M2 Pro mini or M1 Max Studio - For 4k video editing with effects and transitions

[Pedro Nights]

Hey mates!

I want to buy a mac works well with 4k video editing with effects and transitions (adobe premiere and after effects) ?

Which of these options do I choose ?

1- Mac mini 2023
M2 Pro 10-Core CPU
16-Core GPU
16GB Unified Memory
512GB SSD Storage.

Price - 1 579,00 €

2- Mac mini 2023
M2 Pro 12‑core CPU
19-core GPU
16‑core Neural Engine
512GB SSD Storage.

Price - 1 924,00 €


3. Mac Studio

M1 Max 10-Core CPU
24-Core GPU
16-Core Neural Engine
32GB unified memory
512GB SSD Storage.

Price - 2 349 €

 

[Burnincoco]

M2 Pro Mac Mini But with the faster 1TB ssd

 

[PsykX]

The Studio has more video encoders, so you might benefit a lot from this.

I don't know if After Effects relies more on CPU (M2 Pro) or GPU (M1 Max). You should investigate this further.

But honestly, they are both great choices. You won't be disappointed.

 

[vladi]

Mac Studio - You get proper cooling and more RAM even though I think 64GB is some bare minimum. Oh and you need at least 1TB storage option.

 

[vladi]

OK I just saw you speced builds are somewhere in Europe. So forget about upgrading any of these cause options in Europe are rip offs. Just get the 10 core M2 Mini and upgrade to 1TB. Two additional CPU cores and three GPU croes are not worth the upgrade for 345 euro dollars

 

[eelpout]

The Studio has more video encoders, so you might benefit a lot from this.

yeah, if you regularly use programs that benefit from the video encode and ProRes media engines (the M1 Max has two sets, the M2 Pro one) I'd get a Studio.

 

[RobertPS]

Refurb Base Mac Studio from Apple when available.

 

[Mark Holmes]

I edit 4K for work, daily, on a 16" MacBook Pro M1 Max. Do everything you can to make sure you have 64GB of RAM. Right now activity monitor shows me using 47 of my 64GB. Remember, it is SHARED memory with the GPU. Don't even consider getting anything with 16GB of RAM. 8GB shouldn't even be offered, imho.

 

[vladi]

I edit 4K for work, daily, on a 16" MacBook Pro M1 Max. Do everything you can to make sure you have 64GB of RAM. Right now activity monitor shows me using 47 of my 64GB. Remember, it is SHARED memory with the GPU. Don't even consider getting anything with 16GB of RAM. 8GB shouldn't even be offered, imho.

He is somehwere in Europe and adding RAM on European prices is insane. Mac Studio 64GB RAM will total to 3,000 euros easy (with fast 1TB ssd cause 512 has junk speed and it's useless without TB bay).

 

[Mark Holmes]

He is somehwere in Europe and adding RAM on European prices is insane. Mac Studio 64GB RAM will total to 3,000 euros easy (with fast 1TB ssd cause 512 has junk speed and it's useless without TB bay).

Well, it depends if you're doing it for work or a hobby. Don't skimp on work tools it will only bite you in the ass down the line. I know from experience. Also, obviously you cannot change your mind down the line.

 

[vladi]

Well, it depends if you're doing it for work or a hobby. Don't skimp on work tools it will only bite you in the ass down the line. I know from experience. Also, obviously you cannot change your mind down the line.

He would also need a proper display unless he already has one and that's another grand or so at least for bottom of the barrel LG or ViewSonic.

 

[Fishrrman]

Pay attention to the reply above that advises you to get (with the Mini) the 1tb drive, instead of the 512gb drive.

The 1tb drive is TWICE AS FAST as the 512gb drive.
This could actually make a difference accessing the large files of 4k video.

I would suggest the 10-core m2pro Mini, 32gb RAM, 1tb SSD.
If 32gb is too much money, 16gb will do...

 

[Silencio]

After Effects is primarily CPU-driven, and not terribly multi-threaded. Premiere Pro takes even less advantage of the GPU, so I'd say the 10-core M2 Pro Mac mini with 32GB of RAM and 1TB SSD is the way to go. 16GB is simply not enough memory to work effectively in either AE or PR.

 

[StoneJack]

If you used FCP, then Studio.
If you use Adobe, then M2 Pro.

 

[satcomer]

Dump Adobe ASAP! You know if you use the excellent shareware PixelMator Pro now you use it to color correct video with now too!

 

[Silencio]

Dump Adobe ASAP! You know if you use the excellent shareware PixelMator Pro now you use it to color correct video with now too!

DaVinci Resolve also does a vastly better job of utilizing all the CPU and GPU resources available on a Mac.