Can't Decide which M2 Mac Mini Configuration to buy ? Help !!

[hajime]

It depends on what programs you use. There are situations where each would be beneficial but depends entirely on what software you use and how you use your computer.

I mainly use it as a SMB file server and an ad hoc NAS. I will connect it to an external SSD for backup and file transfer via 10GbE.

 

[CBlakeston]

I mainly use it as a SMB file server and an ad hoc NAS. I will connect it to an external SSD for backup and file transfer via 10GbE.

I'm not sure those functions task either the memory or the SSD. But if your connecting an external drive go for memory if you want to spend more?

 

[CBlakeston]

I plan to use it as a temporary machine until M3 or Silicon Macs with Thunderbolt 5 come out. I will then trade-in. Looks like M2 Mini base model might have the best trade-in value as it is the cheapest to start with.

Windows PC is my main work computer as software I use only available in Windows.

what computer are you currently using? If you don't currently have Apple Silicon then honestly any Mac with any M chip base mode or not is going to be game changing. The rest just comes down to slight degrees of better.

 

[hajime]

what computer are you currently using? If you don't currently have Apple Silicon then honestly any Mac with any M chip base mode or not is going to be game changing. The rest just comes down to slight degrees of better.

Just a PC and an iPad. I have tried M2 Pro and M2 Mini. They feel the same for the tasks mentioned. I returned them due to bluetooth, wifi and Mac forgetting multi display issues. So I don’t want to invest more than needed on a Mac that is not fully functional. Not sure if by the time M3 comes out, these will be fixed.