I'm (currently) insanely content with the purchase of my M1 Mini

[Spindel]

So in 2013 I bought and iMac 27" i5 4670, 24 GB RAM with a GTX780M, during 2019 I was starting to think that I would upgrade. One of the reasons was that I could not use the iMac as an external monitor for my work issued HP laptop when I had to work from home. Also the iMac was starting to show it's age. Don't get me wrong I love the iMac, but for my needs it has limitations.

So I started to look at options with a Mac Mini with a external display but was not concerned that the performance to price I would get wasn't optimal. Specially considering the less than stellar iGPU. I also had the hunch that apple would move to ARM, so I held off.

2020 happened, I started to work from home a lot more, and initially I used RDP to connect to my work laptop to be able to use my iMac as an display for my work issued laptop. Then I realized that I actually could move 99,9% of my workflow to the mac when WFH, which was fantastic (since my 2013 iMac still ran circles around my work laptop from 2019 in performance).

Then WWDC came and to me it was obvious, hold out for the ARM macs.

Now when the M1 macs where presented I instantly ordered a M1 Mini 16GB RAM 512GB storage (and a new monitor, a Asus PA27AC for the ones interested). I have a NAS also, so for my personal files I've never felt the need to have a humongous internal storage.

As it has arrived and I've been working on it for a couple of days I must say I have no regrets, even if most of the applications I use run under rosetta. It runs in circles around anything I've ever had to use for work, it is cool and it is quiet. The iGPU, while not exiting, is way better than the intel iGPU options and it is better than the old GTX780M in the old iMac.

Talking/chatting to people about it I feel it is hard to describe the overall responsiveness of the system, I have never experienced anything like it when using a computer before. Sure some of it is down to macOS being macOS, making it hard to compare to Windows but it is something of its own.

For people interested, for work the main used apps are:
Excel
Outlook
AutoCAD 2020 LT
Teams
Word
MacOS built in PDF viewer/editor (what ever it is called)
OneNote
OneDrive
Safari


Thanks for reading I just had to share.

 

[neinjohn]

How is the Mac Mini working with AutoCAD?

 

[Spindel]

How is the Mac Mini working with AutoCAD?

For me, not breaking a sweat. Specially on my work laptop (windows) it will freeze up for a second or two now and then if there are a lot of xref, not had any issues like that so far on the Mini. I have not noticed any glitching or anything like that.

Only problem is OLE objects, but that is a platform issue and not a M1 issue (OLE objects don't display in any Mac version of AutoCAD AFAIK)

 

[ruslan120]

That’s awesome to hear. Glad you were able to migrate most of your workflow. Most could probably do the same and seems like the compatibility is near excellent - I think the x86 to ARM transition is perceived negatively simply because of how terribly Microsoft botched Windows RT and the Surface X.

(No hate on Microsoft, using and loving a Surface Pro 3 that was handed down, it’s leaps ahead of the iPad for my (specific) needs*).

* - Running Visual Studio and vintage Windows 95-XP games and recording gameplay.

MSFT Plug: Try a surface (and get a Dock if you need screen space). Especially for those reading who want to switch to M1 but need Windows - it’s next level and for a few extra benjamins you keep Windows compatibility. The only downside is needing to get two bins when going through the TSA.

 

[4sallypat]

Agree, this M1 Mini is just amazing!

Runs super cool, no fan noise, and all apps/sites open like a snap!

I am running 2 display monitors but looking to get a 4K display to fully use the graphics ability...

 

[perezr10]

We’re also real happy with our M1 Mac Mini. With dual 4K monitors and lightning quick speed it’s been a great upgrade. Our only complaint thus far is some intermittent buggy bluetooth connectivity with the keyboard. So we’ve gone to a wired keyboard until the bug fixes get rolled out.

 

[KyleSchultz]

We’re also real happy with our M1 Mac Mini. With dual 4K monitors and lightning quick speed it’s been a great upgrade. Our only complaint thus far is some intermittent buggy bluetooth connectivity with the keyboard. So we’ve gone to a wired keyboard until the bug fixes get rolled out.

I'm having bluetooth connectivity issues with my Magic Mouse. Most noticeable when the machine awakes from sleep mode. Reboot restores functionality. I'll watch for now.

 

[Spindel]

We’re also real happy with our M1 Mac Mini. With dual 4K monitors and lightning quick speed it’s been a great upgrade. Our only complaint thus far is some intermittent buggy bluetooth connectivity with the keyboard. So we’ve gone to a wired keyboard until the bug fixes get rolled out.

I’ve read that some have problems with BT, but I have had none myself. The BT devices I have are AirPods Pro and Magic Mouse Gen 1 (I use the old wired aluminium apple keyboard (it’s the best keyboard I’ve ever used)).

I wonder if all people having BT problems are running WiFi, since 2,4 GHz can interfere with BT. I my self run wired network to my Mini.

 

[Ocnetgeek]

So in 2013 I bought and iMac 27" i5 4670, 24 GB RAM with a GTX780M, during 2019 I was starting to think that I would upgrade. One of the reasons was that I could not use the iMac as an external monitor for my work issued HP laptop when I had to work from home. Also the iMac was starting to show it's age. Don't get me wrong I love the iMac, but for my needs it has limitations.

So I started to look at options with a Mac Mini with a external display but was not concerned that the performance to price I would get wasn't optimal. Specially considering the less than stellar iGPU. I also had the hunch that apple would move to ARM, so I held off.

2020 happened, I started to work from home a lot more, and initially I used RDP to connect to my work laptop to be able to use my iMac as an display for my work issued laptop. Then I realized that I actually could move 99,9% of my workflow to the mac when WFH, which was fantastic (since my 2013 iMac still ran circles around my work laptop from 2019 in performance).

Then WWDC came and to me it was obvious, hold out for the ARM macs.

Now when the M1 macs where presented I instantly ordered a M1 Mini 16GB RAM 512GB storage (and a new monitor, a Asus PA27AC for the ones interested). I have a NAS also, so for my personal files I've never felt the need to have a humongous internal storage.

As it has arrived and I've been working on it for a couple of days I must say I have no regrets, even if most of the applications I use run under rosetta. It runs in circles around anything I've ever had to use for work, it is cool and it is quiet. The iGPU, while not exiting, is way better than the intel iGPU options and it is better than the old GTX780M in the old iMac.

Talking/chatting to people about it I feel it is hard to describe the overall responsiveness of the system, I have never experienced anything like it when using a computer before. Sure some of it is down to macOS being macOS, making it hard to compare to Windows but it is something of its own.

For people interested, for work the main used apps are:
Excel
Outlook
AutoCAD 2020 LT
Teams
Word
MacOS built in PDF viewer/editor (what ever it is called)
OneNote
OneDrive
Safari


Thanks for reading I just had to share.

I have to agree. I initially decided to go with the M1 MacBook Air but found the 13" Display was too hard on my older eyes. I have had the M1 Mac mini with 16Gb and 1Tb and the only complaint I have with it is that I cannot get a second monitor working with mine. I have a case open with Apple and they are working with Engineering to gather more information because the configuration is within spec and should work. Everything else has been great. I don't have huge requirements as this is my personal system and not a work system but I find everything I do on it is very responsive and I am glad I made the switch

 

[MK500]

So in 2013 I bought and iMac 27" i5 4670, 24 GB RAM with a GTX780M

That's a good machine. I think you timed your upgrade well and skipped over a lot of years of mediocre Macs

We have two 2013 Macs in our house (wife and daughter) that are much loved, run Big Sur perfectly, and each got upgraded with OWC SSD's this year. That's a great vintage.

It's interesting to see what Intel did between 2013 and 2020 and consider what Apple has been doing during the same period. Think of all the Apple engineers who suffered all those years of crap Intel upgrades and are now set free to really innovate!

 

[circatee]

For a few weeks now, I have been researching an MBA M1 and considering a Mac Mini M1.
Thanks for taking the time to share your experience...

 

[4sallypat]

.....
I wonder if all people having BT problems are running WiFi, since 2,4 GHz can interfere with BT. I my self run wired network to my Mini.

^^ This might be the culprit.

WiFi may be interfering with BT ?

In my workplace, I constantly have to turn off WiFi and BT on user's computer and turn them back on to regain connectivity (BT and/or WiFi).

My Macs - most of my devices connects via wired Ethernet.
M1 Mini has Apple Magic KB and mouse with no issues for the last 2 days....

BTW I turn off WiFi so maybe that's why I have not seen the interference issue with BT ??

 

[MK500]

^^ This might be the culprit.

WiFi may be interfering with BT ?

In my workplace, I constantly have to turn off WiFi and BT on user's computer and turn them back on to regain connectivity (BT and/or WiFi).

My Macs - most of my devices connects via wired Ethernet.
M1 Mini has Apple Magic KB and mouse with no issues for the last 2 days....

BTW I turn off WiFi so maybe that's way I have not seen the interference issue with BT ??

Wow, good point! I moved exclusively to 5Ghz so many years ago that I actually forgot BT runs in the 2.4Ghz range.

For those that don't know: Try to install more access points closer to your users that run 5Ghz exclusively. 2.4Ghz has range going for it, but it is terrible to use for Wifi in every other way.

Does Bluetooth interfere with WiFi?

I've read that WiFi b/g/n is using 2.3995 to 2.4845 GHz. Bluetooth is in between: 2.4000 to 2.4835 GHz. So what will happen when I put a Bluetooth sending device next to a WiFi sending device? W...

electronics.stackexchange.com

 

[Spindel]

Sorry for bumping my own thread but I just wanted to report in.

Now it's been a bit over 1,5 months since I got my M1 Mini and all the points I made in the OP still stand with me.

I'm so glad I held out on my iMac in waiting for AS.

 

[Santiago]

Similarly, I went from a 2014 first-gen iMac 5K to an M1 Mini (with LG Ultrafine 5K display), and I'm incredibly pleased with how responsive and absolutely silent it is. I'm using it for Xcode development, videoconferencing, and light gaming.

 

[Spindel]

So now a year and a month after my last post in this thread I was thinking of coming with an update.

My main point still stands, I'm insanely content with my M1 Mini.

The gripes I have are with external software houses.

Microsoft SHAME ON YOU!
Still no AS native Teams or OneDrive (I know OneDrive is in testing phases and you can get early access to it, but still no official release).

AutoDesk SHAME ON YOU!
Still no AS native AutoCAD, well didn't expect much from you anyway since you've never prioritized Mac for your software anyway.


But overall still the most responsive computer I've used and it suits my needs more than well.

 

[jerryk]

So now a year and a month after my last post in this thread I was thinking of coming with an update.

My main point still stands, I'm insanely content with my M1 Mini.

The gripes I have are with external software houses.

Microsoft SHAME ON YOU!
Still no AS native Teams or OneDrive (I know OneDrive is in testing phases and you can get early access to it, but still no official release).

AutoDesk SHAME ON YOU!
Still no AS native AutoCAD, well didn't expect much from you anyway since you've never prioritized Mac for your software anyway.


But overall still the most responsive computer I've used and it suits my needs more than well.

Will you upgrade to an M2 Mini if it is announced next month?

I love my M1 Mini, but M2 would temp me.

 

[cwwilson]

I'm right there with you. The M1 is so incredible I gotta applaud Apple considering this is only Gen 1 of these chips and they are phenomenal. My MBA is becoming my favorite computer ever and it might be my favorite Apple device period. I'm just so impressed with it! Mine has similar specs to your mini and I have no doubt it will handle whatever I could possibly throw at it and that makes me really happy.

 

[Spindel]

Will you upgrade to an M2 Mini if it is announced next month?

I love my M1 Mini, but M2 would temp me.

No, with the performance difference I expect I see no point.

Also with my current use case I really don’t need more CPU performance to be honest.

 

[jerryk]

No, with the performance difference I expect I see no point.

Also with my current use case I really don’t need more CPU performance to be honest.

I am pretty good with the CPU performance, but would want a bit more graphics performance, and should have bought more memory. 80% of the time 8GB is enough, but 16 GB would be better.

 

[Spindel]

I am pretty good with the CPU performance, but would want a bit more graphics performance, and should have bought more memory. 80% of the time 8GB is enough, but 16 GB would be better.

While I have the 16 GB version RAM is not an issue for me currently (but since i use Teams and OneDrive 8 GB probably would not have been enough since those two apps alone currently gobble up 5 GB).

But sure a bit more graphics performance would be nice for the few games I do play, if Apple releases a Mini with the M1 Max/Pro that would probably do it.

I honestly don't expect that much better graphics performance than the M1 in a basic M2 chip. On the other hand I might be wrong in that regard if we look at the GPU leaps in previous iPhones.

But for my professional use of this Mac (se list in OP) the M1 graphics are more then enough to drive AutoCAD.