M1 MBA or MBPro - difference in video editing

[mrbigstuff]

C(-)ris wrote:
[quote=space-time]
you can get the MBA and convert it into a MBP for about $3

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ghDvyItIHTY

Also that kid has many other videos on MBA vs MBP

Interesting, that isn't a kid though. he facial hair gives it away.

I might try that on the M1 that I have, if I ever push it to the point that it slows down.
That's cool.

And, if you're from the east coast, that dude is a "kid."

[Acer]

Stocking cap indoors? Kid.

[OWC Larry]

I'd highly recommend getting it with 16GB... can't upgrade that ever... and memory will benefit out of the box and, likely, more and more over time too.

[M A V I C]

jdc wrote:
There are dozens, if not over 100 videos on YT doing this exact thing.

Assuming he's not getting the base model of either version, performance is *identical*.

Where the MBP beats the MBA is in *long* extended video production and battery life. When the MBA gets too hot from working hard, it throttles. MBP the fan kicks on, keeping it cool. Battery in the MBP is bigger, so it last several extra hours.

If his primary day in day out use is video (especially 4K) Id be inclined to go MBP. If its just a few 1-2 minute videos from time to time, MBA is fine.

Pretty sure ADorama still has them on sale, all configs

I was going to agree with you, but I've apparently seen different videos. The fan makes a big difference. Even on shorter encodes, it can be ~30% faster. When the CPU gets warm, it's limited. The MPB has a fan, the MBA does not.

[jdc]

M A V I C wrote:
I was going to agree with you, but I've apparently seen different videos. The fan makes a big difference. Even on shorter encodes, it can be ~30% faster. When the CPU gets warm, it's limited. The MPB has a fan, the MBA does not.

Perhaps. I haven't watched all of the videos, just a bunch.

From my memory, its only longer stuff that hit it.

Even so, that might depend on your definition of "longer" video, or 4K, or 8K, or tons of effects or etc etc... which all can effect things.

No doubt if I was doing *any* video on a regular basis, the MBP would be the way to go.

[btfc]

Here’s an older piece that addresses throttling:

https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2020/11/...con-magic/

[mikebw]

Also consider that ambient temperature will impact when fans kick in.

[jdc]

btfc wrote:
Here’s an older piece that addresses throttling:

https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2020/11/...con-magic/

Yep, exactly what I meant. Repeated runs of FCP or benchmarks that are designed to stress the system throttle it.

Again, a few videos a few times a day, meh. 30 videos for hours in a day, MBP all the way.

Depending on workflow, Id prob go with a base MBA for occasional portable editing and then a mini to do all the heavy lifting at my desk.

[Fritz]

def 16G ram.

[jdc]

Fritz wrote:
def 16G ram.

For video... sure... but absolutely necessary... debatable.

We are all stuck in our old perceptions of how ram works... and its works waaaay differently on M1s