Considering a Mac Mini, Have Questions

[TumbleDryer]

The HomePods are often not suitable for use with a Mac because of their atrocious latency.

I agree. I bought a mini and a HomePod to boost the sound and quickly found out it's pretty much useless. The HomePod has barely been used because of this.

In the Music app you can set it to stream to the HomePod (but you have to manually set it every time since Tahoe update broke stuff) and there is next to no latency but if you want to use it for Safari or anything like system sounds etc for some ridiculous reason there is a lag of about 2 seconds. I really don't understand the logic behind it. If it's possible to stream with no lag then why limit it outside of music?!

 

[Basic75]

I really don't understand the logic behind it. If it's possible to stream with no lag then why limit it outside of music?

I believe Apple Music is the only case where a hand-off to the HomePod happens. That's when the Mac tells the HomePod to play the music and the HomePod streams directly from the internet. In all other cases it's AirPlay. That's when the Mac is playing the audio and using the HomePod as speakers.

 

[theluggage]

I really don't understand the logic behind it. If it's possible to stream with no lag then why limit it outside of music?!

I suspect the lag is always there.

If you're streaming pre-recorded audio/video to multiple devices the system can easily delay the fastest device to match the slowest device. Sound on videos can be delayed to keep it in sync with the video (or vice-versa).

If you're playing sounds triggered by user interactions or outside events - like system sounds, or playing a virtual musical instrument, then (until Apple Silicon comes with a built-in flux capacitor and can predict the future) nothing can be done about the lag.

A lot of bluetooth stuff is fine for playing music or video soundtracks, but as much use as a chocolate teapot for music production/performance, games etc.

 

[Populus]

Hey! Long time Mac mini user here! I’ve used a 2014 Mac mini for more than a decade, I used both the M4 and M4 Pro Mac mini for a couple of months, and I’m aiming for the M5 Mac mini as my ultimate system along with a gorgeous 4K mini LED display that I wish it was glossy but… all the worthwhile miniLED 4K displays are matte! Damn…

I’m going to reply to your first point because your original post is too long and I don’t have that much time right now.

1. Since I'm not doing anything too intensive I think I can get by with the base memory configuration but I was going to upgrade the internal SSD to 512GB since 256GB is stupidly small. However I'd like to keep this computer for at least the next 7-10 years so I'd like to do some futureproofing. I was thinking about upgrading to 24GB and waiting for the M5 Mini (assuming it's due out mid-2026) as I'm sure I can limp along at least that long. I know a lot of people suggest getting the base model and upgrading every few years but that seems wasteful to me. Will a configuration like an M4/5 with 24GB of RAM last me 7-10 years or is that just not going to happen? What I'd really like to know is if Apple is going to support the M series longer than they did with the Intel chips...

I completely agree with you. With Apple’s current support of their hardware, I think throwing away (or even selling) your Mac and getting a new one every 2 to 3 years is wasteful, bad for the environment, and for the scarce resources the industry uses (rare earths etc). Also, I enjoy doing a big and shiny purchase and use that device for many, many years. It gives me a strange feeling of satisfaction and well invested money.

I’m waiting for the M5 Mac mini as well because, after having tried the M4 Pro Mac mini and the regular M4 mini, the regular M5 Mac mini is the perfect balance between them, with the extra GPU oomph I wanted on the M4, and much better prepared for the local LLM future that awaits us (hopefully).

So, answering your first questions… yes. As a long time Mac (and Apple) user, I’m quite convinced you’ll be able to use that M5 Mac mini for AT LEAST 7 to 8 years. At least, I really hope Apple supports Apple Silicon Macs for at least the same 7 years they support some iOS/iPadOS devices, although that could change once Tim Cool steps down if the next CEO leans into planned obsolescence. We’ll see, but the M5 machines are REALLY powerful, and should last at least a decade performing well: Probably 8 years of new macOS releases plus two years of security updates.

Keep in mind that CPU wise, the M4 already broke single core records, and the M5 is doing it again, getting close to the M1 Ultra performance in a 20-30W chip. Amazing, groundbreaking. I don’t think you’re going to lack computer muscle for a long time.

Storage: Given that you’re having this machine for the next decade, the fact that you said that 256GB would not be enough, and the M5 gen having SSDs with DOUBLE the speeds, I’d recommend stretching a bit your budget and go for 1TB of storage, but if you think 512GB is going to be enough for the next five-six years, and you’re fine relying on external storage, then you could get by with 512GB. Still, I prefer having all my storage integrated on the computer, so I’m not getting less than 1TB.

RAM: Again, if you’re planning to keep that machine for a long time, I think going for 24GB is not a bad idea, especially seeing how memory intensive all the new AI stuff is… but if you don’t plan to use local AI features that Apple releases in the future, then you would be fine with 16GB. Also, most macs until a year ago came with a minimum of 8GB so you still have a bit of headroom there, and I think for a few years, 16GB will still be plenty. I plan to get as much RAM as possible, which sadly, it’s only 32GB for the regular M5. I think the M5 should allow up to 48GB but… Apple says otherwise.

So an M5 1TB+24GB configuration is what I’d recommend you. But if you want to save $400, going with a 512GB+16GB wouldn’t hurt either. An M5 machine with either of those two specs should “fly” for quite a few years. Spending more or less is your decision.

 

[TumbleDryer]

I believe Apple Music is the only case where a hand-off to the HomePod happens. That's when the Mac tells the HomePod to play the music and the HomePod streams directly from the internet. In all other cases it's AirPlay. That's when the Mac is playing the audio and using the HomePod as speakers.

But most of my music is obscure stuff ripped from CDs 20 years ago so it can't be being streamed from the net and there's still no lag with that?