A Mac mini dilemma

[Clyde.Bruckman]

Long time Listener / first time caller

I have found reading through this forum really helpful over the past few weeks as I try to make a decision on a new desk top set up for home.
After a disappointing visits to the Apple Store seeking there council I thought it would ask here for some advice.

Decided to go for an ASD and Mac mini combo. My usage would be Lightroom and photoshop- specifically working on large negative scans of medium format photography. I would also be using Sketch up and would like to explore Rhino for furniture designs and professional planning for my work (nothing crazy like skyscrapers or large city vista drawings) possibly some light video editing / sound stuff ( recordings from vinyl records - nothing particularly professional)

I can only see myself using one screen so was leaning towards the M2 Mac mini with 16gb RAM 1 tb storage. Just concerned I should up this configuration to the M2 PRO.

For some other context Im leaning towards not trying to future proof a purchase as I see that as just futile and being self employed its in my interest to upgrade in the coming years sooner rather than riding out a more expensive machine thats slowed down over the years.

With this usage and thinking do you think the idea of an M2 Mac mini with 16gb RAM 1 tb storage is the right way to go and the pro is just overkill? my gut is this is the way to go and enjoy an upgrade at M3/4 or whatever in the coming years.

Just want to say thanks to the forum- its been invaluable getting my head around this purchase- to the point that what I was told by the Apple Store employee was just completely wrong.

 

[MBAir2010]

welcome aboard!

although I am not familiar with those design programs you have mentioned, My experience with Creative Suite started with photoshop in 1990 and I never had a problem using those graphic programs on a 4GB MacBook Air from 2010, while Affinity Design is incredible on the MacBook Air, M1 with 8GB and can handle a heavy drawing tasks with 5 pictures open and everything else ruining like Music, Safari, Mail and I can still receive phone calls.
you should be good to go with the M2 Mini set up you are looking for.

I purchased a new Trek Bike Thursday and every question I had about the bike, I received the same answer:
"That is a step up in price model" which seems to be the way to sell all products nowadays.
im glad I stuck with one I liked and needed on line, before going into the bike shop.

 

[jwahaus]

I use an M1 Mini with 16GB RAM/512GB SSD with Photoshop and Lightroom and it works great and is fast. I've never had issues even when keeping PS and LR open at the same time along with other apps. I haven't worked with images larger than 80 MPixels so depending on how large your images scans are you may wan't to consider more memory, especially if you typically have lots of PS layers active when editing. For basic photo editing, however, 16GB is plenty.

External SSD storage is about 4x cheaper than what Apple charges for internal SSD storage. Yes, external storage won't benchmark as fast as the internal storage but it is still plenty fast.

 

[Fishrrman]

DON'T buy the Studio Display -- it's way overpriced for what you get.
If you can live with 4k on a 27" display, there are many choices available, reasonably priced with excellent quality.

DO buy the m2pro Mini.
Get 16gb of RAM and the 1tb drive (which is twice as fast as the 512gb drive).

You also get FOUR tbolt/USBc ports on the back of the m2pro Mini.
(m2 Mini has only 2).

Put the extra $$$ into the Mac, not the Studio display.

 

[fischersd]

One of the things for me was the high frame rate support (I'm going to be connecting this to my 65" 4k TV that supports 120Hz refresh rate). The Pro chip supports up to 240hz refresh rate at 4k. (obviously, you'll need to get an HFR display to support that)

I've been not so patiently waiting for Apple to support higher refresh rates on the mini for several years now...glad I finally get to rebuild my HTPC setup.

 

[Swissfashion]

A good choice. Definitely get the Apple Studio display; my take is, that if I‘m going to spend a considerable amount of time looking at a display, it should have the quality and design of an ASD.
Your usage scenarios speak for at least 16GB of RAM. 1TB of internal storage is probably enough to not need to manage your storage all the time because it is almost full. A M2 Mac mini sounds like the perfect fit. Only upgrade to the M2 Pro if you know you‘ll need the additional GPU cores or need 32GB RAM or more ports.

 

[michelg1970]

I also went with the 16 GB / 1 TB after reading through this forum but I chose the Pro version:

• More ports (I need at least 3 USB-C / TB ports and don't like dongles)
• Faster memory
• Faster processor
• 300 euro more

Do I need it for my daily use? Nope. But at least I feel more comfortable (and didn't want to go slower than my M1 MB Pro ). And since I don't keep my Macs for many years, I will probably have a better trade in value when the time comes (but that is that is the argument I provided to my wife to defend my choice to go for the Pro)...

 

[Swissfashion]

I also went with the 16 GB / 1 TB after reading through this forum but I chose the Pro version:

• More ports (I need at least 3 USB-C / TB ports and don't like dongles)
• Faster memory
• Faster processor
• 300 euro more

Do I need it for my daily use? Nope. But at least I feel more comfortable (and didn't want to go slower than my M1 MB Pro ). And since I don't keep my Macs for many years, I will probably have a better trade in value when the time comes (but that is that is the argument I provided to my wife to defend my choice to go for the Pro)...

When upgrading from an M1 Mac, the M2 Pro makes sense, otherwise the upgrade would barely be noticeable.

 

[michelg1970]

When upgrading from an M1 Mac, the M2 Pro makes sense, otherwise the upgrade would barely be noticeable.

I know, but in the last years (COVID) I didn't travel much and my MBP became my desktop (with docking station and monitors). Now am traveling again so with a Mac mini at home my wife (studying) also has a place to sit down or alternatively, when I am working at home, she can use the MBP for her studies.

 

[Mr. Dee]

I just feel like for you, a Mac Studio would be more powerful, flexible and future proof for your workflow. On top of keeping it for longer, it would be better bargain. The built in card reader on the Mac Studio and front USB ports would make it a convenient experience for your work.

 

[marstan]

DON'T buy the Studio Display -- it's way overpriced for what you get.
If you can live with 4k on a 27" display, there are many choices available, reasonably priced with excellent quality.

DO buy the m2pro Mini.
Get 16gb of RAM and the 1tb drive (which is twice as fast as the 512gb drive).

You also get FOUR tbolt/USBc ports on the back of the m2pro Mini.
(m2 Mini has only 2).

Put the extra $$$ into the Mac, not the Studio display.

One caution on the M2Pro Mini. It appears that ethernet is not working on them right now; cause not yet known. Ethernet is fine for the non-Pro M2 minis, though.

 

[grandoflex]

Ethernet is working (touch wood) on my M2 Pro Mini so far, so it’s not a blanket issue…

 

[marstan]

Ethernet is working (touch wood) on my M2 Pro Mini so far, so it’s not a blanket issue…

That is good news. If it is only affecting some machines, then that would indicate a limited hardware problem.

 

[ixxx69]

Long time Listener / first time caller...

If you're really trying to limit your expenditure, then what you're proposing is an excellent choice. Unless you're processing hundreds of images at a time, there won't be a noticeable difference in daily work. Of course, if a few hundred bucks isn't any big deal, then upgrade to the Pro, and then you don't have to worry if you made the right choice.

SketchUp might do better with the "Pro" because of the additional GPU cores, which can be helpful for 3D modeling. If it's really basic modeling, like a furniture piece, or interior design for a room, or something like that, than I wouldn't worry about it. If you were modeling a house, etc., then you might look into that a bit more on the SketchUp forums.

From what I've read, Rhino v7 apparently doesn't work very well with AS. Again, it might be "good enough" for something like a piece of furniture, but you'd have to do a little investigating on the Rhino forums. v8 is supposed to fix all that, but from what I understand, it's a long way off.

 

[mr_jomo]

100% the Mac Mini Pro: time is money, so after 3-4 hours saved you're into the black and making a profit on the $300 price to jump up from the 16/512.

ArtIsRight has an excellent video on the photo-work benefits of the Mac Mini Pro vs. the regular M2 Mini and others.

 

[Cham2000]

ArtIsRight has an excellent video on the photo-work benefits of the Mac Mini Pro vs. the regular M2 Mini and others.

Please, give a link directly to this video!

 

[Bob_DM]

 

[Clyde.Bruckman]

welcome aboard!

although I am not familiar with those design programs you have mentioned, My experience with Creative Suite started with photoshop in 1990 and I never had a problem using those graphic programs on a 4GB MacBook Air from 2010, while Affinity Design is incredible on the MacBook Air, M1 with 8GB and can handle a heavy drawing tasks with 5 pictures open and everything else ruining like Music, Safari, Mail and I can still receive phone calls.
you should be good to go with the M2 Mini set up you are looking for.

I purchased a new Trek Bike Thursday and every question I had about the bike, I received the same answer:
"That is a step up in price model" which seems to be the way to sell all products nowadays.
im glad I stuck with one I liked and needed on line, before going into the bike shop.

Thanks for the welcome and your input- good to hear from a user of CS on Apple Silicon

 

[Clyde.Bruckman]

I also went with the 16 GB / 1 TB after reading through this forum but I chose the Pro version:

• More ports (I need at least 3 USB-C / TB ports and don't like dongles)
• Faster memory
• Faster processor
• 300 euro more

Do I need it for my daily use? Nope. But at least I feel more comfortable (and didn't want to go slower than my M1 MB Pro ). And since I don't keep my Macs for many years, I will probably have a better trade in value when the time comes (but that is that is the argument I provided to my wife to defend my choice to go for the Pro)..

Thanks for sharing how you made your choice- this made me weigh up the pro against the m2 more closely.

 

[Clyde.Bruckman]

If you're really trying to limit your expenditure, then what you're proposing is an excellent choice. Unless you're processing hundreds of images at a time, there won't be a noticeable difference in daily work. Of course, if a few hundred bucks isn't any big deal, then upgrade to the Pro, and then you don't have to worry if you made the right choice.

SketchUp might do better with the "Pro" because of the additional GPU cores, which can be helpful for 3D modeling. If it's really basic modeling, like a furniture piece, or interior design for a room, or something like that, than I wouldn't worry about it. If you were modeling a house, etc., then you might look into that a bit more on the SketchUp forums.

From what I've read, Rhino v7 apparently doesn't work very well with AS. Again, it might be "good enough" for something like a piece of furniture, but you'd have to do a little investigating on the Rhino forums. v8 is supposed to fix all that, but from what I understand, it's a long way off.

Thanks for your input pal- I think with my work flow the additional cores would be useful- this really helped me look at the purchase as both for home life and pushing my professional practice. The cost for the M2 Pro seems justified now. Cheers!

 

[Clyde.Bruckman]

100% the Mac Mini Pro: time is money, so after 3-4 hours saved you're into the black and making a profit on the $300 price to jump up from the 16/512.

ArtIsRight has an excellent video on the photo-work benefits of the Mac Mini Pro vs. the regular M2 Mini and others.

Thanks - A really thorough break down and comparison. Very useful video

 

[Clyde.Bruckman]

If you're really trying to limit your expenditure, then what you're proposing is an excellent choice. Unless you're processing hundreds of images at a time, there won't be a noticeable difference in daily work. Of course, if a few hundred bucks isn't any big deal, then upgrade to the Pro, and then you don't have to worry if you made the right choice.

SketchUp might do better with the "Pro" because of the additional GPU cores, which can be helpful for 3D modeling. If it's really basic modeling, like a furniture piece, or interior design for a room, or something like that, than I wouldn't worry about it. If you were modeling a house, etc., then you might look into that a bit more on the SketchUp forums.

From what I've read, Rhino v7 apparently doesn't work very well with AS. Again, it might be "good enough" for something like a piece of furniture, but you'd have to do a little investigating on the Rhino forums. v8 is supposed to fix all that, but from what I understand, it's a long way off.

Really kind to look into the Rhino side of things for me- I didnt take into account the switch to Apple Silicon affecting this so it’s sent me on to some evening reading in the Rhino forums . Thank You

 

[Clyde.Bruckman]

Ordered M2 Pro Mac mini 10-16 / 16gb / 1tb today.

Processing with delivery expected on 15th - 17th of Feb

This forum has been invaluable in making a choice on this Mac- Thank you so much for you council and input.

Super appreciate it

 

[DotCom2]

Don't forget that the Apple Studio Display also has 1 thunderbolt and 3 USB-C additional ports for all your peripherals. Comes in pretty handy if you get the mini 2 with the lesser ports.

 

[colodane]

"Don't forget that the Apple Studio Display also has 1 thunderbolt and 3 USB-C additional ports for all your peripherals. Comes in pretty handy if you get the mini 2 with the lesser ports."

This is an aspect of the Studio Display that I only really recognized this week. I agree that it is HUGE, and could help me justify the seemingly exorbitant price tag on the display.