Minimum RAM for Resolve (MacBook)
- Thread starter Samuel Dilworth
- Start date
ahalpert
Major Contributor
Why would anyone get an MBA instead of an MBP for video editing
NorBro
Major Contributor
Since you could get a fully loaded 14" MBP M3 with 1TB SSD for $1100 more than the cheapest MBA M3, no one really should if they have the money.
The MBA would only be for those not needing the best, something "good enough", but definitely needing to save a few hundred dollars while having lighter/thinner (and of course having the latest tech for GAS).
Side note: There is one specific configuration that could be interesting for hybrid users and it's starting with the 13" MBA 8-core CPU/GPU with the 256GB SSD and upgrading it to a 10-core GPU (CPU stays at 8-core) and 24GB RAM for $1500.
The cheapest MBP is $1600 with 8GB of RAM and the 512GB SSD (and other better but more minor specs) and if you'd upgrade it to 24GB of RAM, it would jump to $2000 so that's a chunk someone could save.
But very rare...better to pay $1100 more and get the better overall performance from similar sized models without getting too crazy with the specs.
The MBA would only be for those not needing the best, something "good enough", but definitely needing to save a few hundred dollars while having lighter/thinner (and of course having the latest tech for GAS).
Side note: There is one specific configuration that could be interesting for hybrid users and it's starting with the 13" MBA 8-core CPU/GPU with the 256GB SSD and upgrading it to a 10-core GPU (CPU stays at 8-core) and 24GB RAM for $1500.
The cheapest MBP is $1600 with 8GB of RAM and the 512GB SSD (and other better but more minor specs) and if you'd upgrade it to 24GB of RAM, it would jump to $2000 so that's a chunk someone could save.
But very rare...better to pay $1100 more and get the better overall performance from similar sized models without getting too crazy with the specs.
ahalpert
Major Contributor
Well, i will say this. I just looked it up and it turns out that the M3 Air does have the Media Engine for hardware-accelerated h.264/hevc decoding/encoding. I thought it didn't, which would have been a major setback. Much more usable with that included.
I plan to get the top of the line CPU/GPU on my next upgrade. I think the 32GB of RAM I currently have is pretty much fine for me but I think I'll go to 64GB. And I may get the 4TB internal SSD to run projects off media internally. The internal drive is just so fast. And Christie's is transitioning to using LucidLink for cloud media storage, which lets you stream/cache files locally and automatically clears old files when the cache (which can be as large as you want) fills up. So I wouldn't be storing any original copies locally anyway, and I wouldn't have to tangle with media management.
NorBro
Major Contributor
We were all taught to use external drives, and back-in-the-day I felt the forums pointing and waving their fingers when someone didn't have a separate disk for scratch.
"You have to separate the system files from the media!"
About 10 years ago I took out the HDD out of my old MBP and replaced it with one of those OWC SSD kits that comes with everything you need (even a tutorial video).
I have never used an external drive for editing since then unless I needed the space. There were no bottlenecks I ever encountered and I still do this today (with obviously even faster drives).
I mean, we're talking a couple dozen different formats from god knows how many cameras over the years.
"You have to separate the system files from the media!"
About 10 years ago I took out the HDD out of my old MBP and replaced it with one of those OWC SSD kits that comes with everything you need (even a tutorial video).
I have never used an external drive for editing since then unless I needed the space. There were no bottlenecks I ever encountered and I still do this today (with obviously even faster drives).
I mean, we're talking a couple dozen different formats from god knows how many cameras over the years.
ahalpert
Major Contributor
I think it makes more sense for slower drives. Now my only concern is keeping backups of project files and extraneous media downloads. I think I'll just sync ny library backups to Google drive and not worry about extraneous files. In the unlikely event of computer loss/destruction, I could re-download music, stock, SFX. It'll all be referenced in the library. Keep it simple...
Doug Jensen
Veteran
Personally, I don't rely on the Cloud to store anything that isn't also backed at least twice on physical drives and cataloged so I know right where everything is on every drive I own. That is not only keeping it simple, but also convenient and safe. The Cloud is for sharing, not for archiving. My 2 cents.
ahalpert
Major Contributor
this is for client footage that comes to me through the cloud. I'm not sure how they back it up on their end. I think they keep a physical copy as well. Happily, it's not my problem
so the issue I'm contemplating is not keeping original footage on the internal drive, just project files. I think I'll upload the backup files continuously to Google Drive and then copy the full project files ("Libraries" in FCPX) to 2 external hard drives when I'm done with the project
ahalpert
Major Contributor
I did it. I got the 8TB SSD in a new M3 Max 16". I spilled water on my M1 Max and it broke and I didn't have Applecare+. Which sucks because I was going to wait for the M4 Max and keep my old one as a backup.
I maxed out everything but the RAM, where I got 64GB. I doubt I even need 64GB so 128GB really seemed like overkill.
Editing fully off the internal now. So far so good!
Doug Jensen
Veteran
What makes you think he was drinking the water? He could have been editing in the shower, as was mentioned earlier in the thread as a great way to multi-task. Personally, I'm still doing most of my editing while riding my mountain bike, but obviously never in the rain.
ahalpert
Major Contributor
yes, free as a bird
ahalpert
Major Contributor
my wife put a tall glass of water near my computer and I knocked it over because I was so tired. not getting applecare+ was a huge mistake. I never needed it in the past but that was before I was chronically sleep-deprived and sharing a home with 3 saboteurs
Doug Jensen
Veteran
I'm flying naked too, with no Applecare or extended warranties on anything. I even decided not to renew my business insurance policy this year on $250K of gear plus liability coverage. Never had a claim in 40 years, so I decided it was time to let it go and take my chances as I feel myself edging closer to retirement. I probably just guaranteed my house will get hit my a hurricane this summer. 
Coincidentally, I bought a 75' roll of Cat6 cable today at Walmart for $19 and they asked me if I wanted to buy a 2-year protection plan. Ha, ha. Funny thing is that I was replacing an outdoor cable that got bitten through by a chipmunk this week. I wonder if they would cover that if it happened again I had taken the extended coverage. Is there a clause about rodents?
Coincidentally, I bought a 75' roll of Cat6 cable today at Walmart for $19 and they asked me if I wanted to buy a 2-year protection plan. Ha, ha. Funny thing is that I was replacing an outdoor cable that got bitten through by a chipmunk this week. I wonder if they would cover that if it happened again I had taken the extended coverage. Is there a clause about rodents?
ahalpert
Major Contributor
Hmm I probably could have filed a claim through my business insurance. I didn't even think about that. I've never filed a claim before. Still, hardly seems worth it. Would probably just push up my premiums and anyway with the damage my daughter did to the screen the computer was only worth like $800.I'm flying naked too, with no Applecare or extended warranties on anything. I even decided not to renew my business insurance policy this year on $250K of gear plus liability coverage. Never had a claim in 40 years, so I decided it was time to let it go and take my chances as I feel myself edging closer to retirement. I probably just guaranteed my house will get hit my a hurricane this summer.
Coincidentally, I bought a 75' roll of Cat6 cable today at Walmart for $19 and they asked me if I wanted to buy a 2-year protection plan. Ha, ha. Funny thing is that I was replacing an outdoor cable that got bitten through by a chipmunk this week. I wonder if they would cover that if it happened again I had taken the extended coverage. Is there a clause about rodents?
One thing I'll say is that it's definitely easier to see the screen of the M3 Max outside on a sunny day, which I wasn't expecting. Looks like they pushed the SDR brightness from 500 to 600 nits. Which I wouldn't have thought would make a difference. But now it's usable in the shade without squinting. Which is nice because my boss often tasks me with keeping an eye on the kids in the backyard while I edit. Actually I'm doing that right now and enjoying the breeze.
Peter C.
Veteran
One thing to note if you already don't know Apple keyboards can stop working with the smallest of liquids. I've killed 2 "magic" keyboards. The first time I didn't know I sprayed Windex directly on it to clean the keys. The next time I thought I was smarter and sprayed Windex on a paper towel but too much. When I wiped it the excess dripped under one of the keys. Didn't kill the keyboard but that key no longer functioned making the keyboard worthless. There's a membrane underneath the keys any liquid can cause it to stop working.
Doug Jensen
Veteran
Not to hijack the thread, but speaking of keyboards, I added these keyboards and mice to both my MacBooks last year, and I love them. 5 out of 5 stars.
www.logitech.com
www.logitech.com
Buy MX Keys S Keyboard - Full-Size | Logitech
Shop MX Keys S Keyboard. Features backlighting, custom shortcut keys, spherically-dished keys, smarter Fn keys, emoji key, multi-device, smart actions, and more
www.logitech.com
MX Anywhere 3S for Mac Compact Wireless Performance Mouse | Logitech
Shop MX Anywhere 3S for Mac. A high-performance compact mouse with seamless performance on Apple devices with 8K DPI next-level precision that tracks on virtually any surface, quiet clicks and ultra fast scrolling.
www.logitech.com
Peter C.
Veteran
I like Logitech use their mouse. I’m a little particular to Apple keyboards due to small size and function keys. I use the older type that’s wired no batteries and wire usb connection allows for additional port for flash drives.
But one way to protect the laptop is setup docking station where it’s off the table and out of the way.
But one way to protect the laptop is setup docking station where it’s off the table and out of the way.
ahalpert
Major Contributor
I've never fully understood why people would buy a laptop and then dock it on a desk. Why not just buy a desktop? You could get a faster machine or the same machine for less money. And with superior thermal management, to boot.
I get it that people might want to connect extra monitors and a mouse/keyboard. But then they need to take it somewhere else. OK, so you can work without the monitor and keyboard. But what about the drives they probably had connected to the dock?
So maybe they got a laptop because they need something for footage offload and if it goes laptop mode they don't need any peripherals. Still seems like a compromise vs getting a Mac Studio plus a MBA.
BTW does anyone have a recommendation for a computer case that is waterproof, shockproof, and lets the computer cool?
Also, it might be nice to have a cooling base, maybe one that even packs an internal battery. I've seen people use cooling bases. Weight isn't an issue for me.
Closer back to the original point of the thread -- I didn't have time to do a deep dive into MBPs between breaking my computer on Saturday and ordering another one on Sunday. But what I found out was interesting.
I had thought that the upcoming M4 would be an appreciable step up in performance based on some tests I saw a couple months ago of the new iPads. And maybe it will. But I recently watched some videos of nerds getting into the weeds about why shrinking the die size of the new chips won't lead to similar degrees of performance gain as it has in the past. And basically that due to size/energy/thermal constraints, you shouldn't expect the new MBPs to get that much faster.
Indeed, it seems that the M3 is roughly on par with prior generations for some tasks. For some tasks, it pulls ahead only to run into thermal throttling and come back down to earth.
There are certain 3D applications like ray tracing where it's way ahead due to some new chipset or something.
But I toyed with the idea of getting an M1 Max or M2 Max with the large internal SSD and a step up to 64GB RAM from my previous 32GB. But it would have had to have been refurbished and the value proposition was on par with getting a marginally faster M3 and having the peace of mind of knowing that nothing had ever happened to it.