M1 MacMini Configuration Advice Please?

[jazz1]

Well, I’ve gone back on forth on the new M1 devices. I went from M1 MB Air, to M1 MacBook Pro, and finally decided that my 2018 12.9” iPad Pro is all the portable ”computer” I need. I also have a late 2015 iMac 27” in the house.

I’ve decided to give the M1 MacMini a try as a second “work station”. My needs are somewhat minimal. I’ll probably only run Apple apps. On the MacMini. Maybe two monitors.

I’m having a hard time deciding if I can get by with the 256GB vs. the 512GB SSD. My iPad has 256GB SSD, and I get by with that easily. But my fear is that the Mac OS apps. and the iOS apps on the M1 MacMini may push me beyond the 256GB.

Of course the other question is RAM. Though I think going the limit of 16GB is probably best as we don’t know how efficient Big Sur really is.

Any thoughts would be much appreciated!

 

[LeeW]

I went for the 16GB/512GB, for the reasons you stated, it is the best option. I mean you can't upgrade later so if you think you may push beyond either resource then it is better to go with more. The extra Ram will be a big boost to this device given it is unified plus these days we are starting to push past 8GB. Plus if you decide to upgrade or sell later you will get a better return.

 

[jazz1]

I went for the 16GB/512GB, for the reasons you stated, it is the best option. I mean you can't upgrade later so if you think you may push beyond either resource then it is better to go with more. The extra Ram will be a big boost to this device given it is unified plus these days we are starting to push past 8GB. Plus if you decide to upgrade or sell later you will get a better return.

Your advice is well taken! Ordering the 16GB/512GB now. I even cruised over to Macsales.com to see if their 2018 MacMini deals were enough to make me buy the older MacMini.

Decent prices to be sure with Intel CPU choices and more RAM choices. Though I didn’t see a 512GB SSD available, just lower and higher storage options.

I hope the prognostications about M1‘s lower, maximum RAM are true (meaning 16GB will perform well). Also, I’ve read about issues with the old MacMini regarding BT, USB-ports, and excessive thermal throttling. Let us hope Apple gets the M1 out the door relatively issue free.

Yes, I probably could have saved a little money going with a 2018 MacMini, but the ”siren song” of the M1 is something I just could not resist.

The downside is the M1 MacMini isn’t going to ship for awhile. I guess that is what I get for hovering over the order button since Tuesday’s Apple Event. I’d really like to be playing with the M1 MacMini for X-Mas!

I’m really looking forward to rigging two of my existing Dell Monitors on a dual LCD monitor stand. One is a USB-C monitor and the other support HDMI. It is my understanding I can drive both of these monitors straight from the MacMini.

LeeW let us know how the new MacMini works for you. In the meantime I’ll wait for Santa’s sleigh ?

 

[LeeW]

LeeW let us know how the new MacMini works for you

Will do, going to be interesting that is for sure

 

[jazz1]

Will do, going to be interesting that is for sure

Oddly, I’ll be comparing my yet to be delivered M1 Mac Mini with my 2018 iPad Pro driving a Dell Monitor as far as basic performance using Safari, and Photo (driving a Dell Monitor and using a Logitech keyboard and mouse).

Yes my needs are minimal. But, if the M1 MacMini doesn’t seem faster and/ or I don’t see significant pluses with Big Sur, I will have to consider if I really need it. I do have Big Sur Beta running on on a 2015 iMac with two external monitors. I have to admit the MacMini seemed to be a relatively easy way to dip my toe into AS. But, I kind of want my “mind to be blown” just a little bit with the new hardware and OS. I may be expecting too much, too early?

I’m sure I’m in the minority here as most people can easily differentiate their needs between an iPad and a Mac.

 

[Kung gu]

good choice on ordering mac mini M1, its just a bit slower than 2019 base mac pro.

 

[Bluepig45]

Well, I’ve gone back on forth on the new M1 devices. I went from M1 MB Air, to M1 MacBook Pro, and finally decided that my 2018 12.9” iPad Pro is all the portable ”computer” I need. I also have a late 2015 iMac 27” in the house.

I’ve decided to give the M1 MacMini a try as a second “work station”. My needs are somewhat minimal. I’ll probably only run Apple apps. On the MacMini. Maybe two monitors.

I’m having a hard time deciding if I can get by with the 256GB vs. the 512GB SSD. My iPad has 256GB SSD, and I get by with that easily. But my fear is that the Mac OS apps. and the iOS apps on the M1 MacMini may push me beyond the 256GB.

Of course the other question is RAM. Though I think going the limit of 16GB is probably best as we don’t know how efficient Big Sur really is.

Any thoughts would be much appreciated!

I love my 2018 Mac mini with the i3, 128Gb of storage, and 32Gb of RAM. I too have decided to buy the new MM with 16Gb of RAM and 512Gb of storage. The tasks I perform with my MM as my primary desktop are as follows: Xcode development, video editing, media consumption, Office Docs, a little Youtube, and Outlook. I've never run out of RAM, but I'm conservative with my local storage and still run it up to 90Gb at times.
Since the new M1 performs many of the tasks that used to be sent to RAM, then back to the CPU internally, I am a little less concerned with RAM (if what they say is true). Of course this config is going to set me back $1,100 so I'm hoping to be guessing correctly. If you're in the Apple camp you know the upgrades are how Apple piles on the profit margin, commonly called the Apple tax. This is one of those times I'd suggest paying it for both RAM and Storage.

 

[jazz1]

I love my 2018 Mac mini with the i3, 128Gb of storage, and 32Gb of RAM. I too have decided to buy the new MM with 16Gb of RAM and 512Gb of storage. The tasks I perform with my MM as my primary desktop are as follows: Xcode development, video editing, media consumption, Office Docs, a little Youtube, and Outlook. I've never run out of RAM, but I'm conservative with my local storage and still run it up to 90Gb at times.
Since the new M1 performs many of the tasks that used to be sent to RAM, then back to the CPU internally, I am a little less concerned with RAM (if what they say is true). Of course this config is going to set me back $1,100 so I'm hoping to be guessing correctly. If you're in the Apple camp you know the upgrades are how Apple piles on the profit margin, commonly called the Apple tax. This is one of those times I'd suggest paying it for both RAM and Storage.

Well I did go with the 16GB and 512GB SSD. I’m still perplexed why Apple isn’t offering higher RAM options, don’t that want alll of my money I suppose external storage is always an option. Though I’m sure larger internal is probably faster/more efficient, though not cheaper.

 

[Kung gu]

Well I did go with the 16GB and 512GB SSD. I’m still perplexed why Apple isn’t offering higher RAM options, don’t that want alll of my money I suppose external storage is always an option. Though I’m sure larger internal is probably faster/more efficient, though not cheaper.

This is the SOC limitation, all M1 macs have max 2TB ports and max 16gb ram

 

[Schmedly]

Well, I’ve gone back on forth on the new M1 devices. I went from M1 MB Air, to M1 MacBook Pro, and finally decided that my 2018 12.9” iPad Pro is all the portable ”computer” I need. I also have a late 2015 iMac 27” in the house.

I’ve decided to give the M1 MacMini a try as a second “work station”. My needs are somewhat minimal. I’ll probably only run Apple apps. On the MacMini. Maybe two monitors.

I’m having a hard time deciding if I can get by with the 256GB vs. the 512GB SSD. My iPad has 256GB SSD, and I get by with that easily. But my fear is that the Mac OS apps. and the iOS apps on the M1 MacMini may push me beyond the 256GB.

Of course the other question is RAM. Though I think going the limit of 16GB is probably best as we don’t know how efficient Big Sur really is.

Any thoughts would be much appreciated!

I'm in a similar situation: 256gb 12.9" iPad pro, and looking at the M1 Mini that's nearly as fast as a $5k iMac pro. I'm going to get the Mini with 16gb of Ram and the 1TB drive. My reasoning is this: The new Mini cannot be opened and the ram is integrated in the M1 chip, so if you're going to spend $1,300 bucks on a non-upgradeable computer, you might as well get what you may need going forward. I tend to keep my machines for a long time, so I think it's worth it especially considering the value compared to the iMac pro (I use a 55" LED with local dimming as my monitor).

 

[Bluepig45]

Well I did go with the 16GB and 512GB SSD. I’m still perplexed why Apple isn’t offering higher RAM options, don’t that want alll of my money I suppose external storage is always an option. Though I’m sure larger internal is probably faster/more efficient, though not cheaper.

Depending upon the demand, I'm guessing they eventually will. I don't think a lot of people outside of the Apple camp know or understand the capabilities of the Mac mini, and that's a shame. Unlike every other Mac, with the Mac mini you can select your own display and it will drive it. I'm using a 43" Ultra Wide Samsung CJ890 (really 42" wide), and can have four full display size apps running concurrently, and not have to page through.

 

[Bluepig45]

Well I did go with the 16GB and 512GB SSD. I’m still perplexed why Apple isn’t offering higher RAM options, don’t that want alll of my money I suppose external storage is always an option. Though I’m sure larger internal is probably faster/more efficient, though not cheaper.

I suspect we will both be happy.