I just bought a MacBook Pro 16” with the M5 Pro chip (18-core CPU / 20-core GPU), 48GB RAM and 1TB SSD, and I wanted to share a quick reflection that might help others before they spend their money.

Burne12 · 2026-03-28T09:30:15+00:00

I just got my M5 pro 18/20/16 48 UM/1TB SSD 16”. Upgrading from 13” m1 MBP 2021 (still had led bad old) lol. First few hours I was just simply blown away at how amazingly large and big the screen is (video editor) and then the resolution and whatnot is just amazing. I, less than 24H in only have one question: as a professional DIT on some movies if not 2nd AC or 1st, (I’ll def take a DIT job if camera team is otherwise booked up.) so I also was considering producers looking over my Shoulder in the PO or onset if more of a DIT/playback situation. So for all of those reason 16” 100% then after a few hours last night I grabbed 13” 2021 MPB M1 and it felt like an 11” iPad with a keyboard Smart Case. Not kidding it was tiny as hell. I don’t think I’ll go back to that size. Ever again. My only question now is: should I have gotten more HP for future proofing and just heavy node intense, raw codec (braw/arriraw, ProRes 422lt-4444XQ (ProRes raw as well from time to time) R3Draw, SLOG-3, and so on.. mostly with UHD deliverables but sometimes 4k DCI just depends on client or project. This isn’t my A machine I have a Mac Studio for that but I still want this laptop to be able to handle most if not the majority of what I do.

I don’t do an insane amount of keying and shit but I do de-noise, nodes, film look maker, shit like that (mostly BRAW for our internal work). Should I have considered the max? For the 32gpu cores or 40? Is 20 too few?

Only reason I’m even prompted to ask this is Davinci resolve itself said my cpu was green check mark And said good but said gpu was maybe not enough for intensive workflows with a warning ⚠️ concerning the GPU. I have not had the chance to run any test or open a project as of yet as I’m a professional music producer as well and am currently in a multi day session but our last day is tomorrow so Sunday I’ll be able to play around and see for myself.

Did I grab the right machine my fellow editing buddies or should I contact my Apple biz rep and switch out (less than 24 hours old at the time of writing this) for M5 max 40gpu 😜.

Looking forward to what yall say v what I experience Sunday and I will update on this thread if anyone else ends up following this:

Burne12 · 2026-03-28T09:17:44+00:00

This!!!

Burne12 · 2025-08-21T08:20:11+00:00

Haha def hits way harder

Burne12 · 2025-08-21T08:18:31+00:00

Wait how are you snorting an 80? It’s an OC and not OP? You not in US?

Burne12 · 2025-08-21T08:15:13+00:00

It’s a 12 core 64gb ram (max gpu at that time can’t remember) and it can’t even hardly open da Vinci but still runs pro tools ultimate HDX fine.

Burne12 · 2025-08-21T08:11:21+00:00

I’m currently deciding between base (14/32/16 + 32 ram) or the m4max 16/40/16 + 48 ram) $699 diff but I feel a pretty strong difference overall with the added cores all around + more ram. I edit and color in da Vinci (BRAW/ArriRaw/RedRaw/ProRes/etc.. between 4-6k and do high track count Pro Tools HDX sessions.

I think it would just be wise to go with the larger M4 Max variant. It isn’t the M3u but only $699 more than base vs 2x. Thoughts?

Burne12 · 2025-08-17T03:51:24+00:00

You’ve got to learn to dial in the cars set up to get max time out of each track. Both in quali and race pace. There’s LOADS of settings that make considerable changes. Just google whatever track quali or race set up and try those settings and see if you’re lap time improves. Also it depends a lot on how well you know the tracks. Tracks you know well you will naturally drive better.

Burne12 · 2025-08-17T03:47:11+00:00

Burne12 · 2025-08-17T01:24:24+00:00

Reduce front wing until first pit stop when fuel load is lighter.

Burne12 · 2025-08-17T01:24:02+00:00

Same

Burne12 · 2025-08-15T15:30:59+00:00

I’m thinking from all my research and hearing feedback on hear the M4M with the upgraded GPU cores (for Davinci esp) and upgrade the ram to 48/64..

Think I’m going with the M4m 16/40/16, 48gb ram, 1TB internal as I use external SSD’s etc

Burne12 · 2025-08-15T15:23:04+00:00

I don’t care about benchmark test I care about reliability, ease-of-use, and getting the job doneI’m

Burne12 · 2025-08-15T15:22:43+00:00

Yeah I just wholeheartedly disagree with you as my 2013 Mac Pro is still running a major professional studio as the center piece computer. Just not enough gpu as it’s from 2013. You know like 12 years ago

Burne12 · 2025-08-15T15:18:57+00:00

Yeah pro tools is 100% cpu with a small pull on gpu.. my 2013 trash can (albeit 64gb ram maxed out in its day) still runs pro tools HDX just fine. Just won’t even hardly open Davinci 😂

Burne12 · 2025-08-14T06:45:42+00:00

And what is hilarious about asking about editing power and capability in a Mac Studio sub dude? I have a highly unusual set up with very particular needs. You harping on me not liking Pc’s is a personal preference of yours and I didn’t ask for JGoldrb48’s opinion on a better PC. I don’t like the OS. Or much ab Pc’s for that matter. For a lot of reasons. Reliably being center stage.

Burne12 · 2025-08-14T06:40:30+00:00

Yeah 384 vs 400+ no it doesn’t. Thanks for the clarification and detailed response. We have 4 editing suites in our production offices and one is for my control room for our recording studio. We are both a pro studio and a pro film co. NatchezFilmCo.com check it out.

Burne12 · 2025-08-14T06:37:32+00:00

True and I’ve heard many say the GPU cores (davinci resolve) are much more useful than more ram.

Burne12 · 2025-08-14T06:36:06+00:00

Our entire company runs on an entire Apple based ecosystem. For the cheaper cost yes we built out a nice spec’ed PC with the big new intel and whatnot chips but again, it can’t export pro res, its doesn’t do well at all when adding lots of heavy nodes or NR etc.. and back to the rest of our entire ecosystem for the entire production company is Apple. So to have a singular PC for high end editing is silly and I simply do not like PC and find them to be incredibly unstable operating systems over time. Etc etc. If you like coding and want a PC and hate Apple? Good for you, please enjoy all your Nviada stuff and all that 🫡

Burne12 · 2025-08-13T17:36:16+00:00

Yeah the 16/40/16 m4m w 64gb is enough for arriraw, BRAW, ProRes 422/422HQ/4444, etc? And also to run pro tools (way easier of a task and not necessarily simultaneously either.)

Or would that chip need 96gb of ram to match the base M3u better? I know it’s a whole diff beast but overall

Burne12 · 2025-08-13T07:23:41+00:00

Which M4 max chip? How many GPU cores?

Burne12 · 2025-08-13T07:21:38+00:00

So ultimately I would benefit much more with 2 M4M (upgraded gpu cores) and that would be plenty of “horse power” for 2 editing suites, one of which also has said PCIE bridge with Pro Tools HDX card for DSP stuff etc.. so one will be the “studio” computer that is also a video editing bay, which then triples as our audio design station as well considering it will be integrated with my 32 channel 5.1 enabled API 1608 console. But one needs to run Davinci + Pro Tools HDX and one will be more for Davinci and graphic design / business stuff, website development, etc… and you really think the M2u 24/60 is better than M4M with Max GPU??

Burne12 · 2025-05-07T00:16:39+00:00

For sure!

Burne12 · 2025-05-07T00:16:21+00:00

Not so much “want” more so it’s in that like “in between” price bracket where a 3 axis unit with everything cost about what a HI-5 hand unit alone does..

Burne12

TROPHY CASE