A smart option to improve your workflow would be to invest in one of the finest MacBooks for picture editing, especially if you’re a photographer who needs a portable but powerful computer. With their solid components and well-known picture editing features, MacBooks are renowned for their ease of use in image post-production.
However, we believe the MacBook Pro 14-inch and 16-inch models with their M1 Pro and M1 Max technology are still the greatest MacBooks for picture editing. The newest M2 MacBooks (opens in new tab) are a genuine force to be reckoned with.
They have incredible 64GB RAM options, and their Liquid Retina XDR displays are incredibly bright. The 16-inch model is the better of the two because it has a larger screen than its more minor brothers.
Top 3 MacBooks for Editing Photos
These are the current Apple models and the best MacBooks for picture editing, making them ideal if you want the newest technology.
1 – MacBook Pro M1 (16-inch, 2021)
We adore the original (13-inch) M1 MacBook. Still, with a maximum of 16GB RAM, it was never quite able to unseat the older MacBook Pro with an Intel processor as the best image/video editing machine available. Now not at all! Apple has seriously addressed these worries. The M1 Max CPU in the 2021 MacBook Pro, which can be ordered with 64GB RAM, not only destroys any RAM restrictions; it also features a 16-inch screen, which is substantially more pleasant for extended editing sessions than a 13-inch panel.
This incredible Liquid Retina XDR display boasts an astounding 1,600-nit peak brightness, which brings HDR material to life, and a high DCI-P3 color space coverage for precise video editing. If you want to save some money, the new 16-inch MacBook Pro is also available with an M1 Pro chip (rather than an M1 Max), but its RAM capacity is limited to 16GB or 32GB, and its speed is slower. Apple iMac pro i7 8th generation is also a good option.
In spite of having such a large amount of power, the M1 chip architecture’s high efficiency, along with a massive 100-watt-hour battery, enables the device to have an incredible battery life of 21 hours. You won’t get much bang for your buck with the 2021 16-inch MacBook Pro, no matter what configuration you choose, but you will be getting one of the most cutting-edge computers that are currently on the market.
2 – MacBook Air M2 (2022)
Despite having a striking resemblance to its predecessor, it has been completely revamped and is now run by a more potent M2 chip (instead of 2020’s M1). The M2 chip’s 8-core CPU and 8-core GPU come standard, but a 10-core GPU can be added for an extra fee.
Additionally, you receive 8GB RAM and 256GB of SSD storage as standard, although artists like photographers would almost surely want at least 16GB RAM and 512GB SSD storage. We were surprised by how this small laptop could handle our most demanding image processing requirements without breaking a sweat with our 16GB test machine. It doesn’t appear to heat up under pressure, and there are no fans to spin.
A Magsafe power connector, two USB-C ports, a 3.5mm headphone socket, a crystal clear display, and a comfortable trackpad and keyboard complete the basic yet functional design. Overall, this is a fantastic device for a mobile image or video editing. The 16-inch MacBook Pro (2021) model is still our top pick due to its larger, more comfortable screen, but the new M2 Air is a close second.
3. MacBook Pro M1 (14-inch, 2021)
Do you require the strength of the 16-inch 2021 MacBook Pro in a more portable form? This 14-inch model from Apple has you covered, and unlike some older MacBooks, you won’t have to give up speed to obtain improved portability.
With Apple’s potent M1 Max system-on-chip, the 14-inch MacBook Pro can be configured with 32 graphics cores and up to 64GB of RAM. The screen is equally as bright, with the same 1,600-nit peak and 1,000-nit continuous brightness that can burn the retina. Although the resolution is visibly lower—3024 x 1964 pixels—the 254 ppi pixel density ensures that your photographs are just as sharp as they would be on the 16-inch screen.
In actuality, the 14-inch ‘Pro’s only performance drawback is that there is less space inside for a large battery. The 14-inch model must make do with a 70-watt-hour battery, which provides about 4 hours less runtime than the 16-inch model’s 100-watt-hour cell. This is a mobile creative’s dream MacBook, but you will need to consider whether the 2-inch reduction in screen size could prove to be limiting for comfortable image editing over long periods of time.
