing from future cameras with higher specs in the next 5 years
• Music production in Logic Pro X - need to handle a lot simultaneous of tracks/effects/etc.
• Running live music backing tracks on stage
• Website development
• General business work - i.e. web, excel, word, etc.
• Dual boot windows/mac osx
• Light gaming on the road (stuff like CSGO or whatever, nothing heavy)

I'm open to either 13 or 15" but I'd like to hear reasoning behind the recommendation. I currently use a much older 15" laptop so ANY of the new MBP's are basically razor thin and light compared to what I travel with now. I want a machine to last me many years, and be sort of an all-in-one device besides heavy gaming, which I have a custom built PC for. The MBP will be my main machine for everything... mostly work, but also play. At some point I would like to either get an external monitor to plug my MBP into, or just go the iMac route for home editing, but right now that's not in the picture so I would plan on using my MBP for everything.

Appreciate any insight!

 

[zshane1125]

You are a content creator, go for the 15" no doubt.

Get the base i7 2.2ghz CPU, 560X, 32GB Ram, and the storage size is up to you, but I wouldn't go below 512GB.

 

[macintoshmac]

15" should be good for you.

 

[jerryk]

Now that the new MBP's are out and I', back from vacation, I'm finally going to jump into one. Can anyone recommend a MBP configuration (and why) for the usage below?

• Plan to keep the laptop over 5+ years, hoping it will keep up with my tasks for that long
• 4k Video editing (currently using Sony A7iii)
• Photo editing primarily in Lightroom and Photoshop (Sony A7iii)
• Content creation in Photoshop (mostly light work, but sometimes I deal with VERY large artwork files)
• Accommodate video/photo editing from future cameras with higher specs in the next 5 years
• Music production in Logic Pro X - need to handle a lot simultaneous of tracks/effects/etc.
• Running live music backing tracks on stage
• Website development
• General business work - i.e. web, excel, word, etc.
• Dual boot windows/mac osx
• Light gaming on the road (stuff like CSGO or whatever, nothing heavy)

I'm open to either 13 or 15" but I'd like to hear reasoning behind the recommendation. I currently use a much older 15" laptop so ANY of the new MBP's are basically razor thin and light compared to what I travel with now. I want a machine to last me many years, and be sort of an all-in-one device besides heavy gaming, which I have a custom built PC for. The MBP will be my main machine for everything... mostly work, but also play. At some point I would like to either get an external monitor to plug my MBP into, or just go the iMac route for home editing, but right now that's not in the picture so I would plan on using my MBP for everything.

Appreciate any insight!

Good question. I am currently shooting with Canon (5DMK3) and Olympus (OMD-EM1-MK2) but may add the A7iii since I want full frame. I only need the laptop for quick LR work and ensuring I have the shots I need. I do final work in a big Windows 10 desktop system with 2-27 inch monitors.

I also do development and want a portable machine for that and giving presentations of ML and AI. Since no mac has an Nvidia GPU they are weak for ML/AI, but should be Ok for demo apps.

I like the idea of the 13" because it is so small and transportable, but like the more power of the 15"

 

[anshuvorty]

4K video production + light gaming + dual booting = large hard drive + dGPU + high performing CPU = 15" i7 2.6 Ghz/1 TB-2 TB HDD (for your games and 4K files)/32 GB RAM (for the 4K editing).

Does this help?

 

[Momo13Drums]

4K video production + light gaming + dual booting = large hard drive + dGPU + high performing CPU = 15" i7 2.6 Ghz/1 TB-2 TB HDD (for your games and 4K files)/32 GB RAM (for the 4K editing).

Does this help?

Yes, this does help. This is the config I was looking at myself... but I kinda wanted to hear outside opinions. I was thinking:

• 15"
• 2.6 i7
• 1TB drive
• 32GB RAM

The only thing I was waffling on was 16 vs 32gb - but I'm thinking if I'm keeping the laptop for a long time, it'd be worth it to have 32GB. I will probably go 1TB hdd as I don't mind using externals - and 1tb will be enough for on the go work.

 

[MBAir2010]

Get The most shinest MacBook Pro that you see!

 

[mikethebigo]

Yes, this does help. This is the config I was looking at myself... but I kinda wanted to hear outside opinions. I was thinking:

• 15"
• 2.6 i7
• 1TB drive
• 32GB RAM

The only thing I was waffling on was 16 vs 32gb - but I'm thinking if I'm keeping the laptop for a long time, it'd be worth it to have 32GB. I will probably go 1TB hdd as I don't mind using externals - and 1tb will be enough for on the go work.

If this thing is a 5+ year investment and you're doing video editing on it, I think you would be well served paying the premium for 32 GB RAM now. I doubt you'd ever regret it.

I think those specs are a great choice. Now you still have to pick GPU, personally I'd go the 560X.

 

[macintoshmac]

2018 15" machines are very capable, truly in the pro category this time around, with only the graphics that could still take some improvement. If you are regularly consuming close to 16GB RAM, take the 32GB option and might as well max the graphic card, but if not, then just take the base 2.2 along with a 512GB SSD and you should be fine for 5-6 years. That 16 to 32 switch is pretty costly, if I recall correctly.