Deals: M1 512GB Mac mini Hits New Low Price of $829 ($70 Off)

[MacRumors]

B&H Photo is discounting Apple's newest Mac mini (512GB) to $829.00, down from $899.00. This is the lowest price that we've tracked to date for this model of the Mac mini, which was refreshed in late 2020 with the new M1 chip.

Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with B&H Photo. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.

The 256GB Mac mini is also on sale and is available for $649.00, down from $699.00. This price has been more consistent than the 512GB Mac mini, and we've seen it go slightly lower in past sales. It's still among the best online this week compared to other Apple resellers.

M1 Mac mini (512GB) for $829.00 ($70 OFF)​

The M1 chip in the Mac mini is Apple's first System on a Chip for Mac, integrating GPU, CPU, RAM, and other components for improved performance and efficiency. The M1 in the Mac mini has an 8-core CPU with four high-efficiency cores and four high-performance cores along with an integrated GPU that has 8 cores.

In the Mac mini, the M1 chip's CPU offers 3x faster performance than the previous-generation entry-level model and the GPU offers 6x better graphics performance. Machine learning workloads are up to 15x faster thanks to the 16-core Neural Engine, and the Mac mini is 5x faster than the best-selling Windows desktop in its price range.

If you're on the hunt for more discounts, be sure to visit our Apple Deals roundup where we recap the best Apple-related bargains of the past week.

Article Link: Deals: M1 512GB Mac mini Hits New Low Price of $829 ($70 Off)

 

[smaffei]

They are on sale because most people who want an M1 Mac mini for performance / future proofing are custom ordering them with 16Gb of RAM because you can’t upgrade the RAM with them being SoC. The 8GB models aren’t as desirable because of that shortcoming. And, if you are using the Mini only as a server, then the Intel models are more than sufficient at a much reduced price tag. So, 8GB M1 Mini kinda sits between those 2 markets.

 

[LeeW]

The 8GB models aren’t as desirable because of that shortcoming.

Yet when you look at all the posts in the MM forums everyone swears by 8GB as all anyone will need..

 

[b11051973]

Yet when you look at all the posts in the MM forums everyone swears by 8GB as all anyone will need..

It is very likely I would only need 8GB of ram, but I sure want 16.

 

[smaffei]

Yet when you look at all the posts in the MM forums everyone swears by 8GB as all anyone will need..

And Gates said 640K is all anyone would need…

I custom ordered an M1 mini with 16GB to run Xcode for iOS Development. No one is running Xcode in 8GB these days (especially if they expect to develop using SwiftUI).

 

[Lemon Olive]

And Gates said 640K is all anyone would need…

I custom ordered an M1 mini with 16GB to run Xcode for iOS Development. No one is running Xcode in 8GB these days (especially if they expect to develop using SwiftUI).

Why? What would happen? Specifically.

 

[Lemon Olive]

They are on sale because most people who want an M1 Mac mini for performance / future proofing are custom ordering them with 16Gb of RAM because you can’t upgrade the RAM with them being SoC. The 8GB models aren’t as desirable because of that shortcoming. And, if you are using the Mini only as a server, then the Intel models are more than sufficient at a much reduced price tag. So, 8GB M1 Mini kinda sits between those 2 markets.

I'm really tired of Apple disguising the Mac as affordable by creating entry level models that are not adequate for anyone, and then charging obscene amounts of money for upgrades (which only they can provide).

Yeah, the Mac mini is $699. Except it's not. When I want 16 GB of RAM and 1 TB of internal storage (which is not "a lot" by any standard today), now it's $1299, the real price of this machine.

This is very different than what they do with iOS devices. The base model iOS devices are more than good enough for the majority of the market, and higher tiers are usually only $100 increments.

 

[Bug-Creator]

.... none of you are the target market.

Apple sells plenty 8GB Minis (maybe not as many as they thought but still) and normal people will just buy them and replace them a few years down the line when they start feeling slow.

Just look at used Macs on eBay, many many are base configs and even those that could have been upgraded by the user never were.

 

[smaffei]

Why? What would happen? Specifically.

SwiftUIs realtime renderer consumes a lot of memory and will definitely slow down in 8GB.

 

[smaffei]

.... none of you are the target market.

Apple sells plenty 8GB Minis (maybe not as many as they thought but still) and normal people will just buy them and replace them a few years down the line when they start feeling slow.

Just look at used Macs on eBay, many many are base configs and even those that could have been upgraded by the user never were.

And they are on eBay because people are getting rid of them because they no longer sufficient.

 

[Apple_Robert]

.... none of you are the target market.

Apple sells plenty 8GB Minis (maybe not as many as they thought but still) and normal people will just buy them and replace them a few years down the line when they start feeling slow.

Just look at used Macs on eBay, many many are base configs and even those that could have been upgraded by the user never were.

Exactly. The regular MR posters are not typical of the whole, in my opinion. Many, many people do just fine with 8GB of RAM with the base model.

The complaining here of the sale price because it doesn't offer the 'typical' MR build is not unexpected.

 

[reyesmac]

Yet when you look at all the posts in the MM forums everyone swears by 8GB as all anyone will need..

When compared to many of the original intel minis the 8gb in these are more than enough for casual use and the occasional heavy workload. I am not taking into account future proofing. If I end up getting one of these, getting the lowest model is better because I can upgrade all my apps and peripherals to the new architecture in anticipation of replacing it with a Macbook pro or iMac as my workhorse down the line and relegate the mini for server and media center duties. As a secondary mac 8 gigs is enough. If the mini will be all you have for the next 4 years then the real cost needs to be $1,200 for the upgrades you need in that case.

 

[Lemon Olive]

.... none of you are the target market.

Apple sells plenty 8GB Minis (maybe not as many as they thought but still) and normal people will just buy them and replace them a few years down the line when they start feeling slow.

Just look at used Macs on eBay, many many are base configs and even those that could have been upgraded by the user never were.

People buy them because $. That doesn't mean they work well, even for them.

 

[azentropy]

They are on sale because most people who want an M1 Mac mini for performance / future proofing are custom ordering them with 16Gb of RAM because you can’t upgrade the RAM with them being SoC. The 8GB models aren’t as desirable because of that shortcoming. And, if you are using the Mini only as a server, then the Intel models are more than sufficient at a much reduced price tag. So, 8GB M1 Mini kinda sits between those 2 markets.

Yeah, it is been frustrating... The 16GB versions are not in supply everywhere and all the deals are for the 8GB versions. I like to get my Macs at Costco when I can because of them doubling the warranty and then my CC doubling that. You can't even special order the 16GB versions there.

 

[Lemon Olive]

SwiftUIs realtime renderer consumes a lot of memory and will definitely slow down in 8GB.

This a bit of a misnomer because the Mac will consume all the memory you can throw at it. I've done the same work on machines with 8, 16, or 32 GB of RAM, and the Mac always eats up whatever is there. It's supposed to. You're not supposed to buy 32 GB to have half of it sit there unused.

So again, what observable performance difference in there with SwiftUI if you have only 8 GB of RAM?

 

[adamw]

Good Deal. But I recommend getting 16GB RAM M1 Mac Mini, even if you have to wait longer for the 16GB RAM model.

 

[Bug-Creator]

And they are on eBay because people are getting rid of them because they no longer sufficient.

I wasn't talking bout current Macs, but still yes these people are treating their computers just like most treat their smartphone. Read, just get a new one every 1-3 years.

People buy them because $. That doesn't mean they work well, even for them.

Lots and lots of Windows laptops at 8GB (some even less) rPI tops out at 4GB all of them fully capable of doing everyday tasks like browsing the web, light office or sorting personal pictures.

Would I buy anything <16GB ? Nope. Would I pay extra to got to 32GB? Nope, "future proofing" is a stupid idea.

 

[sahni130]

The base models are perfectly fine for many people who just want a solid computer for web browsing, paying bills, and so on. I got one for my mother and she loves it (she's 62). Even when I use it for Word, PPT, and some decent Excel models, Zoom, and entertainment-I found it to handle that just fine.

Sure, it'd be nice to have 16GB or 32GB, but for the target audience, its just fine. The SSD is so quick that even if the RAM is writing to it (I don't think it has been but I could be wrong), it's quick enough to not be noticeable at all. I'd say, in my humble opinion, that unless you're doing any sort of editing or "pro" work, 8GB is fine. She's likely going to just toss it (or recycle) in 3 or 4 years anyway and by the time the RAM becomes inadequate for her, processors and other advances will be worth spending $700 or so again anyway.

The size is great and its got just enough ports for her use. Connected it to a nice 24-inch HP monitor, apple keyboard, and Logitech MX mouse, set up Family Sharing with iCloud 2TB, and mounted it underneath her bedroom desk and she's rocking and rolling. Will add a webcam and microphone as she's trying to record YouTube vids (eye roll....) but anyway. I expect I'll lose mental capacity trying to teach her all that before the Mini quits. lol.

 

[Lemon Olive]

Exactly. The regular MR posters are not typical of the whole, in my opinion.

While that may be true, is it appropriate for an entry level 8 GB / 256 GB mini to run for $699 and then a 16 GB / 1 TB mini goes for $1299. Is the value of 8 GB of RAM and 768 GB of storage really $600? Why aren't we getting a second M1 at those prices?

 

[Lemon Olive]

The base models are perfectly fine for many people who just want a solid computer for web browsing, paying bills, and so on. I got one for my mother and she loves it (she's 62). Even when I use it for Word, PPT, and some decent Excel models, Zoom, and entertainment-I found it to handle that just fine.
Sure, it'd be nice to have 16GB or 32GB, but for the target audience, its just fine.

The problem is this phrase, target audience, is a little out of whack right now. This machine you reference has double the CPU performance of the $4000 work iMac I bought just 2 years ago. Everyone is eyeballing these machines, so target audience is kind of out the window until more M-series Macs roll out.

 

[JosephAW]

Be interesting to see if Intel mimics Apple and starts offering 16gb ram built right into the i9 chipset. Probably be competitively as fast as the M1.
Waiting for second gen M.

 

[sahni130]

The problem is this phrase, target audience, is a little out of whack right now. This machine you reference has double the CPU performance of the $4000 work iMac I bought just 2 years ago. Everyone is eyeballing these machines, so target audience is kind of out the window until more M-series Macs roll out.

Fair enough, I do agree there. CPU performance ain't bad for the price (or arguably, at all)!

 

[AppleTO]

I'm really tired of Apple disguising the Mac as affordable by creating entry level models that are not adequate for anyone, and then charging obscene amounts of money for upgrades (which only they can provide).

Yeah, the Mac mini is $699. Except it's not. When I want 16 GB of RAM and 1 TB of internal storage (which is not "a lot" by any standard today), now it's $1299, the real price of this machine.

This is very different than what they do with iOS devices. The base model iOS devices are more than good enough for the majority of the market, and higher tiers are usually only $100 increments.

You’re joking right? The vast majority of consumers use macOS for word processing, email, web browsing, and lightweight media playback/streaming, and teleconferencing. The base models can handle these tasks without issue (and much more).

 

[Bug-Creator]

This machine you reference has double the CPU performance of the $4000 work iMac I bought just 2 years ago. Everyone is eyeballing these machines, so target audience is kind of out the window until more M-series Macs roll out.

Nope, "target audience" for the base config is still the same as it was with every base config Mac Mini back to the G4.

You are the "target audience" for the BTO (acronym is obviously false on these) options.

 

[Apple_Robert]

While that may be true, is it appropriate for an entry level 8 GB / 256 GB mini to run for $699 and then a 16 GB / 1 TB mini goes for $1299. Is the value of 8 GB of RAM and 768 GB of storage really $600? Why aren't we getting a second M1 at those prices?

You raise a valid point. We are talking about Apple and they keep their margins. People still have a choice to pay the Apple tax or not. Given the great support, build quality, OS ability and integration across all four platforms, I pay the tax for models I want. Should those important aspects start to fail in a consistent manner for me, I will look elsewhere.