Interested in the M1 Mac Mini, but have some questions

[Cassandle]

Hi

I would like to get the M1 Mini to replace my raging MacBook Pro (early 2011 model). My use case is fairly basic: working from home (I connect to a Windows server via VMWare Horizon), office apps (Pages, Numbers, Keynote) and web browsing.

My main device away from work is an iPad Pro 12.9, so the Mac doesn't need to be portable. But I will use it to store media (music and photos).

I have a few questions that I'm hoping more experienced Mac users can help me with. I've not bought a Mac since 2011 and things were a lot different then!

1. What screen size and resolution works best on Mac OS? Or is this just personal preference? Any recommendations for one that would also hook up to a mid-range gaming PC?
2. I'm planning on only getting the 256GB Mini because an extra £200 for an extra 256GB is hard to stomach. And because the device isn't portable I'm less concerned with not having everything 'on device'. I've already got an SSD for time machine backups: presumably it's not a good idea to store media on here, so I'd need another SSD. The M1 Mini only has 2 USB ports, so I'm potentially using them both all the time and won't have any others to connect to. Is it a good idea to buy a dock? Or (silly question perhaps) can you connect to an SSD via Thunderbolt?
3. I'm assuming 8GB of RAM will be enough for my needs? I don't do photo or video editing, I don't do coding. I don't recall ever having RAM issues on my MBP which also has 8GB. Is there any justifiable reason to spend an extra £200 on the extra RAM?
4. Probably the biggest question: I know that you can't use Bootcamp to run Windows on AS Macs. I just log into a server remotely using VMWare Horizon Client for my day job. As I understand it this is not the same as booting Windows. Presumably this will still work on the M1?

 

[mlykke]

Let me see if I can help you a bit.

1. There isn't any best resolution - It's preference and budget. If you want the absolute best image quality, then you will need to get the LG Ultrafine 5K display. That will ruin most other screens for you.
2. A dock is an option. But besides the two USB-C/Thunderbolt ports you do have two USB-A ports as well, so depends on what you specifically want to attach. If you have the budget I would suggest upgrading the internal drive. Also keep in mind that the larger drive you get, the faster it performs. At least thats how it has been with every single Intel based Mac so far.
3. For the workloads you mention 8 GB is plenty fine. More ram never hurts, but if budget is an issue you should be safe to save on this option.
4. This will work fine, as long as the VMWare client can run. But most software should run with Rosetta 2 until native "ARM" versions have been made.

My suggestion for you would be an M1, 512 GB with 8 GB ram, combined with a nice 27" monitor with a minimum of 2560x1440 resolution.

 

[getrealbro]

My suggestion for you would be an M1, 512 GB with 8 GB ram, combined with a nice 27" monitor with a minimum of 2560x1440 resolution.

That's a good recommendation. BUT for the same money you can get an M1 Mini with 256GB SSD and 16GB RAM. You can always add an external SSD, which will continue to get cheaper. But you can never add RAM to an M1 Mini.

FWIW My main mac is a 2018 Mini w/ 256GB internal SSD and 32GB of RAM. I also have a 2014 Mini w/ 512GB SSD and 8GB of RAM. I would trade the extra 256GB of SSD in the 2014 Mini for another 8GB of RAM in a heart beat.

GetRealBro

 

[Cassandle]

Let me see if I can help you a bit.

1. There isn't any best resolution - It's preference and budget. If you want the absolute best image quality, then you will need to get the LG Ultrafine 5K display. That will ruin most other screens for you.
2. A dock is an option. But besides the two USB-C/Thunderbolt ports you do have two USB-A ports as well, so depends on what you specifically want to attach. If you have the budget I would suggest upgrading the internal drive. Also keep in mind that the larger drive you get, the faster it performs. At least thats how it has been with every single Intel based Mac so far.
3. For the workloads you mention 8 GB is plenty fine. More ram never hurts, but if budget is an issue you should be safe to save on this option.
4. This will work fine, as long as the VMWare client can run. But most software should run with Rosetta 2 until native "ARM" versions have been made.

My suggestion for you would be an M1, 512 GB with 8 GB ram, combined with a nice 27" monitor with a minimum of 2560x1440 resolution.

Thanks, I really appreciate it.

Regarding the SSD, is there any appreciable difference in performance between the 256GB and 512GB models in the M1? I've not seen this mentioned in any of the reviews. I know this was always the case with the Intel Macs, but wonder if it's the same on AS?

 

[Cassandle]

That's a good recommendation. BUT for the same money you can get an M1 Mini with 256GB SSD and 16GB RAM. You can always add an external SSD, which will continue to get cheaper. But you can never add RAM to an M1 Mini.

FWIW My main mac is a 2018 Mini w/ 256GB internal SSD and 32GB of RAM. I also have a 2014 Mini w/ 512GB SSD and 8GB of RAM. I would trade the extra 256GB of SSD in the 2014 Mini for another 8GB of RAM in a heart beat.

GetRealBro

I've been having a similar thought, that the RAM upgrade may be more sensible than the SSD, especially as it's not a portable device. But £200 for 8GB of RAM

 

[IowaLynn]

This is mac mini 1.0. Get base model.
Get two 1TB SSD like Samsung - one for backup, one for media. Bus powered Two backup sets.
VMware Community - no official comment. Parallels? Use your 2011 until you can't.

I really like my Intel Mini 2020 (2 wks old!) Runs Windows nicely. Runs Windows better than Big Sur, seems Safari etc are highly efficient code. My internal storage gets 2200MB so seems they updated since March maybe.

 

[Fishrrman]

I wouldn't buy ANY Mac today (m1 or Intel) UNLESS it had 16gb of RAM.

You'd better be CERTAIN that 256gb will be "good enough", because that (like the RAM) can't be changed after purchase. I'd suggest 512gb.

 

[Cassandle]

Thanks for the advice. I‘ve just ordered the base model (8GB, 256GB RAM) which will be arriving on Tuesday. Very excited (albeit with a touch of buyer’s remorse, which I’m sure will disappear when I start using it!)

I want to transfer my documents and media saved on my old MacBook, which also has an external drive doing time machine backups. If I plug this external drive into the Mini, will it let me transfer the data over that I want? For obvious reasons I don’t want to restore my new Mini from a backup of an old Mac running OS Sierra...

 

[IowaLynn]

A. Run with new Mac as is for a day.
B. Make backup(s).
C. Migration Assistant - though I'd wait for 11.2 (not just 11.01 or 11.1) MA and
D. restore can be iffy

Hope for best / plan for worst-case

 

[MacCheetah3]

I want to transfer my documents and media saved on my old MacBook, which also has an external drive doing time machine backups. If I plug this external drive into the Mini, will it let me transfer the data over that I want? For obvious reasons I don’t want to restore my new Mini from a backup of an old Mac running OS Sierra...

For me, the Migration Assistant has been reliable.

Transfer to a new Mac with Migration Assistant - Apple Support

Use Migration Assistant to copy your files from another computer.

support.apple.com

 

[Fishrrman]

OP wrote:
"I want to transfer my documents and media saved on my old MacBook, which also has an external drive doing time machine backups. If I plug this external drive into the Mini, will it let me transfer the data over that I want?"

OK, here's my "canned" help file for this kind of job:
================================
Fishrrman's "you can do it!" routine for migrating to a new Mac:

If you follow my instructions below, I guarantee a success rate of 98%:
PRINT OUT these instructions and check them off as you go along.

1. BEFORE you do anything else, run a "final" backup on your old Mac. Use an external drive for this. It can be either TM or a cloned backup using CarbonCopyCloner or SuperDuper. I prefer CCC.
I STRONGLY RECOMMEND THAT YOU DO NOT USE TM AS YOUR "MIGRATION EXTERNAL DRIVE". INSTEAD, USE EITHER CCC OR SD. Things will go better this way!
2. Shut down the old Mac and disconnect the external drive
3. Take the new Mac out of the box and set it up on the table. DO NOT PRESS THE POWER ON BUTTON until step 8 (read on). You don't want to begin setup until "the right moment".
4. If you're using an external display, connect the display using the usb-c/VGA adapter/cable that you have
5. Connect the keyboard and mouse if you use them. I STRONGLY SUGGEST that you connect them DIRECTLY to the Mac.
6. If you use a hub, leave it DISCONNECTED for now
7. Connect your backup drive -- use a usb-c adapter if needed.

OK, we're ready-to-go, so let's get goin':
8. Press the power on button for the first time.
9. The new Mac may ask for help "finding" the keyboard, just follow instructions.
10. Begin setup. At the appropriate moment, setup assistant will ask if you wish to migrate from another Mac or drive. YES, you want to do this.
11. "Aim" setup assistant at the external backup. Setup assistant will need a little time to "digest it all". BE PATIENT and give setup assistant the time it needs.
12. You will now see a list of things that can be migrated, such as applications, accounts, settings and data.
13. I suggest that you select ALL of them.
14. Let setup assistant "do its thing". It's going to TAKE A WHILE to move things over. Again, be patient. If you have a lot "of stuff", it will take a lot of time!
15. When done, you should see the login screen. Go ahead and login.
16. Once logged in, things should look pretty much as they looked on your old Mac.
17. You should check all your apps. Some may not run, and may require upgrading.
18. You can set aside the old backup, or ... "repurpose it" to become the backup for the new Mac. I'd keep the old one around for a week or so, at least.

 

[watakoola]

Fishrrman's help file is good but...

I'd personally reinstall ALL software packages. I've done quite a few migrations and found a reinstall better to clean out all the accumulated detritus from applications which have had numerous OS and package updates applied to them.

Sure, it will take longer to do, but you will end up with a far more stable setup.

 

[Cassandle]

My Mini arrived a couple of days early, so I've had it since Sunday. I went for the Apple migration assistant and it worked great.

Really happy so far. It's a big step up from my old machine, and it even can handle some light gaming which is a big surprise.

Thanks for the help 👍

 

[MiniApple]

EDIT: Deleted, sorry wrong thread.