I need to get a new MacBookPro. Since Macs last a long time (I still have a running 2009 MBP) I want to “future proof” my new purchase. I want to get the fastest M4 Max chip
Apple M4 Max chip with 16 core CPU, 40 core GPU and 16 core Neural Engine.
I would also get the 2TB SSD
My question is how much unified memory should I get? It comes with 48GB but I can also upgrade to 64GB for an extra $250 or 128GB for an extra $1250.
I am inclined to max it out because down the road I would prefer to have too much rather than too little unified memory.
In this case, more is always better, always. So, if you can afford it … maximize. Whether you always have an advantage for certain tasks is another question. But it’s never a disadvantage…
If my current understanding is correct, unified memory in addition to being a dynamically split pool for CPU/GPU use, also carves out a sliver for caching (L4 or L5 probably). With no-internal upgrade path, max the ram and choose storage based on remaining budget. External drives are legion…. I don’t know anyone that makes external ram.
That’s what I’m looking at myself.
Also, while not your intention, a max’d ram unit will preserve more trade value longer.
I use a lot of different apps and have them open all the time, some for website development, a gazzilion tabs on the browser open, several instances of Scrivener, graphics programs, and I am thinking to get into video in the future. I can afford it, and the MBP does pay for itself via my work.
I would also suspect that future upgrades to macOS as well as future applications will develop to use all that power. That has been the trend in the past.
And thanks to everyone for confirming my intuition that more is better. Never heard anyone complain about having too much memory.
When I bought my M2Pro Mac mini, i went for 1TB storage and 16GB RAM, given my budget. I have since realised that I got it wrong, I should have got more RAM and less storage.
As someone said above, external storage is now very fast, easily available and pretty cheap (especially compared with Apple prices) and can be added as and when, whereas you’re stuck with the RAM you order.
So my advice is max the RAM and go for 1TB or even 512GB of storage.
1 TB is the base. The reason I want more internal storage is to be able to run different VMs and keep all my data in one place. It is also a hassle to go through airport security with a bunch of external SSDs - that I found out the hard way.
I would be very surprised if you even need 64 GB in five or ten years (and still be happy with the CPU). But one thing is for certain: That nagging voice in the back of your head won’t shut up. You could have maxed it out. You could have. But you didn’t. Damn.
I had a dilemma like this in 2021 when I was going to replace my MacBook Pro to the M1. I went with an M1 Max, with 64 GB unified memory, and the 4 TB SSD. I’m not a photo, video, or graphics person. I’m a heavy user, though. I have lots of big apps running; I multitask a lot; I use multiple displays, I also do some (hobbyist) software development, etc. When I look at Activity Monitor, my memory usage is around 28 GB at the low end to around 40 GB at the high end.
I’d recommend going with the 64 GB. I think 128 GB may be overkill for the near term. So, I don’t think you need to go that high. (That said, if you think your future usage would likely include processor-intensive, and memory-intensive work, then building some cushion is good.) I suspect 64 GB in a machine could serve your needs for the next 10 years. If 64 GB were not adequate, you’d likely already know it. Save your money and put it aside for your next upgrade.
I use Final Cut, 30+tabs in Safari, often with Vivaldi running 4-5 tabs for things that don’t like Safari, Scrivener and/or (That other app), Notes, Passwords, Word/Excel etc and haven’t found any issues with 32GB RAM (2TB SSD).
For my next purchase I’ll likely go 64GB RAM, just because.
With OWC already announcing TB5 external drives, I’ll max out my external storage with that if I find my TB4 drives ever hold me back.
If any of your work involves video editing, RAM is your friend. I thought that because Final Cut Pro libraries are large, I needed the storage, but I’ve found out that if you don’t have plenty of RAM it can create problems, especially if you use anything like Topaz Video AI!
I have a macBook Pro M1 Max (32Gb) and run a fairly heavy software (web) development environment on it + Creative Suite (PhotoShop etc). The machine is perfectly snappy with large files. So it depends… When I just have my writing stuff open, I’m using less than 30% of that 32Gb. Empty memory is wasted memory. When I open my dev stuff, I use about 80% of the memory. Only 3D work starts putting heavier demands (as more of the unified RAM is utilised as video RAM). The pressure is rarely over 60% though (pressure is a more interesting/important measure than “memory used” as it’s where the OS estimates resources based on load/how much swap is needed/etc).
That was in an era of exponential growth. In 1984, would a computer from 1974 make you happy? Unlikely. But a 2014 Mac in 2024? No problem by and large. It won’t be enough for everybody for decades, of course. But then other requirements may also enter the scene (e.g. “AI” cores) that we don’t even consider necessary right now.
This can’t be said enough. Also the corollary that wasted memory is wasted money. But I think determining memory needs can be challenging and memory needs seem to me more influx today than in years past. Seems like 16 GB is the new floor. 32GB is probably roomy enough for almost all of us.
Based on my view of your usage in comparison to mine, I’d have probably been fine with 32 GB, myself. At the time of purchase (and still today) I have been hoping to keep my machine in service for ten years. So, I wanted to ensure that I would have enough RAM in the case memory needs surged substantially over the decade.
One area where the extra headroom has been great is running VMs and being able to dedicate a big chunk of memory that doesn’t interfere with my host machine’s operations.
I share this point of view not to bore either you or @Orpheus about my purchasing decision. Only to put the reasoning behind my decision out there for @Orpheus to consider if it’s helpful.
If you have the money - max the RAM. But I dont think you will need it. I tend to think 64G is really all you need. The more RAM you add the lesser percentage of improvement you see (if that makes sense!). You may not notice any difference between the 64 G and 128G.
I got the original M1 Macbbok Pro. The do a bit of Photography (a little of video) - running Photoshop / Lightroom so I went for 32G RAM but a 2TB hard drive. I went for the biggeer harddrive because I cant understand getting a laptop then having to have external harddrives and things hanging off it. To me a laptop with 250 or even 500 G harddrives are useless. As it is - even with 2TB drive I still use external drives for some projects.
So - my recommendation. Definitely get the 2TB drive. 64GB memory I think will last the duration of the machine but get more if you really have money to burn.
What I think I will do is go from my current 2018 MBP with 16GB to 64 GB on the new M4 Max and get something new in 5 years and give my wife the M4 Max. Her needs are much less than mine at least for now. At least that way there is no loss because they are being used.
