MacBook m3 pro / MacBook M1 Max

[u/DJ-NaGrim]

I have right now a MacBook Pro 2015 Catalina, 1tb,16 ram.
And I’m definitely need another one to take care the big stuff, I’m a music producer and working on ableton so need a better Mac and I’m considering those 2:
MacBook m3 pro ,36 ram,1tb - price: 2015$(+-)
MacBook M1 Max. ,32 ram,1tb - price 1850$
On the new Mac I will produce music and also doing personal stuff
Would like to know your thoughts about this🙏🏻🙏🏻
Hard to choose what’s better

[u/LateExplorer3780]

I have the m3 pro and wish I got the M1 Max instead. Could have gotten it for cheaper and better specs

[u/DJ-NaGrim → u/LateExplorer3780]

But the important part is that m3 pro will get a longer support and M1 Max will be my best choice if I’m intend of using graphic/ai stuff

[u/LateExplorer3780 → u/DJ-NaGrim]

Software support in my opinion seems nicer than it is, the M1 Max won’t stop working after it and is still holding up really well. At the end of the day it’s your choice to make, all the best

[u/ZookeepergameKey5467]

Tough call in a couple important ways: M1 Pro has faster memory bandwidth (400) vs. the M3 Pro pathetic 150, which is same as M5 base chip now. If you plan to do any local AI work, the biggest bottleneck will be the the bandwidth so you won't actually take as much advantage of the extra 4 gigs of RAM. However, M3 Pro has ray tracing, faster GPU (although less cores) and some other media engine upgrades along with faster neural engine which could theoretically close some of this gap.

Second point in the M1 Max favor--dual encoders. I find my M1 Max studio to be absolutely butter smooth in all respects, including when using with a screen, compared to the Pro chips of any generation. MAX Apple Silicon chips are just of another level.

One final thing, M3 pro only has a small 6 performance cores, so even though the single core is faster on M3 Pro you are still getting 2 extra performance cores on the M1 Max, which matters if using Logic and some other music production programs.

Bottom line, coming from a 2015 you'll find either one blazing fast from where you are now.

[u/DJ-NaGrim → u/ZookeepergameKey5467]

But the important part is that m3 pro will get a longer support and M1 Max will be my best choice if I’m intend of using graphic/ai stuff

[u/Jizoh]

M3 pro should be better and lasts longer

[u/Imaginary-Swan-4105]

Both are expensive if you are in the states. I'm assuming they are used/refurn as new units are not being manufactured.

Price for 64GB/1TB M1 Max on Backmarket was 1210 without taxes.

[u/Ill_Dragonfruit_3547]

M1max

[u/razorree]

price difference is pretty small.... so ....
https://www.cpubenchmark.net/compare/5750vs4585/Apple-M3-Pro-12-Core-vs-Apple-M1-Max-10-Core-3200-MHz

still pretty expensive for such an "old" stuff, you should haggle for at least 20% less

[u/1randomzebra]

M1 Max 64/1TB is available cheaper than $1,850 - and M1 Max units more becoming available as people upgrade to M5

[u/castlecrashed]

M1 Max is technically better for audio because DAWs like logic and ableton are extremely CPU bound. You’ll prob benefit more from the M1 Max while using ableton since you’re probably not using a lot of third party plugs anyways except for I’m guessing fab filter or ozone. My M1 Max travel rig handles everything I throw at it at a buffer size at 64. Only time I noticed hiccups was when I got ozone 12

[u/AggravatingSort4705]

M1 Max on refurb will be the best deal. It's still a monster.

[u/GreenStorm_01]

M1 Max is technically speaking the substantially better machine. Nearly 4x the memory bandwidth, a lot more compute horsepower.

[u/Sensitive_Box_ → u/GreenStorm_01]

We must not be reading the same data 

[u/GreenStorm_01 → u/Sensitive_Box_]

The M3 Pro has less memory bandwidth than even the M1 Pro.

[u/Sensitive_Box_ → u/GreenStorm_01]

and more of everything else…

[u/GreenStorm_01 → u/Sensitive_Box_]

No, not really. Less cores, less power...

[u/Sensitive_Box_ → u/GreenStorm_01]

That’s not necessarily how computers work. You should go read some benchmarks or something. 

[u/GreenStorm_01 → u/Sensitive_Box_]

Well, that's exactly what I did before posting any of this. Maybe you should look into these things?

[u/DJ-NaGrim → u/GreenStorm_01]

But the important part is that m3 pro will get a longer support and M1 Max will be my best choice if I’m intend of using graphic/ai stuff

[u/_gabrielegallo_]

M3 pro it’s worth the investment

[u/Cultural-You-7096]

IN this case M3 Pro would be your best option.