M2 MAX 38GPU vs 30GPU Real World Photo Test, is it worth the extra $200?

Is the M2 Max 30 core 64 memory 1tb hard drive good for Lightroom and photoshop or should I get the same configuration with the 38 core?

@artisright

You said that the stock M2 Max chip for the 16” MBP comes with 38Core GPU- that is not true. I bought one today from an authorized Mac Seller and it was brand new and its a 16” M2 Max with 64GB RAM and a 30 Core GPU, so your statement about that is not true.

I wish I had watched you a month ago. Was sweating over upgrading from an M1 iMac. Just ordered an M2 Max 30 core refurb today with 64gb of RAM. Did not see that in my future at all but it's what I need now. Always love your videos. Keep up the great work!

amazing video! this helped me greatly!

today I got a m1 max 1tb / 64Gb open box ref from micro center for $1799 and it was just as a new laptop. I think I snagged a great deal.

Hi, I need your help to decide if I should go for 32gb or 64gb RAM on the M2 MAX. I use mainly for professional use of Lightroom and some Photoshop. I'm a wedding photographer and most work is on Lightroom.. around 1000 Raw files. Also using brushes ( local adjustments ). O casionally I doo some very basic editing in Final Cut. I've been told that 32gb would be more than enough but don't want to regret later not having 64gb...but at the same time don't want to be spending the extra 400 EUR if the results are going to be similar... any thoughts ? Thanks ;)

what the reason to compare photographer Apps for m2 MAX, if it worth way more less power of your Mac for work VS videoWorking as PR AE Davinci and so one, with tonns of layers on timeline, online playback, and a lot of things that really needs this power of MAX chip)) for photo things you need way more less power

Fantastic analysis, thank you! You saved me $200 :)

Nicely done! With artificial denoise feature being out, it would be nice to test that out as well❤

Thank you very much for this informative video, please help on this below:
I have 1 question, there is 2 options for me to get MBP 16 M1 max 64 ram 2T SSD or MBP 16 M2 Max 32 RAM 1T SSD (at the same price for both).

I’m a beginner in video editing but I plan to get one for a long term like 3 years at least, pleas advise!!

No matter what no Apple GPU can compete with a 4090. I found your Channel a few days ago and love all the info you have put out.

Can an External GPU be used with Mac Studio M2Max?

Pro max base with 1tb is best bought it today like it !

Excellent info especially for photographers - thanks!

Hi I am a beginner user fpr MBP and I am a beginner for Video editing and photography, I want to purchase the MBP so my inquiry which MBP between this 2 model Apple M2 Pro 10-core CPU,16-core GPU and and 16-core Neural Engine 32 unified memory 1TB SSD storage or Apple M2 Pro 12-Core CPU,19-Core GPU and 16-core Neural Engine or 32 unified memory 1TB Ssd Storage. Or to save the money I can get the highest specifications by buying the old model as Apple MBP M1 Chip Pro or M1 Max.also my question is the 10-core CPU 16-core GPU slow speed. Hope you can recommend which model should I buy. Tks

This is the most amazing video. You helped me choose whether to upgrade from the standard factory model and what exactly applies for me. Thank you so much ❤

You have been on and on about Computer 101. People watching this video to see the performance comparison not a lecture about memory and SSD!

Thanks for the awesome content. This is perhaps the only video that speaks specifically about 30 vs 38 GPU. I've been working from a 3.1 GHz Intel MacBook Pro 15 2TB ssd since 2017. So that means a "future-proof-lifespan" of 6 years. At the time it was almost the best machine available in the Apple lineup. Now i'm taking my time to choose my next laptop ion the hope of hit future proofing until 2030. I'm planning to do heaps of Final Cut videos, so speed and time saving means a lot. So, based on that, what do you think about this configuration: M2 MacBook 16 Pro Max 30 GPU , 32 RAM and 4TB ssd.
Thanks for the awesome content.

Thanks. You have convinced me to get an M1 Max with extra RAM and a bigger hard drive (64/2) for less than I could get an M2 Pro (32/1).

Incredibly useful comparisons and advice. Thanks a lot!

But if you get a 2nd-hand M1 Max and it's release date was around Oct '21 when macOS 12 (Monterey) was released, whereas M2 Max was released around Jan '23 after macOS 13 (Ventura) was released, so there's the risk that in the future Apple might say they'll stop providing updates to users with macOS 12 or earlier.
For example I have a couple of old MacBook Pro's from late 2013 and Apple won't let me update to a version any later than macOS 10.15 (Catalina) from Oct '19.
That's one of the reasons I'd be hesitant to buy a 2nd-hand one even from the official Apple store, plus the unlikely but still possible scenario of it been hacked through the supply chain somehow.

This is the onyl video that gave me a solid idea of all the chips and which to get, honestly thank you. No other content creator I have found have been able to do this other than vague terminolgies.

This video is so incredibly detailed, it’s amazing. Thank you so much! It’s like being in a lecture.

Great video. Question ... does having 38GPU over 30GPU in a Mac Studio M2MAX improve multiple monitor use on any appreciable level? I plan on running 5 monitors. Only 2 possibly 4K, 3 lower than that.

Can you add a comparison for Lightrooms new Denoise feature across the apple chips? It’s per photo but takes minutes to do.

I absolutely love how you put this comparison together in such a real world practical view. As a photographer this is so helpful. One test that I selfishly would love to see is how upgrading from 30 to 38 GPU would effect the new Lightroom Denoise AI processing which I believe uses 100% GPU. When this LR feature came out it took my 2018 Mac Mini over 10 minutes to process one 48mp picture from my Nikon Z7! I just got my new Mac Studio today with the base 30 GPU configuration and the same 48mp image took 20 seconds to process which is a big improvement. What concerns me though is that while Denoise was running on my new Mac Studio my GPU was at 98% which makes me second guess my decision not to go with the $200 upgrade to the 38 GPU unit. I have a feeling the 38 GPU configuration would make a real improvement here and would tip the scale in favor of upgrading. Have you done any tests on this after you made this video? Thanks again for putting out such great content.

Currently debating 10/32 m1 max 64gb vs 12/30 m2 max 32gb. Seems like m1 max is the right value for $2.7k usd? Gonna use it for unity development on the go as my desktop is used for something else on linux.

This is a really helpful and well done review - thanks Art. I watched this to help configure my new Mac Studio this week.

I’m seriously blown away by how awesome your content is and how deep you went with the analysis. It seriously helped me big time in figuring out which macbook to get. Thank you very much. I wish your channel all the success.

As a pro photographer and LrC/photoshop user I found the comparison super helpful. Great work Art. It would be interesting to see how significant the performance gains are b/n the M1 Ultra & M2 Ultra.

Thanks!

Did you experienced throttle issue with the 14" max model ? How's the temps ?

Why different size macbooks the cooling profiles of both are different adding more margin for error and skewing the results.

Great video. you helped me decide. Thank you 30GPU it is

Thanks for the very informative content. Just ordered the 96GB M2 Max; ready to put this thing to work!

Talk about a nice review! great analysis

Thanks for comparing these variations of the M1 and M2 Max. I personally found this VERY HELPFUL in making a decision in the very near future on which Macbook Pro or Studio to buy. This video was VERY Informative. I totally agree that the 8 Core GPU upgrade is Not Really worth the $200 and M1 Mac Studio Ultra is LOOKING PRETTY DAM SOLID in your Review!!!! I'm impressed with the Mac STudio.

Help me here pls. Im not a tech wiz, i want a top editing laptop. With plentiful RAM. Long term video editing.coding Some gaming and miscellaneous activities. What should i aquire?

What about 14MBP 12/38 64GB 2TB?

@artlsright great comparison I know that your channel is not about gaming but if can do the same models using ur analysis it would be outstanding I really liked the way that you think 😊

is 200 too much 😂

Awesome

Hi, I have a question. It’s so important because no one here on YT speak about the 14 inch MacBook Pro M2 Max 32ram 1tb with 12c CPU and 30c GPU but all speak about the 38c GPU version thermal throttling. So you have tested the 14 inch with 30c GPU, it’s better for the thermal throttling problem? I want to buy a 14 inch M2 Max 32ram 1tb 12-30 as I found it in super discount, at Apple it costs 3799€ and I found it at about 2889€. So it’s a big deal.
Yeah maybe a 14 inch with M2 Pro 64 ram and 1tb could be better for keeping it for many years and for the thermal problem, as I want to use it for learning Adobe suite, video editing maybe with DaVinci Resolve and idk maybe some graphic design, UX/UI and programming, but for this specs i’m forced to configure it at the Apple website so more money than the deal I found. Idk. Thank you so much for a possible response and sorry if I’ve made some mistakes writing this but English is not my main language ;)

Thank you. You saved me $200

Very helpful video, thanks

We need DaVinci too