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Can't decide between 256gb or 512gb SSD

I was thinking about going with 256 initially, but after pricing an enclosure and disk, the 512 isn't as outrageous as first thought. I mean it is outrageous, but realistically, the 256 has to be the minimum buy (I cannot believe they actually offer 128), so you are looking at $200 to go to 512 ($180 EDU), which is about what you would pay for a 512 external it seems. I know you would end up with more storage going that route, but if it is a "now" investment, I think I prefer 512 all internal over 768 split. If I could get by with 256 for a while before having to add external, then it would be a tougher choice.
 
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StellarVixen said:
Use your Mac for some time, then check again.
Click to expand...

If you are talking about system memory, have a look at posts 24 and 25. I don't claim to understand the ins and outs of this, but there are several discussions on the internet about it. There are terminal commands to get rid of this storage, but I suspect that that is a temporary "solution" to what appears not to be a real issue. I've decided to just not worry about it.
 
StellarVixen said:
Use your Mac for some time, then check again.
Click to expand...

I've been using Macs since well prior to the Intel days. I'm not sure what you are even trying to say. Yes, if you add stuff to your Mac over time then it will require more space.

There are plenty of people using 128 or 256GB boot drives on Macs and they get along just fine. If it doesn't work for you great.. spend more money, but that doesn't make the OS a "storage hog".
 
F-Train said:
If you are talking about system memory, have a look at posts 24 and 25. I don't claim to understand the ins and outs of this, but there are several discussions on the internet about it. There are terminal commands to get rid of this storage, but I suspect that that is a temporary "solution" to what appears not to be a real issue. I've decided to just not worry about it.
Click to expand...
This might help:

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204015
 
For a new 2018 Mac Mini definitely 512GB. Even my phone now has more than 256GB storage. I also recommend a minimum of 16GB RAM.
 
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pl1984 said:
This might help:

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204015
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Yes, but some of the discussions say that AFPS is also responsible, presumably because this storage is on your internal drive, not your Time Machine drive.

In my view, the bottom line is that the amount of system storage is irrelevant to deciding what size internal drive to get. Personally, I based my decision on the size of the OS + applications, plus how large a workspace I want, and ignored the System number.

I suppose that one could figure out more about this by turning off Time Machine and seeing what impact that has on System storage, but I'm not bothered enough to take the time to do it.
 
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The 256gb drive on my MBP is just barely enough for my needs. I can’t fit all of my music and iPhoto library on it. I use an external drive for my music and my iPhoto library keeps growing. Being that the Mac Mini is a desktop computer, I don’t mind using external hard drives. I’ll upgrade to the i7 and increase the ram at a later time.
 
SoCalReviews said:
For a new 2018 Mac Mini definitely 512GB. Even my phone now has more than 256GB storage. I also recommend a minimum of 16GB RAM.
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Phones don't have the benefit of external storage.

For people on a budget, it's WAY cheaper to add 1TB, even 2TB of external NVMe or 2.5 SSD storage. A 2TB Samsung 860 EVO can be had for well under $300 and an enclosure is very inexpensive.

Yeah, it doesn't look as clean but it's economical.
 
F-Train said:
Looks like we've read some of the same discussions on this issue.

My applications, in total, take 17GB. That includes the operating system, included apps, Final Cut, Logic, Photoshop/Lightroom, etc, etc. "System" takes up a lot more. I stand to be corrected, but my understanding is that this is temporary storage, and the size depends on how much spare room there is on the disk. It sounds like it has something to do with AFPS and snapshots, but I don't claim to understand it. Apparently, it is not something to be concerned about, or that needs to be taken into account when choosing the size of your internal drive.
Click to expand...

Interesting, that makes me feel better. I've been looking at what's on my drive and wondering how the heck anyone could get by with 128gb drive.
 
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brentsg said:
Phones don't have the benefit of external storage.

For people on a budget, it's WAY cheaper to add 1TB, even 2TB of external NVMe or 2.5 SSD storage. A 2TB Samsung 860 EVO can be had for well under $300 and an enclosure is very inexpensive.

Yeah, it doesn't look as clean but it's economical.
Click to expand...
Or people who aren't forced to purchase their storage from Apple.
 
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StellarVixen said:
No one ever complained about having too much storage, but many people were left miserable by insufficient storage.

I am going with 512, and will expand with 1 TB external.
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External storage can be easily added via the high speed connection ports this Mini offers.
 
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Go with 512gb for sure. I have photos and music, but nothing too crazy, and my new mac mini is already at 400GB - when I migrated over my iMac. I have a Time capsule that I use as an external - but it is nice to not have to immediately go into storage mode day one. I got the 1TB myself and don't regret it at all.
 
StellarVixen said:
No one ever complained about having too much storage, but many people were left miserable by insufficient storage.

I am going with 512, and will expand with 1 TB external.
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Yes, but having a little more onboard is a little more convenient.
[doublepost=1541884643][/doublepost]
dmsea1 said:
Go with 512gb for sure. I have photos and music, but nothing too crazy, and my new mac mini is already at 400GB - when I migrated over my iMac. I have a Time capsule that I use as an external - but it is nice to not have to immediately go into storage mode day one. I got the 1TB myself and don't regret it at all.
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In the age of Internet, who keeps their songs on their devices anymore? I do not have a single song on my storage.

I might be an exception, though...
 
StellarVixen said:
Yes, but having a little more onboard is a little more convenient.
[doublepost=1541884643][/doublepost]
In the age of Internet, who keeps their songs on their devices anymore? I do not have a single song on my storage.

I might be an exception, though...
Click to expand...
I do as well. I make videos and need access to the files - and I would rather keep as much on the SSD without having to go external until necessary.
 
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I'm buying a Mac mini i7 as a temporary bridge between my current Mac Pro and the new 2019/20 Mac Pro. I've decided on the 256 GB SSD, and I'll move most of my 30 TB of other storage (data, archives, backups, time machine, etc) to external TB/USB3.1 drives. The size of the MM's SSD only affects write speed, not read speed. The 256 GB SSD has a write speed around 1.3GB/s, which seems to be to be quite adequate.

My philosophy is have enough space on my internal drive for OS, Apps, and working files. I currently use a 256 GB SSD for that. (Actually 2 of them, but they are used individually for separate boot OS's). Then everything else goes on "other" drives, which will all be external using the Mac mini. If you need more than 256 GB for OS, Apps, and working files then perhaps 512 GB will make sense (doesn't for me). Anything bigger than that is a waste of money for me because I need so much more external storage for data/archive/backup files. So I would say if you are a heavy computer user don't spend money on expensive internal storage that you will just grow out of anyway.
 
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PianoPro said:
I'm buying a Mac mini i7 as a temporary bridge between my current Mac Pro and the new 2019/20 Mac Pro. I've decided on the 256 GB SSD, and I'll move most of my 30 TB of other storage (data, archives, backups, time machine, etc) to external TB/USB3.1 drives. The size of the MM's SSD only affects write speed, not read speed. The 256 GB SSD has a write speed around 1.3GB/s, which seems to be to be quite adequate.

My philosophy is have enough space on my internal drive for OS, Apps, and working files. I currently use a 256 GB SSD for that. (Actually 2 of them, but they are used individually for separate boot OS's). Then everything else goes on "other" drives, which will all be external using the Mac mini. If you need more than 256 GB for OS, Apps, and working files then perhaps 512 GB will make sense (doesn't for me). Anything bigger than that is a waste of money for me because I need so much more external storage for data/archive/backup files. So I would say if you are a heavy computer user don't spend money on expensive internal storage that you will just grow out of anyway.
Click to expand...

I take the same view, but doing this takes discipline. I don't like mixing my active workspace with storage, but lots of people are happy to do it, including, as far as I can tell, a significant majority of the people posting about the new mini.
[doublepost=1541890533][/doublepost]
StellarVixen said:
In the age of Internet, who keeps their songs on their devices anymore? I do not have a single song on my storage.

I might be an exception, though...
Click to expand...

My entire music collection is stored locally, although on an external drive. It's all 96 or 48kHz, 24 bit FLAC files downloaded from the internet, and WAV files ripped from CDs (44.1kHz, 16 bit).

There's quite a healthy market for High Definition music :)
 
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F-Train said:
I take the same view, but doing this takes discipline. I don't like mixing my active workspace with storage, but lots of people are happy to do it, including, as far as I can tell, a significant majority of the people posting about the new mini.
[doublepost=1541890533][/doublepost]

My entire music collection is stored locally, although on an external drive. It's all 96 or 48kHz, 24 bit FLAC files downloaded from the internet, and WAV files ripped from CDs.

There's quite a healthy market for High Definition music :)
Click to expand...
OK, I accept to be odd one. I never understood what's the fuss about flac and other lossless formats, high quality mp3/aac sound just fine to me, and I do not hear any difference.

I might be even deaf, but no one told me yet, maybe...
 
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128GB... I have a 3TB RAID and a 8TB Synology. If I need more space for Photos sync, I'll just do external. Even at $200 for the 256GB upgrade, you can get a 6TB HDD or 1TB SSD for less than that with an enclosure.
 
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