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Is Macbook Pro 16gb Ram Enough For Graphics Designing 2022?
If you are looking for a computer for graphic design, there is a high chance a Mac is on your wish list. But which Mac should you purchase? Are you looking for the mobility of a MacBook Air? Or the processing power of a Mac Pro? Perhaps you just want the largest screen you can afford.
Of course, a lot depends on how much designing you do and the kind of files you deal with. In any event, we will help you make an educated choice about purchasing a Mac for graphic design in this article. You can learn graphic design through Blue Sky Graphics online graphic design course.
Why should you use a Mac for graphic design?
Designers have always favoured Macs because to their excellent colour accuracy, picture quality, and simplicity of use. Furthermore, the inclusion of high-end Retina screens simplifies and improves design work.
Another significant benefit is that Apple develops not just computers but also the operating systems that operate on them. This implies that Macs are more dependable than other computers, with fewer compatibility and driver problems.

The most suitable Mac setup for graphic design
RAM is one of the first things you should consider (random access memory). This temporary storage is used by graphic design applications to store various types of data, including undo and redo states. The more RAM you have, the better, although at least 8GB is required. If you are working on 3D graphics or big, multi-layered pictures, you should purchase 16GB or 32GB of storage.
However, new M1 Macs only support a maximum of 16GB. They manage RAM differently than earlier Macs, thus 8GB or 16GB will enough for most workloads.
Some Macs allow you to quickly increase your RAM, while others make it difficult, if not impossible. The RAM in the M1 CPUs is integrated into the chip rather than being a separate component. To be safe, purchase as much RAM as you can afford when purchasing your Mac.
You will also need storage in addition to RAM. You should certainly utilise an SSD rather than a conventional hard drive since it is much, much quicker. In terms of storage, you will need at least 256GB, but your exact needs will be determined by how much designing you do and the size of the files you work with. Storage on modern Macs cannot be upgraded, although external devices may be used if you run out of space.
The speed of your CPU is important for certain functions in certain applications. However, for the vast bulk of day-to-day design work, any 64-bit, multi-core CPU should suffice. Most design applications can still be used on older Macs with dual-core i5 processors, so any of the current Macs will have more than adequate processing capability. If you want to perform any video editing, CPU speed is more essential, and you should buy the quickest model you can afford.
The visual processing unit comes next (GPU). On-board graphics are much less expensive than separate graphics cards, but they are also significantly less powerful. Most 2D design work, however, does not need the use of a powerful graphics card. A separate graphics card will only be useful if you perform a lot of 3D design, video editing, or other resource-intensive tasks.
You can utilise an external card (an eGPU) to enhance your graphics processing capacity on Intel Macs, but none of them are currently compatible with M1 Macs.
It is also worth noting that M1 Macs do not yet support discrete graphics. However, Apple claims that M1 processors provide the fastest integrated graphics in any personal computer.
Last but not least, one of the most essential instruments for design work is the display. Of course, size is an important consideration: the larger your screen, the better, unless you require mobility. Screen resolution and pixel density are other essential considerations, but you do not need to worry about them too much since any presently available Mac will suffice.
If you wish to use an external monitor, which you will undoubtedly require with a Mac mini, the resolution should be at least 1080p. However, if you can afford 4K, you should buy it instead, particularly in bigger sizes.
The most suitable MacBook for graphic design
It is a toss-up between a bigger Intel machine and a smaller M1 system when it comes to Apple laptops for graphic design. The M1 13-inch MacBook Pro is quick, but the tiny screen is inconvenient for graphic creation. That is why we selected the 2019 16-inch MacBook Pro, despite the fact that it features an outdated Intel CPU.
The basic model comes with a 2.6GHz six-core Core i7 CPU, which can be upgraded to a 2.4GHz eight-core Core i9 with Turbo Boost up to 5GHz. This is more than enough processing power for any graphics design programme.
What about the graphics card, though? This beast is powered by an AMD Radeon Pro 5300M with 4GB of GDDR6 RAM – enough for gaming, much alone creative work. It has 16GB of on-board RAM and up to 8TB of SSD storage.
The LED-backlit Retina display with True Tone offers a native resolution of 3072×1920, 226 pixels per inch, and a brightness of 500 nits. Finally, four Thunderbolt 3 connections are available for connecting peripherals – all of this in a package weighing just 2kg and beginning at £2,399.
M1 MacBook Pro for Graphic Design 2022
If you do not need the largest MacBook screen, choose one of Apple’s newest MacBooks with its speedy M1 CPUs. The new MacBook Pro or the new MacBook Air, both with eight-core M1 CPUs and 13-inch 2560×1600 IPS screens, are the next best options.
The MacBook Air is just 1.29kg in weight, whereas the MacBook Pro is 1.4kg. If that is your most essential consideration, the MacBook Air is an excellent option. Otherwise, the MacBook Pro is our top pick. It has eight GPU cores against the MacBook Air’s seven; its screen is brighter, at 500 nits versus 400; and it features active, fan-based cooling rather than passive cooling – a significant difference if you intend to work on your MacBook for extended periods of time.
However, keep in mind that there is a significant price difference. The lowest M1 MacBook Pro costs £1,299, while a MacBook Air costs £999. For £1,799, a powerful Intel version of the 13-inch MacBook Pro is also available.