Hi, I currently have a 2015 Intel MBP and think it’s time to upgrade.
I use a 16" M1 Pro at work and love it, but it's not mine, and I need permission to install apps. I want my own machine.
I mostly do:
FCPX: Editing 4K footage (basic colour correction, optical stabilisation, no heavy effects).
Lightroom: RAW photo editing (minor tweaks, applying LUTs).
VS Code: Web development (no Xcode).
Figma: Occasional design work.
I used an external SSD for my last video project, so I’m unsure if 256GB is enough or if I should pay £200 for 512GB. The laptop will stay at home, but I'd prefer something lighter than my 2015 model.
Options I’m considering:
13" Air (M4, 256GB/512GB) – £1000/£1200
15" Air (M4, 256GB/512GB) – £1200/£1400
14" Pro (M4, 16GB RAM, 512GB) – £1500
14" Pro (M4 Pro, 24GB RAM, 512GB) – £1780
Part of me thinks the base 15" Air is a solid upgrade. I could use an external SSD for FCPX and photos. But for £300 more, the Pro feels like a better deal—then I wonder if the M4 Pro at just £280 more is worth it.
Torn between value vs. power. Just tested my wife's M3 Air (13")—loved the size/weight but noticed some struggle with FCPX rendering. Not sure if 13" maybe a bit limited for FCPX. I can use an external monitor, but think I'd prefer to not always be sat at my desk.
What would you do?
I use a 16" M1 Pro at work and love it, but it's not mine, and I need permission to install apps. I want my own machine.
I mostly do:
FCPX: Editing 4K footage (basic colour correction, optical stabilisation, no heavy effects).
Lightroom: RAW photo editing (minor tweaks, applying LUTs).
VS Code: Web development (no Xcode).
Figma: Occasional design work.
I used an external SSD for my last video project, so I’m unsure if 256GB is enough or if I should pay £200 for 512GB. The laptop will stay at home, but I'd prefer something lighter than my 2015 model.
Options I’m considering:
13" Air (M4, 256GB/512GB) – £1000/£1200
15" Air (M4, 256GB/512GB) – £1200/£1400
14" Pro (M4, 16GB RAM, 512GB) – £1500
14" Pro (M4 Pro, 24GB RAM, 512GB) – £1780
Part of me thinks the base 15" Air is a solid upgrade. I could use an external SSD for FCPX and photos. But for £300 more, the Pro feels like a better deal—then I wonder if the M4 Pro at just £280 more is worth it.
Torn between value vs. power. Just tested my wife's M3 Air (13")—loved the size/weight but noticed some struggle with FCPX rendering. Not sure if 13" maybe a bit limited for FCPX. I can use an external monitor, but think I'd prefer to not always be sat at my desk.
What would you do?