MP 1,1-5,1 Is the M1 Mac Mini the final nail to the coffin of Classic Mac Pros?

[SheetLorde]

Pros for $699 M1 Mac mini:
1. Faster than the 12 core 5,1 when it comes to video editing?
2. Can install the latest OS without hacks.
3. Cheaper than your maxed out 4,1 or 5,1.
4. Overall system is much faster.

Cons:
1. Not enough memory. Max at 16G.
2. Cannot plug in PCIE devices.
3. Cannot install Windows(is this even a con?)

 

[krakman]

Cons:
1. Not enough memory. Max at 16G.
2. Cannot plug in PCIE devices.
3. Cannot install Windows(is this even a con?)

4. cannot fit up to six 3.5inch hard drives
5. Cannot upgrade the SSD
6. Maximum 2 monitors???
7. only gigabit Ethernet

the M1 mini is a great computer for the majority of people, I think the rumoured Mini Mac Pro will be the upgrade path for most people.

 

[m1maverick]

As always: It depends. M1 Mini is a great system but there area areas where the cMP has advantages. Define your needs and then use them to decide.

 

[eicca]

Definitely still a needs based thing for individuals, but the fact that we're even discussing replacing 2010's top-of-the-line hardware with a $700 tissue box computer is astonishing.

 

[JeffPerrin]

My 2012 Mac Pro is long in the tooth, but has 3 TB fast internal SSD storage, 4 USB-C (10Gb) ports, and PCIe slots for my audio DSP cards. No doubt the M1 mini is powerful, but wouldn't be nearly as good a solution for my studio due to the horrible mess of cables and reliance on 3rd-party external storage peripherals.

 

[theSeb]

Pros for $699 M1 Mac mini:
1. Faster than the 12 core 5,1 when it comes to video editing?
2. Can install the latest OS without hacks.
3. Cheaper than your maxed out 4,1 or 5,1.
4. Overall system is much faster.

Cons:
1. Not enough memory. Max at 16G.
2. Cannot plug in PCIE devices.
3. Cannot install Windows(is this even a con?)

Some PCIe devices can be used via a TB3 box. Not GPUs, but some other devices have been confirmed to work with the M1 mini.

 

[loby]

Speed yes, but expandability No. Depends on the needs.

 

[Mactrunk]

To the OP...
Why must if be the final nail in the coffin?
5,1 is still doing great work for many of us.
Of course it is a more than 10 year old platform, but amazing in that it keeps delivering.
I'm looking forward to the M1 Mac Pro.
I'm sure the performance gains will astound me.
Glad I skipped the trashcan and rumptowercheesegrater.
My 5,1 continues to be a workhorse.
Please, no coffins!