Currently own 2018 Intel Mac Mini i5 w/ self-upgraded 32gb RAM, will I be fine with 2023 Mac mini M2 Pro w/ 16gb Unified Memory?

[C-Dub]

Currently own 2018 Intel Mac Mini i5 w/ self-upgraded 32gb RAM and don't really notice any slowness unless I open more than 10 active chrome browsers or do some video editing and the fan starts to kick in.

With that, will I be fine with 2023 Mac mini M2 Pro w/ 16gb Unified Memory? Or do I need to shell out another $400 for 32GB?

The most intensive task I run on my MAC is some video exporting after adding captions, or running automation software that may launch up to 20 chrome browsers at the same time.

Thanks for any input.

 

[Fishrrman]

20 Chrome browsers at once?
I have to ask ... what is all that for?

In this case, YES, you probably ARE going to need 32gb.

 

[C-Dub]

I run automation software to help me acquire goods in a limited amount of time. I just looked at my intel iMac today while running the 20 chrome, from activity monitor CPU was taxing and fan was running loud, but when looking at memory there were no memory pressure nor swapping with 32gb. Would you still recommend 32gb unified memory on the 2023 M2 Pro Mac mini? Thanks

 

[jmpage2]

I run automation software to help me acquire goods in a limited amount of time. I just looked at my intel iMac today while running the 20 chrome, from activity monitor CPU was taxing and fan was running loud, but when looking at memory there were no memory pressure nor swapping with 32gb. Would you still recommend 32gb unified memory on the 2023 M2 Pro Mac mini? Thanks

You already know you are using more than 16GB of RAM but you are asking people to assure you that you will get by fine with 16GB of RAM.

If you use more than 16GB of RAM and plan to keep the machine more than a couple of years why wouldn't you spend the extra money to get the 32GB of RAM on the new machine?

The RAM on the Mini is not upgradeable, you are stuck with whatever it has when you buy it, so get as much as you can afford.

 

[C-Dub]

You already know you are using more than 16GB of RAM but you are asking people to assure you that you will get by fine with 16GB of RAM.

If you use more than 16GB of RAM and plan to keep the machine more than a couple of years why wouldn't you spend the extra money to get the 32GB of RAM on the new machine?

The RAM on the Mini is not upgradeable, you are stuck with whatever it has when you buy it, so get as much as you can afford.

That’s the thing though, w/ the current 32gb don’t ever see any memory pressure nor swapping, hence that’s why I asked. I installed 32gb simply because I can back then as it was user accessible. Thanks

 

[jmpage2]

That’s the thing though, w/ the current 32gb don’t ever see any memory pressure nor swapping, hence that’s why I asked. I installed 32gb simply because I can back then as it was user accessible. Thanks

What is your confidence level that applications won't consume more memory over time? Especially if you keep the machine for more than a few years?

I have 16GB in my current i7 iMac. At the time I got it 5+ years ago it had a lot of head room. I gave 8GB to a Win 10 virtual machine and the Mac could do the things it needed with the remaining memory. Now, 5 years later it is routinely using all 16GB of memory. I wouldn't think about getting a new machine without 32GB.

If you are barely using 16GB of RAM and are convinced that your usage won't change or that apps won't get more memory hungry then sure, get 16GB of memory. Otherwise just get the 32GB so you don't have to worry about it anytime in the future.