Advice on Mac Mini

[O-Ren]

Hi all

Looking to buy an M2 Pro MacMini, on which I shall install Parallels as I will necessarily have to run certain programs on Windows (translation programs that require high-volume text searching/editing). Demanding programs on Mac will include Photoshop and Lightroom.

I understand that M4 is just around the corner, but since no valid info about the base configuration is known yet, I should stick with the M2 Pro option for now.

Based on the above what do you think I should opt for?
M2 Pro - 12-Core CPU - 19-Core GPU and 16GB RAM
or
M2 Pro - 10-Core CPU - 16-Core GPU with 32GB RAM

Essentially, the question is whether it's better to go for a more powerful chipset or for more RAM.
(12-Core CPU with 32GB will probably be an overkill and a sure kill of yours truly by the wife due to the high cost .

Would appreciate your insights.

 

[mi7chy]

For Parallels and if running non-native software that has compatibility layer resource overhead, 32GB RAM is going to make more of a difference than a few more cores. Unless in a rush, wait for M4 model since M2 will go on sale.

 

[Mac-key]

If you have to have the M2 Pro now - then yes get more RAM for sure. I got the M2 Pro a couple months back - the base specs 16/512 and I can tell you I should have gotten 32Gig's of RAM. I run Lightroom and Adobe premiere and I'm constantly memory swap.

 

[DaveEcc]

I'd wait to see what the M4 options are, as we're expecting to know in the next two weeks. Based on the M4 iPad and leaked M4 MBP Geekbench scores, the M4 single core is 40% faster, and the multicore looks to be a touch faster than the M2 Pro and M2 Max.

If these truly are the base M4s, there may be 2nd tier with an extra core or two providing bit more oomph on top too.

The benefits with the M4 will be the faster single core, a couple more years of support, lower power usage/heat, a more advanced GPU, we're expecting an improved NPU as Apple focuses on AI. Based on the leaks, the IO was improved on the base systems, giving you all the ports.

The benefit to the M2 Pro would be a lower price than than an M4 Pro... based on age... but if the base M4 roughly the same price, and roughly the same performance, just newer, and without the loss of ports, I'd be leaning towards the M4. The M2 Pro would need a healthy discount to compete.

In the meantime, we have no idea how the M4 Pro or M4 Max options will be spec'd.

Once we see exactly what the M4 generation brings, if you're happy with the M2 Pro vs M4, it'll still be there (but be quick, likely a lot of people will be ready to jump on any new discounts). Then again, if you buy now, you'll likely still be within the return window if the M4 changes your mind...

 

[Kenny99]

I would consider a refurbished M2 (from Apple) as a stop gap. That way you won't be out a lot of $$ if you decide to get the newer M4.

 

[O-Ren]

Thank you all for taking the time to answer; some pretty insightful comments there.

On a side note, two different sales reps in authorized dealers where I come from (Athens, GR) told me that as soon as the M4s are announced the production of the M2s will cease almost immediately. Not sure how much water that holds though. The time is close at hand anyway.

 

[DaveEcc]

True, the M2s are likely to stop being produced when the replacement is announced. You likely won't be able to build to order, but if you were buying anywhere that has product in stock, or Apple's own refurb page, those will remain available in the short term (longer term for the refurbs).

If you are considering buying a custom config from Apple, then that adds some weight to the 'order now and return if you'd prefer M4' option. On the other hand, I haven't followed the Minis too closely. Other than the port count, and beefed up CPU, is there anything the M2 Pro has you'd miss on the M2? If the base M4 does add all the ports, I can't see how the base M4 isn't just a better option, and ordering the M2 Pro now "just in case" make little sense unless there's something specific you think will be missing.

 

[O-Ren]

Well said, can’t argue with that; if the (base) M4 is more powerful/efficient than M2 Pro, the M4 will likely be a better option on all counts.
Cost will be the determining factor then.