Anyone here choose a top spec M2 Mini over a Base Studio?

[Mity]

I'm curious if anyone here decided to buy a top spec M2 Pro Mac Mini over a base M1/M2 Studio. Was it simply due to the form factor?

Edit: I have a couple of M1 Minis at home, a base and the other with 16GB of RAM. I found the 16GB of RAM to be insufficient for my needs. My main machine at the moment is a 2019 Intel 16" with 64GB of RAM that I use for coding and I feel that I do actually need a minimum of 32GB. An of course, that is only possible on the new M2 Pro Mini and M1/M2 Studio in desktop form.

 

[theorist9]

There are a couple of threads about the M2 Pro Mini vs the M1 Max Studio.

But you raise an interesting question about the top M2 Pro Mini vs base M2 Studio, because their cost is identical—both are $2,000 with a 512 GB SSD and 32 GB RAM (I was unaware of this until I just checked), even though the Studio has higher performance and more ports:

Top M2 Pro chip: 12‑core CPU, 19-core GPU, 16‑core Neural Engine
Base M2 Max chip: 12‑core CPU, 30‑core GPU, 16‑core Neural Engine

So it does sound like, in the above case, form factor is the only advantage of the Mini. Not sure how they compare in noise, but the Studio should be quieter.

Of course, if you can live with 16 GB RAM and a fewer cores (10‑core CPU, 16-core GPU), then you can save $700 by going with the base M2 Pro Mini.

I'm wondering if Apple offered the top-spec Mini mostly because they had server farms like MacStadium in mind:

MacStadium does offer pricing on both versions:

 

[richmlow]

I'm curious if anyone here decided to buy a top spec M2 Pro Mac Mini over a base M1/M2 Studio. Was it simply due to the form factor?

I didn't buy a top-spec M2 Pro Mac mini. Rather, I went "half-way."

2023 Mac mini M2 Pro
10-core CPU
32GB RAM
512GB SSD

I really like my new Mac mini and have no regrets. There were several reasons why I didn't get a Mac Studio:

1. Over time, Apple has continued to move towards selling "disposable" computers. This is reflected in the gradual decrease in macOS support time for older computers, rapid macOS creation (each year), lock-down and lack of expandability of all their computers (desktops and laptops), etc. Why should I get a more "expandable" and "powerful" Mac Studio when my Mac mini is comparable? Both the typical 2023 Mac Studio and my new 2023 Mac mini will end its useful lifespan (as specified by Apple's actions) at around the same time!

2. In my opinion, the Mac Studio is one of the ugliest computers that Apple has ever released (in recent times). It doesn't appear that much though or care were put into its physical appearance!

3. I like the form factor of the Mac mini and its "silent" operation.


richmlow

 

[i486dx2-66]

Over time, Apple has continued to move towards selling "disposable" computers.

I like the form factor of the Mac mini

These are particularly important in combination. An "old large computer" is far less desirable than an "old computer".

My dated Mac minis have stuck around far longer than their tower and mid-tower counterparts, despite being less powerful, because of their size. It is just so much easier to keep one as a backup, use it for a single purpose, hide it behind a TV, etc, etc. When the Studio gets old, it will still be a mid-size computer - too bulky to velcro to the back of a monitor, too tall to throw under many third-party monitors, takes up more space in the junk drawer, etc, etc.

 

[quarkysg]

1. Over time, Apple has continued to move towards selling "disposable" computers.

I suppose you consider mobile phones nowadays "disposable" as well?

IMHO, whether an item is disposable really depends on the users of said items. And at the rate of how technology progresses, I'm not really sure if you really want to upgrade a computer that is 5 years old or older.

 

[bobcomer]

I'm curious if anyone here decided to buy a top spec M2 Pro Mac Mini over a base M1/M2 Studio. Was it simply due to the form factor?

I did, an M2 Mini Pro with 32GB of RAM, and 2TB SSD.

I had an M1 Max with 64GB of RAM, and while the performance was good overall, it was a whiner and like you ask, I never really liked the form factor. It looks kind of dorky. I'd prefer a box shaped thing, all this rounded stuff, blech. And yes, the Mini is rounded, but at least it's less noticeable sitting lower to the desk.

I really didn't need the GPU cores either and I just didn't want to chance the whine again. I'm very happy with that decision, though I have missed the 64GB of RAM. I expect to keep the mini a long time. I never hear the fan and the performance is better than my M1 Max.

 

[Mity]

I did, an M2 Mini Pro with 32GB of RAM, and 2TB SSD.

I had an M1 Max with 64GB of RAM, and while the performance was good overall, it was a whiner...

This was coil whine? How noticeable was this from say 2 or 3 feet away? Do you know if this exists on the Ultra version as well. The latter has a beefier heatsink.

 

[bobcomer]

This was coil whine? How noticeable was this from say 2 or 3 feet away? Do you know if this exists on the Ultra version as well. The latter has a beefier heatsink.

I never thought it was coil whine, more of a whistle. It was VERY noticeable.

Some Ultra's have it as well, but I'm pretty sure not all M1 Studios had it, and even less M2 Studios. I wouldn't worry about it if I were you. I just heard that whistle for over a year, and it got quite annoying! I should have returned it immediately, but I thought it wasn't that bad...

Just make sure and return it immediately if, on the off chance, you get one that whines. It doesn't get better and it wears on a person!

 

[Mity]

And at the rate of how technology progresses, I'm not really sure if you really want to upgrade a computer that is 5 years old or older.

My thoughts are that this was a valid argument for the x86 days but I think it should be less important with Apple Silicon. Apple should be able to update "older" computers much more often without a 3rd party like Intel in the dev process.

I agree with @richmlow that Apple moves too quickly and doesn't provide enough long-term support. There should be some stability to the system but Apple releases new OS' like they're fast & disposable fashion items:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MacOS_version_history#Releases

YoY OS introductions are completely unnecessary. I think it would be much more beneficial to the consumer (and even Apple when you consider resource allocation) to focus on 1 OS for 3-5 years and then move on. Instead of small incremental UI changes, make big changes that actually have substance. That will also allow security updates to arrive much more quickly as the dev team focuses on bugs.

I feel weird for saying this but I like the stability of Windows 10. MSFT keeps making changes under the hood but the UI is still familiar and doesn't distract me from actually using the machine.

 

[colinsky]

I went for a refurb m2 Pro Mini, 32gb/1tb, because I had to desperately scrimp and save to be able to afford it, as a senior on Social Security with barely any other income.

Previously I tried a base m2 Pro Mini but it didn't give me much of anything better than my existing 16gb/512gb m1 Mini: whenever I had something important to do, memory was always in yellow.

A 32gb/1tb Studio would have cost me $650 more than I paid for the refurb Mini. Also I was fearful of the Studio whine--I treasure the silence of the Mini.

As for the form factor...I don't look at my computer, I look at the screens.

 

[Boil]

M2 Pro Mac mini:

• 12-core CPU
• 19-core GPU
• 32GB RAM
• 200GB/s UMA bandwidth
• 512GB SSD
• Gigabit Ethernet
• $1999

M2 Max Mac Studio:

• 12-core CPU
• 30-core GPU
• 32GB RAM
• 400GB/s UMA bandwidth
• 512GB SSD
• 10Gb Ethernet
• $1999

For the same price, the Mac Studio has more GPU cores, faster UMA bandwidth, and faster Ethernet...

For those complaining about how the Studio is not as pleasing to the eye as the mini; they are basically the same thing (excepting the "foot" that touches the desktop) but the Studio is taller...?

 

[quarkysg]

For the same price, the Mac Studio gives one more GPU cores, faster UMA bandwidth, and faster Ethernet...

Based on what you wrote, it's 11 more GPU cores, not 1.

 

[arw]

For the same price, the Mac Studio gives one more GPU cores, faster UMA bandwidth, and faster Ethernet...

Based on what you wrote, it's 11 more GPU cores, not 1.

I got confused as well until I read it as intended:
(...) gives one [person] more GPU cores, (...)

 

[Boil]

Based on what you wrote, it's 11 more GPU cores, not 1.

I got confused as well until I read it as intended:
(...) gives one [person] more GPU cores, (...)

I went back and edited that part, I could see how it could be confusing...

 

[dgdosen]

Apple needs the equivalent of a 'value meal' for their kit. For example, they should offer the Pro 2 mini with 1TB/32GB/10GB-eth for some value price - say 1699. More than the base, but less than what is a value proposition mismatch when comparing to a Studio. Of course, they couldn't use the term 'value' because it might cheapen their brand. They could call it a 'premium package'

I'd bet the margins would be high enough, inventory management would improve, and they'd have another avenue to discount their wares, as opposed to big discounts to Costco/Amazon/etc.

 

[richmlow]

I suppose you consider mobile phones nowadays "disposable" as well?

IMHO, whether an item is disposable really depends on the users of said items. And at the rate of how technology progresses, I'm not really sure if you really want to upgrade a computer that is 5 years old or older.

Yes.

Unfortunately, due to the way that consumer tech is being manufactured and sold, much of it (including mobile phones) are "disposable" items. At least, that is how tech companies view it. Of course, that is not surprising as they are there to "make money," first and foremost.

Not just technology and consumer electronics....even clothing, shoes, "fast fashion," etc. follow the same pattern. Human beings are extremely wasteful. 😐


richmlow

 

[Mity]

Apple needs the equivalent of a 'value meal' for their kit. For example, they should offer the Pro 2 mini with 1TB/32GB/10GB-eth for some value price - say 1699. More than the base, but less than what is a value proposition mismatch when comparing to a Studio. Of course, they couldn't use the term 'value' because it might cheapen their brand. They could call it a 'premium package'

I'd bet the margins would be high enough, inventory management would improve, and they'd have another avenue to discount their wares, as opposed to big discounts to Costco/Amazon/etc.

I think you're right about pricing. And that seems to be true for all products too, for example in this M2 Air thread.

I would actually just love 64GB of RAM in the Mini. I think that today, 16GB is what 8GB used to be. I don't actually need the Max or Ultra chips for coding. And I do prefer the minimal design of the Mini. I can't fit the Studio under my LG 43UD79.

 

[theorist9]

I think you're right about pricing. And that seems to be true for all products too, for example in this M2 Air thread.

I would actually just love 64GB of RAM in the Mini. I think that today, 16GB is what 8GB used to be. I don't actually need the Max or Ultra chips for coding. And I do prefer the minimal design of the Mini. I can't fit the Studio under my LG 43UD79.

Hopefully, when they adopt LPDDR5X, they'll leverage its higher memory density to offer more RAM at each tier. That way those of us who need a lot of RAM will be able to get it without having to over-buy on cores. E.g., you shouldn't have to get an Ultra just because you need 128 GB RAM.

 

[richmlow]

I suppose you consider mobile phones nowadays "disposable" as well?

IMHO, whether an item is disposable really depends on the users of said items. And at the rate of how technology progresses, I'm not really sure if you really want to upgrade a computer that is 5 years old or older.

Hopefully, when they adopt LPDDR5X, they'll leverage its higher memory density to offer more RAM at each tier. That way those of us who need a lot of RAM will be able to get it without having to over-buy on cores. E.g., you shouldn't have to get an Ultra just because you need 128 GB RAM.

@theorist9,


I am in complete agreement with you!


richmlow