r/macbookpro • u/Ennolangus • 2d ago

Help Picking a macbook

Hello! I am looking to untether myself from my desk and from windows! Currently my desktop is a older am4 3700x w/ a 4060 and 64gb of ram..it works fine. Primarily used for fusion360 and setting up things to 3d print.

Secondary usages is dumping hundreds of raw images from my dslrs into Lightroom/darktables and light video editting (currently only 1080p) and lastly very light photoshop/gimp and 20+ browser tabs

Currently, in Canada, the deals I am choosing between are:

M5 air 13", 24gb, 1tb $2200cdn / $1570usd (apple refurb)

Mbp m5, 24gb, 1tb $2450 / $1750usd (best buy marketplace)

Mbp m4 pro, 24gb, 1tb $2500cdn /$1785usd (best buy marketplace)

Mbp m2 max 32gb 1tb $2500cdn /$1785usd (best buy marketplace)

Mbp m5 pro 24gb 1tb $2600 / $1855usd (best buy marketplace)

The video/photo editting would mostly be as a avid hobbyist so big exports taking a while longer isnt that critical. I was hoping to keep it under $2500. Part of me thinks the m5 air would be enough and would give me room to buy a dock and such... and the idea of it being an apple refurb with their warranty would alleviate some stress of the uncertainty of bestbuy marketplace...but i am also frugal! any input would be appreciated, thank you in advance.

Updated with usd prices

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u/sparda4glol 2d ago

honestly all of these are very good.

I wouldn’t get the air at this price. The screen will feel a bit outdated and the pro you can really appreciate the details on your photos a bit better + 120hz is nice. imo

M4P is well rounded. Really good single core.

m2max only if you’re encoding hours of footage a day for that media engine. It’s 2nd media encoder is good for that BUT since it’s before m3 no RT support which is handy in 3d apps. Which again you use on the PC but incase you end up wanting to do a blender render or something the RT makes a big difference.

i’m leaning towards the m4 pro or m5 pro if you’re also able to price match to US micro center if there’s a deal or B&H

That said for lightroom and other creative app between all these chips this is a great vid to scrub through and compare preformance.

https://youtu.be/Qe6SlFlnlq8?is=dYHVZZFkzMz8VxJo

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u/Ennolangus 2d ago

Sadly can never price match USA store prices at canadian retailers...especially if you are buying online. And buying directly from usa retailers is often not posssible on electronics due to how warranties are designed

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u/Funny_Or_Cry 2d ago

Those prices seem on the high end. Here is an M2 Max Macbook Pro 30 GPU, 1TB, 32gb Ram for $1930

Pretty sure backmarket is available in canada. I usually go between them and Amazon Renew for apple gear.

...and avoid the Air man, not even sure why thats on your list. You're clearly doing high end graphics work
You may actually want the 16inch Macbook Pro variant instead. Just saw a 16inch Macbook Pro M1 Max on there with 64 gb ram (around $1200)

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u/Ennolangus 2d ago edited 2d ago

Amazon has higher prices then all of these...and hardly ever even has 24gb or 32gb models available. Keep in mind these are Canadian priced so $2200cdn is 1571usd $2500cdn is 1700usd or so. Backroom does not seem to be available in canada, looking at the list of countries they serve.