Hi all,

I've got a Macbook Pro 16'' M1 with 16 gigabytes of RAM. The qualified hardware PDF on Avid's site says I'd need a Macbook Pro with 32 gigs of RAM. Is there any chance I could run Media Composer on my laptop, or is the qualified hardware dead set?

Thanks,

Aidan

Hi Aidan, 

You'll be fine. 

It might not run as well as a system with 32GB but will run more or less okay. Always best to do system-specific tests, each system performs slightly differently.

There is a difference with the M1 Mac systems.  These systems share memory between the Video (GPU) and the rest of the system.  The effect is that you will actually have less than 32 GB of memory for use by programs.   Running Media Composer in that configuration is possible but it's not something I would want to do.

Im having trouble with my home built PC system after 5 years and supected faulty RAM.  So, I just left one stick in it of 8Gb and am editing a 9 multicam prog with no issues (as I build my replacement).  More ram is good but if you have an M2 SSD for OS it seems to have no knock on effect for me.  V surprised.

Mike Brodeur:

There is a difference with the M1 Mac systems.  These systems share memory between the Video (GPU) and the rest of the system.  The effect is that you will actually have less than 32 GB of memory for use by programs.   Running Media Composer in that configuration is possible but it's not something I would want to do.

That architecture also seems to lead to a more efficient RAM usage. Not to mention that MC is not very GPU demanding both in compute and VRAM.

16GB will be fine, especially for HD.