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As much as it pained me to get the 8gb, it has been working great for everything Ive thrown at it. Having many programs open at once doesn't seem to slow anything down, editing 4k video in Final Cut is a breeze, using Win 10 in Parallels with 4GB works smoothly. As of now, the only reason I could see myself needing the more than 8gb is if Im running multiple VMs.
 
ARM or not, 16GB is too low, 8GB is impractical. People saying they are fine with 8GB might not even need a computer in the first place. It's not the first time Apple hugely overprices BTOs and configurations that actually make sense, while offering negligible discounts to configurations nobody wants and in the few countries that already enjoy best Apple prices and highest average salaries. In my country, the official price for the 512GB/8GB M1 MacMini converts to 1385 USD and BTOs are not even available.
 
Looks like they're trying to clear out the 8GB model which is insufficient for just two apps, Apple TV+ and one browser tab. Highly suggest getting the 16GB model.
 
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.
These M1 Mac mini's are a step backwards. I wish Apple would stop with this not being able to upgrade the ram on these. 16GB isn't enough 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?
Your posts are conflating two separate issues here. One, are the base models adequate for many (most) home users? And the answer is yes, more than adequate. Two, are the upgrades overpriced? Again the answer is yes, very overpriced. So I’m glad they offer the existing $699 base model, but I absolutely think a 16 GB / 1 TB model should not be twice the price of that base model.
 
As much as it pained me to get the 8gb, it has been working great for everything Ive thrown at it. Having many programs open at once doesn't seem to slow anything down, editing 4k video in Final Cut is a breeze, using Win 10 in Parallels with 4GB works smoothly. As of now, the only reason I could see myself needing the more than 8gb is if Im running multiple VMs.
IMO what you described is fine, but short sighted. If you want this to last 5-10 years, 8 is not enough. If you want it to be without slow down for 3 years, 8 is enough.

My 2011 and 2012 Mac Minis are only useable right now because I was able to upgrade their ram.
 
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These M1 Mac mini's are a step backwards. I wish Apple would stop with this not being able to upgrade the ram on these. 16GB isn't enough in my opinion.
You better get on board, we are WAY past the user being able to upgrade, and windows laptops will soon be following now that they have seen how fast Apple's SOC is.
 
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Gates never said that.
According to him. And he denied saying the "forever" part. In any case, that was something that the Microsoft/Intel world was stuck with for a long time and any marketing propaganda or excuses about it did not just come from these two companies directly but also from the channel (shops and media that is, they were too few end users stupid enough to be PC "fans" back then).
 
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I have been following the Mac Mini thread at Apple Communities and there are a significant number of people that have real problems with connecting monitors and the latest 11.2 update killed a lot of users T4 ports. Those are just two examples of many on-going issues that M1 owners are facing. Granted there are also many with no complaints, particularly those with no external monitor or need for a dock that are having no issue but it's also clear that there are numerous issues for many people. I am looking to get an M1 MBPro when there are at least 4 ports with dual monitor support but I will wait a few months to verify that things have really calmed down on the monitor connection front.
 
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If you want this to last 5-10 years, 8 is not enough.

Sure, but in 5 years the difference between an used 8 and 16GB M1-Mini will be 10$ and if you also skip on an storage upgrade that "saved" money plus the retail value of the 8GB-M1 might be enough to buy a new base model Mini (wich will have at least 16GB more storage and a faster SoC)

Hence future-proofing is stupid.
 
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.
Yeah but you could buy the base model and upgrade the HDD and the RAM yourself and save a lot of money. With the first generation Intel version you could even swap the processor.
 
With the first generation Intel version you could even swap the processor.

And we are back full circle. Search for MacMini1.1on eBay and you'll find plenty still at 512MB and 60GB HDD and very few with an upgraded CPU making the point that for most people the base config will last them for years until they just replace them.
 
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I have been following the Mac Mini thread at Apple Communities and there are a significant number of people that have real problems with connecting monitors and the latest 11.2 update killed a lot of users T4 ports. Those are just two examples of many on-going issues that M1 owners are facing. Granted there are also many with no complaints, particularly those with no external monitor or need for a dock that are having no issue but it's also clear that there are numerous issues for many people. I am looking to get an M1 MBPro when there are at least 4 ports with dual monitor support but I will wait a few months to verify that things have really calmed down on the monitor connection front.
I had problems with Bluetooth intermittent drops in audio output.
Dual monitors has been a bit of a pain, sometimes one monitor scales down resolution after wake from sleep and you have to set it back in macOS.
 
And we are back full circle. Search for MacMini1.1on eBay and you'll find plenty still at 512MB and 60GB HDD and very few with an upgraded CPU making the point that for most people the base config will last them for years until they just replace them.
I know, I agree with your points.
 
Sure, but in 5 years the difference between an used 8 and 16GB M1-Mini will be 10$ and if you also skip on an storage upgrade that "saved" money plus the retail value of the 8GB-M1 might be enough to buy a new base model Mini (wich will have at least 16GB more storage and a faster SoC)

Hence future-proofing is stupid.
Wait you think you will be able to sell a 8GB-M1 for enough to buy a brand new base model mini in 5 years?

Not to mention, the difference between a 8GB 2015 MBP and a 16GB 2015 MBP is about 200 dollars right now.
 
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Soo.... is the $649 deal @ B&H with free shipping & no tax (I'm in Florida) better than using my AppleCard with the Apple Store and paying $699+tax with 3% back and the interest free monthly payments?
 
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Wait you think you will be able to sell a 8GB-M1 for enough to buy a brand new base model mini in 5 years?

Not to mention, the difference between a 8GB 2015 MBP and a 16GB 2015 MBP is about 200 dollars right now.

Reread my post and do the math.
"Save" 200$ now going 8GB (more if you use the deal in the topic), loose 10$ when selling it. Take what you got for the 8GB M1 add the 190$ and look for a deal like the above and buy a bas M5-Mini.

Compare to: Spending $$$$ on a BTO M1 keeping it 10 years, selling it after Apple dropped OS-support and then buy another BTO M9-Mini.
 
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