I need help choosing configuration for M2 or M2 Pro

[JBx_]

Hi everyone,
I'm quite new here but i'm reading everything i can found about the new M2/M2 Pro mac mini.
And i'm getting a headache about choosing the right configuration.

My daily use is :
- Watching content on internet like : Twitch, Youtube, Netflix....
- Discord with friends
- Email
- Excel and office work in général

And my goal is to keep my mac mini for at least 5 years.

I would like to plug it into a LG 27UL850 4K monitor (USB C), and another 1080p monitor (HDMI) (The only purpose of it is discord, music etc)

So I'm concerned about the M2 or M2 Pro
Both of them with 16GB and 512GB of storage !
(I read here that it can be a good idea to upgrade to 1TB, but the price starts to be really expensive haha)

I also plan to buy a usb hub to plug all the peripherals that i have, Keyboard and Mouse (With USB Dongle), Webcam, and a cable to charge the peripherals.
So the M2 can be a great idea but don't have as many ports as i need and i don't want to be locked by that.
That's why i'm getting curious about the M2 Pro, for ports, power through the years.

I hope i can find good answers

Thanks everyone !

 

[theluggage]

The M2 should be more than good enough for that sort of usage.
16GB RAM is probably sensible, as it can’t be extended later.
512GB of storage is plenty if you’re streaming your video and music - you’ll have a hard time filling it with spreadsheets and emails, and if you do you can easily add external USB or online storage.

Frankly, the 8GB/256GB setup would do the job - going for 16/512 is sensible future-proofing, but don’t break the bank.

Keyboard/mouse/webcam etc. will be fine off a regular, cheap USB 3 hub - get a powered one with extra charging ports if you like. if you run out of ports in the future you can add a Thunderbolt dock/hub.

By all means get the M2 Pro if you have the cash, but you probably don’t need it.

 

[jb-from-fl]

I would go 16GB 256GB, save the money and plug in an external SSD. I have 0 swaps on M1 with 16GB and I have a ton of productivity/browsers open.

 

[JBx_]

The M2 should be more than good enough for that sort of usage.
16GB RAM is probably sensible, as it can’t be extended later.
512GB of storage is plenty if you’re streaming your video and music - you’ll have a hard time filling it with spreadsheets and emails, and if you do you can easily add external USB or online storage.

Frankly, the 8GB/256GB setup would do the job - going for 16/512 is sensible future-proofing, but don’t break the bank.

Keyboard/mouse/webcam etc. will be fine off a regular, cheap USB 3 hub - get a powered one with extra charging ports if you like. if you run out of ports in the future you can add a Thunderbolt dock/hub.

By all means get the M2 Pro if you have the cash, but you probably don’t need it.

I would go 16GB 256GB, save the money and plug in an external SSD. I have 0 swaps on M1 with 16GB and I have a ton of productivity/browsers open.

Hi !
Thanks for the advices here.
I don't want to break the bank so it will be better to go on M2 Mac Mini.
It's not definitive but i'll choose between 8GB/16GB and 256GB/512GB.

I have another question but : The LG 27UL850 is an USB-C monitor and there are 2 USB 3.0 ports in the back of the monitor? What do you think if i plug a USC 3.0 Hub on it? Will it works correctly? Or do you recommand me to plug the Hub directly on the Mac Mini?

 

[Cham2000]

It's not definitive but i'll choose between 8GB/16GB and 256GB/512GB.

I highly recommend the mini M2 with 16GB ram and 512GB for the ssd. You won't regret it.
8GB ram and 256GB is not enough these days.

 

[JBx_]

I highly recommend the mini M2 with 16GB ram and 512GB for the ssd. You won't regret it.
8GB ram and 256GB is not enough these days.

Yes that was my point. I watched many youtube videos and they're all pretty clear on that.
8GB seems not to be enough if i have severals pages opened. And for the SSD, it seems to be slower for the 256GB because of the chips or whatever?

Thanks for the advice too!

 

[pdxplm]

I ended up going with the M2 Pro base configuration. I figure that should last me at least 5 years and I wanted the extra ports. I had originally spec'd out an M2 Pro with 32 and 1TB, but didn't want to spend that much.

 

[JBx_]

I ended up going with the M2 Pro base configuration. I figure that should last me at least 5 years and I wanted the extra ports. I had originally spec'd out an M2 Pro with 32 and 1TB, but didn't want to spend that much.

It's quite interesting because when i first saw the Mac Mini M2, i just jumped on the non Pro model, with 16GB and 512GB, and then found out that it only has 2 USB-C ports and, and the pro model was just 350€+ for so much power !
But i finally realised that it can be overkill for my usage to use an M2 Pro?

Thanks for the advice !

 

[pdxplm]

It's quite interesting because when i first saw the Mac Mini M2, i just jumped on the non Pro model, with 16GB and 512GB, and then found out that it only has 2 USB-C ports and, and the pro model was just 350€+ for so much power !
But i finally realised that it can be overkill for my usage to use an M2 Pro?

Thanks for the advice !

You bet, I want to get more into photography and figured the M2 Pro would last me. I had my Mac Pro 5,1 for almost 10 years.

 

[JBx_]

You bet, I want to get more into photography and figured the M2 Pro would last me. I had my Mac Pro 5,1 for almost 10 years.

I pretty understandable! Because those computers are beast for the price and for the format ! I also have a 2015 Retina MacBook Pro base config (8GB and 128GB), and it's still working quite well for basic tasks !
It's kinda hard to choose between everything, i would love to have extended budget and don't have to hesitate haha !

 

[pdxplm]

I pretty understandable! Because those computers are beast for the price and for the format ! I also have a 2015 Retina MacBook Pro base config (8GB and 128GB), and it's still working quite well for basic tasks !
It's kinda hard to choose between everything, i would love to have extended budget and don't have to hesitate haha !

I had a bunch of gift cards from work that piled up and I was able to pay with those my base model M2 Pro. I love the mini form factor and almost got the Studio. I figured, the mini was more reasonable and I got newer tech ;-)

 

[JBx_]

I had a bunch of gift cards from work that piled up and I was able to pay with those my base model M2 Pro. I love the mini form factor and almost got the Studio. I figured, the mini was more reasonable and I got newer tech ;-)

Of course it's helpful haha !
The Mini seems to be reasonable and the fact that i can just put it under a Desk Shelf is game changer here ! The Studio is too overkill i think if it's not used as professionnal computer !

 

[Cham2000]

In my case, I'm still hesitating between mini M2 24GB/512GB, and a mini M2 Pro 16GB/512GB. But the second option costs 230$CD more, and still have less ram than the first option. It has two more TB ports, but the Studio monitor adds four TB, so I don't think it's a strong argument for the second option. Also, the M2 Pro consumes more energy and produces more heat (which could alter the longevity of the device), and the bigger fan may be a bit louder. The only real advantage of the second solution is the GPU, which is interesting to me only for games (which I don't play a lot, but still!).

 

[Fishrrman]

Most important:
Get 16gb of RAM.

16gb is "the new 8"...

 

[JBx_]

In my case, I'm still hesitating between mini M2 24GB/512GB, and a mini M2 Pro 16GB/512GB. But the second option costs 230$CD more, and still have less ram than the first option. It has two more TB ports, but the Studio monitor adds four TB, so I don't think it's a strong argument for the second option. Also, the M2 Pro consumes more energy and produces more heat (which could alter the longevity of the device), and the bigger fan may be a bit louder. The only real advantage of the second solution is the GPU, which is interesting to me only for games (which I don't play a lot, but still!).

I saw different people on the internet telling that the gap between 16GB and 24GB is not worth the money. It seems that the power delivered isn't extraordinarly good.
Of course, ports aren't an issue with the Studio Display.... But the price of it is just... too much haha
I saw that M2 Pro produces more heat, can be a bit loud and it seems to have some issues with Ethernet port as well....
Yep M2 Pro can be good for gaming... but i don't think it's build for it so.... difficult question on that !

 

[JBx_]

Most important:
Get 16gb of RAM.

16gb is "the new 8"...

I agree with that ! I'll go for 16GB on my mini !
Of course i'll not go on 32GB, the price is too expensive for me and my usage !

Thanks for the answer

 

[TechnoMonk]

What’s your budget? I would get as much RAM and processor upgrades with in the budget, before upgrading Disk space. You can always use a fast external disk, but can’t add RAM or change CPU/GPU.

 

[JBx_]

What’s your budget? I would get as much RAM and processor upgrades with in the budget, before upgrading Disk space. You can always use a fast external disk, but can’t add RAM or change CPU/GPU.

I have like 1.5k € MAX !
M2 Mini with 16Gb and 512GB SSD is 1 159€
(From 16 to 24GB = +230€)
(From 512 to 1TB = +230€)
M2 Pro is 1 549€

 

[TechnoMonk]

I have like 1.5k € MAX !
M2 Mini with 16Gb and 512GB SSD is 1 159€
(From 16 to 24GB = +230€)
(From 512 to 1TB = +230€)
M2 Pro is 1 549€

Option 1 may be better idea for the use case. Save the extra money for USB hub, and other devices. I personally wouldnt pay for 1 TB upgrade, adding external storage later if needed is easier. Mini Pro does have twice the memory BW and beefier GPU, I dont think you will notice much of a difference for light work.

 

[JBx_]

Option 1 may be better idea for the use case. Save the extra money for USB hub, and other devices. I personally wouldnt pay for 1 TB upgrade, adding external storage later if needed is easier. Mini Pro does have twice the memory BW and beefier GPU, I dont think you will notice much of a difference for light work.

Alright, so you recommand me to go to the Mac Mini M2 16GB and 512 SSD?
1TB seems to be overkill and i can find an external SSD if needed for a fraction of the price, ever if it's not a fraction, for less money than the upgrade.
I'll consider that, thanks !

 

[TechnoMonk]

Alright, so you recommand me to go to the Mac Mini M2 16GB and 512 SSD?
1TB seems to be overkill and i can find an external SSD if needed for a fraction of the price, ever if it's not a fraction, for less money than the upgrade.
I'll consider that, thanks !

Yep. Make sure the USB hub you are planning to buy plays nice with Mac mini. Pro is nice to have though, ha ha.

 

[JBx_]

Yep. Make sure the USB hub you are planning to buy plays nice with Mac mini. Pro is nice to have though, ha ha.

Do you have any recommandations about a USB Hub? A saw the satechi one but i don't know if it's good or not?

 

[Cham2000]

Do you have any recommandations about a USB Hub? A saw the satechi one but i don't know if it's good or not?

I already asked that question here:

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/best-ports-hub-for-the-mini.2379768/

 

[JBx_]

I already asked that question here:

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/best-ports-hub-for-the-mini.2379768/

Ooooh alright ! I'll follow your post then. I'm curious about it ! Thanks !

 

[racoop]

My 2015 MacBook Air i7/8/256 still easily handles the software tasks you describe. Honestly for those applications about the same as my M1 MBP! A base or 16/256 M2 mini seems like the sweet spot for you so can spend coin on the extras. Have fun!