Mac Studio M2 Ultra or MBP M3 Max

I currently have a iMac Pr, 3.2Ghz Xeon, 32GB, Vega 56. (2017)

The computer is primary use for process Raw mostly from my Z9, but occasionally with my GFX 100s & ZF as well.
My Workflow are primary going from Camera Raw > Photoshop > Topaz AI stuffs & Nik Software.

My personal preference for form factor would b the Mac Studio, but if the M3 Max on the MBP is a better choice. I already watched some Youtube Video and online review, but honestly can't make up my mind. Chance is, I would have already bought a Mac Studio m3 Ultra if it exist. So, I am trying to avoid buying the Mac Studio M2 Ultra and regret not buying the M3 Max.

I also have a MBP M1 Pro w/16GB which can trade for a little over $1000 through Apple. (I don't use it with PS.), so technically, I can but the new MBP M3 Max with more RAM to replace both my current Macs.

Suggestions??

laueddy said:

I currently have a iMac Pr, 3.2Ghz Xeon, 32GB, Vega 56. (2017)

The computer is primary use for process Raw mostly from my Z9, but occasionally with my GFX 100s & ZF as well.
My Workflow are primary going from Camera Raw > Photoshop > Topaz AI stuffs & Nik Software.
My personal preference for form factor would b the Mac Studio, but if the M3 Max on the MBP is a better choice. I already watched some Youtube Video and online review, but honestly can't make up my mind. Chance is, I would have already bought a Mac Studio m3 Ultra if it exist. So, I am trying to avoid buying the Mac Studio M2 Ultra and regret not buying the M3 Max.

I also have a MBP M1 Pro w/16GB which can trade for a little over $1000 through Apple. (I don't use it with PS.), so technically, I can but the new MBP M3 Max with more RAM to replace both my current Macs.
Suggestions??

Click to expand...

Since the MBP M3 performs about as well in many respects, I'd say that of course much of the decision is based on whether you need portability. You can take the MBP with you, not the Studio.

Also, you will be hard pressed to get as good a display as you'd get on the MBP 16". Short of the Apple 6k XDR, or without spending at least another $3.5K. Once you start seeing your images with that extra 4 stops of highlight recovery, and videos in HDR, I think you'll choose the MBP.

I'm sure the Studio M3 Ultra will be pretty killer. But still, being able to see the results in literally their best light might trump that extra speed.

laueddy said:

Current Macs: iMac Pr, 3.2Ghz Xeon, 32GB, Vega 56. (2017), MBP M1 Pro w/16GB

Used for: processing Raw from Z9, GFX 100s & ZF
Workflow: Camera Raw > Photoshop > Topaz AI & Nik.
Personal Preference: Mac Studio
but wondering if the M3 Max on the MBP is a better choice. I would have already bought a Mac Studio M3 Ultra if it existed.
I am trying to avoid regret not buying the M3 Max. (Edited for clarity)

Click to expand...

Is there any reason you need to upgrade right now? If your iMac and M1 Pro MBP are doing the job, it sounds like you'd be better off waiting for the M3 Max/Ultra Mac Studio.

I don't imagine the wait will be all that long, probably Spring, and it sounds like you want to get maximum performance for your money / avoid regretting your purchase later. I'd be concerned that if you buy the M3 Max MBP now you'll be kicking yourself later when the Ultra comes out.

If you have to buy now (for example, institutional purchase timing requirement, end of year budget, etc,) and aren't sure which will perform better for your workload, why not take advantage of Apple's generous holiday return period to buy and try both?

Anyway, for the workload you listed, the M3 Max will outperform the Studio for some tasks (lightly threaded stuff that benefits from the faster single core CPU performance) but in general the M2 Ultra in the Studio will be faster since it has more CPU cores, and double the cores on both the GPU and neural engine.