Going Back-to-Mac!?

[UnluckyXIII]

Hey,

Hoping to get some advice, it's been quite a while since I was last on Mac (OS X Lion), but I'm looking to downsize my 2019 Windows tower system to something smaller, more modern that's still suited to my needs, but most importantly is quiet, as when my Windows machine boots up it's like a jet engine starting! As far as usage goes, it will primarily be for music production work (Luna / Ableton), with the usual email, basic office tasks, Spotify, YouTube, light gaming and browsing the web.

I'm caught in a bit of a dilemma, looking at the current offerings, I seem to have multiple options that sit around my £1400 budget:-

1) MacBook Pro (M5, 2025) 14 inch with 10-core CPU and 10-core GPU, 16GB Unified Memory, 1TB SSD - £1439

2) MacBook Air (M5, 2026) 13 inch with 10-core CPU and 10-core GPU, 24GB Unified Memory, 1TB SSD - Midnight - £1349

3) MacBook Neo (A18 Pro, 2026) 13-inch with 6-core CPU and 5-core GPU, 8GB Unified, 512GB SSD, Touch ID - Silver £699 (and add a new M5 Mac Mini when they release in the Summer / Fall - I've assumed they will increase in price by £50-100 so probably £699) - £1398

I currently have a home studio desk setup, with multiple monitors, webcam, microphone, audio interface, keyboard, mouse etc, etc, which can be used for a laptop or a more permanent computer that remains in situ (I currently use my space with a Thinkpad laptop on a dock and a main PC sharing the peripherals and monitors via a KVM Switch).

What do people think would make the most sense for my current usage / setup?

TIA

 

[FreakinEurekan]

I’d start with “multiple” monitors… how many, what resolutions? Various Macs have different external display support, so you’ll want to start with that.

Likely rules out the Neo, for instance, but possibly the Air as well.

 

[UnluckyXIII]

I’d start with “multiple” monitors… how many, what resolutions? Various Macs have different external display support, so you’ll want to start with that.

Likely rules out the Neo, for instance, but possibly the Air as well.

I have two monitors, one is 3440x1440 and the other 1920x1080, does having a docking station overcome any limitation here (I have a new UGREEN Maxidok Thunderbolt 5 17-in-1 Docking Station)?

This one:- https://www.amazon.co.uk/UGREEN-Maxidok-Thunderbolt-Transfer-Charging-Grey/dp/B0FRM8Q873/

 

[Fishrrman]

Depending on what you DO with the music production, it might rule out Macs such as the MacBook Air or Neo. Scratch them right off your list.

How many tracks do you usually run?
How many plugins?
Real audio tracks, or computer-generated?

I'm thinking, MacBook Pro.
Especially if you can afford the extra buy-in cost.
You will NEVER regret having spent the money.

But having said that...
Do you really need the portability?
Because... if you don't... the Mini or Mac Studio might be a better buy.

I'd suggest at least 24gb of RAM.
32gb would be better.
At least a 512gb SSD.
1tb would be better.

My m4 Mini is 32gb/1tb and quiet as a mouse.
It never even gets warm, just checked.

I'm going to predict that with a Mini or Studio, you can just unplug the current Windows desktop, put the Mac in its place, get one monitor and keyboard and mouse plugged in, and be up-and-running in 15 minutes.

Then get the interface plugged in, and checked out (what do you have, and is it USB?).

Then add second monitor, etc., etc.

The base model Mac Studio might hit the spot here.
I would suggest Apple-refurbished, but it looks like the online store is out of Minis and Studios right now.
BE AWARE that an m5 version of the Studio will probably be introduced around the time of the WWDC in early June.
That would really get you set up...!

 

[UnluckyXIII]

Depending on what you DO with the music production, it might rule out Macs such as the MacBook Air or Neo. Scratch them right off your list.

How many tracks do you usually run?
How many plugins?
Real audio tracks, or computer-generated?

I'm thinking, MacBook Pro.
Especially if you can afford the extra buy-in cost.
You will NEVER regret having spent the money.

But having said that...
Do you really need the portability?
Because... if you don't... the Mini or Mac Studio might be a better buy.

I'd suggest at least 24gb of RAM.
32gb would be better.
At least a 512gb SSD.
1tb would be better.

My m4 Mini is 32gb/1tb and quiet as a mouse.
It never even gets warm, just checked.

I'm going to predict that with a Mini or Studio, you can just unplug the current Windows desktop, put the Mac in its place, get one monitor and keyboard and mouse plugged in, and be up-and-running in 15 minutes.

Then get the interface plugged in, and checked out (what do you have, and is it USB?).

Then add second monitor, etc., etc.

The base model Mac Studio might hit the spot here.
I would suggest Apple-refurbished, but it looks like the online store is out of Minis and Studios right now.
BE AWARE that an m5 version of the Studio will probably be introduced around the time of the WWDC in early June.
That would really get you set up...!

Hey, thank you for the reply.

Generally, I've found my sweet spot is between 25-50 tracks, with a minimum of EQ, Compressor, Reverb, Amps Sims etc etc although some stuff does go way over and uses a lot more! I tend to do a lot of real audio tracks (generally keys, guitar and bass parts), with drums and other instruments or effects being computer-generated.

My budget is £1400, so it would be the entry level Macbook Pro (MacBook Pro (M5, 2025) 14 inch with 10-core CPU and 10-core GPU, 16GB Unified Memory, 1TB SSD - £1439).

I don't need the portability so although a nice addition, its not a deal breaker to not have it.

I'm hoping so, as a straight swap of the two machines would be ideal, but even if it's not I'll get things setup-and-working 🙂

I've got a UA Volt 476P so it "should" just work...

I'm expecting the new Studio to start at £2199 in the M5 refresh so quite far out of my budget, but if we get an M5 Mini it would probably hit the sweet spot with the option to have RAM / SSD upgraded if that's the route I go, which could be paired with a Neo for when I travel and visit clients.

Cheers,

 

[Alameda]

Hey, thank you for the reply.

Generally, I've found my sweet spot is between 25-50 tracks, with a minimum of EQ, Compressor, Reverb, Amps Sims etc etc although some stuff does go way over and uses a lot more! I tend to do a lot of real audio tracks (generally keys, guitar and bass parts), with drums and other instruments or effects being computer-generated.

My budget is £1400, so it would be the entry level Macbook Pro (MacBook Pro (M5, 2025) 14 inch with 10-core CPU and 10-core GPU, 16GB Unified Memory, 1TB SSD - £1439).

I don't need the portability so although a nice addition, its not a deal breaker to not have it.

I'm hoping so, as a straight swap of the two machines would be ideal, but even if it's not I'll get things setup-and-working 🙂

I've got a UA Volt 476P so it "should" just work...

I'm expecting the new Studio to start at £2199 in the M5 refresh so quite far out of my budget, but if we get an M5 Mini it would probably hit the sweet spot with the option to have RAM / SSD upgraded if that's the route I go, which could be paired with a Neo for when I travel and visit clients.

Cheers,

The MacBook Pro and Mac Mini are very similar when comparing processor performance and so forth. They both have cooling fans which come on when the CPU is taxed. The MacBook Air has no fan and so it will be slower if you heavily tax the CPU. That said... I don't think music production will heavily tax your system.

I have used a MacBook Pro M1 for five years the same way you are -- though a Thunderbolt hub, with power/keyboard/mouse/monitor and Ethernet all through one cable. The only thing I attack directly to the laptop are my external SSD drives, which I attach, use, and disconnect. The performance is fastest this way and I get "device unexpectedly disconnected" messages when I attach storage through my hub, so I just don't bother.

So this gets us to the important point: Storage is easily upgraded via SSD drive, while memory is not upgradable. So I would recommend a minimum of 16GB and, if possible, 32GB because you have so many tracks. I think RAM is more important than CPU speed and storage in your case.

It takes no talent to use up all of your computer's memory and storage. Just keep opening enough browser tabs and different browsers and eventually you will fill it all up. Doing that doesn't make you a "power user." I'm sure you can imagine that if you can open 50 tracks, you can open 100, or 200 or 500 and no matter what you eventually bring the system down, right?

So I would say a Mac with M5 processor and 24 or 48 GB of memory, with 512GB of storage.
A MacBook Pro with M5 and 32GB storage comes default with 1TB of storage. In the US, it costs $2,100.
Cut memory to 24GB and it costs $1,900.
Alternative?
Mac mini with a similar configuration. They don't list M5 versions yet, so it's M4, and you can save more money by reducing the storage to as little as 256 GB.
Mac mini with M4, 32 GB and 256 GB: $1,000 USD
Mac mini with M4, 32GB and 1 TB: $1,400 USD

You get the idea. Any of these computers will work fine. The computer won't run out of memory, it will simply page memory to SSD and your performance will slow, but the system will work and you will be able to get your work done.

There is one other thing which you may care about: The M4 and M5 chips also come as M4 Pro and M5 Pro. And while the performance gains may not matter much, those two chips add Thunderbolt 5, which gives you 80gbps storage, once drive prices drop a bit. In my case, I figure I'll buy a TB 5 drive in a year or two, when there's a good sale. I'm fine with my 40gbps Thunderbolt 3/4 drives in the meanwhile.

I hope this does not confuse you. If it does, then here is the answer: Buy a MacBook Pro with M5, 32GB RAM and 1 TB of storage. Bigger hit on the wallet but you will have portability, you won't need to buy external storage any time soon, and you will have the most enjoyment knowing you won't run out of memory for many years.

 

[Fishrrman]

How many external displays do you want to have running?
If 2 or more, then again, I think the Mini would serve you better than a laptop.
Because you'll need one of the USB ports for the interface.

An m4 Mini with 32gb of RAM and 1tb of SSD shouldn't run too much more than an m5 MBP. Especially if they have any at the Apple online refurbished store.

 

[KPOM]

Given that you are coming from a 2019 PC, either the Air or the Pro should be an improvement. The Neo would be constrained by the 8GB RAM. The M5 Pro doesn’t get very loud, but the Air is fanless. Given that they have otherwise identical processors, I think the additional RAM in the Air would be of more use than the fan in the Pro, though the Pro’s display is nicer and the speakers are better, if those matter to you.

 

[UnluckyXIII]

The MacBook Pro and Mac Mini are very similar when comparing processor performance and so forth. They both have cooling fans which come on when the CPU is taxed. The MacBook Air has no fan and so it will be slower if you heavily tax the CPU. That said... I don't think music production will heavily tax your system.

I have used a MacBook Pro M1 for five years the same way you are -- though a Thunderbolt hub, with power/keyboard/mouse/monitor and Ethernet all through one cable. The only thing I attack directly to the laptop are my external SSD drives, which I attach, use, and disconnect. The performance is fastest this way and I get "device unexpectedly disconnected" messages when I attach storage through my hub, so I just don't bother.

So this gets us to the important point: Storage is easily upgraded via SSD drive, while memory is not upgradable. So I would recommend a minimum of 16GB and, if possible, 32GB because you have so many tracks. I think RAM is more important than CPU speed and storage in your case.

It takes no talent to use up all of your computer's memory and storage. Just keep opening enough browser tabs and different browsers and eventually you will fill it all up. Doing that doesn't make you a "power user." I'm sure you can imagine that if you can open 50 tracks, you can open 100, or 200 or 500 and no matter what you eventually bring the system down, right?

So I would say a Mac with M5 processor and 24 or 48 GB of memory, with 512GB of storage.
A MacBook Pro with M5 and 32GB storage comes default with 1TB of storage. In the US, it costs $2,100.
Cut memory to 24GB and it costs $1,900.
Alternative?
Mac mini with a similar configuration. They don't list M5 versions yet, so it's M4, and you can save more money by reducing the storage to as little as 256 GB.
Mac mini with M4, 32 GB and 256 GB: $1,000 USD
Mac mini with M4, 32GB and 1 TB: $1,400 USD

You get the idea. Any of these computers will work fine. The computer won't run out of memory, it will simply page memory to SSD and your performance will slow, but the system will work and you will be able to get your work done.

There is one other thing which you may care about: The M4 and M5 chips also come as M4 Pro and M5 Pro. And while the performance gains may not matter much, those two chips add Thunderbolt 5, which gives you 80gbps storage, once drive prices drop a bit. In my case, I figure I'll buy a TB 5 drive in a year or two, when there's a good sale. I'm fine with my 40gbps Thunderbolt 3/4 drives in the meanwhile.

I hope this does not confuse you. If it does, then here is the answer: Buy a MacBook Pro with M5, 32GB RAM and 1 TB of storage. Bigger hit on the wallet but you will have portability, you won't need to buy external storage any time soon, and you will have the most enjoyment knowing you won't run out of memory for many years.

Cheers for taking the time to write such a comprehensive reply.

Unfortunately the MacBook Pro (M5, 2026) 14 inch with 10-core CPU and 10-core GPU, 32GB Unified Memory, 1TB SSD - is way over budget, I've got around £1400 to spend and it sits at £2100 🙁

I might find I get better value waiting for the M5 Mini's to drop either in the Summer / Fall and seeing what they are asking for both the standard M5 and the M5 Pro versions. In the interim grab a Neo so I have something to use and can dip-my-toe back into Mac OS X (I will still need the Neo after getting the Mini M5 as it will be my admin machine for scheduling, emails and when I visit clients).

 

[UnluckyXIII]

How many external displays do you want to have running?
If 2 or more, then again, I think the Mini would serve you better than a laptop.
Because you'll need one of the USB ports for the interface.

An m4 Mini with 32gb of RAM and 1tb of SSD shouldn't run too much more than an m5 MBP. Especially if they have any at the Apple online refurbished store.

I have two monitors, one is 3440x1440 and the other 1920x1080, I also have a new UGREEN Maxidok Thunderbolt 5 17-in-1 Docking Station which will be used either way I go with the setup.

It would put it at around £1400, so in budget and at a similar price to the M4 Pro Mac Mini suggested by others (although a bump in some areas - the M4 Pro only has 24GB RAM / 512 SSD).

 

[UnluckyXIII]

Given that you are coming from a 2019 PC, either the Air or the Pro should be an improvement. The Neo would be constrained by the 8GB RAM. The M5 Pro doesn’t get very loud, but the Air is fanless. Given that they have otherwise identical processors, I think the additional RAM in the Air would be of more use than the fan in the Pro, though the Pro’s display is nicer and the speakers are better, if those matter to you.

I'm not expecting a huge uplift in performance tbh, it might be more of a much-of-a-muchness (current PC is a Ryzen 9 3900X // 64GB RAM // RTX 4070 Ti Super 16GB).

I wouldn't be buying the Neo as a standalone though, it would be my admin machine with a M5 Mac Mini as the production machine back in the Studio / Office (this is my current setup with a ThinkPad for scheduling, email and general admin and the main PC for my production and more serious work).

Screen and speakers don't make any tangible difference as whatever I go for, will, for the most part be docked and connected to my home studio setup via a UGREEN Maxidok Thunderbolt 5 17-in-1 Docking Station. The portable element is purely for admin work when travelling away from the studio and when client facing before they come to the studio (I don't produce on-the-go as I lose everything that's good about producing in a studio setup).

 

[Alameda]

Cheers for taking the time to write such a comprehensive reply.

Unfortunately the MacBook Pro (M5, 2026) 14 inch with 10-core CPU and 10-core GPU, 32GB Unified Memory, 1TB SSD - is way over budget, I've got around £1400 to spend and it sits at £2100 🙁

I might find I get better value waiting for the M5 Mini's to drop either in the Summer / Fall and seeing what they are asking for both the standard M5 and the M5 Pro versions. In the interim grab a Neo so I have something to use and can dip-my-toe back into Mac OS X (I will still need the Neo after getting the Mini M5 as it will be my admin machine for scheduling, emails and when I visit clients).

Don’t worry about M4 versus M5. They’re both easily fast enough to meet your needs.

A used MacBook Air or MacBook Pro will out-perform the Neo, but Neo will be definitely fine for lightweight use.

 

[benwiggy]

More RAM is essential if you're using large sample libraries in your audio work.

 

[bapegg]

I am going to recommend the Mac mini if you do not need the portability. As others have mentioned, it won't matter much if you go with the M4 mini or wait for the M5 mini.

You can get a M4 Mac mini with 24 GB of RAM and 512 GB of storage for $1000 direct from Apple. I am running the M4 mini with 24 GB RAM and 512 Gb of storage with three monitors.

You already have external drives so you can easily get by with 512 GB of storage. Transfer speeds are going to be limited if you are using external SATA drives. You will see a nice increase in transfer speeds going from USB 3 to Thunderbolt 4 when using NMVE drives.

While I like my Neo, I can't recommend it for your use case. Though it does make a nice companion to M4 Mac mini.

 

[Fishrrman]

Pay attention to what benwiggy recommends in reply 13 above...

Again... for audio production... with lots of tracks and plugins... 32gb is probably what you need.

 

[UnluckyXIII]

Don’t worry about M4 versus M5. They’re both easily fast enough to meet your needs.

A used MacBook Air or MacBook Pro will out-perform the Neo, but Neo will be definitely fine for lightweight use.

So you think it makes more sense to just buy the current gen M4 Mac Mini?

I won't go used, had too many issues with second-hand gear over the years that its not worth the risk / time involvement in it.

 

[UnluckyXIII]

More RAM is essential if you're using large sample libraries in your audio work.

Pay attention to what benwiggy recommends in reply 13 above...

Again... for audio production... with lots of tracks and plugins... 32gb is probably what you need.

I'll be aiming for the best RAM option I can within my budget, it seems that a Mac Mini with the Pro chip is going to be the "optimal" route for my requirements, so its more a question of buy now and get the stock M4 Pro Mini or wait for the M5 drop expected either in the Summer / Fall this year...

 

[UnluckyXIII]

I am going to recommend the Mac mini if you do not need the portability. As others have mentioned, it won't matter much if you go with the M4 mini or wait for the M5 mini.

You can get a M4 Mac mini with 24 GB of RAM and 512 GB of storage for $1000 direct from Apple. I am running the M4 mini with 24 GB RAM and 512 Gb of storage with three monitors.

You already have external drives so you can easily get by with 512 GB of storage. Transfer speeds are going to be limited if you are using external SATA drives. You will see a nice increase in transfer speeds going from USB 3 to Thunderbolt 4 when using NMVE drives.

While I like my Neo, I can't recommend it for your use case. Though it does make a nice companion to M4 Mac mini.

it seems that a Mac Mini with the Pro chip is going to be the "optimal" route for my requirements, so it's more a question of buy now and get the stock M4 Pro Mini or wait for the M5 drop expected either in the Summer / Fall this year...

I wouldn't be buying the Neo as a standalone though, it would be my admin machine to take to clients homes or when I'm travelling between appointments with a M4/M5 Mac Mini as the production machine back in the Studio / Office (this is my current setup with a ThinkPad for scheduling, email and general admin and the main PC for my production and more serious work). I don't "produce" on the go as then I lose all the benefits of having a dedicated studio space.

 

[maflynn]

t seems that a Mac Mini with the Pro chip is going to be the "optimal" route for my requirements, so it's more a question of buy now and get the stock M4 Pro Mini or wait for the M5 drop expected either in the Summer / Fall this year...

If you can wait, I would wait.

We're at that time of year where many of Apple's products are getting refreshed and if the need is not immediate you may find the M5 to be a better option

 

[bapegg]

it seems that a Mac Mini with the Pro chip is going to be the "optimal" route for my requirements, so it's more a question of buy now and get the stock M4 Pro Mini or wait for the M5 drop expected either in the Summer / Fall this year...

I wouldn't be buying the Neo as a standalone though, it would be my admin machine to take to clients homes or when I'm travelling between appointments with a M4/M5 Mac Mini as the production machine back in the Studio / Office (this is my current setup with a ThinkPad for scheduling, email and general admin and the main PC for my production and more serious work). I don't "produce" on the go as then I lose all the benefits of having a dedicated studio space.

I have to agree with others that say to wait for the M5 if you can. And if you need something right away then the M4 Mac mini Pro will suit your needs.

From what you said, the Neo will make a nice companion when you decide to replace your ThinkPad.

I use my iPad and Neo for light portable work and my M4 Mac mini for daily use and when I need the extra performance. The M3 iPad Air is nice and fits my portable needs most of the time. The Neo has replaced a Dell laptop and also gives me the ability to use MacOS software that just won't run on an iPad.

 

[boswald]

I agree with other posters: If you can wait, wait. The next iteration of Macs are right around the corner so you could score a really good deal on an M4 if the M5 is too expensive.

 

[Lounge vibes 05]

One vote for the MacBook Pro. I have the identical model, except the M4, and it works flawlessly.

 

[Unami]

I don‘t do 25-50 tracks, but I was surprised how much my m4 air with 32g of RAM can handle. I was a little anxious at the beginning, but even for video editing it fully replaced the 2020 10 core i9, 64gb RAM, 5700XT hackintosh I had before. Sure, a pro chip with a fan would be even faster (but afaik a DAW wouldn‘t profit much from the faster GPU), and more ports are always welcome. OTOH, the air is always silent, cheaper than the pro, can drive your 2 monitors, can be carried around more easily than the mini (I just place it next to my e-drums and plug the midi in) and you‘ll probably need an USB-hub anyway. So I wouldn‘t write it off because of lack of power.

Then again, if all of this doesn‘t matter, wait for the M5 mini, it‘s the cheapest, most bang-for-the-buck machine, and even with the regular chip it‘s probably more than fast enough.

 

[Alameda]

So you think it makes more sense to just buy the current gen M4 Mac Mini?

I won't go used, had too many issues with second-hand gear over the years that its not worth the risk / time involvement in it.

Yes.
I think you’ll drive yourself nuts deferring a purchase because there’s always a “new best thing” right around the corner.

“Should I wait for the M5? Wait, the M6 is just around the corner. Oh, if I wait a bit more the M6 Pro is coming out.” Crazy.

OTOH, if you’re willing to purchase a Neo plus a Mac Mini, look again at MacBook Pro, which gives you the best of both

 

[Lounge vibes 05]

Yes.
I think you’ll drive yourself nuts deferring a purchase because there’s always a “new best thing” right around the corner.

“Should I wait for the M5? Wait, the M6 is just around the corner. Oh, if I wait a bit more the M6 Pro is coming out.” Crazy.

OTOH, if you’re willing to purchase a Neo plus a Mac Mini, look again at MacBook Pro, which gives you the best of both

I completely agree with this.
Plus there’s the fact that we really don’t know if they’re ever actually will be an M5 Mac Mini.
It makes sense that there would be one, but also there have been several opportunities for Apple to introduce it by now and they have not.
There was never an M3 Mac Mini, and both the M2 and M4 Mini’s were introduced alongside new MacBook pros. The M5 series of MacBook Pro’s have all been fully introduced and released, and there is no Mac mini, and no signs of one coming anytime soon, no big Gurman report about them being introduced soon, no huge shortages or delays, nothing.
As far as we know, it’s very possible that the Mac mini completely skips the entire M5 generation and goes right to M6, in which case it might not be introduced until the very end of this year or early next year.
Just my personal belief, but if you need a new computer today, buy one today.
Also given that all three options that OP listed our laptops, it very much sounds like he wants a laptop of some sort. It honestly sounds like the MacBook Pro is what they are looking for.