Need Laptop Recommendation for Photo Processing
p.2 #1Need Laptop Recommendation for Photo Processing
Quick search from Google:
Memory Bandwidth PerformanceBecause the Pro line features a much wider bus pipeline, its data transmission speeds (bandwidth) scale up dramatically. For the latest M4/M5 generation of MacBooks, the real-world performance differences break down as follows:
Laptop ModelProcessor TierMemory Bus WidthTotal Memory Bandwidth
MacBook Air / Base M4 / Base M5 128-bit120 GB/s to 153 GB/s
MBP M4 Pro / M5 Pro 256-bit 273 GB/s to 307 GB/s
MBP M4 Max / M5 Max 384-bit / 512-bit 546 GB/s to 614 GB/s
So, to consider a Base / Air (1X) unit ... the bandwidth is restricted because it uses fewer modules than the Pro (2X) / Max (4X) models. Hence, the namesake of M Chip ... i.e. Modular (variable # of modules used in the model build)
So, even if you get 32GB RAM in each (Base / Air / Pro / Max) unit, the pipeline bandwidth can render that "lagginess" when performing operations where you are passing info back / forth with only 128 bit pipeline. So, it's not JUST the 32GB (size of truck's ability for holding info), but also whether your traveling down a one lane country road, the Interstate or the Autobahn. One is capacity to hold, the other is capability to move.
Going from Base / Air > Pro ... factor of 2X in terms of pace, moving info in / out of GPU / CPU / etc. Moving on up to Max is another factor of gain, but here again, I draw the line for folks that are even thinking about Air / Base for photo editing to earnestly consider the Pro. Sure, if you want the uber light Air, that's a thing. But, if you are talking about a tool that you'll be happy with for years to come ... and future software developments unknown (i.e. always hungrier), that pipeline speed thing is something I don't recommend the Base / Air for.
Note also, the increase in CPU / GPU processing speed from y/y is typical incremental (e.g. say 15-25% faster). If money is an issue, I'd much rather have a 15% slower CPU in an M4 with 200% faster memory bandwidth, than an M5 with 15% faster CPU and 50% slower memory bandwidth. Meaning, if you can't swing an M5 Pro, 32GB, get an M4 Pro 32GB instead of an M5 Base / Air. The M4/M5 processor diff is % incremental ... the Base > Pro is 2X (double the modules, double the fun). And, as an added bonus ... display of Pro is better than Air (or at least was, last time I looked).
Pro or better.
32GB or better.
HTH
Memory Bandwidth PerformanceBecause the Pro line features a much wider bus pipeline, its data transmission speeds (bandwidth) scale up dramatically. For the latest M4/M5 generation of MacBooks, the real-world performance differences break down as follows:
Laptop ModelProcessor TierMemory Bus WidthTotal Memory Bandwidth
MacBook Air / Base M4 / Base M5 128-bit120 GB/s to 153 GB/s
MBP M4 Pro / M5 Pro 256-bit 273 GB/s to 307 GB/s
MBP M4 Max / M5 Max 384-bit / 512-bit 546 GB/s to 614 GB/s
So, to consider a Base / Air (1X) unit ... the bandwidth is restricted because it uses fewer modules than the Pro (2X) / Max (4X) models. Hence, the namesake of M Chip ... i.e. Modular (variable # of modules used in the model build)
So, even if you get 32GB RAM in each (Base / Air / Pro / Max) unit, the pipeline bandwidth can render that "lagginess" when performing operations where you are passing info back / forth with only 128 bit pipeline. So, it's not JUST the 32GB (size of truck's ability for holding info), but also whether your traveling down a one lane country road, the Interstate or the Autobahn. One is capacity to hold, the other is capability to move.
Going from Base / Air > Pro ... factor of 2X in terms of pace, moving info in / out of GPU / CPU / etc. Moving on up to Max is another factor of gain, but here again, I draw the line for folks that are even thinking about Air / Base for photo editing to earnestly consider the Pro. Sure, if you want the uber light Air, that's a thing. But, if you are talking about a tool that you'll be happy with for years to come ... and future software developments unknown (i.e. always hungrier), that pipeline speed thing is something I don't recommend the Base / Air for.
Note also, the increase in CPU / GPU processing speed from y/y is typical incremental (e.g. say 15-25% faster). If money is an issue, I'd much rather have a 15% slower CPU in an M4 with 200% faster memory bandwidth, than an M5 with 15% faster CPU and 50% slower memory bandwidth. Meaning, if you can't swing an M5 Pro, 32GB, get an M4 Pro 32GB instead of an M5 Base / Air. The M4/M5 processor diff is % incremental ... the Base > Pro is 2X (double the modules, double the fun). And, as an added bonus ... display of Pro is better than Air (or at least was, last time I looked).
Pro or better.
32GB or better.
HTH
Sep 19, 2026 at 12:11 PM
p.2 #2Need Laptop Recommendation for Photo Processing
^^^
Be careful about claims like “2x faster” based on things like processor speed and number or bandwidth specs.
Those do recognize and/or misinterpret the peak capabilities of a system, but you are rarely actually using those peak capabilities in a continuous manner. For example, in typical usage of a program like Lightroom or Photoshop you would quite possibly notice literally no difference at all, while when executing a specific task that is processor/bandwidth dependent you might momentarily notice it.
As an example, until a year or so ago I was using an older (2019) Intel processor Mac that was originally fairly high spec. In general I did not notice any significant slowdown — and that machine had MUCH lower specks than the machine I replaced it with. (A M4Pro up-spec’ed Mini, attached to a pair of Apple 27” monitors.) However, when I did a few more demanding tasks they might be noticeably slower… for a few seconds.
One good way to get a sense of this aspect of Mac performance is, if possible, to head to an Apple Store (or some other retailer with the machines) and at least try doing the normal stuff.
There’s a thread in computer shopping which I think is a combination of the fact that a small people (high end video producers, for example) actually do benefit from the fastest machines… along with the unease about buying an appropriately spec’ed machine in the face of all the people telling us that we must get the fastest thing.
By extension, a lot of this comes down to how you’ll use the computer. Are you a sophisticated Photoshop user processing a whole lot of extremely large image files on a regular basis? If so, more power probably makes sense. (That’s why I got the upgraded Mini — it is more than powerful enough for this kind of work.) Or are you a sort of moderate user, perhaps doing simply processing and not a huge number of daily files… and on a budget? The good news is that something that isn’t quite at the top spec may well be more than fast enough… and within your budget.
Be careful about claims like “2x faster” based on things like processor speed and number or bandwidth specs.
Those do recognize and/or misinterpret the peak capabilities of a system, but you are rarely actually using those peak capabilities in a continuous manner. For example, in typical usage of a program like Lightroom or Photoshop you would quite possibly notice literally no difference at all, while when executing a specific task that is processor/bandwidth dependent you might momentarily notice it.
As an example, until a year or so ago I was using an older (2019) Intel processor Mac that was originally fairly high spec. In general I did not notice any significant slowdown — and that machine had MUCH lower specks than the machine I replaced it with. (A M4Pro up-spec’ed Mini, attached to a pair of Apple 27” monitors.) However, when I did a few more demanding tasks they might be noticeably slower… for a few seconds.
One good way to get a sense of this aspect of Mac performance is, if possible, to head to an Apple Store (or some other retailer with the machines) and at least try doing the normal stuff.
There’s a thread in computer shopping which I think is a combination of the fact that a small people (high end video producers, for example) actually do benefit from the fastest machines… along with the unease about buying an appropriately spec’ed machine in the face of all the people telling us that we must get the fastest thing.
By extension, a lot of this comes down to how you’ll use the computer. Are you a sophisticated Photoshop user processing a whole lot of extremely large image files on a regular basis? If so, more power probably makes sense. (That’s why I got the upgraded Mini — it is more than powerful enough for this kind of work.) Or are you a sort of moderate user, perhaps doing simply processing and not a huge number of daily files… and on a budget? The good news is that something that isn’t quite at the top spec may well be more than fast enough… and within your budget.
Sep 19, 2026 at 02:08 PM
p.2 #3Need Laptop Recommendation for Photo Processing
gdanmitchell wrote:
One good way to get a sense of this aspect of Mac performance is, if possible, to head to an Apple Store (or some other retailer with the machines) and at least try doing the normal stuff.
Normal stuff will, absolutely NOT ^ reveal the difference. That's like saying a Camry can get you the to grocery store in a 35 mph zone just as fast as a Ferrari.
I ran various series tests ... Pano Stitching, Massive Uprezzing, Bulk Batches, etc. ... the things you cannot do in an Apple store, and clocked the times, some (not all) were provided here for folks along the way, to illustrate the diff's as well. That's not to say that everything was an exact 2X performance difference, Iirc, some were less than 2X, some were more than 2X ... but, even then, the point was to understand where a significant break point was. As noted, I deduced (YTMV) the point of Pro + 32GB to be that point ... lots of time, lots of tests, lots of money back/forth, over a period of months ... en route to my decisions. So, yeah ... no, a trip to the Apple store and putz around, won't tell you Jack Squat, Diddly Boo.
The point of the specs are to help give the OP a sense of relative relationships, wrt to his component decisions. If he wants to TEST those diff's for himself, he will likely need to purchase (or rent from a non-Apple store) and conduct specific testing to understand things.
The other thing ... ummm, the point was also about future proofing. Today's web surfing in the Apple store will be no test at all relative to where a configuration "taps out". Unless you push the testing to tap out against your temperament, you'll have no baseline to understand what the future demands might bring.
YMMV ... but, I know my test results, and the effort to come to such an understanding of what the M (Base / Pro / Max) offerings presented. If that could have been discerned by "normal stuff" at the Apple store ... yeah, no, not possible. I mean seriously, they don't have LR / PS / C1 / DXO installed, so how in the world could you POSSIBLY get a feel for how those programs will perform differently on the diff models / configs. Again, not possible, doing "normal stuff" in the store.
One from the archives:
https://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/1822742/0?keyword=x#16329046
One good way to get a sense of this aspect of Mac performance is, if possible, to head to an Apple Store (or some other retailer with the machines) and at least try doing the normal stuff.
Normal stuff will, absolutely NOT ^ reveal the difference. That's like saying a Camry can get you the to grocery store in a 35 mph zone just as fast as a Ferrari.
I ran various series tests ... Pano Stitching, Massive Uprezzing, Bulk Batches, etc. ... the things you cannot do in an Apple store, and clocked the times, some (not all) were provided here for folks along the way, to illustrate the diff's as well. That's not to say that everything was an exact 2X performance difference, Iirc, some were less than 2X, some were more than 2X ... but, even then, the point was to understand where a significant break point was. As noted, I deduced (YTMV) the point of Pro + 32GB to be that point ... lots of time, lots of tests, lots of money back/forth, over a period of months ... en route to my decisions. So, yeah ... no, a trip to the Apple store and putz around, won't tell you Jack Squat, Diddly Boo.
The point of the specs are to help give the OP a sense of relative relationships, wrt to his component decisions. If he wants to TEST those diff's for himself, he will likely need to purchase (or rent from a non-Apple store) and conduct specific testing to understand things.
The other thing ... ummm, the point was also about future proofing. Today's web surfing in the Apple store will be no test at all relative to where a configuration "taps out". Unless you push the testing to tap out against your temperament, you'll have no baseline to understand what the future demands might bring.
YMMV ... but, I know my test results, and the effort to come to such an understanding of what the M (Base / Pro / Max) offerings presented. If that could have been discerned by "normal stuff" at the Apple store ... yeah, no, not possible. I mean seriously, they don't have LR / PS / C1 / DXO installed, so how in the world could you POSSIBLY get a feel for how those programs will perform differently on the diff models / configs. Again, not possible, doing "normal stuff" in the store.
One from the archives:
https://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/1822742/0?keyword=x#16329046
Sep 19, 2026 at 03:44 PM
p.2 #4Need Laptop Recommendation for Photo Processing
^^^
I think you are more or less missing my point. Our OP, who has a limited budget, has to determine what features are most important to him, given that budget. He apparently cannot just throw more money at this at over-spec “just to be sure.”
So AS I WROTE, it makes sense for him to think about what is most important. Is it portability? Will he connect to an external monitor… and have to reserve budget for that? How much photo processing does he do? With what applications? How large are the files? Is he willing to wait 10 seconds that might take 5 on a faster machine that he cannot afford?
Test results are useful things, but they have to be applied to real world circumstances. And real world budgets.
The last thing that a computer shopper on a limited budget needs is a bunch of technical stats copied from Google. What they actually probably need is some help thinking about their needs and the effects of various choices that are within their budget, which in this case is $2000.
I think you are more or less missing my point. Our OP, who has a limited budget, has to determine what features are most important to him, given that budget. He apparently cannot just throw more money at this at over-spec “just to be sure.”
So AS I WROTE, it makes sense for him to think about what is most important. Is it portability? Will he connect to an external monitor… and have to reserve budget for that? How much photo processing does he do? With what applications? How large are the files? Is he willing to wait 10 seconds that might take 5 on a faster machine that he cannot afford?
Test results are useful things, but they have to be applied to real world circumstances. And real world budgets.
The last thing that a computer shopper on a limited budget needs is a bunch of technical stats copied from Google. What they actually probably need is some help thinking about their needs and the effects of various choices that are within their budget, which in this case is $2000.
Sep 19, 2026 at 09:42 PM
p.2 #5Need Laptop Recommendation for Photo Processing
I have a base model 13″ M5 MacBook Air (16GB memory, 512GB storage) and it can run Capture One, faster than the 2019 iMac I usually use. However, I’m not processing images on it for hours on end, so not encountering the thermal throttling that is a consequence of the Air’s fanless design. I’m also not connecting one or both of my 5K monitors: the Capture One system requirements say that I’d need 32GB and the Pro chip to comfortably do that. (Adobe lists 16GB of unified memory as the minimum required for Lightroom.)
Regarding memory, I think people often don’t understand how virtual memory works. If Capture One needs 8GB and Safari 12GB, you don’t need 20GB to run both unless you’re quickly switching between the two. Whichever program is not currently being used is swapped out to the SSD.
So the answer is “it depends”. If OP will never have the budget (or space, or desire) for an external monitor, that’s no longer a reason to get a processor with higher memory bandwidth. If OP doesn’t mind the machine slowing down when working intensively, they don’t need a MacBook Pro machine with a fan.
Regarding memory, I think people often don’t understand how virtual memory works. If Capture One needs 8GB and Safari 12GB, you don’t need 20GB to run both unless you’re quickly switching between the two. Whichever program is not currently being used is swapped out to the SSD.
So the answer is “it depends”. If OP will never have the budget (or space, or desire) for an external monitor, that’s no longer a reason to get a processor with higher memory bandwidth. If OP doesn’t mind the machine slowing down when working intensively, they don’t need a MacBook Pro machine with a fan.
Sep 20, 2026 at 01:01 AM
p.2 #6Need Laptop Recommendation for Photo Processing
Ordered. I figured I’d keep the machine for around five years, so the extra cost works out to roughly two hundred dollars per year. I’ll admit I originally had a much cheaper setup in mind and really wanted to go back to the MacBook Air, but after digging into the details it was hard to pick the Air over the Pro. BH had this configuration for about four hundred fifty dollars less than Apple, and Payboo alone saved me more than three hundred in taxes.
Specs:
• 14‑inch MacBook Pro in Space Black with M5 Pro
• 18‑core CPU, 20‑core GPU, 16‑core Neural Engine
• 48GB unified memory
• 1TB SSD
• Nano‑texture display
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1957149-REG/apple_mbp_m5p_43_14_macbook_pro_m5.html
I don't really dig the size of my 16" Macbook Pro from work, so 14" was an easy decision.
Thanks all for chiming in.
Specs:
• 14‑inch MacBook Pro in Space Black with M5 Pro
• 18‑core CPU, 20‑core GPU, 16‑core Neural Engine
• 48GB unified memory
• 1TB SSD
• Nano‑texture display
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1957149-REG/apple_mbp_m5p_43_14_macbook_pro_m5.html
I don't really dig the size of my 16" Macbook Pro from work, so 14" was an easy decision.
Thanks all for chiming in.
Sep 20, 2026 at 06:20 AM
p.2 #7Need Laptop Recommendation for Photo Processing
gdanmitchell wrote:
^^^
I think you are more or less missing my point. Our OP, who has a limited budget, has to determine what features are most important to him, given that budget. He apparently cannot just throw more money at this at over-spec “just to be sure.”
So AS I WROTE, it makes sense for him to think about what is most important. Is it portability? Will he connect to an external monitor… and have to reserve budget for that? How much photo processing does he do? With what applications? How large are the files? Is he willing to wait 10 seconds...Show more →
There's a difference between a HARD limited budget, and someone trying to be savvy with their purchase .. particularly in the context of future considerations, as the OP presented. And, bear in mind, I only referenced that ... IN ADDITION to months worth of real world used with the variety of different models / configurations for the sole purpose of understanding how that translates in terms of REAL operation(s). The test / info is merely representation. No replacement for actually getting your hands on things and putting it through the paces. Unless someone has the wherewithal to do so with multiple models / configs for themselves (money / time to do so), the best I can offer our fellow members is my personal experience of having done that very thing. Dismiss it or believe it ... your call ... horse / water / drink ... horse / course ... YMMV / Your Call.
For that reason, the "stretch" your thinking is prudent, but necessary to understand how / why your ROI of future / operating ease is in play. Personally, I think the OP's decision for the Pro + 48 will serve him VERY well going out 5 years (or more).
Imo, the fluidity of responsiveness is hard to quantify. But, when you experience things that bog you down, or slow your roll ... those can be a buzzkill to your mojo. Absolutely, diff strokes for diff folks ... and each individual has to make their own assessment of what their needs / wants are.
For me, bottom line is:
Don't fight with your tools.
If you are thinking you need a good tool that will last you well into the future, then get a good tool that will last you well into the future (yet, not be a Ferrari when you just need a Mustang, instead of a Camry).
Pro + 48 ... good call (imo).
^^^
I think you are more or less missing my point. Our OP, who has a limited budget, has to determine what features are most important to him, given that budget. He apparently cannot just throw more money at this at over-spec “just to be sure.”
So AS I WROTE, it makes sense for him to think about what is most important. Is it portability? Will he connect to an external monitor… and have to reserve budget for that? How much photo processing does he do? With what applications? How large are the files? Is he willing to wait 10 seconds...Show more →
There's a difference between a HARD limited budget, and someone trying to be savvy with their purchase .. particularly in the context of future considerations, as the OP presented. And, bear in mind, I only referenced that ... IN ADDITION to months worth of real world used with the variety of different models / configurations for the sole purpose of understanding how that translates in terms of REAL operation(s). The test / info is merely representation. No replacement for actually getting your hands on things and putting it through the paces. Unless someone has the wherewithal to do so with multiple models / configs for themselves (money / time to do so), the best I can offer our fellow members is my personal experience of having done that very thing. Dismiss it or believe it ... your call ... horse / water / drink ... horse / course ... YMMV / Your Call.
For that reason, the "stretch" your thinking is prudent, but necessary to understand how / why your ROI of future / operating ease is in play. Personally, I think the OP's decision for the Pro + 48 will serve him VERY well going out 5 years (or more).
Imo, the fluidity of responsiveness is hard to quantify. But, when you experience things that bog you down, or slow your roll ... those can be a buzzkill to your mojo. Absolutely, diff strokes for diff folks ... and each individual has to make their own assessment of what their needs / wants are.
For me, bottom line is:
Don't fight with your tools.
If you are thinking you need a good tool that will last you well into the future, then get a good tool that will last you well into the future (yet, not be a Ferrari when you just need a Mustang, instead of a Camry).
Pro + 48 ... good call (imo).
Sep 20, 2026 at 06:46 AM
p.2 #8Need Laptop Recommendation for Photo Processing
ramesesthe2nd wrote:
Ordered. I figured I’d keep the machine for around five years, so the extra cost works out to roughly two hundred dollars per year. I’ll admit I originally had a much cheaper setup in mind and really wanted to go back to the MacBook Air, but after digging into the details it was hard to pick the Air over the Pro. BH had this configuration for about four hundred fifty dollars less than Apple, and Payboo alone saved me more than three hundred in taxes.
Specs:
• 14‑inch MacBook Pro in Space Black with M5 Pro
• 18‑core CPU, 20‑core GPU, 16‑core...Show more →
CONGRATS !!!
I think you will find this rig a JOY to use for the foreseeable future.
Ordered. I figured I’d keep the machine for around five years, so the extra cost works out to roughly two hundred dollars per year. I’ll admit I originally had a much cheaper setup in mind and really wanted to go back to the MacBook Air, but after digging into the details it was hard to pick the Air over the Pro. BH had this configuration for about four hundred fifty dollars less than Apple, and Payboo alone saved me more than three hundred in taxes.
Specs:
• 14‑inch MacBook Pro in Space Black with M5 Pro
• 18‑core CPU, 20‑core GPU, 16‑core...Show more →
CONGRATS !!!
I think you will find this rig a JOY to use for the foreseeable future.
Sep 20, 2026 at 06:57 AM
p.2 #9Need Laptop Recommendation for Photo Processing
ramesesthe2nd wrote:
Specs:
• 14‑inch MacBook Pro in Space Black with M5 Pro
• 18‑core CPU, 20‑core GPU, 16‑core Neural Engine
• 48GB unified memory
• 1TB SSD
• Nano‑texture display
You're going to love it. The new MBPs are great.
Specs:
• 14‑inch MacBook Pro in Space Black with M5 Pro
• 18‑core CPU, 20‑core GPU, 16‑core Neural Engine
• 48GB unified memory
• 1TB SSD
• Nano‑texture display
You're going to love it. The new MBPs are great.
Sep 20, 2026 at 07:04 AM
p.2 #10Need Laptop Recommendation for Photo Processing
ramesesthe2nd wrote:
Ordered. I figured I’d keep the machine for around five years, so the extra cost works out to roughly two hundred dollars per year. I’ll admit I originally had a much cheaper setup in mind and really wanted to go back to the MacBook Air, but after digging into the details it was hard to pick the Air over the Pro. BH had this configuration for about four hundred fifty dollars less than Apple, and Payboo alone saved me more than three hundred in taxes.
Specs:
• 14‑inch MacBook Pro in Space Black with M5 Pro
• 18‑core CPU, 20‑core GPU, 16‑core...Show more →
That sounds like a good setup. Enjoy! (And glad to hear that the discussion here helped with your decision.)
Ordered. I figured I’d keep the machine for around five years, so the extra cost works out to roughly two hundred dollars per year. I’ll admit I originally had a much cheaper setup in mind and really wanted to go back to the MacBook Air, but after digging into the details it was hard to pick the Air over the Pro. BH had this configuration for about four hundred fifty dollars less than Apple, and Payboo alone saved me more than three hundred in taxes.
Specs:
• 14‑inch MacBook Pro in Space Black with M5 Pro
• 18‑core CPU, 20‑core GPU, 16‑core...Show more →
That sounds like a good setup. Enjoy! (And glad to hear that the discussion here helped with your decision.)
Sep 20, 2026 at 09:52 AM
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p.2 #11Need Laptop Recommendation for Photo Processing
it is all about what you can get for your $$. What you are going to use it for? If you are going to process picture of your grandkids playing in a park then just get any windows Machine, they all more then capable to process your shots. If you are an event photographer, get a good windows PC with the OLED display. You'll save $$ and will get a great setup. Plus you can get tons of freeware apps for windows.
MAC is nice but overpriced, on the downside MAC universe has very thin freeware options. I have MAC book pro M4 PRO and it is just little bit faster then my old Lenovo laptop. Do not believe in all all that garbage about how great Apple PCs are, they are not that great.
MAC is nice but overpriced, on the downside MAC universe has very thin freeware options. I have MAC book pro M4 PRO and it is just little bit faster then my old Lenovo laptop. Do not believe in all all that garbage about how great Apple PCs are, they are not that great.
Sep 20, 2026 at 10:50 PM
p.2 #12Need Laptop Recommendation for Photo Processing
tester_V wrote:
it is all about what you can get for your $$. What you are going to use it for? If you are going to process picture of your grandkids playing in a park then just get any windows Machine, they all more then capable to process your shots. If you are an event photographer, get a good windows PC with the OLED display. You'll save $$ and will get a great setup. Plus you can get tons of freeware apps for windows.
MAC is nice but overpriced, on the downside MAC universe has very thin freeware options. I have MAC book...Show more →
Which is EXACTLY why I went through the iterations of buying all the MBP configurations, that I did.
I had a Lenovo Extreme that was quite good in many regard ... but, it ran very hot on my laptop. So, being NOT a Mac guy for my entire life, I NEEDED to learn / understand what the diff's were.
I actually had 32GB in my ThinkPad Extreme and bumped it to 64GB ... real world, didn't run a lick faster. That was BEFORE I tested out the MBP's. For this reason ... and my testing with 32GB and 64GB on the MBP, that I don't suggest 64GB for most folks. NOW, if you're a VIDEO pro ... well, then you likely aren't even asking about such things, you're head past 32GB quickly.
But, when I dropped back to 24GB on the MBP from 32GB ... yeah, I could tell the diff easily (i.e. brushwork, fluidity, etc.). One also has to bear in mind that on the MBP, Mac SHARES the memory, unlike a PC with a dedicated memory allocation on the Vid card, kind of thing. For that reason, as well ... the notion of 24GB for the OS, GPU, CPU operations etc ... and the prospect of Software requirements in the future ... 24GB is a tough thing for me recommend for photo editing, with a future outlook in play.
That said, if we are talking about snapshot family easy edits, and call that "photo editing" then we might be misaligned in what we are talking about. When I hear rig for photo editing, I'm thinking LR / PS / C1 / DXO kind of things ... NR operations, batch operations, expansive brushwork, photo merge, uprezzing, etc. ... those things that will tax a system.
So, as it pertains to Mac ... my ThinkPad keyboarding experience trumps the MBP all day long, any day, every day, and as a long time ThinkPad user, the Extreme version was good, but when I ran the numbers (back then), the MBP kicked its BUTT in terms of performance, not even close. I'm guessing that some of those were due to the shared memory of the MBP could allocate more GPU memory than I had was on my GPU card. And it seemed to be about that time that some shifts in CPU / GPU harnessing was occurring, so the TP wasn't as strong on the GPU side, that the MBP could be.
And, while I could have opted for a newer model TP, the heat signature difference (I literally use my laptop on my lap) was a distinct matter of noticeable comfort difference, when I was cranking on the TP. I did have to relinquish my OLED touch screen in the process, but I managed to get on without the touch display.
So, yes ... there can be PC options out there too. I simply share my deep dive into the MBP config diff's, that I deeply explored when entering Mac-Land (still not a big fan of Mac OS, though, old dog here prefers Win). In certain regard, the fact that one CANNOT simply upgrade more memory (like my TP, or other PC's) in the MBP, I wanted to make sure I understood where that line needed to be (for me). Again, just sharing my experience of buying, using and selecting an INVESTMENT into the MBP. If someone is not interested in Mac, cool beans ... but, I simply share what I learned from $$$ and months of comparisons among the 24 / 32 / 64 and Base / Air / Pro / Max. It was all garbeldy goop to me when I first started, but I came to have a pretty good understanding of what / where / how / why the diff's were, after a multi-month series of comparisons.
YMMV
it is all about what you can get for your $$. What you are going to use it for? If you are going to process picture of your grandkids playing in a park then just get any windows Machine, they all more then capable to process your shots. If you are an event photographer, get a good windows PC with the OLED display. You'll save $$ and will get a great setup. Plus you can get tons of freeware apps for windows.
MAC is nice but overpriced, on the downside MAC universe has very thin freeware options. I have MAC book...Show more →
Which is EXACTLY why I went through the iterations of buying all the MBP configurations, that I did.
I had a Lenovo Extreme that was quite good in many regard ... but, it ran very hot on my laptop. So, being NOT a Mac guy for my entire life, I NEEDED to learn / understand what the diff's were.
I actually had 32GB in my ThinkPad Extreme and bumped it to 64GB ... real world, didn't run a lick faster. That was BEFORE I tested out the MBP's. For this reason ... and my testing with 32GB and 64GB on the MBP, that I don't suggest 64GB for most folks. NOW, if you're a VIDEO pro ... well, then you likely aren't even asking about such things, you're head past 32GB quickly.
But, when I dropped back to 24GB on the MBP from 32GB ... yeah, I could tell the diff easily (i.e. brushwork, fluidity, etc.). One also has to bear in mind that on the MBP, Mac SHARES the memory, unlike a PC with a dedicated memory allocation on the Vid card, kind of thing. For that reason, as well ... the notion of 24GB for the OS, GPU, CPU operations etc ... and the prospect of Software requirements in the future ... 24GB is a tough thing for me recommend for photo editing, with a future outlook in play.
That said, if we are talking about snapshot family easy edits, and call that "photo editing" then we might be misaligned in what we are talking about. When I hear rig for photo editing, I'm thinking LR / PS / C1 / DXO kind of things ... NR operations, batch operations, expansive brushwork, photo merge, uprezzing, etc. ... those things that will tax a system.
So, as it pertains to Mac ... my ThinkPad keyboarding experience trumps the MBP all day long, any day, every day, and as a long time ThinkPad user, the Extreme version was good, but when I ran the numbers (back then), the MBP kicked its BUTT in terms of performance, not even close. I'm guessing that some of those were due to the shared memory of the MBP could allocate more GPU memory than I had was on my GPU card. And it seemed to be about that time that some shifts in CPU / GPU harnessing was occurring, so the TP wasn't as strong on the GPU side, that the MBP could be.
And, while I could have opted for a newer model TP, the heat signature difference (I literally use my laptop on my lap) was a distinct matter of noticeable comfort difference, when I was cranking on the TP. I did have to relinquish my OLED touch screen in the process, but I managed to get on without the touch display.
So, yes ... there can be PC options out there too. I simply share my deep dive into the MBP config diff's, that I deeply explored when entering Mac-Land (still not a big fan of Mac OS, though, old dog here prefers Win). In certain regard, the fact that one CANNOT simply upgrade more memory (like my TP, or other PC's) in the MBP, I wanted to make sure I understood where that line needed to be (for me). Again, just sharing my experience of buying, using and selecting an INVESTMENT into the MBP. If someone is not interested in Mac, cool beans ... but, I simply share what I learned from $$$ and months of comparisons among the 24 / 32 / 64 and Base / Air / Pro / Max. It was all garbeldy goop to me when I first started, but I came to have a pretty good understanding of what / where / how / why the diff's were, after a multi-month series of comparisons.
YMMV
Sep 21, 2026 at 03:45 AM
p.2 #13Need Laptop Recommendation for Photo Processing
I want to commend everyone here for jumping in and sharing such valuable feedback.
Windows PCs have never really been my thing (and I worked at Microsoft for 4 years). I run Linux on every custom-built machine I own, and when I don't want to be overly technical with my hardware or workflows, I rely on Apple products.
I built a computer 11 years ago with an Intel i7 processor, an NVMe drive, and 64 GB of RAM, and it is still going strong. At one point, I upgraded the GPU to an RTX 3060 with 12 GB of VRAM, which is about the most the older bus speeds and CPU architecture can reasonably take advantage of. Today, it serves as my home server and runs development workloads, as well as quantized AI models, surprisingly well.
As for memory and AI workloads, there really is no end to that chase. Clearly, 48 GB is not enough for training or experimenting with larger models, but honestly, neither is 64 GB. There is always a bigger model and a greater demand for resources around the corner.
I'm sure I would have been perfectly fine with either the MacBook Air or the base MacBook Pro as well. However, I'm a relatively light phone user and a very heavy laptop user. I spend significantly more time on my laptop than on my phone, and since I don't plan to upgrade again anytime soon, the additional $1,000 investment didn't feel unreasonable to me.
In any case, the decision has been made, and the laptop is already with FedEx for delivery.
Thank you again to everyone who took the time to share their perspectives, whether from a cost-to-value standpoint or from a pure speed and performance perspective. Your feedback was genuinely helpful.
Windows PCs have never really been my thing (and I worked at Microsoft for 4 years). I run Linux on every custom-built machine I own, and when I don't want to be overly technical with my hardware or workflows, I rely on Apple products.
I built a computer 11 years ago with an Intel i7 processor, an NVMe drive, and 64 GB of RAM, and it is still going strong. At one point, I upgraded the GPU to an RTX 3060 with 12 GB of VRAM, which is about the most the older bus speeds and CPU architecture can reasonably take advantage of. Today, it serves as my home server and runs development workloads, as well as quantized AI models, surprisingly well.
As for memory and AI workloads, there really is no end to that chase. Clearly, 48 GB is not enough for training or experimenting with larger models, but honestly, neither is 64 GB. There is always a bigger model and a greater demand for resources around the corner.
I'm sure I would have been perfectly fine with either the MacBook Air or the base MacBook Pro as well. However, I'm a relatively light phone user and a very heavy laptop user. I spend significantly more time on my laptop than on my phone, and since I don't plan to upgrade again anytime soon, the additional $1,000 investment didn't feel unreasonable to me.
In any case, the decision has been made, and the laptop is already with FedEx for delivery.
Thank you again to everyone who took the time to share their perspectives, whether from a cost-to-value standpoint or from a pure speed and performance perspective. Your feedback was genuinely helpful.
Sep 21, 2026 at 07:21 AM
p.2 #14Need Laptop Recommendation for Photo Processing
ramesesthe2nd wrote:
Windows PCs have never really been my thing (and I worked at Microsoft for 4 years)...
I’m going off topic a bit here, but I have a funny related story.
Years ago I had a working relationship with a division of Apple, and I was regularly inside the Infinite Loop facility and got to know some good folks there. As folks may know, there were some pretty hefty deals for Apple employees, and they were allowed to share them with a limited number of “friends and family.”
A person I knew (to be suitably vague about identities) was a long time PC user who contacted me to ask about getting an Apple laptop. This person had worked long enough at Microsoft and in high enough positions to eventually basically retire before turning 40.
I was at the Apple facility, so I asked if anyone had an unused discount allowance that they could use for this person. No one was super enthusiastic — I think they wanted to preserve their discounts for other potential users. Then I happened to mention that the potential buyer was a long time Microsoft employee… and within an hour or so maybe 10 or more folks were enthusiastically offering to let the “Microsoft guy” use their discount!
(Which he did. :-)
Windows PCs have never really been my thing (and I worked at Microsoft for 4 years)...
I’m going off topic a bit here, but I have a funny related story.
Years ago I had a working relationship with a division of Apple, and I was regularly inside the Infinite Loop facility and got to know some good folks there. As folks may know, there were some pretty hefty deals for Apple employees, and they were allowed to share them with a limited number of “friends and family.”
A person I knew (to be suitably vague about identities) was a long time PC user who contacted me to ask about getting an Apple laptop. This person had worked long enough at Microsoft and in high enough positions to eventually basically retire before turning 40.
I was at the Apple facility, so I asked if anyone had an unused discount allowance that they could use for this person. No one was super enthusiastic — I think they wanted to preserve their discounts for other potential users. Then I happened to mention that the potential buyer was a long time Microsoft employee… and within an hour or so maybe 10 or more folks were enthusiastically offering to let the “Microsoft guy” use their discount!
(Which he did. :-)
Sep 21, 2026 at 08:28 AM
p.2 #15Need Laptop Recommendation for Photo Processing
gdanmitchell wrote:
Then I happened to mention that the potential buyer was a long time Microsoft employee… and within an hour or so maybe 10 or more folks were enthusiastically offering to let the “Microsoft guy” use their discount!
(Which he did. :-)
I heard (and experienced) many similar stories during my time at Apple. Many Micro-softies secretly wanted to use Apple products. I even heard that Bill Gates went so far as to ban iPods on the MS campus (back when they were all the rage, and MS was trying to sell their pathetic competing product - the Zune)
Then I happened to mention that the potential buyer was a long time Microsoft employee… and within an hour or so maybe 10 or more folks were enthusiastically offering to let the “Microsoft guy” use their discount!
(Which he did. :-)
I heard (and experienced) many similar stories during my time at Apple. Many Micro-softies secretly wanted to use Apple products. I even heard that Bill Gates went so far as to ban iPods on the MS campus (back when they were all the rage, and MS was trying to sell their pathetic competing product - the Zune)
Sep 21, 2026 at 08:36 AM
p.2 #16Need Laptop Recommendation for Photo Processing
gdanmitchell wrote:
I’m going off topic a bit here, but I have a funny related story.
Years ago I had a working relationship with a division of Apple, and I was regularly inside the Infinite Loop facility and got to know some good folks there. As folks may know, there were some pretty hefty deals for Apple employees, and they were allowed to share them with a limited number of “friends and family.”
A person I knew (to be suitably vague about identities) was a long time PC user who contacted me to ask about getting an Apple laptop. This person had worked long...Show more →
They're all trying to expand their networks. Most are happy to connect with anyone at another company, especially if it could open doors down the road. While several of these companies have reputations for toxic cultures (I can't really speak to Apple), there are obvious benefits to being associated with a major tech brand, both professionally and socially.
MikeEvangelist wrote:
(Which he did. :-)I heard (and experienced) many similar stories during my time at Apple. Many Micro-softies secretly wanted to use Apple products. I even heard that Bill Gates went so far as to ban iPods on the MS campus (back when they were all the rage, and MS was trying to sell their pathetic competing product - the Zune)
I have so many good memories of my poo brown 80 GB Zune. I miss it so much.
ramesesthe2nd wrote
Windows PCs have never really been my thing (and I worked at Microsoft for 4 years)...Years ago I had a working relationship with a division of Apple, and I was regularly inside the Infinite Loop facility and got to know some good folks there. As folks may know, there were some pretty hefty deals for Apple employees, and they were allowed to share them with a limited number of “friends and family.”
A person I knew (to be suitably vague about identities) was a long time PC user who contacted me to ask about getting an Apple laptop. This person had worked long...Show more →
They're all trying to expand their networks. Most are happy to connect with anyone at another company, especially if it could open doors down the road. While several of these companies have reputations for toxic cultures (I can't really speak to Apple), there are obvious benefits to being associated with a major tech brand, both professionally and socially.
MikeEvangelist wrote:
gdanmitchell wrote
Then I happened to mention that the potential buyer was a long time Microsoft employee… and within an hour or so maybe 10 or more folks were enthusiastically offering to let the “Microsoft guy” use their discount!(Which he did. :-)
I have so many good memories of my poo brown 80 GB Zune. I miss it so much.
Sep 21, 2026 at 08:52 AM
p.2 #17Need Laptop Recommendation for Photo Processing
Exact same thing happened to me. MI pro 14 died. I picked up a 13" air. I travel allot and don't do batch edits. I do use noise reduction. Works perfectly for me. As a side note. I had a 15", I will never go back to that again since i travel. And when home I use the air in my computer room tied to a nice monitor.
24GB unified ram. Works for me anyway.
24GB unified ram. Works for me anyway.
Sep 21, 2026 at 09:16 AM
p.2 #18Need Laptop Recommendation for Photo Processing
ramesesthe2nd wrote:
I have so many good memories of my poo brown 80 GB Zune. I miss it so much.
That's -really- taking one for the team!
I have so many good memories of my poo brown 80 GB Zune. I miss it so much.
That's -really- taking one for the team!
Sep 21, 2026 at 09:37 AM
p.2 #19Need Laptop Recommendation for Photo Processing
ramesesthe2nd wrote:
I’m going off topic a bit here, but I have a funny related story.
Years ago I had a working relationship with a division of Apple, and I was regularly inside the Infinite Loop facility and got to know some good folks there. As folks may know, there were some pretty hefty deals for Apple employees, and they were allowed to share them with a limited number of “friends and family.”
A person I knew (to be suitably vague about identities) was a long time PC user who contacted me to ask about getting an Apple laptop. This person had worked long enough at Microsoft and in high enough positions to eventually basically retire before turning 40.
I was at the Apple facility, so I asked if anyone had an unused discount allowance that they could use for this person. No one was super enthusiastic — I think they wanted to preserve their discounts for other potential users. Then I happened to mention that the potential buyer was a long time Microsoft employee… and within an hour or so maybe 10 or more folks were enthusiastically offering to let the “Microsoft guy” use their discount!
(Which he did. :-)They're all trying to expand their networks. Most are happy to connect with anyone at another company, especially if it could open doors down the road. While several of these companies have reputations for toxic cultures (I can't really speak to Apple), there are obvious benefits to being associated with a major tech brand, both professionally and socially..
Yes, and no. The comment from one of the folks I worked with was, to paraphrase, "Everyone wants to be the person who sold the Mac to the MS employee!"
BTW, this person went from being a strictly MS person to using three operating systems after retiring (early and wealthy) from MS: Windows, Linux, and Mac OS.
Speaking of Zune and technology that never quite caught on... I still have a couple of Newtons and an eMate. Remember that one? ;-)
gdanmitchell wrote
ramesesthe2nd wrote
Windows PCs have never really been my thing (and I worked at Microsoft for 4 years)...Years ago I had a working relationship with a division of Apple, and I was regularly inside the Infinite Loop facility and got to know some good folks there. As folks may know, there were some pretty hefty deals for Apple employees, and they were allowed to share them with a limited number of “friends and family.”
A person I knew (to be suitably vague about identities) was a long time PC user who contacted me to ask about getting an Apple laptop. This person had worked long enough at Microsoft and in high enough positions to eventually basically retire before turning 40.
I was at the Apple facility, so I asked if anyone had an unused discount allowance that they could use for this person. No one was super enthusiastic — I think they wanted to preserve their discounts for other potential users. Then I happened to mention that the potential buyer was a long time Microsoft employee… and within an hour or so maybe 10 or more folks were enthusiastically offering to let the “Microsoft guy” use their discount!
(Which he did. :-)
Yes, and no. The comment from one of the folks I worked with was, to paraphrase, "Everyone wants to be the person who sold the Mac to the MS employee!"
BTW, this person went from being a strictly MS person to using three operating systems after retiring (early and wealthy) from MS: Windows, Linux, and Mac OS.
Speaking of Zune and technology that never quite caught on... I still have a couple of Newtons and an eMate. Remember that one? ;-)
Sep 21, 2026 at 10:35 AM
p.2 #20Need Laptop Recommendation for Photo Processing
For anyone who comes across this thread in September 2026, Micro Center has the 14-inch MacBook Pro with the M5 Max, 36GB of RAM, and a 2TB SSD available for $2,999. If AI and LLM experimentation aren't a priority for you, it's arguably the better machine at the same price point.
https://www.microcenter.com/product/708479/apple-macbook-pro-14-mgdu4ll-a-(early-2026-142-laptop-computer-space-black)
As for me, I plan to spend some time experimenting with AI models, so I'm sticking with my B&H order and opting for the additional RAM.
https://www.microcenter.com/product/708479/apple-macbook-pro-14-mgdu4ll-a-(early-2026-142-laptop-computer-space-black)
As for me, I plan to spend some time experimenting with AI models, so I'm sticking with my B&H order and opting for the additional RAM.
Sep 21, 2026 at 10:47 AM