• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Photography Life

PL provides various digital photography news, reviews, articles, tips, tutorials and guides to photographers of all levels

  • Reviews
  • News
  • Lenses
    • Lens Index
  • Forum
  • About Us
    • Contact Us
    • Workshops
    • Support Us
    • Submit Content
  • My Account
    • Log In
    • Sign Up
  • Search
Home → PC / Mac / Tablet Hardware

How to Buy an Apple MacBook for Photography

Read on to find out which MacBook models we recommend for photography needs

By Nasim Mansurov 42 Comments
Last Updated On April 17, 2020

We are continuing our series on how to choose and buy computer hardware for photography needs and today we will be providing suggestions on what Apple laptops are worth looking into. First, we will do a quick overview of the Apple line of MacBooks, then we will provide our top recommendations for doing post-processing work. This article has been written in collaboration with our team members who use Apple’s MacBook products exclusively and extensively for their photography work.

MacBook Pro 15

Apple makes a total of two different lines of laptops. First, there is a lightweight 13″ MacBook Air, then there is a MacBook Pro line, which comes in two sizes: 13″ and 16″. The latest 16″ MacBook Pro version released in 2019 has replaced the previous-generation 15″ model, and it looks like Apple has also discontinued the basic 12″ MacBook line.

For someone who is shopping for a solid Apple laptop for photography needs, all these choices might be overwhelming and confusing, so if you are wondering about which one to pick, below you will find a summary of each product line.

Table of Contents

  • MacBook Air
  • MacBook Pro 13-Inch
  • MacBook Pro 16-Inch
  • Is Intel 10th Generation Worth the Wait?

MacBook Air

First, let’s take a look at the MacBook Air line of laptops. Apple used to make 11″ and 13″ versions of the MacBook Air, but the 11″ line has been discontinued for a while now in favor of the 13″ version. MacBook Air is an extremely lightweight machine and it also might look attractive at first.

MacBook Air

However, when something is this lightweight, there will always be compromises somewhere, and that’s the problem with the MacBook Air line – they are fairly underpowered machines overall, and they are designed for light use, such as browsing the web, email, and entertainment. Although you can purchase a higher-spec MacBook Air model with a Quad-Core Intel Core i7 processor, it is only clocked at 1.2 Ghz, which is not great. There is no dedicated graphics card (GPU embedded into CPU) and there are only two Thunderbolt 3 ports, so if you have more than one device to connect, you will need to get a USB Type-C hub.

If you beef up the machine with 16 GB of RAM (maximum) and 2 TB of SSD storage, you are looking at spending $2,250 – that’s a lot of money and not as much value.

Both Photoshop and Lightroom will function, but you will need to arm yourself with some patience, especially when working with large, high-resolution RAW images and opening multiple applications at once. If you don’t shoot with a high-resolution camera and you need something that is very lightweight and compact for travel purposes, then the MacBook Air is not a bad option by any means.

If lighter weight is more important for you than performance, I would suggest investing in the top-end configuration for the MacBook Air. If your budget is tight, prioritize RAM over storage – I would not recommend anything less than 16 GB.

MacBook Pro 13-Inch

The MacBook Pro is a whole different beast. The Pro line is what everyone wants, since these machines are much more powerful for heavier post-processing workloads. The MacBook Pro 13″ (technically 13.3″) is a nice and compact machine – it can host fairly good CPUs up to 2.8 Ghz Quad-Core Intel Core i7, up to 16 GB of RAM and up to 2 TB of PCIe-based SSD flash storage. Both Photoshop and Lightroom will run fine on these specs, but you will still struggle with opening large RAW files and stitching panoramas with 16 GB of RAM.

Apple MacBook Pro 13

The 13″ MacBook Pro has one limitation you should be aware of. Similar to the MacBook Air, it does not have a dedicated GPU and cannot host one. Many photo and video applications today provide support for GPU acceleration in order to get much faster performance (both Photoshop and Lightroom can take advantage of it), so if you are planning to make the MacBook Pro your primary editing machine, I would suggest considering the larger 16″ model below.

But if you are after lighter weight and smaller footprint, here are the three configurations we would recommend:

  1. Apple 13.3″ MacBook Pro with Touch Bar, 2.4 Ghz Intel Core i5, 16 GB of RAM and 512 GB SSD Storage – $2,179
  2. Apple 13.3″ MacBook Pro with Touch Bar, 2.8 Ghz Intel Core i7, 16 GB of RAM and 1 TB SSD Storage – $2,699
  3. Apple 13.3″ MacBook Pro with Touch Bar, 2.8 Ghz Intel Core i7, 16 GB of RAM and 2 TB SSD Storage – $3,099

MacBook Pro 16-Inch

Now let’s talk about the Mercedes-Benz of Apple laptops, the MacBook Pro 16″. I personally own the older but maxed out 15″ version that I use every day, but when the 16″ was released, I drooled over its specifications. Apple was able to push all the latest technology, lots of RAM, storage and 8-core CPU into a similarly-sized body as the predecessor.

Apple MacBook Pro 16

Previously, all MacBook Pro 15″ versions were limited to 32 GB of RAM, but with the 16″ version, it is now possible to get up to 64 GB of RAM. This is a pretty big deal for some photographers and videographers out there since they are able to use just one laptop as a primary machine, instead of keeping a laptop for travel and remote work, then using a dedicated desktop for more serious tasks.

You can get up to an ultra-fast 8-core 9th-generation Intel Core i9 CPU with a base clock of 2.4 Ghz, and it is now possible to get up to 8 TB of fast SSD storage, which is insane! The 16″ Retina screen is great for photography work and you don’t have to strain your eyes – the screen is nice and big.

In addition to the built-in Intel HD Graphics GPU, the MacBook Pro 16″ models come with a dedicated AMD Radeon Pro 5500M video card (4 GB and 8 GB models are available), which is powerful enough to not only run post-processing software, but also render 4K videos in Premiere Pro, or even play graphics-intensive games. In short, this thing is a powerhouse!

I used to be a fan of Microsoft’s Surface Book machines, but after comparing Surface Book 2 to MacBook Pro, I decided to switch to the latter, because it was a better machine for photo and video editing.

Here are the configurations we recommend for photography needs:

  1. Apple 16″ MacBook Pro, 2.6 Ghz Intel Core i7, 32 GB of RAM, 1 TB SSD and AMD Radeon Pro 5300M GPU (4 GB GDDR6) – $2,999
  2. Apple 16″ MacBook Pro, 2.3 Ghz Intel Core i9, 64 GB of RAM, 2 TB SSD and AMD Radeon Pro 5500M GPU (4GB GDDR6) – $3,999
  3. Apple 16″ MacBook Pro, 2.4 Ghz Intel Core i9, 64 GB of RAM, 4 TB SSD and AMD Radeon Pro 5500M GPU (4GB DDR6) – $4,799

If I were buying a 16″ MacBook Pro for myself today as my primary machine for image and video editing, it would probably be the second option with 64 GB of RAM and 2 TB SSD. I struggle to see much value beyond these specifications, especially considering that one could spend up to $6,100 on the most beefed-up version with 8 TB of storage…

If I needed more storage for photos and videos, I would just buy external storage. The super-compact and lightweight Samsung 2TB T5 SSD drive has been on sale for a while now, and if that’s not enough, there are other higher-capacity options available, including a dedicated NAS unit.

Is Intel 10th Generation Worth the Wait?

Intel’s 10th generation processors have already been released, and we are already seeing PC laptops with these processors. Is it worth buying the above configurations, or should you wait for Apple to refresh its Macbook line?

While Intel’s latest and greatest processors are surely going to offer superior performance compared to 9th generation, I do not recommend that you wait until newer machines come out for several reasons.

First, the 10th generation Intel chipset is not going to offer more features compared to 9th gen CPUs – RAM is still going to be maxed out at 64 GB, and I seriously doubt Apple is going to offer superior GPU or storage options. Second, from what I have seen so far, it does not appear that the latest 10th gen Intel CPUs are significantly faster compared to their predecessors – most benchmarks show very small performance gains across the board. Third, we don’t know how long it will take Apple to refresh its MacBook Pro line – the company might wait and upgrade when 11th generation Intel CPUs are out, which could be a few years from now.

And lastly, with the release of new Apple MacBooks, you will need to wait a long time until you can get a good deal on them. Apple has already been running some promotions on their 16″ MacBook Pro through retailers like B&H, and as we get closer to the end of the year, expect to see many more deals (especially considering the current COVID 19 pandemic).

Don’t forget that you can never keep up with technology. There will always be something faster and better, that’s just the way it is – just like with cameras. If you have an immediate need for a solid laptop, I would recommend the 2019 MacBook Pros I listed above.

Hope this helps – please let me know if you have any questions!

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

If you liked this article, please subscribe below to our weekly email to get more great content like this!

Related Articles

  • Apple 16 Inch MacBook Pro 2019
    Apple Announces a Powerful 16" MacBook Pro
  • Surface Book 2 vs MacBook Pro
    Microsoft Surface Book 2 vs Apple MacBook Pro
  • iMac Retina
    How to Buy an Apple iMac for Photography
  • Apple Mac Pro
    Apple Mac Pro Review for Photography Needs
  • Apple iPad Pro 2018
    Apple iPad Pro 2018 Review for Photography Needs
  • Teton Sunset
    Landscape Photography Case Study
Disclosures, Terms and Conditions and Support Options
Filed Under: PC / Mac / Tablet Hardware Tagged With: Howto, MacBook, MacBook Pro, MacBook Air

About Nasim Mansurov

Nasim Mansurov is the author and founder of Photography Life, based out of Denver, Colorado. He is recognized as one of the leading educators in the photography industry, conducting workshops, producing educational videos and frequently writing content for Photography Life. You can follow him on Instagram and Facebook. Read more about Nasim here.

guest
guest
42 Comments
Most Voted
Newest Oldest
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Danilushka
Danilushka
April 17, 2020 3:27 pm

Thanks for doing the research and sharing it and your professional experience as well, Nasim. One area your article might want to cover in an update is using an eGPU as a GPU card upgrade for laptop users who use them as a desktop. I use an eGPU from Sonnet to run a Radeon RX 580 8GB for my 2019 MBP. While that makes the rig desk-bound for me (other wise back to the slow Intel GPU), I mostly perform Post at my desk anyway. There are more powerful AMD eGPU options to choose from as well and even portable ones.

1
Reply
Anon Pi
Anon Pi
April 16, 2020 8:57 am

I think you should start a new article, perhaps just adding the date to the title/filename/link/etc, or at least clear out the comments when one gets recycled like this. It’s very confusing to read comments that make no sense in the context of the current article and time, only to realize that many of them are years old.

1
Reply
Nasim Mansurov
Nasim Mansurov
Author
Reply to  Anon Pi
April 16, 2020 8:08 pm

I did clear out a bunch of comments that weren’t relevant. Please let me know which ones look out of context.

0
Reply
Anon Pi
Anon Pi
Reply to  Nasim Mansurov
April 17, 2020 8:56 am

Well, probably anything prior to release of current hardware, certainly anything prior to 2019

1
Reply
Tim John
Tim John
January 28, 2021 10:27 am

I’ve just bought a second hand maxed out 2018 15” Mac book pro but the only Lightroom I can find is £10 a month and I don’t need I cloud storage is there a pro version with no I cloud that I can buy with one off purchase ?
Thanks fo any help

0
Reply
Matt
Matt
September 26, 2020 3:11 pm

Hello All – I am strongly considering getting a dedicated Mac Mini for my LR and PS image processing (I already have a 27″ NEC monitir). My 1st question is how small can I comfortably go on the internal SSD, is 512GB too small? I would add a 2TB External SSD to the purchase right away. An internal upgrade to 1TB is about $600 direct from Apple which is crazy (I hate the way apple does this but that’s a convo for another thread). The mini has 4 Thunderbolt 3 outputs (like USB-C) and I would add 32GB RAM to an i5 chipset ormaybe an i7 if I can find used in like new condition. My 2nd question is how do I set this all up for the best workflow speed etc. LR and PS go on the internal SSD but then do I run everything else form the external SD? i.e. my images, and catalog etc. and will that be fast enough? I currently have about 45k images and growing steadily. My “photos folder” is approx 1.6TB currently comprised of Images (1.3TB) and the rest is Catalogs, Smart Previews and backups (9GB) alongside all the other LR gobbledegook. Can I run a larger/less expensive External HDD as my main “storage” or working drive or would Iose a significant amount of speed processing images? Thank you in advance for the help.

0
Reply
bpf
bpf
August 16, 2020 11:38 am

I am curious how LR will operate on a new Air with intel i5 processor and 8gb of ram. I am not planning on heavy post processing. I mostly need a laptop for importing and storing images while I am traveling. I know I could use external hard drives for this, but I am also interested in a laptop for light duty email and web browsing. I am leaning toward the new 13-inch Air for reasons of affordability, but not sure how LR will function doing rudimentary importing, keywording, sorting, etc. Any input will be appreciated!

0
Reply
Shutterswipe
Shutterswipe
June 9, 2020 9:51 am

64GB RAM for photo editing? Can you post a screenshot showing a system running at that kind of RAM hungry level? Never needed more than 16GB for Photoshop, Lightroom etc. Occasionally slows down with massive files, but 64GB seems ludicrous

0
Reply
Juno
Juno
May 25, 2020 2:25 pm

Thanks for the info! I have a question; I found an older model of MacBook Pro 15.4″ with upgraded system on sale; Intel Core i9 – 32GB Memory – AMD Radeon Pro 560X – 1TB SSD (and it comes out to be $100 more expensive than the base model of MacBook pro 16”). Compared to the base model of MacBook pro 16” and this upgraded older model, which would you rather choose?

0
Reply
Katie
Katie
April 22, 2020 8:48 am

I have been doing quite a bit of research but I am not familiar with computer terms and specs. I am a photographer, I use photoshop and lightroom. I am looking between the 13″ pro and the air. I am not usually multitasking on my computer, and I rarely shoot in RAW. I currently have a 2013 model macbook pro, I use external storage and I have noticed it slowing down. I am wondering if I should stick with it or if I need to start looking into something new. I also have older versions of PS and LR downloaded on it so I do not have to pay for a subscription. I am looking for advice from other professionals.
I am more concerned about the graphics/color quality of the air, is there that much difference in the graphics between the air and pro? My next question is should I go directly to Apple for the purchase or is there a store/website I can order from and get a deal? Thanks for any help.

0
Reply
disaskalos
disaskalos
Reply to  Katie
April 25, 2020 1:50 pm

I too have a 13″ 2013 model. I maxed mine out with i7, 16 gb of Ram and a 512 gb ssd and Iris discreate graphics. I also have CS 6 and LR 6 perpetual licenses. I don’t want to get caught in Adobe’s subscription milking machine. If your computer is slow, try “cleaning” it by deleting files. Use “C cleaner” to clean out other unused files. This will speed it up. Then what i’ve been doing with my D850 raw files is to put them on the internal drive to post-process them. When done, I moved them to external hard drives for storage. In the final analysis, I want my 2013 13 incher to keep running. It does the job. Sure I would like a faster, bigger, badder machine–like the Dell 15″ XPS with Adobe RGB graphics, but $ 2.6K is an awful lot to spend, not to mention justify, when my spunky MBP is chugging along.
Hope this helps, and cheers.

0
Reply
Dale Keith
Dale Keith
April 17, 2020 8:40 pm

Great review. However, the “best” will cost the most. I have to decide, what will work for me.

0
Reply
Jeff T
Jeff T
April 17, 2020 9:13 am

I’ve one of the newer 13″ pro’s. It’s been great and plenty fast for my uses and very compact. I have run into an issue that would make me thing twice. The lightning ports wear out! They are so sloppy that just bumping a plug lets a drive disconnect. I do have apple care and will have the replaced but I can’t get any info on whether the new ports are a better product? Anyone else know or have suggestions

0
Reply

Primary Sidebar

Learn

  • Beginner Photography
  • Landscape Photography
  • Wildlife Photography
  • Portraiture
  • Post-Processing
  • Advanced Tutorials
  • Best Cameras and Lenses

Reviews

  • Camera Reviews
  • Lens Reviews
  • Other Gear Reviews

Photography Tutorials

Photography Basics
Landscape Photography
Wildlife Photography
Macro Photography
Composition & Creativity
Black & White Photography
Night Sky Photography
Portrait Photography
Street Photography
Photography Videos

Support Us

B&H Photo Video Banner

Recent Topics

  • Moving to Mirrorless, Advice needed
  • Night Rounds
  • Mirrorless Multi-exposure – RAW or JPEG
  • Instant cameras
  • Last post dates in forum
  • Prints from Proof Sheets
  • Can’t access account settings
  • How to appraise used gear
  • Price of ai-s lenses seems to have skyrocketed!
  • Unable to download tutorials I purchased

Footer

Site Menu

  • Beginner Photography
  • Lens Database
  • Photo Spots
  • Search
  • Submit Content
  • Subscribe

Reviews

  • Camera Reviews
  • Lens Reviews
  • Other Gear Reviews

Copyright © 2021 · Photography Life

You are going to send email to

Move Comment