Going Back-to-Mac!?

[Ben J.]

Lots of good advice above. My main apps are Lightroom, as I 've been a photographer on-and-off, and Pro Tools, as I've been both a home-studio user and small studio owner. Both passions of mine for most of my life.

Lightroom requires both a lot of ram and a good cpu for a good performance, ie browsing big libraries. With DAWs, it depends on what you do with it; lots of VIs and sample libraries - more ram, and pure mixing performance relies on cpu speed and number of cores.

It's been mac minis for me since the M1. Fantastic jump in performance from Intel to ARM. Last time I upgraded I went from a M2 Pro (32GB) to a M4 (24GB). I felt the M4 was so-so, and I returned it for a M4 Pro. Great increase in performance, same clock freq as M4 but more cores, and also that much more expensive. After more than a year, I still feel that this machine can handle anything I throw at it. I'm never close to pushing the 24GB ram.

I've had 256GB internal M minis relying on cheaper external storage for the bulk, and it can work, but it's a pain keeping that internal from filling up. Using it for system and apps, basically, you have to constantly move folders onto externals and replace them with aliases/symlinks. I now have a 512GB internal, and I have no problem keeping it at ~50% free space.

I think you can go for a M4 mini with 24GB ram, 512GB internal drive, and have money left over on your budget. Perhaps if you don't already have really high speed NVMe SSD in a Thunderbolt enclosure (40Gbit/s, up to 3000MB/s read/write speed), that would be a nice addition.

(Added: Although minis aren't proper portables, they are really easy to take with you on holidays and such; just drop it in your bag together with a mouse, keyboard, power- and HDMI-cable, and plug it into the TV in your hotel room.)

 

[MacCheetah3]

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...

Waiting is probably your best bet, though not necessarily for the M5 Mac mini. It might be ideal to regularly check for appropriate configs of (Apple direct) refurbished M4 Pro Mac mini.

Circling back to the specific configuration. I see you were shooting for 1TB of storage, which seems reasonable based on research. Nonetheless, there’s an apparent caveat with your current options, including:

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

The base M- chip would probably suffice, however, there are claims it’s not optimal, specifically:

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.

The base M4 chip is sufficient for most music production tasks with popular DAWs like Studio One, Pro Tools, and Cubase, handling heavy VST usage and large sessions without lag.
However, performance varies significantly by DAW, as some like Logic Pro and Ableton Live primarily utilize performance cores, making the base M4 (with only 4 performance cores) less efficient than the M1 Pro or M3 Pro for those specific applications.

• Recommended Configurations: Users consistently advise upgrading to 24GB or 32GB of RAM for the Mac mini to avoid bottlenecks with sample libraries, as the base 16GB is considered limiting.
• DAW-Specific Performance: Benchmarks indicate the base M4 can outperform older M1 Max chips in DAWs that fully utilize efficiency cores, but may lag behind Pro/Max chips in Logic or Ableton due to lower performance core counts.
• Alternatives: For users requiring extensive orchestral templates or heavy multi-track processing, the Mac Studio with M4 Max or a used MacBook Pro M1/M3 Pro is often recommended over the base M4 Mini.

Device	Best For	Limitations
Mac mini M4 (Base)	Beginners, producers using Studio One/Pro Tools, small-to-medium projects	4 performance cores limit Logic/Ableton; 16GB RAM is insufficient for large libraries.

Seemingly verified by at least one person:

https://gearspace.com/board/showpost.php?p=17377960

The ‘base’ M5 is still primarily weighted towards efficiency, that is, four "super cores" and six efficiency cores. In contrast, the M5 Pro and M5 Max chips drop “efficiency” cores all together. Furthermore, your workflow will likely not benefit from the other touted M5 uplift, ML performance increase via GPU Neural Accelerators.

Two other tidbits worth considering, pondering...

Plus there’s the fact that we really don’t know if they’re ever actually will be an M5 Mac Mini.

In speculation...

The ‘base’ M4 Pro Mac mini config (24GB RAM, 512GB SSD), as you know, is £1399, on the border of your set budget.

Apple might up the entry/starting price — though technically an improved value. For example:

Mac mini (2026):

• 15-core CPU with 5 super cores and 10 performance cores
• 16-core GPU
• 24GB unified memory
• 1TB SSD storage
• Gigabit Ethernet

£1,499.00

Apple Removes 512GB Storage Option From M5 MacBook Pro, Drops SSD Upgrade Prices

With the debut of the M5 Pro and M5 Max MacBook Pro models, Apple tweaked the available configurations for the standard M5 MacBook Pro. The 14-inch M5 MacBook Pro used to start with 512GB of storage, but Apple has removed that option. All MacBook Pro models, including the entry-level M5 version...

www.macrumors.com

In other words, it presumably would provide that extra storage but push the cost over budget.

 

[Lounge vibes 05]

Waiting is probably your best bet, though not necessarily for the M5 Mac mini. It might be ideal to regularly check for appropriate configs of (Apple direct) refurbished M4 Pro Mac mini.

Circling back to the specific configuration. I see you were shooting for 1TB of storage, which seems reasonable based on research. Nonetheless, there’s an apparent caveat with your current options, including:

The base M- chip would probably suffice, however, there are claims it’s not optimal, specifically:


Seemingly verified by at least one person:

https://gearspace.com/board/showpost.php?p=17377960

The ‘base’ M5 is still primarily weighted towards efficiency, that is, four "super cores" and six efficiency cores. In contrast, the M5 Pro and M5 Max chips drop “efficiency” cores all together. Furthermore, your workflow will likely not benefit from the other touted M5 uplift, ML performance increase via GPU Neural Accelerators.

Two other tidbits worth considering, pondering...


In speculation...

The ‘base’ M4 Pro Mac mini config (24GB RAM, 512GB SSD), as you know, is £1399, on the border of your set budget.

Apple might up the entry/starting price — though technically an improved value. For example:

Mac mini (2026):

• 15-core CPU with 5 super cores and 10 performance cores
• 16-core GPU
• 24GB unified memory
• 1TB SSD storage
• Gigabit Ethernet

£1,499.00

Apple Removes 512GB Storage Option From M5 MacBook Pro, Drops SSD Upgrade Prices

With the debut of the M5 Pro and M5 Max MacBook Pro models, Apple tweaked the available configurations for the standard M5 MacBook Pro. The 14-inch M5 MacBook Pro used to start with 512GB of storage, but Apple has removed that option. All MacBook Pro models, including the entry-level M5 version...

www.macrumors.com

In other words, it presumably would provide that extra storage but push the cost over budget.

Keep in mind that the original poster does not appear to be based in the US, so most of the prices you quote are not accurate.
Additionally, once someone isn’t in the US, used and refurbished options change dramatically. Apple refurbished is not available in several other countries.

 

[MacCheetah3]

Keep in mind that the original poster does not appear to be based in the US, so most of the prices you quote are not accurate.
Additionally, once someone isn’t in the US, used and refurbished options change dramatically. Apple refurbished is not available in several other countries.

I appreciate the reminder. The prices, except for the speculative, are from Apple (UK). Even the Apple refurbished link is to the UK online store, which, at the time of posting, has a base 2024 Mac mini available, unlike the US, which has none.

Nonetheless, I forget and now double checked the comparative configurations and pricing for the MBP. And I should make an update, correction to my presumption:

In speculation...

The ‘base’ M4 Pro Mac mini config (24GB RAM, 512GB SSD) is £1399, on the border of the set budget.

Apple might up the entry/starting price — though technically an improved value. For example:

Mac mini (2026):

• 15-core CPU with 5 super cores and 10 performance cores
• 16-core GPU
• 24GB unified memory
• 1TB SSD storage
• Gigabit Ethernet

£1,499.00 £1,599.00

Apple Removes 512GB Storage Option From M5 MacBook Pro, Drops SSD Upgrade Prices

With the debut of the M5 Pro and M5 Max MacBook Pro models, Apple tweaked the available configurations for the standard M5 MacBook Pro. The 14-inch M5 MacBook Pro used to start with 512GB of storage, but Apple has removed that option. All MacBook Pro models, including the entry-level M5 version...

www.macrumors.com

In other words, it presumably would provide that extra storage but push the cost over budget.

From what I could find using the Internet Archive, that $100 ‘savings’ on the (forced) storage upgrade is only valid on the base MBP, without the M-Pro/Max chip. Otherwise, it appears (to me in comparison), the entry price of the Pro/Max configs went up $200/£200, the same as what you would have paid for the storage upgrade (512GB->1TB) previously. However, again, the presumed/possible M5 Mac mini config and pricing is just a guess.

 

[Bob M104]

Have you looked at the system requirements?

https://help.uaudio.com/hc/en-us/articles/360041532932-LUNA-System-Requirements

https://help.ableton.com/hc/en-us/articles/115001663530-Live-Minimum-System-Requirements

Option 2) MacBook Air (M5, 2026) 13 inch with 10-core CPU and 10-core GPU, 24GB Unified Memory, 1TB SSD - Midnight - £1349 Looks like it would work.

Good Luck.

 

[Ben J.]

Judging from the Geekbench cpu benchmark numbers on the M5 Powerbook, I don't expect a very big jump in performance from M4 to M5, Pro or not Pro. Notice the quite small increase in clock frequency. Of course a new chip design also comes into play.

Mac Benchmarks - Geekbench

browser.geekbench.com

If you're not in a hurry, I'd say a good reason to wait for the Mini M5 release would be to benefit from the inevitable falling prices on second hand M4 minis.

 

[Ben J.]

About fan noise. 99% of the time my mini is dead silent. You can, however, easily push the fan to full speed, where it's so loud you think it's going to take off any second. Apps and processes that utilizes all cores to the max does this. Things like multi file conversion/processing, graphics rendering, code compiling etc, that simply uses all available cpu cores to get the job done as quickly as possible. But for studio work it's absolutely silent.

 

[Ben J.]

I have a new UGREEN Maxidok Thunderbolt 5 17-in-1 Docking Station

Put a NVMe SSD chip in it, and save money by getting a 512 internal drive on the mac.

 

[jerryjohnson]

For music production, I’d prioritize RAM and sustained performance over portability.
The Air with 24GB is attractive, but no fan can throttle under heavy sessions.
The Pro gives you stability and quieter sustained loads, especially with Ableton.
Given your desk setup, a Mac mini + laptop combo could also be the most flexible long-term.

 

[UnluckyXIII]

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 know what you are saying, and to a point it's correct, there will always be something else in the future, the question is 'how far in the future', I'd be feeling like a right silly sausage paying £1400 this month for a M4 Mac Mini if they drop the new M5 one in June... I guess it's balance, hanging on for the M6 would be crazy...

 

[UnluckyXIII]

Waiting is probably your best bet, though not necessarily for the M5 Mac mini. It might be ideal to regularly check for appropriate configs of (Apple direct) refurbished M4 Pro Mac mini.

Circling back to the specific configuration. I see you were shooting for 1TB of storage, which seems reasonable based on research. Nonetheless, there’s an apparent caveat with your current options, including:

The base M- chip would probably suffice, however, there are claims it’s not optimal, specifically:


Seemingly verified by at least one person:

https://gearspace.com/board/showpost.php?p=17377960

The ‘base’ M5 is still primarily weighted towards efficiency, that is, four "super cores" and six efficiency cores. In contrast, the M5 Pro and M5 Max chips drop “efficiency” cores all together. Furthermore, your workflow will likely not benefit from the other touted M5 uplift, ML performance increase via GPU Neural Accelerators.

Two other tidbits worth considering, pondering...


In speculation...

The ‘base’ M4 Pro Mac mini config (24GB RAM, 512GB SSD), as you know, is £1399, on the border of your set budget.

Apple might up the entry/starting price — though technically an improved value. For example:

Mac mini (2026):

• 15-core CPU with 5 super cores and 10 performance cores
• 16-core GPU
• 24GB unified memory
• 1TB SSD storage
• Gigabit Ethernet

£1,499.00

Apple Removes 512GB Storage Option From M5 MacBook Pro, Drops SSD Upgrade Prices

With the debut of the M5 Pro and M5 Max MacBook Pro models, Apple tweaked the available configurations for the standard M5 MacBook Pro. The 14-inch M5 MacBook Pro used to start with 512GB of storage, but Apple has removed that option. All MacBook Pro models, including the entry-level M5 version...

www.macrumors.com

In other words, it presumably would provide that extra storage but push the cost over budget.

So I'm not actually hung-up on 1TB of storage, that just seems to be a common denominator across the devices at my budget (around £1400), I'm still planning on having external storage for projects, photos, time machine backups etc.