A wise investment or a costly mistake?

The 16-inch MacBook Pro reminds me of my vehicle. In everyday circumstances, I can’t fully utilize its capabilities, and attempting to do so might lead to trouble.

It's an unusual comparison, but hopefully, it makes sense.

This limitation has its advantages; it compels me to appreciate the laptop and leverage its performance judiciously. While it’s appealing to upgrade to high-end cameras or delve into visual effects, such moves wouldn’t necessarily improve my skills as a creator.

Instead, I have perfected my 16-inch MacBook Pro into an exceptional production tool. This decision has proven to be one of the best investments for my business.

Let’s explore what makes this laptop an invaluable asset for my work.

The Specifications

I chose the M1 Max chip, equipped with 32GB of unified memory and a 2TB SSD. Opting for 64GB seemed excessive given my needs, and I wasn’t keen on selling my house for more storage.

This resulted in a total investment of just over £3,500—my largest expenditure on a computer to date.

The specifications provide everything I require and a considerable performance buffer for the future. The M1 Max chip boasts the maximum number of GPU cores (32), and paired with ample memory for video editing, it’s the ideal choice for that purpose.

The 2TB of storage has been advantageous as well. While I utilize external SSDs for video editing, having significant internal storage has been crucial when I’ve needed to manage my Final Cut Pro library locally.

Although this laptop represents a significant financial commitment for my business, I have no regrets.

The Software

I predominantly use the 16-inch MacBook Pro for video, photo, and audio editing, which results in a streamlined applications list on my macOS dock.

As a Final Cut Pro user, I can efficiently navigate from primary edits to incorporating b-roll and performing essential finishing touches. Despite some minor issues—which I will address in a future article—I have no intention of switching software; transitioning would be too cumbersome, and Final Cut Pro integrates well with the M1 architecture.

For audio, Logic Pro feels like a trusted companion. I’ve utilized this outstanding DAW long before it came under Apple’s umbrella (originally developed by Emagic, which Apple acquired in 2002). It has been integral to my music production journey, and I still rely on it for vocal processing before exporting to Final Cut Pro.

The music featured in my videos is created by me in Logic Pro. While I don’t compose as much as I once did, I plan to return to music production this year, as I miss it.

Photography is also central to my work, and I have transitioned to using the latest version of Lightroom after relying on Lightroom Classic for too long. Photoshop is always available for tasks like resizing or removing unwanted elements from thumbnails.

These powerful production tools are complemented by essential utilities such as TextExpander, 1Password, and standard office applications like Fantastical and Spark. While they don’t push the M1 Max chip to its limits, they help me maintain productivity and keep my business running smoothly between edits.

The Peripherals

I enjoy utilizing accessories, and a MacBook Pro truly shines with the right peripherals.

Apple has made strides with the latest MacBook Pros, equipping them with sufficient ports to meet most users' needs (including an HDMI port!), which minimizes the number of dongles I require.

As mentioned, I edit videos directly from external SSDs. I prefer the SanDisk brand, particularly the 1TB Extreme Pro, of which I own two. They offer impressive read speeds of up to 2,000MB/s, although it’s worth noting that the MacBook Pro doesn’t reach that speed with external drives. Recently, I added a 2TB Extreme edition with a maximum read speed of 1,000MB/s, and it delivers similar performance.

One more accessory I must highlight is the Logitech MX Master 3.

Although the MacBook Pro’s trackpad is the best on the market, as a video editor, I find the MX Master 3 unparalleled in terms of comfort and usability. It’s a joy to use and, combined with the MacBook's power, allows me to breeze through video edits with ease.

I’ll share more about my 16-inch MacBook Pro setup in an upcoming video—stay tuned!

The Main Duties

You might question my sanity when looking at how I use my 16-inch MacBook Pro.

When I’m engaged in writing, emailing, budgeting, or any other non-production tasks, this high-end laptop remains safely stored in its case. It’s only utilized when creating videos, editing podcasts, or enhancing photographs.

However, that’s exactly the point. If your budget allows, having a dedicated production Mac can significantly extend its lifespan and help keep it pristine (though I’ve already made a few mistakes in that regard).

The portability of this production machine ensures I stay on schedule with my content. Videos are regularly planned well in advance, and I can edit the Eight or Sixteen podcast early Saturday morning from the comfort of my dining room table.

The primary functions of my 16-inch MacBook Pro are as finely tuned as the machine itself, and I take pride in that.

How Do You Use Yours?

I’m curious—how do you utilize your MacBook Pro? Is it a dedicated production powerhouse like mine, or do you incorporate it into your broader home or work activities?

Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments!

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Originally published at https://markellisreviews.com on May 10, 2022.