MacBook Pro upgrade: M4 Pro vs M5, memory for photo editing

Question

Level 4

2,741 points

MacBook Pro upgrade: M4 Pro vs M5, memory for photo editing

Hello everybody,

Currently I plan to update my MacBook and would like to get some recommendations / feedback from you.

My current setup is 15-Inch MacBook Pro (2017) with 2,9 GHz Quad-Core Intel Core i7 (Radeon Pro 560 4GB) with 16GB Memory & 512GB SSD, macOS Ventura 13.7.8.

Main camera is a Canon 5D Mark IV (30 Mega Pixel 6720x4480).

I run Lightroom Classic 14.5.2 and Photoshop 27.3.0 and Apple Photos.

This question is also in the Lightroom Classic Community, but maybe somebody here has some insight on this topic.

Currently I consider the 14-Inch MacBook Pro with 1TG SSD in these options:

M5 Chip with 10‑Core CPU, 10‑Core GPU, 16-Core Neural Engine and 32GB Memory
M4 Pro Chip with 12‑Core CPU, 16-Core GPU, 16-Core Neural Engine and 24GB Memory

Both options would cost 2.549 Euros (Germany)

Potential updates for the M4 Pro Chip version:

From 12 to 14-Core CPU, from 16 to 20‑Core GPU, 16-Core Neural Engine would be additional 250 Euro (Number of Core CPU + 16% / Number of Core GPU + 25%)
From 24GB to 48GB would be additional 500 Euros

My questions would be:

Is it better to spend the money on a faster processor (Pro Chip / more Cores) or on more memory above 24GB?

The M4 Pro is faster but I get it only with 24 or 48GB, the M5 is available with 16, 24 or 32GB.

Will I really get more speed with more memory or is it not needed for a 30MP CR2 / DNG?

Adobe recommendation is 16GB or more

I know that Apple could release the M5 Pro in the next few weeks / month, but the general question would still be valid.

Therefore I will wait until April / May with my final decision.

Hopefully somebody has experience / feedback on this topic, Thanks in advance.

Ralf

MacBook Pro 15″, macOS 13.7

Posted on Feb 12, 2026 2:20 AM

Reply

Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

MartinR

Level 7

24,768 points

Feb 12, 2026 1:45 PM in response to Ralf-F

I do a lot of photography & digital restoration using Photoshop & CaptureOne. Both are demanding apps and I even do HDR merges with image sizes approaching 150MB.

My current desktop is a 27" Intel i9 iMac with 32GB RAM and it works perfectly fine with my photography (Nikon NEFs, Adobe DNGs, high resolution scans). Just sayin' in order to set a baseline for comparison.

I recently upgraded to a 16" M4Pro MacbookPro with 24GB RAM, 1TB SSD. It is the sweetest laptop I have ever owned and way outperforms my i9 iMac. It would do just fine for the purposes you asked about. I expect to be able to use it for at least 8-10 years.

Cores are not going to make much difference for your stated purposes. We don't even know if the Adobe apps even take advantage of them. If you were doing heavy duty video with Final Cut perhaps considering more cores & RAM would be worthwhile.

Bottom line, I suggest the M4Pro with 24GB RAM would be fine. I also strongly suggest at least the 1TB SSD. You won't regret it in the long run

Reply

Answer 2

Ralf-F Author

Level 4

2,741 points

Feb 12, 2026 1:23 PM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder

Hi Grant,

it is now 7 years old and Microsoft Office 365 tells me that the macOS is too old for the newest version.

Also the newest version of Lightroom Classic and Photoshop are no longer compatible with my old macOS.

Over the years I updated the Canon 5D to the Mark IV, therefore the file size got bigger.

Also Adobe included more functionality in their software, these will need now a faster laptop.

I don't use any external display.

All this is directing me to a new MacBook Pro.

Reply

Answer 3

Feb 12, 2026 11:14 AM in response to Ralf-F

Iin what way(s) does you current setup fall short of your expectations?

When does it seem annoyingly slow?

Do you use external display(s)? How many?

Reply