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?

 

[Tempest2084]

When it comes to docks for storage, will a 10gps dock like the Satechi work well enough or should I get a fast 40gbps one like the Beelink? I doubt I'll ever run a game or the OS off the external drive. I'm worried about a lot of reports of random disconnects with these docks. I hear that adding an external power supply to them might fix the issue.

 

[Basic75]

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?

I think that case is handled through the match or upload music feature, but since I don't have Apple Music I can't test it to make sure.

 

[thettareddast]

Some background: currently I'm using a very old PC that I built all the way back in 2008 (Core i7-920 with 12GB of RAM) running Linux but booting into Windows 10 as needed. Since I'm using Linux it's still fairly usable even though it's now 17 years old, but it's beginning to show its age and parts are starting to fail (I just had to replace the power supply last month for example) so I'm looking to move to a new computer. As much as I've been appreciative of Linux keeping my old PC going for so long, I'm tried of having to do everything manually with it (the curse of Arch) and I really don't want to use Windows 11 with its bloat/spyware. I actually have my current Linux desktop looking as close to MacOS as possible and I have an old 2012 Mac Mini that I've been playing around with (using OCLP to install Sequoia) so I'm pretty sold on moving over to a Mac.

I'm what I would call a light computer user. I surf the web, stream some stuff to my TV, update my website, listen to music, etc. Nothing very CPU or RAM intensive. I don't game on my PC (I'm a console gamer), but I might check some newer games out if they had a MacOS native port. I think a Mac Mini would be perfect for me (I have a newish 27" monitor so I dont see the need for an iMac), but I need some advice.

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...

2. I also wanted to get a dock/hub for the Mini to add more hard drive space (a 2TB nVME drive most likely), an SD card port (I use a lot of them for various retrogaming purposes), and some USB A ports for legacy peripherals like my printer. I was originally considering the Satechi dock but I've heard really good things about the Beelink dock. Any dock suggestions?

3. I'm not a fan of the Magic Mouse or Keyboard. The mouse is too low profile for my large hands and the keyboard seems way overpriced for what you get and the keys don't have much 'throw' to them. I was thinking about getting a Keychron mechanical keyboard and a Logitech mouse for large hands (maybe a M650 L). Any other suggestions?

4. Are the built-in speakers good enough for watching videos and listening to music? Right now I'm using a super old pair of Dell speakers with a little sub woofer that are probably about 20 years old (Dell Zylux I think they were) so nothing too special. They work well enough, but now may be the time to upgrade. I think I also have a basic soundbar (Sony HT-S100F) that I got as a gift and never found a use for. Could I use that with the Mini or am I better off buying some speakers (really wouldn't want to spend more than $100 or so)?

5. Where's the best place to buy a Mac from at the best price? I've been told that getting a refurbished unit from Apple is a good idea as they're very carefully gone over and sold at a decent discount. Of course the problem with that is that you have to wait for a unit matching your desired specs to show up. I see that Microcenter seems to sell Mac Minis at a decent discount as does Costco from time to time (both are within driving distance from me). I think Amazon also sells Macs but I'm not sure I trust them.

Buy the base 16RAM/256SSD Mac Mini. It is a stupendously high value machine.

1a. You can get cheap fast external SSD permanently connected to the machine.
1b. 16GB with MacOS and its memory handling is beyond sufficient for your use-case.
1c. Mac Mini are super easy to flip on secondary market if you want to upgrade later for minimal expenditure.

2. No need for fancy docks unless you care about aesthetics. I just have a plain Anker dongle thing. Small, hides out of the way, plugs and plays.

3. Anything you want. I use a Logitech setup because they have multi-device toggles so I can swap between controlling the Mac Mini vs docked laptops

4. Built in speakers not good for music. I have a 100$ IKEA Symfonisk (Sonos) speakers that connects wirelessly through AirPlay. There is no discernable lag for watching movies with this setup. The speakers disappear into the desk, and you can use it as mono or a stereo pair.

5. Sometimes Refurb Store has good deals but generally they're low on Mini stock. Costco and Amazon often show better prices for new products.

 

[Danorak81]

When it comes to docks for storage, will a 10gps dock like the Satechi work well enough or should I get a fast 40gbps one like the Beelink? I doubt I'll ever run a game or the OS off the external drive. I'm worried about a lot of reports of random disconnects with these docks. I hear that adding an external power supply to them might fix the issue.

I can only comment about the M2 Mac Mini dock as thats what I had-it performed really well. No lag-I was never transferring huge files or amounts of data to the SSD I put inside it, so day-to-day tasks were fine.

I have two Sabrent cases with Crucial SSD's connected to my current M4 Mini, and they are 10GB/s connection speed-and both of those perform really well, even when doing heavy photo editing on RAW files (thats where all my Photos are stored), next to nothing in terms of lag or delay. No issues with Music on the other SSD either.

 

[Basic75]

There is no discernable lag for watching movies with this setup.

But the movie pauses for a second or two before it starts playing compared to using the built-in speaker?

 

[maflynn]

But the movie pauses for a second or two before it starts playing compared to using the built-in speaker?

I noticed this when using my homepod mini with my studio when watching youtubes. When playing games, there's more of a lag that impacts my gaming. I use external speakers that are usb based now.

 

[Allen_Wentz]

Anything real-time, a Facetime call, a YouTube session with some seeking around in videos gets annoying pretty quickly, even system sounds if you don't disable them. Just browsing the web with all the autoplay crap, you open three new tabs and when the sound starts you have to check which one it was because it comes so late.

And I never said anything about sound quality, how you can disagree with my take on latency by pointing out how great it sounds? That's a completely different question.

I disagreed strongly with your take that "The HomePods are often not suitable for use with a Mac because of their atrocious latency."

Sound quality is not a completely different question. The reason (IMO) for buying full size HomePods is for the sound quality. And as such they are perfectly "suitable for use with a Mac" and I have been happily using them that way since ~2019. The latency issues you mention (FaceTime, UTube, system sounds) are not IMO things that one buys premium speakers for.

Note that I do appreciate your comment about latency, and will bear it in mind. But one reason (among many) that I buy MBPs is for the good speakers that work great for mundane things like system sounds and FaceTime.

 

[Allen_Wentz]

When it comes to docks for storage, will a 10gps dock like the Satechi work well enough or should I get a fast 40gbps one like the Beelink? I doubt I'll ever run a game or the OS off the external drive. I'm worried about a lot of reports of random disconnects with these docks. I hear that adding an external power supply to them might fix the issue.

Docks should only be powered IMO. And one needs to research exactly how a given dock handles bandwidth, because many imply that they are functionally creating bandwidth, which is not possible.

 

[EugW]

16 GB is fine for basic usage.

Just get the US$80 Amazon Basics powered Thunderbolt 4 / USB 4 hub, and hang peripherals off it. That base model uses the standard Intel design and chipset, so that maximizes compatibility. I have the Plugable version which has almost the exact same design, and it's been great.



Amazon also sells an $87 dock, but I don't know how well that one works.

If you want an SSD, then get a proper enclosure, not one of those crappy poorly cooled all-in-one docks with the the SSD inside.

This Qwiizlab SSD enclosure is one of the best for heat dissipation. It's US$60 at Amazon USA, but it is significantly cheaper from AliExpress. The Colorii, Qwiizlab, and Hagibis are all the same, but Colorii is usually the cheapest and I believe Colorii is the actual manufacturer.

 

[Tempest2084]

I'd rather not have my limited desk space cluttered with devices if I can help it. But if docks with SSDs i them have issues then I might have to reconsider.

I see Satechi has a new 40Gbps NVMe enclosure but it doesn't have any ports on it. Perhaps they'll make a new all in one dock in the future?

 

[Lifeisabeach]

I'd rather not have my limited desk space cluttered with devices if I can help it. But if docks with SSDs i them have issues then I might have to reconsider.

I see Satechi has a new 40Gbps NVMe enclosure but it doesn't have any ports on it. Perhaps they'll make a new all in one dock in the future?

Take a look at OWC's miniStack STX. It matches the footprint of the Mac mini and Mac Studio so you simply stack the two together. The miniStack STX doubles as a drive bay and Thunderbolt hub.

OWC miniStack STX | Mac mini Thunderbolt Storage Solution

Expand your Mac mini’s potential with the OWC miniStack STX. These solutions offer Thunderbolt storage and additional connectivity for seamless performance.

eshop.macsales.com

 

[Tempest2084]

Take a look at OWC's miniStack STX. It matches the footprint of the Mac mini and Mac Studio so you simply stack the two together. The miniStack STX doubles as a drive bay and Thunderbolt hub.

OWC miniStack STX | Mac mini Thunderbolt Storage Solution

Expand your Mac mini’s potential with the OWC miniStack STX. These solutions offer Thunderbolt storage and additional connectivity for seamless performance.

eshop.macsales.com

I'm sure they're solid devices, but wow those are pricey!

 

[EugW]

I'd rather not have my limited desk space cluttered with devices if I can help it. But if docks with SSDs i them have issues then I might have to reconsider.

I see Satechi has a new 40Gbps NVMe enclosure but it doesn't have any ports on it. Perhaps they'll make a new all in one dock in the future?

As mentioned, the all-in-one docks can be problematic because they provide sub-par cooling for Thunderbolt 4 / USB 4 SSDs. The Satechi one might (?) be OK because of its large surface area but it doesn’t support double-sided SSDs, which can be a problem if you want to install a large capacity SSD.

 

[Tempest2084]

As mentioned, the all-in-one docks can be problematic because they provide sub-par cooling for Thunderbolt 4 / USB 4 SSDs. The Satechi one might (?) be OK because of its large surface area but it doesn’t support double-sided SSDs, which can be a problem if you want to install a large capacity SSD.

Yeah that makes sense. I've read a lot of reviews that say these things run super hot if you're really hitting the drive for long periods of time. Then again I would just use it for storage of files so that might not be a huge problem for me.

I didn't realize the Satechi drive couldn't use double sided SSDs. I've never really looked into NVMe drives before (my current ancient computer doesn't support stuff like that) so I'm a bit ignorant on some aspects like single vs double sided.

Honestly I'd probably start with a 2TB drive and then either upgrade to a 4 TB or add another 2TB drive (depending on how many slots the enclosure has) in the future when programs start getting outrageously huge. That's what I did with my current computer. I started out with a single drive and ended up with four over the years as the cost came down.

 

[EugW]

Yeah that makes sense. I've read a lot of reviews that say these things run super hot if you're really hitting the drive for long periods of time. Then again I would just use it for storage of files so that might not be a huge problem for me.

I didn't realize the Satechi drive couldn't use double sided SSDs. I've never really looked into NVMe drives before (my current ancient computer doesn't support stuff like that) so I'm a bit ignorant on some aspects like single vs double sided.

Honestly I'd probably start with a 2TB drive and then either upgrade to a 4 TB or add another 2TB drive (depending on how many slots the enclosure has) in the future when programs start getting outrageously huge. That's what I did with my current computer. I started out with a single drive and ended up with four over the years as the cost came down.

The Satechi one, like most better lower cost enclosures, supports only 1 SSD. It's probably for a couple of reasons, one being heat and the other being the fact that the most common chipsets don't actually support dual drives. Plus, a single drive can easily saturate TB 4 / USB 4 bandwidth and most people looking at lower cost enclosures don't need more than 8 TB or even 4 TB. If you want to add another SSD in 2 years, then just get another enclosure in 2 years.

Lower performance name brand 2 TB SSDs without DRAM (which overall are still pretty fast), go for about US$130. High performance name brand 2 TB SSDs with DRAM go for about US$170.

 

[Tempest2084]

The Satechi one, like most better lower cost enclosures, supports only 1 SSD. It's probably for a couple of reasons, one being heat and the other being the fact that the most common chipsets don't actually support dual drives. Plus, a single drive can easily saturate TB 4 / USB 4 bandwidth and most people looking at lower cost enclosures don't need more than 8 TB or even 4 TB. If you want to add another SSD in 2 years, then just get another enclosure in 2 years.

Lower performance name brand 2 TB SSDs without DRAM (which overall are still pretty fast), go for about US$130. High performance name brand 2 TB SSDs with DRAM go for about US$170.

Thank you for the information. I might just go with the Satechi one even though it's slower. 10Gbps is still pretty decent for my needs. Then again by the time I actually pull the trigger on the Mac Mini there might be an even better dock out there.

Any thought on the Beelink dock? That seems to be the newest one people were excited over.

 

[thettareddast]

But the movie pauses for a second or two before it starts playing compared to using the built-in speaker?

If it does I dont notice it. Im not constantly stop/starting media.

And once the media is playing, ive never had to use latency-compensation whether in VLC or another player.

 

[EugW]

Thank you for the information. I might just go with the Satechi one even though it's slower. 10Gbps is still pretty decent for my needs. Then again by the time I actually pull the trigger on the Mac Mini there might be an even better dock out there.

Oh I thought you were talking about the 40 Gbps USB 4 / TB 4 Satechi one.

I will not buy any 10 Gbps USB 3 drives anymore for permanently connected drives because of occasional errors that can occur for some people. A lot of people complain of wake from sleep errors that may occur with various USB 3 drives. These errors almost never occur with USB 4 / TB 4 drives because it's a completely different protocol.

The advantage of USB 3 drives is they tend to run cooler but if you want to mitigate heat generation for USB 4 drives, you can buy a 20 Gbps USB 4 cable and run them at half speed and lower power, although you're better off just buying an enclosure which is designed to properly dissipate the heat of 40 Gbps USB 4.

I think USB 3 drives are fine for low power portable drives but if you want something permanently attached (or somewhat less portable), stick with USB 4 / TB 4.

Any thought on the Beelink dock? That seems to be the newest one people were excited over.

I don’t know that one, but if you read the Amazon reviews of the 80 Gbps dual SSD dock, they are horrible. A full 1/3rd of the reviews are 1-star.

 

[Tempest2084]

Oh I thought you were talking about the 40 Gbps USB 4 / TB 4 Satechi one.

I will not buy any 10 Gbps USB 3 drives anymore for permanently connected drives because of occasional errors that can occur for some people. A lot of people complain of wake from sleep errors that may occur with various USB 3 drives. These errors almost never occur with USB 4 / TB 4 drives because it's a completely different protocol.

The advantage of USB 3 drives is they tend to run cooler but if you want to mitigate heat generation for USB 4 drives, you can buy a 20 Gbps USB 4 cable and run them at half speed and lower power, although you're better off just buying an enclosure which is designed to properly dissipate the heat of 40 Gbps USB 4.

I think USB 3 drives are fine for low power portable drives but if you want something permanently attached (or somewhat less portable), stick with USB 4 / TB 4.

Good points there. I'll have to think about it when the time comes.

 

[Danorak81]

I'd rather not have my limited desk space cluttered with devices if I can help it. But if docks with SSDs i them have issues then I might have to reconsider.

I see Satechi has a new 40Gbps NVMe enclosure but it doesn't have any ports on it. Perhaps they'll make a new all in one dock in the future?

I honestly had zero issues with my Satechi dock on my M2 Mac Mini, which housed a 2TB SSD storing my photo library. The dock used to power my 2 x WD MyPassport drives to back up the MacOS/Photos SSD/Media SSD and would happily let it do it's thing overnight knowing there would be no issues. The M2 Satechi dock was not powered separately, and in the time I had it about 8 months), it never had an issue with connections or power dropping off.