Should I replace my 2018 MacBook Pro?

Currently, here's what I have:

  • 15-inch, 2018 MacBook Pro.
  • Processor: 2.9 GHz 6-Core Intel Core i9
  • Graphics: Radeon Pro Vega 20 4 GB / Intel UHD Graphics 630 1536 MB
  • Memory: 32 GB 2400 MHz DDR4
  • Storage: 1TB HD storage. (with 340GB Free, this is after an After Effects memory and purge event.)


I do not keep my clients' work on my HD. I use a 1TB SSD drive. However, when I use After Effects a lot for video animation, my Laptop memory runs out.


Here's my customized wish list:

  • 16" MacBook Pro
  • Apple M4 Max chip with 16‑core CPU, 40‑core GPU, 16‑core Neural Engine
  • 128GB unified memory OR 68GB?
  • 2TB SSD storage OR 4TB SSD?


I heard the 128GB unified memory might be too much, and 64GB would be enough for After Effects video animation, etc. I'm mostly running Adobe applications. Typically, I have Illustrator, InDesign, Photoshop, Acrobat, Microsoft Word & PPT, Slack, Chrome, and Firefox all running. If I run AE, I will close other apps.


Please let me know what you think. Sometimes, my current MacBook Pro runs just fine, and sometimes, working in AE seems a bit slower than it should be. Should I wait for the M5?


Thanks.









MacBook Pro 15″, macOS 15.0

Posted on Nov 2, 2024 7:39 AM

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2 replies

Nov 2, 2024 7:44 AM in response to tkwolik

If your work with After Effects is increasingly becoming a bottleneck and you're finding the current setup insufficient, upgrading to the 16" MacBook Pro with the M4 Max and considering 64 GB of memory and 2TB SSD would be a solid choice. If you can wait and aren’t feeling the pressure of performance issues, holding out for the next generation might be worth it.

Nov 2, 2024 11:21 AM in response to tkwolik

if you don't absolutely need the light weight, portability, battery operation, and exactly the built-in screen provided by the MacBook Pro, I want to remind you that your money goes MUCH farther in the desktop Mac lineup.


the Mac mini has just also been updated with an M4 chip, which has evolutionarily better memory, processor, and graphics.


The iMac has a new update as well, but no built-in Huge display, yet.


the Mac Studio was not updated this round.


Apple also has a "Help me choose" wizard that might prove insightful:


Mac - Which Mac is best for me? - Apple


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Should I replace my 2018 MacBook Pro?

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