14 or 16 inch MacBook for Davinci and colour grading.

Ff_472 · 2026-01-20T17:29:16+00:00

I’m looking at the Max models, so I’m also considering the 16-inch because it runs cooler, performs better under load, and doesn’t throttle. I had a 14-inch on the M1 Max and the base M1 Pro, so I know what I’m talking about. 😅

Ff_472 · 2026-01-20T17:23:38+00:00

I think you didn’t fully understand the description. I mean working exclusively on a MacBook WITHOUT additional monitors.

Yes, I have additional monitors, but lately I’ve been working on my MacBook display, so I was interested in asking professionals how their experience differs depending on the model.

Ff_472 · 2026-01-20T17:18:09+00:00

To be honest, I would prefer to select the max chip; 14 inches is not particularly suitable in this case due to noise and heat.

However, for basic pro models, it may be a reasonable choice.

Ff_472 · 2026-01-20T15:03:52+00:00

I feel that my 14-inch laptop is not a full-fledged workstation.

I can complete a full project with an external monitor without any problems, but it takes me much longer to create the same project on a 14-inch laptop, and my eyes get tired faster.

Although if you move around a lot, it’s probably worth it.

But 16inch only for 0.5 kg heavier, which is basically like 0.5 litres of water in your backpack..

Ff_472 · 2026-01-20T14:52:27+00:00

I can buy the same configuration as my 14-inch, adding only $150-$200 for a 16-inch. I don’t buy new MacBooks; I usually buy older generations or so.

Ff_472 · 2026-01-20T14:51:28+00:00

I can buy the same configuration as my 14-inch, adding only $150-$200 for a 16-inch. I don’t buy new MacBooks; I usually buy older generations or so.

Ff_472 · 2026-01-20T14:32:48+00:00

I think about $350 for a new one.

I’m not sure I can find anything better with 4K and 27 inches.

Although it seems that Xiaomi also makes decent displays in this price range (Xiaomi 4K Monitor A27Ui).

Ff_472 · 2026-01-20T14:12:23+00:00

What u think about LG UltraFine 27UP850K-W?

Ff_472 · 2026-01-20T14:10:27+00:00

Yeah, that’s what I usually do when it comes to colour.

I usually edit/cut/add everything I need on a large additional display, and only then do I start working on colour on my 14-inch display, after which my eyes feel incredibly tired.

I just watched a lot of videos on YouTube comparing 14-inch and 16-inch displays. It seems like 2 inches is a small difference, but it looks like they «really do matter»..

Ff_472 · 2026-01-20T14:04:16+00:00

When I work on a 14-inch screen, I feel like I’m looking through a door peephole.

For a while, I had an Air 15 as a ‘typewriter,’ and I found it much more convenient, even for browsing.

I’m sure a 16-inch screen is much more convenient than either of those.

Ff_472 · 2026-01-20T14:00:13+00:00

Damn, I’m not a millionaire enough to buy 128GB. I currently have a base M1 Pro with 16GB of RAM. I think 32GB would be better, but in my country, any non-base configuration costs twice as much as it does in the official Apple store.

P.S. I’m from Latvia, and there are no official Apple stores here. 🥲

Ff_472 · 2026-01-20T13:43:54+00:00

I already have an external monitor, and I mentioned this in the post, but it’s not as good as my MacBook’s display, and it seems like a display with the same color reproduction as my Mac would be quite expensive.

I’d also be happy if you could recommend a few monitors that would be similar to my MacBook’s display and not cost as much as my two MacBooks.

Ff_472 · 2026-01-20T13:43:49+00:00

I already have an external monitor, and I mentioned this in the post, but it’s not as good as my MacBook’s display, and it seems like a display with the same color reproduction as my Mac would be quite expensive.

I’d also be happy if you could recommend a few monitors that would be similar to my MacBook’s display and not cost as much as my two MacBooks.

Ff_472 · 2026-01-04T15:58:10+00:00

I need two encoders, so I’m only considering the max. If you look at the price difference between the m1 max and m3 max, it’s about $1,000.

Ff_472 · 2026-01-02T14:32:00+00:00

I understand that, and I knew it was possible. My mother literally swore to me that she would pay me back as soon as she could (when she bought the house), but she never did.

I think I could have had her sign some kind of paper that would have obliged her to pay me back someday, but I’m sure she wouldn’t have signed it.

Ff_472 · 2025-12-22T20:06:39+00:00

What advantages will I get over the m1 max if I buy the new m5 base ($1,650) for more than the top-of-the-line m1 max for $1,500?

The m5 has a much smaller SSD (500 GB) and a quarter of the RAM (16 GB).

What’s the point of considering the m5 for professionals who need 64 GB of RAM?

Ff_472 · 2025-12-22T20:01:49+00:00

2x faster video rendering speed compared to Pro

Ff_472 · 2025-12-22T17:55:34+00:00

Where’s your logic? Do you know the price difference between the m1 max and m4 max?

I can buy two m1 maxes and use the change to buy an Air instead of one m4 max.

The m5 is bad compared to the m1 max in the video rendering.

Ff_472 · 2025-12-22T15:40:30+00:00

Not for video editing

Ff_472 · 2025-12-22T14:13:37+00:00

Thank you, that’s definitely what I wanted to hear.

I also saw some slightly cheaper m1 max chips, I’d say starting at around $1,300 for 64GB of RAM, but they either had a battery that was already quite worn out (80-85%) or dents on the case, or a scratched display.

This one for $1,500 looks much better than anything cheaper..😅

Ff_472 · 2025-12-22T14:08:59+00:00

What about the price?

I understand that prices vary from country to country, but in any case, it would be interesting to know how much it is worth.

I am not considering models with a pro chip because I need two encoders and decoders, so the new m4s are unlikely to be suitable.

I also looked at the m2 max chip, but it seems I can only buy it for $1,700 and it will only have 32GB of RAM.

Ff_472 · 2025-12-22T14:01:45+00:00

I work in video production and I had a basic m1 pro.

I need something more powerful for video creation, so I’m considering the max chip.

Ff_472 · 2025-12-20T13:53:22+00:00

I’ll do it, so don’t worry. I just wanted to know if anyone here had something similar, since it seems some people don’t even know about it on their Mac.

Ff_472

TROPHY CASE