Should I get the m1 Mac Mini now, or wait for the m2?

[The.316]

I have a 2010 27" imac, with unsupported OS on it. Its starting to go. The graphics card is a little glitchy. Ive opened it, cleaned it, added an SSD, everything I can, but I think its time to start looking at options. I want to start integrated all these sharing options between my ipad, iphone, apple tv etc., which isnt available since the imac is so old.

I just want a basic Mac. I do some Photoshop work, but and some video editing, but nothing professional. Even so, I figured the M1 16gb ram model would be suffice. I have a chance to get one soon because I live in Greece, and I have an aunt coming in the next couple of weeks, and I can get it cheaper from the States.

Im wondering though, what are the chances that an M2 model is presented next month, when they show the new iPhone? I figured the price for the M2 might just be the same, I would just have to have someone mail it to me from the States. Im thinking that if its not going to be released until early 2023, then maybe ill get the M1 model, but if its the next couple of months, should I just wait? Thoughts?

 

[MarkC426]

Based on the M2 MBA release, the price increased ~£250 (depending where you live).
So I would expect the M2 mini (if there actually is one.....) to be more expensive.

 

[Coltaine]

As always, with these kinds of considerations, I would just get that Mac that suits your needs whenever you need it.
If the M1 Mac mini fills your needs and you can get it right away, then just get it.
And even if an M2 Mac mini is released next month, so what?
It does not instantly render your M1 model useless or any worse than at the time of its purchase.
And even if you wait for an M2, it is eventually gonna get replaced by an M3 an so on...any Mac you buy is gonna be the latest & greatest just for some time. As long as it fills your needs, it doesn't matter.

 

[The.316]

As always, with these kinds of considerations, I would just get that Mac that suits your needs whenever you need it.
If the M1 Mac mini fills your needs and you can get it right away, then just get it.
And even if an M2 Mac mini is released next month, so what?
It does not instantly render your M1 model useless or any worse than at the time of its purchase.
And even if you wait for an M2, it is eventually gonna get replaced by an M3 an so on...any Mac you buy is gonna be the latest & greatest just for some time. As long as it fills your needs, it doesn't matter.

Yeah, I understand that, and dont disagree with you. Im going to wait for the iPhone event, to see if they decide to show a newer model, and release date. If not, then I will probably just get the M1 model. If the presentation and release was months away, then that would be a different story.

 

[loby]

I would be VERY surprised if Apple releases a Mini at the September iPhone event or any other Mac on that day.

It seems it is an iPhone and iPad event only (with maybe watch bands etc.). Probably in October they will have a Mac event to release MacBook Pros (updated only) and at least show the redesigned Mac Pro to be released at the end of the year, or first quarter next year.

If they show off a Mac Pro in October, I would think little chance for a Mac mini as the update cycle is around 3 years minimal and we are not close yet as Apple would want buyer to be "tempted" to purchase the new Mac Pro...even though the price will bring water to the eyes...and most people will not need it (but want).

Really...there is no need for a Mac mini upgrade as it is focused as a entry level Mac at this time. Apple wants buyers to go to the Mac Studio if you want more power. Everyone (including myself) want "always" more of powerful Mac mini, but the upgrade cycle that Apple is currently hinting at (like no upgrade for their ONLY iMac 24" - with no rumored upgrade coming soon), chances are the Mac mini (if updated soon) will not happen until at least later or mid-2023.

I could be wrong of course, but rumors about the mini come as users constantly "want" a new mini (even after it is released) in hopes Apple will update it once a year (or half a year). It is the lowest costing Mac out there...do you think Apple is going to update it regularly? yeah...sure.

 

[Yebubbleman]

I have a 2010 27" imac, with unsupported OS on it. Its starting to go. The graphics card is a little glitchy. Ive opened it, cleaned it, added an SSD, everything I can, but I think its time to start looking at options. I want to start integrated all these sharing options between my ipad, iphone, apple tv etc., which isnt available since the imac is so old.

I just want a basic Mac. I do some Photoshop work, but and some video editing, but nothing professional. Even so, I figured the M1 16gb ram model would be suffice. I have a chance to get one soon because I live in Greece, and I have an aunt coming in the next couple of weeks, and I can get it cheaper from the States.

Im wondering though, what are the chances that an M2 model is presented next month, when they show the new iPhone? I figured the price for the M2 might just be the same, I would just have to have someone mail it to me from the States. Im thinking that if its not going to be released until early 2023, then maybe ill get the M1 model, but if its the next couple of months, should I just wait? Thoughts?

Buy an Apple Certified Refurbished M1 mini if you're worried about buying a model close to its successor's release. Or just buy an M1 mini. It's a fantastic machine! Frankly, I don't expect an M2 mini imminently, but I also think that it ought to not matter. I will say that you probably want to configure it with 16GB of RAM and one tier of SSD capacity higher than you think you'll need as these cannot be upgraded later.

 

[Ben J.]

Get the M1 mini. It's a fantastic performer, and has no problem running Photoshop whatsoever. I can run both Lightroom and Pro Tools side by side on 16GB ram, no problem, and they are both very memory hungry. Future M2 models will have more cores and be able to have more memory, but it's still the same single-core performance, and the same clock speed as M1, and much more expensive.

The M1 mini is great value for money.
Get one and save up some money for when the true new generation comes, the M3.

 

[The.316]

Get the M1 mini. It's a fantastic performer, and has no problem running Photoshop whatsoever. I can run both Lightroom and Pro Tools side by side on 16GB ram, no problem, and they are both very memory hungry. Future M2 models will have more cores and be able to have more memory, but it's still the same single-core performance, and the same clock speed as M1, and much more expensive.

The M1 mini is great value for money.
Get one and save up some money for when the true new generation comes, the M3.

Im going to wait until after I finish remodeling my home office area in the next couple of weeks. The benefit of waiting to see if the M2 model is previewed in the next few weeks is that the price of the M1 might go down. But if no new news is released around my finish date, then Im just going to get the M1.