16-inch MBP chip & memory for graphic design & 5-6 years

boilerfan wrote:

Wondering if anyone has advice on M4 Pro vs M4 Max and performance for the software I use and knowing how long I would like the device to last?

M4 Pro

• 12 CPU cores, 16 GPU cores
• 14 CPU cores, 20 GPU cores

M4 Max

• 14 CPU cores, 32 GPU cores, and more hardware video processing engines than a M4 Pro
• 16 CPU cores, 40 GPU cores, and more hardware video processing engines than a M4 Pro

Given enough RAM, the M4 Pro and M4 Max have essentially the same performance on tasks that depend mostly on the speed of one CPU core or a few CPU cores. You'd really need to be running a lot of lengthy jobs that lean heavily on many CPU cores to notice any practical difference.

The extra video processing engines are irrelevant to what you are doing, and would just sit idle.

So the main things that the M4 Max could offer you are

• More GPU cores.
• The ability to drive "up to four external displays", instead of "up to two external displays"
• The option to buy massive amounts of RAM. (If you just wanted more than 24 GB of RAM, a 16" M4 Pro MBP with a 14/20-core processor, 48 GB of RAM, and a custom-order 1 TB SSD would be $400 cheaper than the least expensive 16" M4 Max MBP, which has a 14/32 core processor, 36 GB of RAM, and the same-size SSD.)

You'd be spending a lot of money to get things that you probably do not need, and the icing on the cake is that, because the extra cores require electrical power, you'd get somewhat fewer hours on a battery charge.

boilerfan wrote:

I would like a 16" MBP but am unsure which chip and memory would be ideal. I don't want to replace the new device for at least 5-6 years. I am a graphic designer and use Creative Cloud (Illustrator and Photoshop mostly). I occasionally use Strata 3D for renderings.

For your purposes, as well as for most people, the M4 Max is expensive overkill.

All current MBPros come with at least 16GB RAM. While that meets "minimum spec" for the machine as well as Adobe CC and Strata 3D, I'd advise at least 24GB RAM if you are looking for performance & longevity. Ditto regarding storage, at least 1TB SSD.

You can configure an M4 Pro MBPro with 24GB RAM & 1TB SSD for $2,699 at present. Apple is a great place to purchase from. So is B&H Photo (I have purchased countless products including Macs from B&H for nearly 30 years and can vouch for their reliability and customer service.)

BTW, I have an M4 Pro MBPro as indicated above and it's the nicest laptop I've ever had. Gorgeous display, super performance, great battery usage. I use Photoshop CC, Lightroom Classic, Capture One, iMovie, AudioHijack and more and they all run perfectly. Looking forward to a 10-year life with this new MacBook Pro.

boilerfan wrote:

I cannot use all of the features in Creative Cloud without updating my current MacOS

But you can still use all the features in Creative Cloud that you currently use. I can't begin to count the number of times I've seen someone rant and rage over some custom workflow they've developed over the years that is suddenly obsolete after they've upgraded.

multiple websites aren't "secure" as well.

This one is more concerning. Which websites, specifically? A 2017 MacBook Pro can run macOS 13 Ventura. You shouldn't have any problems with that. However, a 2017 MacBook Pro can also run macOS 10.13 High Sierra. If you're using a really old OS version like that, you might have a difficult time with the upgrade.

The longer you go without upgrading, the more you should consider a fresh, from-scratch installation. Don't restore from backup or migrate any data. Just login to all your online accounts and let them sync. Manually copy over any documents. Reinstall the apps that you desperately need and can't live without. Take it slow. Don't get rid of the old computer until you're totally happy with the new one.

Wondering if anyone has advice on M4 Pro vs M4 Max and performance for the software I use and knowing how long I would like the device to last?

No clue on either front. I do have a 2017 MacBook Pro and my M1 Pro machine runs rings around it - like night and day. This computer is almost six years old. I also have a 2023 MacBook Air with M2 chip that's almost as fast.

But "lasting" is a difficult measure. A computer may last 10 years, or one year. Guess which one is the default warranty? If that's a concern, then you should budget for AppleCare too.

One site which appears to be less expensive is Best Buy. Yes, I understand about scams and would prefer to purchase from Apple but don't see a reason to spend extra money if I can avoid it.

Apple makes premium products and matches that with premium service. If you've done your homework, and don't see the value in that premium service, then you might be able to save a couple hundred dollars.

But how much will that savings cost you? Next year, you could find yourself with a "Geek Squad certified" refurbished computer that's also dead and can only be serviced by said "Geek Squad". Or you can make sure to purchase a new product, protected by AppleCare, which can be serviced years from now at any Apple Store or Authorized service provider, including Best Buy.

boilerfan wrote:

Hello! I'm looking to replace my 2017 15-inch MBP and could use some help. I would like a 16" MBP but am unsure which chip and memory would be ideal. I don't want to replace the new device for at least 5-6 years. I am a graphic designer and use Creative Cloud (Illustrator and Photoshop mostly). I occasionally use Strata 3D for renderings. I archive project/client files using external storage. My current device was nearly $3,500 and is still in excellent condition but I can no longer update the operating system...I would like to avoid spending that much again, if possible.

Adobe recommends 16 GB of RAM for Illustrator – and 16 GB "or more" for Photoshop.

https://helpx.adobe.com/illustrator/desktop/get-started/learn-the-basics/technical-requirements.html

https://helpx.adobe.com/photoshop/desktop/get-started/technical-requirements-installation/adobe-phohttps://www.strata.com/design-3d-cx-8-mac-pc/

Strata 3D requires a minimum of 8 GB of RAM – although more RAM "is highly recommended."

https://www.strata.com/design-3d-cx-8-mac-pc/

Hello, I had upgraded from my old 2019 15 inch Intel MacBook Pro (core i9) to the 2023 M3 Pro MacBook Pro, because the old Intel MBP kept have boot up issues. I can honestly say I am happy I upgraded to the M-Series MacBook Pro, because it works the same as it did upon booting up right out of the box in 2023. I have not had any issues at all. These M-Series MacBook Pros are light years ahead of the previous Intel Macs.

I also upgraded from my early 2008 white MacBook to the M2 15 inch MacBook Air in 2022 for school, and this MacBook Air is incredible too!

You would be better off upgrading to the newest M-Series MacBook Air or Pro laptop, since these Macs will obviously runs even better and last so much longer. People with the 2021 M-1 series Macs says their machines are running as brand new today in 2026.

boilerfan wrote:

Hello! I'm looking to replace my 2017 15-inch MBP and could use some help. I would like a 16" MBP but am unsure which chip and memory would be ideal.

It doesn't matter. Any of them would be many times faster than the old one.

I can no longer update the operating system.

How is that a problem?

I would like to avoid spending that much again, if possible.

The internals of modern Macs are all very similar. The biggest difference is the number of USB ports and external displays supported. If you need a lot of external devices or a lot of displays, then you'll have to get a MacBook Pro, which will cost at least as much as the old one, if not more.

Another option would be a MacBook Air. You get fewer ports and fewer external displays. And it would only be 10 x faster than the old one, not 12 x faster.

Is Apple the best place to purchase a new device? When comparing prices, it appears other sites are slightly less expensive.

What is an "other site"? There is Apple. There are a handful of authorized resellers. And then there is a whole world of scams. Which is worse? Pay Apple another $3500 for a new MacBook Pro or pay a scammer $3200 for a non-functional/stolen/activation locked MacBook Pro.

boilerfan wrote:

multiple websites aren't "secure" as well.

You may want to install a third-party Web browser.

Ventura is enough to run current versions of just about all major third-party browsers – including Firefox, which supports versions of macOS as far back as Catalina.