thomas Loc: ottawa canada

I'm currently using Lightroom CC with Photoshop and other plugins. I have a Mac desktop with 16meg memory which I find very slow working with all these programs. Looking to get a new Mac. What would be best to get memory wise and does the driver also come into play. Not familiar with computer mechanics. Any input and suggestions? Thanks in advance.

rcarol

I can highly recommend the M1 Mini Mac configured with 16GB of RAM and 512GB of SSD.

d3200prime

If you want the fastest performance and are using AI programs such as ON1 or Topaz products you will need a graphics card and I would recommend 8Gb's of memory or more on the card. As far as RAM memory I would go with 32-64Gb's with 8 or more cores. Here's a link that will help you: https://www.photoworkout.com/best-desktops-for-photo-editing/#Apple27

cjc2 Loc: Hellertown PA

You really didn't give us much info about your current machine for us to give good suggestions. I'm using a basic iMac PRO with 32GB of memory and a 1TB SSD and an 8 core chip. Currently there is not a 27" iMac or iMac PRO that has the new chip, so I'm waiting (im)patiently. There are many many things to also have an impact on the speed of your machine so the more you learn, the better off you'll be. Happy Holidays.

leftj Loc: Texas

I doubt that your Mac only has 16meg of memory.

thomas Loc: ottawa canada

16gb not meg

cactuspic Loc: Dallas, TX

I just replaced two aging computers, and old Macbook Pro and a 27 inch iMac, with a new 14 inch Macbook Pro and a 27inch BenQ monitor. I would have followed Burkephoto's advice and gotten 8 GB of RAM, but I often work in Lightroom and Photoshop while concurrently running a Topaz AI program and compiling an image stack in Zerene. I was afraid that heavy usage might bog down the machine if I only got 8 GB of RAM. With 16 GB of Ram, the machine purrs.

Irwin

Just Fred Loc: Darwin's Waiting Room

The one recommendation I *always* make is this: Get as much RAM as you think you need. Then double it.

Apple tends to limit the amount of RAM one can stuff into the box, and their memory management is pretty good, but I'd max out whatever your prospective machine will take. You will thank me later.

JD750 Loc: SoCal

Would you buy a New 400 hp SUV with a 5 gallon gas tank? Or two seats in the back?

Stuff it full of the maximum ram it will take, and buy a large HD that will help "future proof" it.

cactuspic Loc: Dallas, TX

With the new M1 chip design, there is less of the need for RAM. Graphics and other functions are now contained on a single chip. While what you said make sense with the old Intel technology, the new chip design changed the nature of the game. The new chips are faster, more efficient, more powerful, run cooler and have less need of RAM. Google M1 chips

JD750 Loc: SoCal

Ha ha ha ha. Yeah put less ram in the computer because the M1 chip has more. "Good idea".

Like I said, 400 HP SUV, 5 gal gas tank. It will work but...

DWU2 Loc: Phoenix Arizona area

As Wallis Simpson once said, "You can never be too rich, or too thin, or have too much RAM or SSD space."

jackpinoh Loc: Kettering, OH 45419

The best option for Lightroom CC, Photoshop, and plugins is an M1 MacBook Pro with 32GB of RAM, 1TB SSD, and an external hard drive or SSD. Lightroom and Photoshop are memory hogs and anything less than 32GB RAM will cause continuous swapping to the internal SSD, slowing things down.

I ran Greg Benz’s Photoshop benchmark on three computers:
2014 iMac Desktop; 4 GHz Quad-core Intel i7 processor; 32 GB RAM; 4GB Radon R9 Graphics Processor: 204 sec
2020 M1 MacBook Air; 8 Core CPU (4 performance; 4 high efficiency); 8 core GPU; 16GB RAM; 1TB SSD with ~60GB/sec memory bandwidth: 132 sec
2021 M1 MacBook Pro Max; 10 Core CPU (8 performance; 2 high efficiency); 32 Core GPU; 64GB RAM; 4TB SSD with 400GB/sec memory bandwidth: 60 sec

The best comparisons of M1 MacBooks that I have seen is: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ZLriHDpemA

Good luck.

jbk224 Loc: Long Island, NY

As usual, you get a lot of suggestions here on UHH. Of course the most important factor(s) is/are what are your requirements. My assumption here is that your are a normal user of LR/CC; and not into professional video/video editing. You are not shooting as a professional who needs to edit massive file sizes.
The old days, pre-Apple's silicon, everyone suggested that more is better. Get the most you can afford. Not now with Apple. Based on these assumptions, I would suggest you skip the iMac M1 24" and go with the 14" or 16" MacBook Pro M1 Pro/10core-16core/16GB Ram/1TB SSD. I compared the two side x side and went with the 16". The reason I am not suggesting the new iMac (which I have for work!) is that I believe that the 8-core/8-core may be too limiting when rendering large previews. And, also possibly slightly slower when doing complex editing. I may be wrong here. But it also has the original M1 chip and I wanted to have the newer M1 Pro chip. Also, you are used to the 27" iMac. Now, if you go with the 14" or 16" unit; and you like the screen size--no issue. If you want to add a larger monitor--no problem as it is designed to optimize connection with an HDMI port. And, if you decide later in 2022 that you want to go with the coming 27" iMac with new silicon-- you can trade in or sell your laptop for a great price. I traded in my 2018/2019 15" MacBook Pro for $1,0000 against the new 16"!
Based on these assumptions; 32 MB will not enhance your workflow. If you insist or want to buy it; go for it. The value of your laptop will be even better for a sale or trade. Maxing out the specs, for your anticipated workflow, is a waste of $$$, even if you don't care. Good luck with your choice.

Jimmy T Loc: Virginia