Adobe Improves Lightroom Performance on M1 Macs with Version 11.3.1

In a significant update, Adobe has significantly boosted Lightroom's performance on M1 Macs with version 11.3.1. This development is particularly noteworthy given the challenges that many users have faced with the software on Apple's latest devices.

To test this improvement, we ran various experiments using a range of hardware configurations and software versions. Our results show that the 10-core 2021 MacBook Pro M1 Max, running macOS 12.1 and Lightroom 11.1, delivered better performance than expected. In fact, the Mac Studio M1 Ultra left other computers in its dust when it came to exporting JPEG files, with the 2019 Mac Pro 28-core taking a staggering 74% longer to complete this task.

In comparison, Lightroom 10.4 on an iMac 5K used only 5GB of memory for the same files and test, highlighting just how much more resource-intensive version 11.1 is. It's worth noting that during our testing, Lightroom consumed a whopping 74GB of memory - an astonishing figure that suggests something may be awry with the software.

To provide some context, our tests were conducted using the following hardware configurations and software versions:

* Hardware: Apple Mac Studio M1 Ultra

* Software: macOS 12.1, Adobe Lightroom 11.1

We measured the time it took for the preview-generation progress bar to disappear during export, using quality level 10 JPG at full resolution with no extra processing involved. We also ensured that I/O was not a factor by storing files on a fast internal SSD and importing them using the 'Add' (don't copy) option with generate 1:1 previews in parallel.

As is well known, Adobe Photoshop Lightroom ('Lightroom') requires that files be imported into its database before they can be worked on. With this update, users can expect improved performance when working with their files on M1 Macs.

For those interested in purchasing the latest Apple products or accessories for their own photography endeavors, we recommend checking out the following links:

* Apple Mac Studio at B&H Photo

* Thunderbolt and Related Accessories

Please note that if the information provided below is outdated, you can view our current Mac wishlist and all current OWC wishlists for up-to-date details on hardware configurations and software versions.

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