Need some advice

[AlanG1]

I've been a PC user all my life, but I've pretty much had it with Microsoft and what they are doing with the latest versions of Win11. I am considering a move to a Macbook Pro, and would like some configuration advice.

A little about my usage. I use a Fuji GFX system, with heavy photoshop editing. My average edited file size is 2gb+. My panoramas can balloon to 6-12gb. This lap top will also function as a general purpose computer also. It will replace 2 pc's, a MSI Creator 16, my current general purpose laptop (and secondary editing pc), and a custom built desktop editing pc (built 6 years ago). Specs on the editing pc include an Intel 9900K processor, 128gb ram, an NVidia RTX A4500 vid card, 3 500gb SSDs (2 nvme). I only edit on this PC, permanent storage is on my NAS.

I'm currently looking at a Macbook Pro 16" with an M4 Pro chip. What I need advise on is which chip is best for editing, and how much ram do I need for efficient editing, and of course, any other advise on switching you might have.

Thanks in advance for any help.

 

[bmoag]

I'll bite.

I've been using Adobes on both macOS and Windows since Tiger Lake/Win XP days, so experience with the good and bad. Current mac is an M4 laptop, Windows is a 14th gen i7 and nVidia GPU desktop with "only" 32 gb ram. I find the Windows GUI way more efficient for multitasking but most aren't bothered by what I consider the kludginess of macOS.

MacOS can seem more "stable" than Windows because of the limited hardware and software it supports. Limited is not just a concept if used to the wide world of Windows.

Before switching entirely be sure that software you need exists in macOS, some macOS versions (eg Quicken) are not as fully featured. The downside of macOS has always been how peripheral drivers disappear with every new version of the OS, Win 11 is catching up there, so you need to be sure the drivers you need exist in Apple ARM for the peripherals you need to avoid gotchas.

What is different about color management in macOS is not going to save someone from themselves if they don't know what they are doing. Color managed printing a la Apple, I'll just say I vastly prefer Windows.

Adobes on Apple ARM aren't much more of a port of the X86 version per chatbots I've consulted about the same issues/crashes in Apple ARM Photoshop as in X86 macOS and Windows. They're all related to Adobe's eternal refusal to improve how its software interacts with any and all video drivers. The chatbots also indicate thatApple has never, pardon the pun, polished up the Metal. If Adobe instability is what you are experiencing, and with files of the size indicated I suspect that's part of the problem, Apple ARM may not solve anything any more than more powerful Windows silicon.

If you do a lot of panorama stitching you might want to look into alternatives to PS, if you have not already done so.

The m4 SOC has awesome processing power, the PRO model more cores doing more of the same. It can run any native software so that is not an issue. It should generate tangibly faster throughput of a sort than what I think you experience, although your specific requirements and what I surmise to be working methods might benefit from a rethink regardless of OS or silicon.

Pushing files of that size even through the most tricked out version of the macMini pro can run into hardware bottlenecks and, far more likely than not, the same Adobe glitches I can only assume you currently experience.

If you keep working that way you probably need to pony up, at Apple prices, for quite a bit of ram. The way the Apple SOC manages ram, its speed and bandwidth, are not like Windows so less RAM on M4 is effectively more than the equivalent in Windows. I don't think you will tangibly benefit from the maximum available RAM but its your credit card bill.

Could be wrong but I can only assume the massive file sizes listed reflect PSD saves with multiple intermediate rendered layers. Saving everything as a massive PSD, if that is what you are doing, would seem tiresome (and expensive) to me using internal nvme computer storage and worse with any ilk of the external storage that is la Vida Apple. But that's up to you and whether you revisit and rework PSD files.

 

[JPAlbert]

32gb of RAM.

1tb SSD (or larger).

 

[lighthunter80]

If your old PC served you well, then the 16 inch mbp with the highest CPU and GPU count and 48gb RAM will run circles around your old computer.

• Apple M4 Pro chip with 14‑core CPU, 20‑core GPU, 16‑core Neural Engine
• 48GB unified memory

If you want more RAM, you would need to get the M4 Max chip, but I don't see you need this for still images.

 

[LarryRC]

First get plenty of RAM with the large file sizes you mentioned. The apple unified memory will work well in this case.

Then i’d get the 16” M4 max if you can especially if you are doing any batch processing or denoise. The internal busses are faster with the Max chips.

An extra large 5 or 6k HDR monitor or 2 would also be good so ghat you can actually visualize your large images.

And finally the internal SSD. This is of least concern given the thunderbolt 5 transfer speeds are so high. So an external M5 SSD can get very close to the internal SSD speed. And they are small.

i have a 16” M4 max with 64gb of RAM and like it a lot. I also like the nano screen. Fast and portable when I want.



Enjoy!

 

[lighthunter80]

First get plenty of RAM with the large file sizes you mentioned. The apple unified memory will work well in this case.

Then i’d get the 16” M4 max if you can especially if you are doing any batch processing or denoise. The internal busses are faster with the Max chips.

An extra large 5 or 6k HDR monitor or 2 would also be good so ghat you can actually visualize your large images.

And finally the internal SSD. This is of least concern given the thunderbolt 5 transfer speeds are so high. So an external M5 SSD can get very close to the internal SSD speed. And they are small.

i have a 16” M4 max with 64gb of RAM and like it a lot. I also like the nano screen. Fast and portable when I want.

Enjoy!

Do you really run into memory issues with 48gb vs 64gb with still images? Even with high resolution images, I can't imagine the need for an M4 Max. This seems more needed for 6 or 8k video.

 

[AlanG1]

I appreciate the responses. I am retired, so most of the general computing work I do is some simple excel and word docs pdfs email, and web browsing, so I'm not to worried about software. The photo editing software I use mostly is available in MacOS version, just a couple of image viewers I use are not. No big deal there. I do leave all my layers intact, as I do occasionally go back and re-edit as my ps skills are continually evolving. Quite amazing actually, after 20 years of use, I'm still learning.

I only use the internal storage while editing, or for storage while traveling (along with a Samsung T7 shield for back ups) so I figure a 1 tb ssd will be sufficient.

Again, thanks for all the advise.

 

[CAcreeks]

I only use the internal storage while editing, or for storage while traveling (along with a Samsung T7 shield for back ups) so I figure a 1 tb ssd will be sufficient.

If you have your T7 Shield formatted NTFS, you will not be able to change or add files using a Mac. If you left it formatted exFAT, you'll be able to read/write on both W11 and MacOS.

Probably a lower-spec than recommended above M4 Macbook Pro will be fine, but it's good to have lots of memory given what you said about retaining Photoshop layers.

 

[Ken Seals]

If you have your T7 Shield formatted NTFS, you will not be able to change or add files using a Mac. If you left it formatted exFAT, you'll be able to read/write on both W11 and MacOS.

In my experience, which includes using my M1 MBP MAX travel machine on the road and transferring those file to my main PC with a 2TB SSD, the transfer speed via USB-C of exFAT are far slower than the Apple file format, but totally worth it for the convenience.

 

[Ken Seals]

I've been a PC user all my life, but I've pretty much had it with Microsoft and what they are doing with the latest versions of Win11. I am considering a move to a Macbook Pro, and would like some configuration advice.

I have no issues at all with Win 11 on the four PCs we have here. See the specs of my main processing machine in my sig. A nice clean Win 11 install would probably address your Win 11 issues.

1. Stick with Win 11 solution: Build a new high spec pc with the latest Intel Core chip and a high end Nvidia GPU, like the RTS 5070Ti GPU. 64GB RAM. Note, Apple Neural Engine is not enabled in Adobe software at this time. That causes some AI processes to be slower than an equivalent Win 11 machine

2. If you really want to go MacBook, go for the M4 MAX, highest ram you can afford. With the size of files you are talking about, a 2TB internal drive is recommended.

3. For even better performance, get a very high spec Apple Studio.

See thisreview of the M5 MBP by Artisright on YT. He has some very precise comparisons of it with the M4 MBP MAX which really shines for photo processing. . There is no MBP MAX available yet. I would not be in a hurry to switch to MBP until the M5 MAX comes out and reviews comparing it to the M4 MAX are out.

--
Regards,
Nikon Z 9, Z 8, 14mm-800mm + Z 1.4TC.
Computer Win 11 Pro, I7-14700K, 64GB, RTX3070TI. Travel machine: 2021 MacBook Pro M1 MAX 64GB. All Adobe apps.
FAA Remote Pilot Certificate, ATP ASMEL
Mizzou PJ '66 - Amateur Radio K6KT
www.kenseals.com

 

[LarryRC]

First get plenty of RAM with the large file sizes you mentioned. The apple unified memory will work well in this case.

Then i’d get the 16” M4 max if you can especially if you are doing any batch processing or denoise. The internal busses are faster with the Max chips.

An extra large 5 or 6k HDR monitor or 2 would also be good so ghat you can actually visualize your large images.

And finally the internal SSD. This is of least concern given the thunderbolt 5 transfer speeds are so high. So an external M5 SSD can get very close to the internal SSD speed. And they are small.

i have a 16” M4 max with 64gb of RAM and like it a lot. I also like the nano screen. Fast and portable when I want.

Enjoy!

Do you really run into memory issues with 48gb vs 64gb with still images? Even with high resolution images, I can't imagine the need for an M4 Max. This seems more needed for 6 or 8k video.

I didn’t say you “needed” it. The OP is talking about 16gb still images. Certain processing could easily use 2 to 4x memory.

 

[jeffharris]

I've been a PC user all my life, but I've pretty much had it with Microsoft and what they are doing with the latest versions of Win11. I am considering a move to a Macbook Pro, and would like some configuration advice.

A little about my usage. I use a Fuji GFX system, with heavy photoshop editing. My average edited file size is 2gb+. My panoramas can balloon to 6-12gb. This lap top will also function as a general purpose computer also. It will replace 2 pc's, a MSI Creator 16, my current general purpose laptop (and secondary editing pc), and a custom built desktop editing pc (built 6 years ago). Specs on the editing pc include an Intel 9900K processor, 128gb ram, an NVidia RTX A4500 vid card, 3 500gb SSDs (2 nvme). I only edit on this PC, permanent storage is on my NAS.

I'm currently looking at a Macbook Pro 16" with an M4 Pro chip. What I need advise on is which chip is best for editing, and how much ram do I need for efficient editing, and of course, any other advise on switching you might have.

Thanks in advance for any help.

I tend to upgrade my Macs a bit less often (5years or so), so prefer to beef up the processor and memory to squeeze out a bit more time.

Get as much RAM as you can. Go for the Max processor, if you can.

Bigger internal SSDs aren’t quite as necessary, since you can get an external Thunderbolt 4/5 NvME for fast external storage. 2TB internal is reasonable.

My MacBook Pro M3 Max has 128GB RAM. I do 2D and 3D CAD, 3D modeling and rendering, as well as Photoshop work. All RAM hog work.

It was a huge step up from the 2019 i9 MacBook Pro (32GB RAM, 2TB SSD) it replaced!

 

[AlanG1]

What is different about color management in macOS is not going to save someone from themselves if they don't know what they are doing. Color managed printing a la Apple, I'll just say I vastly prefer Windows.

Can you tell me more about what is different bout color managed printing on a Mac?

 

[Philip Flower]

What is different about color management in macOS is not going to save someone from themselves if they don't know what they are doing. Color managed printing a la Apple, I'll just say I vastly prefer Windows.

Can you tell me more about what is different bout color managed printing on a Mac?

I can't help you with Windows since I have never used a Windows machine. But I have been printing from a Mac for over 30 years now and as far as I see it Colour Management is straightforward and simple.

I print pretty much solely from Lightroom on an Epson P5000 but imagine things work exactly the same with Canon printers. Download the relevant icc profile for your printer model, in LR or in Photoshop make sure you choose the correct paper profile and that any colour management either in the printer driver or, if in Photoshop, then any management in Photoshop is turned off. That's it. In the print module in Lightroom once you have chosen to use the correct paper profile all other colour management options are automatically turned off.

As regards which model to get. I recommend again Artisright - this video will answer pretty much all your questions -

Good luck.

 

[LarryRC]

What is different about color management in macOS is not going to save someone from themselves if they don't know what they are doing. Color managed printing a la Apple, I'll just say I vastly prefer Windows.

Can you tell me more about what is different bout color managed printing on a Mac?

I can't help you with Windows since I have never used a Windows machine. But I have been printing from a Mac for over 30 years now and as far as I see it Colour Management is straightforward and simple.

I print pretty much solely from Lightroom on an Epson P5000 but imagine things work exactly the same with Canon printers. Download the relevant icc profile for your printer model, in LR or in Photoshop make sure you choose the correct paper profile and that any colour management either in the printer driver or, if in Photoshop, then any management in Photoshop is turned off. That's it. In the print module in Lightroom once you have chosen to use the correct paper profile all other colour management options are automatically turned off.

As regards which model to get. I recommend again Artisright - this video will answer pretty much all your questions -

Good luck.

On a Mac printing from Photoshop get the paper profile and tell photoshop what it is (right there in the print dialogue) AND THEN TURN OFF COLOR MANAGEMENT IN THE PRINTER AND TURN ON COLOR MANAGEMENT IN PHOTOSHOP. Sorry I'm not trying to yell I just thought it would be easier and faster to note what is different. In LRC you want to end up with the same. LRC controls while the printer management is turned off.

 

[jeffharris]

On a Mac printing from Photoshop get the paper profile and tell photoshop what it is (right there in the print dialogue) AND THEN TURN OFF COLOR MANAGEMENT IN THE PRINTER AND TURN ON COLOR MANAGEMENT IN PHOTOSHOP. Sorry I'm not trying to yell I just thought it would be easier and faster to note what is different. In LRC you want to end up with the same. LRC controls while the printer management is turned off.

Great advice! Thanks!

Is it necessary to convert to CMYK?

We have a Color LaserJet with CMYK (4 colors only) toner. Haven’t tried printing any photos with it yet and really have no idea where to start.

 

[bodeswell]

I've been a PC user all my life, but I've pretty much had it with Microsoft and what they are doing with the latest versions of Win11. I am considering a move to a Macbook Pro, and would like some configuration advice.

I got fed up with the relatively minor quirks arising from the fact the Windows is not “vertically integrated” the way Mac OS is due to Apple’s iron control of the hardware. So I bought a really high specced Mac Book Pro six months ago. For sure, the things that annoyed me on Windows are not a problem on the Mac. But I don’t like it. I tried. I forced myself to use it. I studied up on it. But more and more I ignore it. An expensive lesson to learn. Apple is very good about trade ins, so before you spend a lot on something well specced you may want to spend a little on something that will let you be sure you will enjoy it. If it works out just trade it in.

It is not important exactly why I did not like the Mac Book. Everyone is different. I did not expect any problems. The reviews I read were glowing. I have an iPhone, an iPad, and and Apple Watch, and I use Car Play. But when it comes to a laptop/desktop I found out that I prefer Windows. By the way, if you don’t like Microsoft’s “pushiness”, note that Apple is “pushy” too.

 

[LarryRC]

On a Mac printing from Photoshop get the paper profile and tell photoshop what it is (right there in the print dialogue) AND THEN TURN OFF COLOR MANAGEMENT IN THE PRINTER AND TURN ON COLOR MANAGEMENT IN PHOTOSHOP. Sorry I'm not trying to yell I just thought it would be easier and faster to note what is different. In LRC you want to end up with the same. LRC controls while the printer management is turned off.

Great advice! Thanks!

Is it necessary to convert to CMYK?

We have a Color LaserJet with CMYK (4 colors only) toner. Haven’t tried printing any photos with it yet and really have no idea where to start.

I’ve never used or set up a laser color printer but my Epson ink jet is CMYK plus other colors and NO NO CONVERSION NEEDED or warranted.

 

[GonnaSnap]

I've been a PC user all my life, but I've pretty much had it with Microsoft and what they are doing with the latest versions of Win11. I am considering a move to a Macbook Pro, and would like some configuration advice.

A little about my usage. I use a Fuji GFX system, with heavy photoshop editing. My average edited file size is 2gb+. My panoramas can balloon to 6-12gb. This lap top will also function as a general purpose computer also. It will replace 2 pc's, a MSI Creator 16, my current general purpose laptop (and secondary editing pc), and a custom built desktop editing pc (built 6 years ago). Specs on the editing pc include an Intel 9900K processor, 128gb ram, an NVidia RTX A4500 vid card, 3 500gb SSDs (2 nvme). I only edit on this PC, permanent storage is on my NAS.

I'm currently looking at a Macbook Pro 16" with an M4 Pro chip. What I need advise on is which chip is best for editing, and how much ram do I need for efficient editing, and of course, any other advise on switching you might have.

Thanks in advance for any help.

Do you really need portability? Because the MBP is the least performative per dollar. If performance, memory, and storage are your goals I would suggest a Mac Studio desktop and a MacBook Air (or iPad) for portability. Mac Studio destroys the MBP in all benchmarks. Absolutely destroys.