The new Mac mini is almost certainly coming

[EugW]

@EugW opens can of worms and them retreats to minimum safe distance

To be fair, I think that's been overlooked with all the M1 Pro talk but it stands to reason that the 256 model will have the same issues as the Air and 13 Pro.

It does make the M1 Pro model look a better deal.

There is no M1 Pro Mac mini. Do you mean M2 Pro Mac mini?

 

[sublunar]

There is no M1 Pro Mac mini. Do you mean M2 Pro Mac mini?

Yes, typed that out a bit quickly.

The fact that the M1 Pro powered 14" MacBook Pro (refurbished) is almost the same price as the M2 Pro Mini in the UK is still on my mind.

 

[jmpage2]

That is incorrect. >1 Gbps is not uncommon these days.

For example, in my city (Toronto), 8 Gbps is available for FTTH, and in my low density neighborhood of single family detached homes, 3 Gbps is available.

However, I personally don’t really care. I went from 1 Gbps FTTH to 1 Gbps cable to 500 Mbps cable and have no complaints about the speed. The bigger concern for me is the quality of the bundled TV package (since the kids and wife still watch broadcast TV) and the reliability.

Anyhow, in this context, I don’t see myself getting a 10 Gbps Mac mini anytime soon. Plus, I no longer use my NAS for my primary files. I keep everything local to the machine, with external SSDs. I keep media files on my NAS for networked streaming access in the house but I don’t need 10 GigE or even 2.5 GigE for that. The files are never edited on the NAS.

I looked into this supposed "8gbps" internet that Rogers is offering and as expected it's mostly a crock.

It is delivered with XB8 modem which appears to just be a DOCSIS gateway with multiple single gigabit interfaces as well as a Wifi 6E gateway. I can't find anything indicating that the ports on the XB8 modem are anything other than plain 1Gbps copper interfaces.

So, theoretically if you have a WiFi6E device you can get speeds above 1Gbps. I say theoretically because in practice WiFi often times doesn't deliver on performance claims in anything other than perfect conditions.

The only other way you will hit speeds with this kind of setup is to have multiple individual devices connected to the gateway each one of which caps out at 1Gbps but combined can hit the theoretical 8Gbps maximum.

All of this in layman's terms means that if you buy a 10Gbps capable Mac Mini and try to get 8Gbps from Rogers, you won't. The copper ports on the Rogers modem will limit you to 1Gbps on a wired connection or you will get whatever WiFi speed you are able to get between the Mac and the WiFi 6E gateway Rogers provides.

For TRUE reliable speeds above 1Gbps you will need a device that is fiber connected (FIA) that gives handoff to your local equipment either with a 2.5, 5 or 10Gb multi-gig ethernet port or hands off with fiber to a device that has an SFP+ slot.

 

[EugW]

I looked into this supposed "8gbps" internet that Rogers is offering and as expected it's mostly a crock.

It is delivered with XB8 modem which appears to just be a DOCSIS gateway with multiple single gigabit interfaces as well as a Wifi 6E gateway. I can't find anything indicating that the ports on the XB8 modem are anything other than plain 1Gbps copper interfaces.

So, theoretically if you have a WiFi6E device you can get speeds above 1Gbps. I say theoretically because in practice WiFi often times doesn't deliver on performance claims in anything other than perfect conditions.

The only other way you will hit speeds with this kind of setup is to have multiple individual devices connected to the gateway each one of which caps out at 1Gbps but combined can hit the theoretical 8Gbps maximum.

All of this in layman's terms means that if you buy a 10Gbps capable Mac Mini and try to get 8Gbps from Rogers, you won't. The copper ports on the Rogers modem will limit you to 1Gbps on a wired connection or you will get whatever WiFi speed you are able to get between the Mac and the WiFi 6E gateway Rogers provides.

For TRUE reliable speeds above 1Gbps you will need a device that is fiber connected (FIA) that gives handoff to your local equipment either with a 2.5, 5 or 10Gb multi-gig ethernet port or hands off with fiber to a device that has an SFP+ slot.

I specifically did not mention Rogers. AFAIK, the Rogers XB8 only includes a 2.5 Gbps WAN port I believe, with WiFi 6e and 1 Gbps ports.

However, I was talking about Bell symmetrical 8 Gbps. It includes a the Bell Gigahub which includes a 10 Gbps port, 4 Gigabit ports, and WiFi 6e. So if you want want multiple devices with access to >1 Gbps, you'd have to supply your own 10 GigE (or 2.5 GigE) switch.

As mentioned, I live in a low density neighbourhood of single family homes and the 3 Gbps version of this is available to me, despite the fact that my neighbourhood is homes from the 1950s. Maybe it's an advantage because we still have aerial wiring, so it's easy to string fibre in the neighbourhood. No burial required. However, I'm on Rogers 500/30 service because I don't really care about the extra speed, and because I hate Bell's TV implementation which requires VLAN support, and sometimes doesn't work properly if you don't use their specific IP address range.

 

[deconstruct60]

I wonder what the SSD speed is for the 256 GB model.

To be fair, I think that's been overlooked with all the M1 Pro talk but it stands to reason that the 256 model will have the same issues as the Air and 13 Pro.

It does make the M1 Pro model look a better deal.

M2 Pro Mini better deal how? Apple sets the entry configuration at 512GB (likely two packages of NAND so skip the bandwidth kneecapping) and 16GB RAM ... but they also charge more for them.

If take the 512GB standard config of M2 Mini and bump up to 16GB its price jumps to $999. (vs $1,299 ) [ there are three standard configurations for the Mini at this point. Stripped down $599 , the $799 (essentially had before) , and M2 Pro binned. ]

On the M2 Pro Mini Apple charges $300 to from from the binned 10 Core M2 Pro to the 12 Core M2 Pro. $300 + $999 = $1,299. Remarkably similar price to the binned model (more so adding GPU cores from M2 to first M2 Pro). Apple really isn't handing out much of any discount to moving up to the Pro. You're paying for it. The M-series SoC upgrades are not cheap. You get more if you pay more , but there are no 'discounts' by starting at a higher level being given.

Apple's pricing on how customer can 'walk' from one standard configuration to the next standard configuration to a standard config on top of that is usually pretty methodically consistent on pricing.
( the mark up at the extremes for 8TB somewhat slows down because they 'soaked' the user so bad going from 1 -> 8 TB but the standard configurations don't use those.)

 

[jmpage2]

I specifically did not mention Rogers. AFAIK, the Rogers XB8 only includes a 2.5 Gbps WAN port I believe, with WiFi 6e and 1 Gbps ports.

However, I was talking about Bell symmetrical 8 Gbps. It includes a the Bell Gigahub which includes a 10 Gbps port, 4 Gigabit ports, and WiFi 6e. So if you want want multiple devices with access to >1 Gbps, you'd have to supply your own 10 GigE (or 2.5 GigE) switch.

As mentioned, I live in a low density neighbourhood of single family homes and the 3 Gbps version of this is available to me, despite the fact that my neighbourhood is homes from the 1950s. Maybe it's an advantage because we still have aerial wiring, so it's easy to string fibre in the neighbourhood. No burial required. However, I'm on Rogers 500/30 service because I don't really care about the extra speed, and because I hate Bell's TV implementation which requires VLAN support, and sometimes doesn't work properly if you don't use their specific IP address range.

Consider yourself lucky, multi gig is in fact extremely rare, even in countries like Japan & South Korea that has much better infrastructure than most other countries.

For sure it’s rarer than people who have fast computers connected at mgig speeds to fast direct attached storage devices.

 

[Chancha]

Having a 10GbE port obviously has LAN usage in mind before WAN. Even for proclaimed multi-gig ISP connection, usually the benefits isn't to reach that bandwidth for a single stream, but more meaningfully a less constrained outward pipe for an organisation with dozens of outward streams or more.

In the case of Macs with built-in >1G network, it happened as early as the G5 / Mac Pro 1,1 days where you could put in network cards; in fact Apple sold those themselves, dual fibre channel cards with SFP was standard issue since that is what was used to connect to Xserve RAIDs.

Afterwards the Trashcan Mac Pro loss that 10G built-in since it got Thunderbolt. Only until the 2018 mini where you could start to config 10G built-in, then the iMac Pro 2017, Mac Pro 2019, and Mac Studio have it standard-issue.

The point is, looking at the trajectory of 10G support on Macs, it was clear to be meant for LAN usage. And it pretty much was exclusive for the higher end of Pro Macs since in the beginning it was meant for professional environment with infrastructure to support it.

Lately (say last 5 years) 10G network appliances became more budget friendly, so you see even home(lab) users are enjoying that. Or video editors with no intention on building network infra, but still need basic >1G speed to his servers then he can use a direct 10G connection from a Mac to a NAS without even a switch. For a base mini with even the recent price cut Apple still offers the option of 10GbE is actually a really nice a flexible way for homelab users to maximise the mini's potential, or for some others to "future proof" their mini.

 

[sublunar]

M2 Pro Mini better deal how? Apple sets the entry configuration at 512GB (likely two packages of NAND so skip the bandwidth kneecapping) and 16GB RAM ... but they also charge more for them.

If take the 512GB standard config of M2 Mini and bump up to 16GB its price jumps to $999. (vs $1,299 ) [ there are three standard configurations for the Mini at this point. Stripped down $599 , the $799 (essentially had before) , and M2 Pro binned. ]

On the M2 Pro Mini Apple charges $300 to from from the binned 10 Core M2 Pro to the 12 Core M2 Pro. $300 + $999 = $1,299. Remarkably similar price to the binned model (more so adding GPU cores from M2 to first M2 Pro). Apple really isn't handing out much of any discount to moving up to the Pro. You're paying for it. The M-series SoC upgrades are not cheap. You get more if you pay more , but there are no 'discounts' by starting at a higher level being given.

Apple's pricing on how customer can 'walk' from one standard configuration to the next standard configuration to a standard config on top of that is usually pretty methodically consistent on pricing.
( the mark up at the extremes for 8TB somewhat slows down because they 'soaked' the user so bad going from 1 -> 8 TB but the standard configurations don't use those.)

If you’re walking up to 512g storage to avoid SSD bottleneck then a user thinking that might be considering 16gb ram for the same reason. At that point apple will have the m2 pro model which comes with that as standard and throws in extra ports and performance.

 

[Che Castro]

I’m thinking I should have spent the $300 and gotten the base m2 pro
Over the m2 16gb/512

I always regretted getting the 2012 i5 over the i7 years later

Is anybody else debating between Mac mini m2 16/512 $1k & the m2 pro for $300 more same ram & storage

I went ahead and ordered a base m2 pro for Wednesday delivery and I’m returning the regular m2

I know 5 years from now I would have been kicking myself for not spending the $300 more for the pro model

 

[Gudi]

I know 5 years from now I would have been kicking myself for not spending the $300 more for the pro model

In 5 years time the M7 will run circles around the yet unreleased M2 Ultra. Those $300 would buy a lot more computer in 2028. You better make good use of the M2 Pro chip in 2023, every year later will only make it look like a bigger waste of money. If you don't need it now, don't buy!

 

[saulinpa]

I went ahead and ordered a base m2 pro for Wednesday delivery and I’m returning the regular m2

I know 5 years from now I would have been kicking myself for not spending the $300 more for the pro model

Generally with a 5 year old computer it is not the CPU but the RAM that makes the difference for most. e.g 2014 mini: It came with 4, 8, or 16 GB of RAM.

 

[Che Castro]

In 5 years time the M7 will run circles around the yet unreleased M2 Ultra. Those $300 would buy a lot more computer in 2028. You better make good use of the M2 Pro chip in 2023, every year later will only make it look like a bigger waste of money. If you don't need it now, don't buy!

Generally with a 5 year old computer it is not the CPU but the RAM that makes the difference for most. e.g 2014 mini: It came with 4, 8, or 16 GB of RAM.

Is too late now the pro already shipped
I Better become a YouTube influencer to make use of the pro in the next 5 years ,
I can make some thumbnails with a goofy face

 

[EugW]

M2 Pro Mac mini teardown

 

[Mellofello808]

How do people in this thread feel big picture?

I think between this new mini, and the studio, most if not all of my prayers have been answered.

I think the m2 pro mini will hopefully get me through the next 5 years or so no problem

 

[icemantx]

How do people in this thread feel big picture?

I think between this new mini, and the studio, most if not all of my prayers have been answered.

I think the m2 pro mini will hopefully get me through the next 5 years or so no problem

Which M2 Pro Mac Mini config did you get?

 

[Orizence]

How do people in this thread feel big picture?

I think between this new mini, and the studio, most if not all of my prayers have been answered.

I think the m2 pro mini will hopefully get me through the next 5 years or so no problem

Considering I have a 24/512 M2 NonPro coming sometime after the 20th (according to apple)

I think ill be good for a long time, I do alot of photo editing and although this has less overall horsepower than my 3900XT/5700XT gaming PC, because of the neural engine and faster single core, it seems like it will process photos faster. Im not worried about the extra ports because I will be getting a cheap hub at some point which will give more USB and Thunderbolt ports.

 

[Gudi]

How do people in this thread feel big picture?

They filled an easy gap in the lineup with the M2 Pro chip (low hanging fruits). Now were waiting for the large iMac ...and the Mac Pro, which I personally don't care about.

 

[Orizence]

How long does it usually take for an order to change from "Processing" to "Preparing to ship"? they havent even charged my card yet

 

[IngerMan]

How long does it usually take for an order to change from "Processing" to "Preparing to ship"? they havent even charged my card yet

It all depends, I have been over a week on previous orders. When your card gets charge is very close to preparing to ship.

 

[Buerkletucson]

My card got charged (pending).......then 1-day later status changed to preparing to ship........then the next day it shipped.........then today the charge dropped off my card!?

Maybe I got my Mac mini Pro for free? 😆

 

[gusping]

Well.. after looking forward to an MX Pro mini since the M1 Pro/Max chips were launched, I am returning my M2 Pro mini due to several reasons.

1) The speed increase over my 2018 mini is much smaller than I thought. The overall system feels slightly more responsive, but no more (granted I am a pretty light user). My gaming PC with a 5900X, a 2.5 year old CPU feels much much much faster still.

2) The M2 Pro mini still has issues that causes anything connected to the 3.5mm jack to pop/crackle (first happened to me after updating my 2018 mini to Big Sur, so I assume it is a glitch still in Venturra).

3) Perhaps the biggest issue is that the M2 Pro mini only wakes up one of my two monitors 50% of the time, no matter how I connect it (I have tried every possible combination).

If Apple does not sort out Mac OS, my time with Macs may be coming to an end. It has been incredibly frustrating seeing Mac OS get more buggy with each release, and break some functionality of my Mac. I was hoping a new Mac would fix it, but no, Venturra picks up exactly where Monterey left off. I will most likely hold off until the M3/M3 Pro mini and try again.

 

[EugW]

Well.. after looking forward to an MX Pro mini since the M1 Pro/Max chips were launched, I am returning my M2 Pro mini due to several reasons.

1) The speed increase over my 2018 mini is much smaller than I thought. The overall system feels slightly more responsive, but no more (granted I am a pretty light user). My gaming PC with a 5900X, a 2.5 year old CPU feels much much much faster still.

2) The M2 Pro mini still has issues that causes anything connected to the 3.5mm jack to pop/crackle (first happened to me after updating my 2018 mini to Big Sur, so I assume it is a glitch still in Venturra).

3) Perhaps the biggest issue is that the M2 Pro mini only wakes up one of my two monitors 50% of the time, no matter how I connect it (I have tried every possible combination).

If Apple does not sort out Mac OS, my time with Macs may be coming to an end. It has been incredibly frustrating seeing Mac OS get more buggy with each release, and break some functionality of my Mac. I was hoping a new Mac would fix it, but no, Venturra picks up exactly where Monterey left off. I will most likely hold off until the M3/M3 Pro mini and try again.

1. I only run stuff like business apps, browsers, Mail, Messages, etc. so my M1 Mac mini is only an incremental speed upgrade from my 2014 Core i5 too. I did go up to 16 GB from 8 GB though so the very occasional memory related pauses are gone now.

2. I don’t get any pops and crackles at all with my audio from the 3.5 mm jack on my M1 Mac mini. When do you get that and with what speaker setup?

3. Monitor compatibility is definitively an issue. I ended up buying a new monitor, although in my case I had to buy new anyway because my old 30” Apple Cinema HD Display was becoming problematic for other reasons (such as significant image retention).

 

[gusping]

1. I only run stuff like business apps, browsers, Mail, Messages, etc. so my M1 is only an incremental speed upgrade from my 2014 Core i5 too. I did go up to 16 GB from 8 GB though so the very occasional memory related pauses are gone now.

2. I don’t get any pops and crackles with my audio from the 3.5 mm jack on my M1 Mac mini. When do you get that and with what speaker setup?

3. Monitor compatibility is definitively an issue. I ended up buying a new monitor, although in my case I had to buy new anyway because my old 30” Apple Cinema HD Display was becoming problematic for other reasons (such as significant image retention).

1. I have 16GB on both the i7 and M2 Pro mini, so I suppose the upgrade was even less than your upgrade.

2. I simply have my Ruark speakers plugged into my Mac mini 3.5mm port. There were no issues when I first used them, but pops/crackles appeared after upgrading to Big Sur. The issue does not exist on other devices and Windows computers. From a Google search, others experienced similar issues. I get around the issue by using a USB-C to 3.5mm adapter, but it is not ideal. The M2 Pro has the exact same issue (actually slightly worse as the popping is more frequent).

3. It seems super hit or miss. Again, I feel monitor compatibility was never such an issue when I first got my 2018 mini, but each Mac OS update made the issue worse and worse, not to mention one Mac OS update (cannot remember if it was Big Sur or Catalina) broke my HDMI port. Thankfully I can just use USB-C to USB-C and USB-C to HDMI to connect my two monitors.

I really want a new Mac, and almost certainly would have kept it if issue 2 and 3 were solved, but it wasn't meant to be. In general, I think Mac OS needs a year off or a big fix release, because it is very painful to use at times. As previously mentioned, my Windows gaming PC has been rock solid for 2.5 years and caused no issues. How have we got to the point where Mac OS is way more unstable? Semi-rant over.

 

[3448322]

You guys should start preparing the celebrations for the 10th anniversary of this thread. Long live the Mac mini

 

[Luap]

You guys should start preparing the celebrations for the 10th anniversary of this thread. Long live the Mac mini

Perhaps the Archangel GabrieleR himself will return to the thread and deliver unto us a new Mini prophecy!?
Or at least come back to tell us if the M2 MacMini is the mini he predicted so that we can almost certainly put this sub forums corniest thread out of its misery.

GabrieleR! Where art thou!? Give us a SIGN!!!