Pro Tools on an M2 MacBook Air

[dominicperry]

Originally Posted by Teej

I've also found the reddit thread, which contains rebuttals from people showing full expected performance figures from 1TB M2 models.

A speedtest alone is not enough, all that shows is performance is reduced. Without visual confirmation there is only one flash module, it's pure speculation as to why the speeds are so slow on that particular machine.

So far you guys are going to have to provide much better evidence, because I can also provide you with evidence to the same standard. I saw a screenshot someone posted showing full expected speed on a 1TB M2 model. There's my evidence. Trust me bros.

One side is wrong, and none of us have provided enough evidence to say one way or the other.

There are news items and threads on MacRumors.com, linking to videos including a teardown of at least one M2 machine. These support the 256GB speed problems. I don't know anything about the 1TB limitation.

https://www.macrumors.com/2022/06/27...l-world-tests/
https://www.macrumors.com/2022/06/26...er-ssd-speeds/
https://www.macrumors.com/2022/07/14...sd-base-model/
https://www.macrumors.com/2022/07/18...chip-teardown/

Dominic

[JFreak]

Swap may be a factor if memory is totally insufficient for the workload. Even then, it is good to remember that the speed of this internal storage is equal to DDR3 RAM speed not so long ago. So, basically, all that storage is a good extension of the fastest memory.

BUT this 16GB M1 only ever swaps less than 50MB (yes, megabytes) in my usde and this is since latest Monterey update when I last needed to reboot. And the M2 with 24GB has yet to swap anything, but testing is still ongoing and I expect to see some swapping actrivity eventually.

This architecture is just so wicked fast it feels like memory requirement has suddenly more than halved (as in 16GB Apple feels like +32GB Intel and 24GB Apple feels like 64GB Intel). Stuff is needed in memory so little time in comparison, that suddenly less is more.

Especially without Rosetta installed.

[Teej]

Originally Posted by dominicperry

There are news items and threads on MacRumors.com, linking to videos including a teardown of at least one M2 machine. These support the 256GB speed problems. I don't know anything about the 1TB limitation.

https://www.macrumors.com/2022/06/27...l-world-tests/
https://www.macrumors.com/2022/06/26...er-ssd-speeds/
https://www.macrumors.com/2022/07/14...sd-base-model/
https://www.macrumors.com/2022/07/18...chip-teardown/

Dominic

I am fully aware of the issue with 256GB configs. This has been proven beyond doubt, and if you had read my posts you can see I acknowledge this.

What I was surprised at was JFreak's claim about 1TB models which as far as I can tell has one Reddit thread as "evidence", the same thread also containing proof of the opposite (that there is no performance compromise with the 1TB model.) He then insulted my ability to do simple math, and conveniently ignored the rest of my posts.

He's in the position of moderator presenting unsubstantiated claims as "fact." I don't think this is appropriate. This is what my post is referring to.

[JFreak]

Told you already google didn't find my source, so let's just claim I am dead wrong about this. It is just as good, doesn't bother me. If that paper comes up I may remember this thread and link.

But no, moderator hat means nothing in this discussion. I am sorry if I insulted you but most of the time I am just one of the fellow duc'ers so I won't give you "moderator insulted me" bragging rights.

Peace?

[WAXLTD]

JFreak, curious if you could elaborate more about the memory usage of the M2 chips being much more efficient. Considering buying a maxed out 2tb 24gb M2 air and wondered if you could speak to the following:

-Max Track Count performance relative to other macs in Pro Tools
-Fan noise

If you've used an M1 air or an M2 air, how did you feel about it in comparison to a studio, max, pro etc.

Thanks in advance!

[JFreak]

- Max track count is not easy to compare as M1 maxes at 16GB and M2 Air has 24GB, so perhaps I shouldn't.

- There s no fan in M2 Air

[tonejunkee]

Still waiting for 100% silicon native (PT+all plugins) and to upgrade this 2011 MBP to a fanless M3 MBA with 64gb RAM