Base Model storage - On the fence

[Stay_Resonant]

I've been using the Base model for a little over a week. I have about 75gb with everything installed. I am worried that the 512gb may be limiting over time, but I also may be over thinking it.

I have most database and large files on an external drive, but there is no way (that I know of) to move downloaded sharepoint libraries or icloud libraries to an external drive.

Those of you with the base model, how have you been fairing with the storage?

Returning this and waiting for a 1tb or 2tb model to arrive just sounds like a huge hassle for something I don't even know if I will need.

 

[Killerbob]

This has been discussed a number of times here, do a search and see what other folks have said.

For instance: https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/mac-studio-max-version-1-or-2-tb-of-memory.2350499/

 

[Stay_Resonant]

Thank you @Killerbob. I've been using the search function but haven't found much info on people that have used the 512 in practice. The thread you linked is helpful!

 

[Killerbob]

It very much depends on what you are doing with your MS. If all you are doing is installing macOS and some applications, and have no need for storing libraries (for practical or performance reasons) on the internal SSD, then 512GB might be enough. If on the other hand, you are installing large suites, like for instance Adobe Creative Suite, and you are putting Lightroom libraries on the internal SSD, even 1TB might be a bit on the smaller side.

I got 2TB, but I have installed FULL installations of a number of larger applications, I have a lot of LR libraries, and my workflow as a photographer means I need the space internally, before moving files onto my NAS.

Admittedly I also have for instance MetroExodus installed (100GB) as well as a lot of downloaded Apple Music files. In that I am not short on internal storage I am using it. If I had to economize, there are lots of things I could move over to my NAS.

 

[Stay_Resonant]

Thanks for the information. I have apple music and photos on an external drive along with my sample library and my DAW's content library. I'm sitting at 75gb of used internal space. As long as it doesn't drastically change with OS updates I should be good. I am unsure of how much 'free space' is required to keep the system running smoothly. So I wager out of the 420gb I have free, 350gb would be usable without impacting performance.

I think I'll be okay with the 512.

 

[Killerbob]

Sounds like it. And remember that if you need fast storage, you can add Thunderbolt-based NVMe drives to the Mac Studio, and they would be faster than most other internal storage (though not as fast as the SSD in the Mac Studio).

 

[Fishrrman]

OP:
"I've been using the Base model for a little over a week. I have about 75gb with everything installed. I am worried that the 512gb may be limiting over time, but I also may be over thinking it."

You ARE over-thinking it.

With "everything installed", you're using up only 75gb?
That ain't very much.

As time goes by, you might consider an external drive (probably an SSD) to hold stuff that "you want to keep around, BUT is "seldom accessed". The idea is to move the little-used stuff into an external archive -- close at hand, but not crowding the internal drive.

Of course, if you do this, you will need to keep "a backup of your archive" as well.
But you knew that already.

 

[jetjaguar]

I got a base model and with everything installed I have 380gb left. Considering ordering a custom with 1tb and 32 core gpu just to be on the safe side.

 

[Stay_Resonant]

I ended up staying with the base model. Glad I did. If you don't mind the shipping time, being without the mac studio for a time, and spending extra money...Id say go for it.

 

[jetjaguar]

I ended up staying with the base model. Glad I did. If you don't mind the shipping time, being without the mac studio for a time, and spending extra money...Id say go for it.

Would only be about a week without the studio. Not sure what I am going to do.

 

[harpster]

2T is the magic number for me. If there is anything I hate it's running out of internal storage. I opened up my iMac 27" twice to upgrade HD to SSD then more SSD as the price came down. I know what people say, but for me managing external storage is a pain. If you have a lot of photos and or videos it will eat up the storage more than anything else. I like having access to all my photos in one photo library and not archive them so 2T works for me where the jump to 4T is just a bit more than I want to spend. If you don't have a lot of photos and video's and not expecting to have that then 1T is what I would get. Personally i would not even think about 512G and remember you will lose some of that with formatting and the Mac OS. I think that most people getting 512G on a Mac Studio have a lot of external storage connected via fast Thunderbolt SSD's. So you are probably going to pay for storage one way or another. I back up to HD based Synology NAS, not the fastest but good for backup.

 

[Killerbob]

I must admit I also take into consideration what I am expecting to be the situation when I one day want to sell the Mac. Storage needs have increased significantly in the last years, and the days of 250/500/750GB internal storage have long passed.

Even if you are utilizing a NAS or other large external storage for files, your internal files (which should always reside on the fastest storage available) grow every update as well...

 

[edubfromktown]

500 GB has been plenty for me (I have nearly 200 GB available with 25k of photos, all my PAID FOR music, user files, dev environments, etc. all loaded up). Worst case I can deal some of it elsewhere if needed. Got a 16 TB external WD easystore drive a couple years back for <$200 and it has been awesome. Sliced and diced it up for CCC and TimeMachine backups among other things. Also have a 1 TB ExtremePro SanDisk (which has decent i/o rates if I need more performance from an external drive)

@Killerbob's post while helpful definitely triggered me LOL

Storage .ne. memory

32 GB of memories (sic) also offers plenty of headroom for my diabolical needs

 

[Stay_Resonant]

Would only be about a week without the studio. Not sure what I am going to do.

Decide yet?

 

[Stay_Resonant]

500 GB has been plenty for me (I have nearly 200 GB available with 25k of photos, all my PAID FOR music, user files, dev environments, etc. all loaded up). Worst case I can deal some of it elsewhere if needed. Got a 16 TB external WD easystore drive a couple years back for <$200 and it has been awesome. Sliced and diced it up for CCC and TimeMachine backups among other things. Also have a 1 TB ExtremePro SanDisk (which has decent i/o rates if I need more performance from an external drive)

@Killerbob's post while helpful definitely triggered me LOL

Storage .ne. memory

32 GB of memories (sic) also offers plenty of headroom for my diabolical needs

Does your easystore spool up at random times? I had a 10tb version, and every time I need to open the finder (or just randomly) it will need to spin up and it beachballs.

 

[jetjaguar]

Decide yet?

Yea I ordered the other one.

 

[edubfromktown]

Does your easystore spool up at random times? I had a 10tb version, and every time I need to open the finder (or just randomly) it will need to spin up and it beachballs.

I don't leave it on all the time... power it down w/ analog (Kasa Wifi-controlled) power switch when it isn't needed. Seems to be plenty fast for backups and temp storage.

Also have a SanDisk Extreme Pro 1 TB for faster sorts of processing or scratch space when needed.

 

[jetjaguar]

Does your easystore spool up at random times? I had a 10tb version, and every time I need to open the finder (or just randomly) it will need to spin up and it beachballs.

Yea i have 4 connected to my studio ( 2 x 18tb, 2 x 14tb) and yes that happens.

 

[BlueTide]

I'm in with the comments that say it depends on your use. I am fine with 512 - on one hand, I don't have that many files/use cases that are not in cloud, and on the other, the use cases I have for large files are so large anyway that they would require external storage in any case. So it's easier to manage them with a fast NAS.

 

[harpster]

I relooked at this as I ordered Mac Studio with 2T SSD and need to wait to early Sept to pick up. I thought of canceling and getting the base 512G and then getting OWC Mercury Pro U.2, 2TB or 4 TB. That thought lasted a few hours then I came to my senses. Why have that extra hardware (with possible issues) when it can all be in the computer and be the fastest and arguably most reliable possible? Just hoping the Mac Studio is a good machine that can stand the test of time like my iMac 27 did!

Maybe if I was just starting out (first Mac) then 512G would work but I got all the data and photos from my 2010 iMac 27 to transfer plus the OS plus having enough space to grow for the next 12 years. I might add external SSD down the road for backup or off loading some stuff but for me it's just better to have everything fit in the box.

 

[anticipate]

I have 20 years worth of work in the cloud, over 80,000 photos in iCloud Photo Library, tons of music and effects for Final Cut Pro and many apps installed on a 512gb model and I still have 130gb free. I edit 4 and 8k films and and work off external nvme thunderbolt SSDs.

512 is enough. The cloud manages the libraries just fine.

It’s barely enough though. I have 1 TB on the laptop which gives more wiggle room on the road. But if you don’t mind using fast external thunderbolt storage and the cloud … 512 is fine.

 

[Carlson-online]

1TB is the sweet spot methinks. it's really annoying there's not a "base+" model readily available in this configuration, as you would think a lot of people will be wanting that upgrade

 

[jetjaguar]

Just got mine .. was due for delivery aug 30th - sept 6 and it showed up today. Would have been here Friday but of course there was a ups mechanical issue which delayed it.

 

[harpster]

Just got mine .. was due for delivery aug 30th - sept 6 and it showed up today.

Just picked my 2TB, 64G, 32GPU Max today, Sept 6 was also the estimated arrival day. Then a few days ago, got an update that will arrive in 2-3 weeks... the day after that it's ready for pick-up haha. The display was ready 3 weeks ago so I had Apple Store hold it so I could get all at same time. Will be unboxing soon...