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512gb vs 1tb ssd mac mini

M

Mardiel8128

macrumors member
Original poster
Feb 27, 2023
72
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Hello folks, do you think 512gb ssd is enough with 16gb ram? Its my first mac, I've been using windows since I born. I am afraid that one day I won't have space for install programs or download. Or would you recommend to buy an external drive.

Also the speed in the 512gb is the same as the 1tb?
I plan to use this pc as long as it is possible because I'm going out of the country due to work :(
 
Last edited:
Mardiel8128 said:
Hello folks, do you think 512gb ssd is enough with 16gb ram? Its my first mac, I've been using windows since I born. I am afraid that one day I won't have space for install programs or download. Or would you recommend to buy an external drive
Click to expand...
I'd recommend going for the 512 GB to save money, and then buy a couple of drives... this is how I have mine set up:
  • System drive (in my case I just went for 256 GB)
  • 1 TB external SSD for my sample libraries, and BIAB installations (I know, no one knows what that is... it's a software to make backing tracks with, that is a VERY big installation). This drive also has most active projects on it. This is also my Time Machine backup drive for my MacBook Air.
  • 4 TB external hard drive, for archived projects (some active projects that won't fit on the 1 TB SSD are on here, too)
  • 1 TB ExFAT-formatted spinner - for compatibility with Windows/Linux. I have almost nothing on this drive, but it's nice in case I pull out my Bootcamp drive, which I do every once in a while.
My miscellaneous storage that I don't use very often:
  • 1 TB server. I don't use this much, but I'll store the occasional VM and some archives on there
  • 20 TB server, which currently is having issues, so I'm not using it. If I fix it, I'll probably use that for archives, too.
That's how I have my system set up. Obviously, depending on what you do, you might have more or fewer drives. As an example, there's a guy I know who has the following configuration, which is absolutely ridiculous:
  1. 1 TB boot drive (yes, he went for 1 TB for his boot)
  2. 2 TB Samsung T5, which I think is where he stores active projects, I haven't asked him specifically though.
  3. 1 TB spinner, dunno what he uses it for
  4. 10 TB Seagate for archives
  5. Another 8 TB Seagate, probably also for archives
  6. One of those crazy Sabrent Thunderbolt drives that get like 3 GB/s read and write. He connects this to his 16-inch MBP when not at home on his desktop.
So that's a pretty extreme example. Does this help you at all?
 
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rm5 said:
I'd recommend going for the 512 GB to save money, and then buy a couple of drives... this is how I have mine set up:
  • System drive (in my case I just went for 256 GB)
  • 1 TB external SSD for my sample libraries, and BIAB installations (I know, no one knows what that is... it's a software to make backing tracks with, that is a VERY big installation). This drive also has most active projects on it. This is also my Time Machine backup drive for my MacBook Air.
  • 4 TB external hard drive, for archived projects (some active projects that won't fit on the 1 TB SSD are on here, too)
  • 1 TB ExFAT-formatted spinner - for compatibility with Windows/Linux. I have almost nothing on this drive, but it's nice in case I pull out my Bootcamp drive, which I do every once in a while.
My miscellaneous storage that I don't use very often:
  • 1 TB server. I don't use this much, but I'll store the occasional VM and some archives on there
  • 20 TB server, which currently is having issues, so I'm not using it. If I fix it, I'll probably use that for archives, too.
That's how I have my system set up. Obviously, depending on what you do, you might have more or fewer drives. As an example, there's a guy I know who has the following configuration, which is absolutely ridiculous:
  1. 1 TB boot drive (yes, he went for 1 TB for his boot)
  2. 2 TB Samsung T5, which I think is where he stores active projects, I haven't asked him specifically though.
  3. 1 TB spinner, dunno what he uses it for
  4. 10 TB Seagate for archives
  5. Another 8 TB Seagate, probably also for archives
  6. One of those crazy Sabrent Thunderbolt drives that get like 3 GB/s read and write. He connects this to his 16-inch MBP when not at home on his desktop.
So that's a pretty extreme example. Does this help you at all?
Click to expand...
With the base model 256gb does the 2 ports are enough?
 
Ok, thanks! What are you gonna do on the Mac? Anything super intense (like music production, video editing, 3D design, etc.), or basic stuff like office work? It's kinda hard for me to help you make a decision if I don't know your use case. Can you explain a little further?
 
rm5 said:
Ok, thanks! What are you gonna do on the Mac? Anything super intense (like music production, video editing, 3D design, etc.), or basic stuff like office work? It's kinda hard for me to help you make a decision if I don't know your use case. Can you explain a little further?
Click to expand...
Thanks for the answer. I will use for word, excel, a lot of tabs open (edge, chorme), and light video editing. I plan to start my YouTube channel this year. Ocasional gaming and learning computer science.

I'm worried about the internal space, the ram I think i will go for the 16gb space, and also worried about 2 usbc. Because 1 usb port will be for mouse the other for the keyboard, 1 hdmi por the monitor, and for the headphones? Most of headphones come in usb and what about usb charger to iphone :(
Or a hub can handle it?
 
Mardiel8128 said:
Thanks for the answer. I will use for word, excel, a lot of tabs open (edge, chorme), and light video editing. I plan to start my YouTube channel this year. Ocasional gaming and learning computer science.

I'm worried about the internal space, the ram I think i will go for the 16gb space, and also worried about 2 usbc. Because 1 usb port will be for mouse the other for the keyboard, 1 hdmi por the monitor, and for the headphones? Most of headphones come in usb and what about usb charger to iphone :(
Or a hub can handle it?
Click to expand...
I think 16 GB of RAM will work fine for your use case. My M1 Air with 16 GB of RAM and 256 GB of storage handles tasks more intense than what you're doing just fine.

I'd get a USB hub for your keyboard and mouse/iPhone if you hook that up, and, if you need to connect more external drives, etc., you can get a dock for your Mac mini.

Keep in mind the limitations of the base M2 Mac mini though:
  • Only 2 Thunderbolt/USB-C ports
  • Can only drive 2 monitors, M2 Pro can drive three
  • Limited to 24 GB of RAM rather than 32 GB
As a producer, I can say that you should avoid USB headphones at all costs—having headphones plugged into the regular 1/8-inch jack is the better way to go. USB headphones have been glitchy in my experience, and they also sound terrible.

What other questions do you have?
 
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Mardiel8128 said:
Thanks for the answer. I will use for word, excel, a lot of tabs open (edge, chorme), and light video editing. I plan to start my YouTube channel this year. Ocasional gaming and learning computer science.

I'm worried about the internal space, the ram I think i will go for the 16gb space, and also worried about 2 usbc. Because 1 usb port will be for mouse the other for the keyboard, 1 hdmi por the monitor, and for the headphones? Most of headphones come in usb and what about usb charger to iphone :(
Or a hub can handle it?
Click to expand...
@Mardiel8128 Your videos, pictures, and games will be taking up the most space so I would plan according to that. How much space are they taking up now? Coding would be relatively small since you're learning. You won't use more space for coding unless you're dealing with data blobs. 16GB RAM should serve you well.
 
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rm5 said:
I think 16 GB of RAM will work fine for your use case. My M1 Air with 16 GB of RAM and 256 GB of storage handles tasks more intense than what you're doing just fine.

I'd get a USB hub for your keyboard and mouse/iPhone if you hook that up, and, if you need to connect more external drives, etc., you can get a dock for your Mac mini.

Keep in mind the limitations of the base M2 Mac mini though:
  • Only 2 Thunderbolt/USB-C ports
  • Can only drive 2 monitors, M2 Pro can drive three
  • Limited to 24 GB of RAM rather than 32 GB
As a producer, I can say that you should avoid USB headphones at all costs—having headphones plugged into the regular 1/8-inch jack is the better way to go. USB headphones have been glitchy in my experience, and they also sound terrible.

What other questions do you have?
Click to expand...
Thanks for the answer my friend.

Do you recommend any USB hub ?

I used to think usb headphones was the new standar
 
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