Archive 2024 · mac mini ~ M1 vs M4 (worth it for just LR photo editing?)
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p.2 #1 · mac mini ~ M1 vs M4 (worth it for just LR photo editing?)
My takeaway from the tests is that the M4 Pro, because of more GPU cores, has an advantage on GPU intensive jobs (such as AI denoising--LR used to use the neural engine for this but has changed to GPU but can change again). Also the tests are usually on a huge amount of images being processed (e.g., 1000) to simulate a pro's batch work load. If one is only a hobbyist (or even a pro) and process a few images at a time, the slower plain M4 may be acceptable.
p.2 #3 · mac mini ~ M1 vs M4 (worth it for just LR photo editing?)
I have two m1 Macs (MacBook Air m1 & MacMini m1).
I don’t see any major benefit upgrading to the m4 MacMini, unless you have said to yourself “damn, I wish this Mac would process my files a few seconds faster”.
I have seen comparisons between m1 and m4 macs, some applications appear to be twice as fast.
Great, so instead of Lightroom possibly taking 4 minutes to process 50 images, it now takes 2.
Is that really justification to upgrade your current working Mac for a new one?
Don’t get conned by the marketing and enthusiasm of new releases, there’s always another faster new model around the corner 😉
I resist temptation and only replace equipment when I feel I really need to, not because I want to.
p.2 #4 · mac mini ~ M1 vs M4 (worth it for just LR photo editing?)
jaybr wrote:
I have two m1 Macs (MacBook Air m1 & MacMini m1).
I don’t see any major benefit upgrading to the m4 MacMini, unless you have said to yourself “damn, I wish this Mac would process my files a few seconds faster”.
I have seen comparisons between m1 and m4 macs, some applications appear to be twice as fast.
Great, so instead of Lightroom possibly taking 4 minutes to process 50 images, it now takes 2.
Is that really justification to upgrade your current working Mac for a new one?
Don’t get conned by the marketing and enthusiasm of new releases, there’s always another faster new model around the corner 😉
I resist temptation and only replace equipment when I feel I really need to, not because I want to....Show more →
Yes, if you are just a hobbyist, you may not be able to justify the upgrade.
But for full-time pros, those minutes add up *very* quickly (and time is money).
And the expense (amortized over several years) is nominal.
p.2 #5 · mac mini ~ M1 vs M4 (worth it for just LR photo editing?)
Fair enough,
“But for full-time pros, those minutes add up *very* quickly (and time is money).
And the expense (amortized over several years) is nominal”
Apple will no doubt release new faster Macs next year and the following year…
So will you upgrade again next year because “those minutes add up *very* quickly…”?
Or will you wait because “the expense (amortized over several years) is nominal”?
At what point are you satisfied with what you have already?
p.2 #6 · mac mini ~ M1 vs M4 (worth it for just LR photo editing?)
jaybr wrote:
Fair enough,
“But for full-time pros, those minutes add up *very* quickly (and time is money).
And the expense (amortized over several years) is nominal”
Apple will no doubt release new faster Macs next year and the following year…
So will you upgrade again next year because “those minutes add up *very* quickly…”?
Or will you wait because “the expense (amortized over several years) is nominal”?
At what point are you satisfied with what you have already?
J
I am not one to upgrade each year. For cameras, phones, computers, etc... I usually do a 3-4 year cycle.
p.2 #7 · mac mini ~ M1 vs M4 (worth it for just LR photo editing?)
gheller wrote:
Did you get the "pro" version?
Yes, I got an M4 Pro (24 GB). Sorry, I should have said that (I normally go with basic stuff so wasn't even thinking Pro above). It is solid, fast, and makes everything noticeably snappier than an M1. Since I only do this every few years, an invested jump is worth a notch or two above base level. I did base M1 a year after it came out and saved a few bucks that way. But I swapped it for a 16GB shortly thereafter. I wanted this one to last a bit longer before feeling the twinge to upgrade. I think it's the right level and will handle "normal" Adobe work for quite a while. (FYI, I do neither video nor Astro number crunching - that might send anyone straight to a Max or the next Studio).
Glad to see Satechi announced the future Mac Mini M4 USB hub base (early 2025). Right now my M4 is sitting centered on 50% of the old Satechi hub surface area. Makes the Mini look mini.
p.2 #8 · mac mini ~ M1 vs M4 (worth it for just LR photo editing?)
index2421 wrote:
Yes, I got an M4 Pro (24 GB). Sorry, I should have said that (I normally go with basic stuff so wasn't even thinking Pro above). It is solid, fast, and makes everything noticeably snappier than an M1. Since I only do this every few years, an invested jump is worth a notch or two above base level. I did base M1 a year after it came out and saved a few bucks that way. But I swapped it for a 16GB shortly thereafter. I wanted this one to last a bit longer before feeling the twinge to upgrade. I think it's the right level and will handle "normal" Adobe work for quite a while. (FYI, I do neither video nor Astro number crunching - that might send anyone straight to a Max or the next Studio).
Glad to see Satechi announced the future Mac Mini M4 USB hub base (early 2025). Right now my M4 is sitting centered on 50% of the old Satechi hub surface area. Makes the Mini look mini. ...Show more →
Similar path to me (m1 base to m4 pro). I originally got the 24gb, but when *only* using LR, PS, and a web browser, it was using up 18+ gb (!)
To future proof mine, I bit the (overpriced) bullet an traded it in for the 48gb
Not mind-blowingly faster, but certainly snappier and quicker on my photo editing (I don't do video either)
p.2 #9 · mac mini ~ M1 vs M4 (worth it for just LR photo editing?)
What I have found is that the more powerful computers are more responsive, which makes editing less wearing on me. The shorter import / export times are just gravy.
The likes of Lightroom changes its performance at each release, not always in a better direction. You may well be able to work with a machine with less than 32Gb, if you are prepared to run just Lightroom and close everything else, and then reopen your other apps afterwards.
p.2 #10 · mac mini ~ M1 vs M4 (worth it for just LR photo editing?)
gheller wrote:
Similar path to me (m1 base to m4 pro). I originally got the 24gb, but when *only* using LR, PS, and a web browser, it was using up 18+ gb (!)
To future proof mine, I bit the (overpriced) bullet an traded it in for the 48gb
Not mind-blowingly faster, but certainly snappier and quicker on my photo editing (I don't do video either)
By the way - for anyone struggling with M1 memory issues/crashes- maybe this can help. I had crazy-high memory readings and tried every solution on the interwebs to no avail. Finally, I discovered it was something as simple as a wayward (and unused) 3rd party LR plug-in. Disable and/or delete plug-ins, and maybe you can free up some unusual memory clogs. I saw memory go from 50+ to 3. Can I get an amen?!
