What MacBook Pro specs are best for Adobe Photoshop?

Archiev wrote:

I am looking for advise on getting a new Mac Bookpro. The computer needs to be able to handle Adobe Photoshop and Lightroom, also Capture One. I save all my images on an external hard drive and the cloud.

Compared to your current Mac—typically I would get the next step up in RAM, and the next step up in Storage in an effort to future proof your purchase.

There is no upgrading either after the point of purchase in todays MacBook Pro.

Beyond the limited 1-yr warranty

I would also factor in the cost of adding the AppleCare+ which will cover a large portion of accidental damage.

AppleCare Products - Mac - Apple

and allow you to extend the warranty after it expires: Extend your AppleCare+ coverage - Apple Support

Browse and shop our products in a one-on-one session with a Specialist at an Apple Store and find what’s right for you. Shop with a Specialist - Apple

The M series Systems are all capable.

• Basic M = Best battery performance.
• M Pro = Equal balance of battery and speed.
• M Max = Fastest speed performance.

The number after the "M" represents the technology advancement, where "1" was first, "2" was better and so on.

The M series System On a Chip (SoC) architecture eliminates unnecessary elements that causes slow performance and noisy fans.

As a result, no components are replaceable.

You must choose the maximum amount of storage and memory you need (now and in the future).

As for the machine, the 14-inch is more compact and minimalist.

The 16-inch is larger.

You are invited to visit an Apple retail store to review your MacBook Pro upgrade options.

Good luck! 👋🏼😉

If external monitor support is important to you now; or might be in in the future …

… suggest that you scrutinize that section of the detailed specs.

Too many who visit here post-purchase discover too late that their capability “assumptions” in this regard were flawed.

While this answer is not one you are seeking, if you are upgrading from another Mac it is advice to follow to migrate from an old Mac to what ever MBP (or other Mac) you decide to buy. Please use the link to learn how to migrate quickly, reliably and most importantly, trouble free. Setup Assistant and Migration Assistant

Budget might be a factor. My use case is similar to yours (except I use DxO for RAW conversions). I went with a 16” M4 Pro MBP with the Nano-texture glass option and it has been perfect.

I chose the M4 Pro for faster RAW conversions (the Max would be overkill, IMO). 16” for the times I need to edit on the laptop screen (usually I’m connected to a 5K:2K display). Nano-texture for reduced glare. I went with a 2 TB drive, if you keep all your images in the cloud you’d probably be fine with 1 TB.

When it comes to 14 versus 16 inch keep in mind while in your situation it may not matter but overall the 16inch MacBook pro's typically have better cooling than the 14in.

The MacBook Pro max or m# max builds are 95% more power than most people need even if you're trying to future proof.

The MacBook Pro or m# pro series are for those that 1. can afford it 2. want further future proof and 3. need more power but aren't rendering or doing large productions.

The MacBook Air is your entry level, web browsing, general every day laptop soon to be close to an iPad with the upcoming iPad os 26 update.

With all that being said, I have a MacBook Pro m3 max and love it though I know I don't use it to its fullest extent (short of maybe playing cyberpunk 2077). I may upgrade when the next MacBook Pro series comes out hopefully with OLED screen.

Be sure to get enough RAM. You cannot expand RAM or internal SSD storage after purchase - and with RAM, there is no way of adding more externally, either.

I believe that you can get 32 GB of RAM even on MBPs with plain M4 chips.

See if this might serve as an aid:

Mac - Compare Models - Apple

This is Apple's wizard. Some complain it focuses too strongly on price at the expense of other criteria.

Mac - Which Mac is best for me? - Apple