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Base Mac Mini M1 model for video editing?
- Thread starter no0nefamous
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My mini comes Monday. If it is not the fastest, zippiest, speediest computer I have ever had, it is going back. All research indicates it will be FAST. But there is no substitute for real life experience.
I've tried on two different monitors, a 1080p Samsung and a 1080p Lenovo. Both had the issue with the display and both worked fine with the same cables when connecting to my PC laptop. The Mac Mini works fine on my 4K TV but I didn't intend on using it with it. This is a well documented issue in this forum alone along with the rest of the internet.
As far as mice, tried three wireless mice and two bluetooth mice and the same thing happens. I haven't tried a wired mouse yet since we don't have one, but also don't really want to because it's 2021 and wired mice are only for serious gamers at this point. This issue is also mentioned a few times in this forum.
Even something as simple as opening the Settings app takes several seconds after clicking when that is something instant even on a low-end PC. I did run a Geekbench test and it does match the expected results for the M1 Mini, so I'm not sure why it feels so slow and sluggish. Again, it's not a RAM issue as I have yet to do anything that would push the limits of the RAM.
I'm gonna try a re-install of the OS when I get the time (haven't yet) and if that doesn't fix it I'm returning it.
I guess the rule of thumb is: if you expect to go beyond your 8 gigs of ram usage regularly 200 bucks extra are well spent. If you are worried that you might at some point have to go into swap - don't be. Personally rocking an 8gb model as my daily driver, and I never had any real issues except playing games. Still, today I would invest the extra money just to not have to think about ram ever again. Plus, if you consider you can probably run these machines 5+ years, having the extra bit of future proofing is a good thing. Not because I'm afraid the SSD will give out at some point, just because applications tend to require more memory as time goes on.
You might be interested in my last post, some of those questions might help. My wife has a MacBook Air M1 and especially for daily tasks it runs circles around my intel machine.
first of all you may have some 2.4Ghz interference from the wlan, try to change the channel or use 5ghz spectrum
secondly, don't expect any sharpness from a 1080 display, esp. if large diagonal
thirdly, do a full reset and internet recovery install
the base M1 does not behave at all like you mentioned
secondly, don't expect any sharpness from a 1080 display, esp. if large diagonal
thirdly, do a full reset and internet recovery install
the base M1 does not behave at all like you mentioned
I wasn't expecting 1080p to be super sharp, especially at 24", but it's not that. The image is literally fuzzy and does not appear to be the native resolution even though it says it is.
I'm gonna try a full reset/restore tonight now that I have time. What is the best method for guaranteeing a complete re-install?
Edit: Nevermind I figured it out. That seems to have fixed the performance/speed issues, but not the display issue. Based on everything I could dig up on the internet, the only option is to use a different monitor. The problem is, a proper monitor is trial and error for this issue.
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you need a 4K monitor - with a DP or USB-C connection ideally - to get some decent experience in Hidpi.
I recommend the Gigabyte M28U or even the M32U. Cheapest 4K 144Hz monitor around atm.
I recommend the Gigabyte M28U or even the M32U. Cheapest 4K 144Hz monitor around atm.
I'm afraid @zerozoneice is right but I'm not sure about that specific suggestion. There's cheaper options than the Gigabyte M28U (800 pounds in the UK?).
However, you do need a modern HiDPI monitor.
However, you do need a modern HiDPI monitor.
why are you afraid i'm right? 
There are indeed cheaper options for 4K@60Hz monitors, but once you go 120-144Hz you won't go back to 60.
And the M28U is the cheapest 4K/144Hz out there. LG/Samsung are more expensive.
Maybe find an older used Acer XB273 (also 4K 144Hz), i've seen them quite cheaper than M28U new.
There are indeed cheaper options for 4K@60Hz monitors, but once you go 120-144Hz you won't go back to 60.
And the M28U is the cheapest 4K/144Hz out there. LG/Samsung are more expensive.
Maybe find an older used Acer XB273 (also 4K 144Hz), i've seen them quite cheaper than M28U new.
Maybe you want to try forcing RGB.
Background of the problem: https://bentumbleson.com/macos-big-sur-fix-fuzzy-external-display-force-rgb-mode/
Instruction for M1 Macs: https://gist.github.com/GetVladimir/c89a26df1806001543bef4c8d90cc2f8
"Afraid" in the sense of "I hate to be the bearer of bad news but..."why are you afraid i'm right?
This MM purchase for @no0nefamous was supposed to be a low budget affair.
yeah but a good monitor can be used for PC or gaming console as well and can outlast the machine(s) hooked to it.
consider it a better investment for your eyes and confort. M-series have built-in KVM switch which for home-office is awesome and pretty much everyone's gonna move to some sort of hybrid workplace starting next year.
consider it a better investment for your eyes and confort. M-series have built-in KVM switch which for home-office is awesome and pretty much everyone's gonna move to some sort of hybrid workplace starting next year.
and the most relevant part for this situation:
"Update regarding macOS Monterey 12.0.1 on 2021-10-28
Monterey and USB-C to DisplayPort
From what I've seen, it seems that macOS Monterey 12.0.1 finally outputs RGB color by default on some monitors when using USB-C to DisplayPort cable on M1 Apple Silicone Macs."
so yeah, nothing to do here as long as you use USB-C/DP or USB-C/USB-C
In case anyone is curious, I ended up returning it. It wasn't worth playing the guessing game with monitors, and it was possibly defective anyway due to performance issues. Looking into a 24" iMac and I'm gonna spring for 16GB RAM.
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I think that makes the most sense. Maybe look and see if one shows up on the refurb page? Instant gratification, save a couple hundred bucks.
Anecdotal data point: The other day I was toying around with an eGPU, with the card sporting 4GB VRAM (system has 32GB Ram installed). When connected to a 4K monitor, the GPU‘s VRAM filled up to ~2/3. Attaching a second monitor (3440x1440) would bring the VRAM to full load and the system got noticeably slower. No gaming - just working in finder (Big Sur).
On a mini there‘s no dedicated VRAM, therefore all required video memory is taken from main Ram. 4K monitors are nothing unusual anymore, so running one with an 8GB mini could easily bite quite a chunk off the system‘s main Ram.
For comparison: 8GB of dedicated VRAM is considered only average in the gaming community nowadays - and 4GB is seen as lower boundary for anything remotely modern and “only” Full-HD resolution. I don’t know what Apple may be storing in Ram when it comes to Quartz Extreme, but the finder easily filling the 4GB VRAM on the eGPU seems to indicate that 8GB Ram on a Mac may quickly become restrictive in the near future, especially on high-res and/or multi-monitor setups.
Sure - the M1 machines are said to handle Ram better than Intel machines, but you can’t upgrade the Ram after purchase (except for buying a new machine) and swapping to an SSD is still by magnitudes slower than direct Ram access: The most modern SSD’s in a Mac have read/write speeds around 4-8 GB/s, whereas the M1Pro chip boasts 200GB/s. Go figure …
Call it fear-mongering, if you like, but I know for sure that my next mini will have 16GB Ram as minimum and I’m probably even going for 32GB, as I’m working a lot with 3D objects.
On a mini there‘s no dedicated VRAM, therefore all required video memory is taken from main Ram. 4K monitors are nothing unusual anymore, so running one with an 8GB mini could easily bite quite a chunk off the system‘s main Ram.
For comparison: 8GB of dedicated VRAM is considered only average in the gaming community nowadays - and 4GB is seen as lower boundary for anything remotely modern and “only” Full-HD resolution. I don’t know what Apple may be storing in Ram when it comes to Quartz Extreme, but the finder easily filling the 4GB VRAM on the eGPU seems to indicate that 8GB Ram on a Mac may quickly become restrictive in the near future, especially on high-res and/or multi-monitor setups.
Sure - the M1 machines are said to handle Ram better than Intel machines, but you can’t upgrade the Ram after purchase (except for buying a new machine) and swapping to an SSD is still by magnitudes slower than direct Ram access: The most modern SSD’s in a Mac have read/write speeds around 4-8 GB/s, whereas the M1Pro chip boasts 200GB/s. Go figure …
Call it fear-mongering, if you like, but I know for sure that my next mini will have 16GB Ram as minimum and I’m probably even going for 32GB, as I’m working a lot with 3D objects.