Internal and External GPC for Mac Mini

[ivanwi11iams]

A could of days ago, I started looking into purchasing a Mac Mini.
To be honest, I only need a basic one, around $700, from Apple.

However, once I started to watch a few videos, I started to get confused about "Internal GPU vs. an External GPU".
Anyone, why would I want/need an external GPU?

To add, I only want a Mac Mini, merely to have Mac OS, and to learn about the Mac OS. Not trying to do any image or video processing and such. Thus, a simply Mac Mini would suffice, no?

PS: I might add Parallels to it, with one VM of Windows 10.

 

[IngerMan]

The iGPU of the 2018 or 2020 is mediocre, but it does suffice for many. People with these models usually get the eGPU for heavy video editing and or gaming.

I would say the intel Mac mini is good but I would get a minimum 16GB of ram to drive a 4K monitor. It will just be a smoother experience.

It is early but I expect the new M1 just introduced would be even a more capable machine in CPU and GPU performance For the same price. But I don’t think you can run windows on this new M1?

Parallels and M1 update after post. Not now but its in the works from Parallels website.

Parallels is excited to see the performance, power efficiency, and virtualization features that are brought to the Mac with Apple M1 chip. The transition to Mac with Apple M1 chip should be smooth for most Mac applications, thanks to Rosetta technology. Fortunately, our Parallels Access™, Parallels® Toolbox, and Parallels® Client software worked smoothly even before Parallels rebuilt them as universal binaries. However, virtual machines are an exception. It is important to note that currently available versions of Parallels® Desktop for Mac cannot run virtual machines on Mac with Apple M1 chip. Good news: A new version of Parallels Desktop for Mac that can run on Mac with Apple M1 chip is already in active development.

 

[ivanwi11iams]

The iGPU of the 2018 or 2020 is mediocre, but it does suffice for many. People with these models usually get the eGPU for heavy video editing and or gaming.

I would say the intel Mac mini is good but I would get a minimum 16GB of ram to drive a 4K monitor. It will just be a smoother experience.

It is early but I expect the new M1 just introduced would be even a more capable machine in CPU and GPU performance For the same price. But I don’t think you can run windows on this new M1?

As always, great detail, thank!

Currently, I am planning to use the Mac Mini, with an ACER 144Hz HDMI monitor. No gaming on the Mac Mini, I have my ROG desktop for that

I was under the impression, irrespective of the processor, Parallels was the tool that would allow a Windows VM to run.
Not that this is even compulsory (since I have a Windows setup), I merely want to 'test and try things' with the Mac OS.

 

[jazz1]

OP if you are considering a new 2020 M1 CPU MacMini I understand that it does NOT support external CPU boxes. Can anyone confirm?

 

[IngerMan]

In a few weeks there will great detail about the new M1 Mac Mini. I would wait for some results by end of next week.

The new M1 is probably going to run circles around the base intel Mac Mini for the same price.

I edited my post above to include a update on Parallels website


Good news: A new version of Parallels Desktop for Mac that can run on Mac with Apple M1 chip is already in active development.

 

[IngerMan]

OP if you are considering a new 2020 M1 CPU MacMini I understand that it does NOT support external CPU boxes. Can anyone confirm?

That is correct the new M1 does not even support the Apple Black Magic eGPU, but with the internal performance increase it should not need it either. Ive read that the iGPU performance is on range of the RX570 AMD. Thats an impressive iGPU.

Apple Intros First Three ‘Apple Silicon’ Macs: Late 2020 MacBook Air, 13-Inch MacBook Pro, & Mac Mini

www.anandtech.com

 

[ivanwi11iams]

My my, this is flipping interesting. One really has to do their research.
Here I was thinking, I would either purchase an Intel based Mac Mini (or even a MacBook Air), or an M1 edition, and then either dual boot to Windows, or use Parallels. I used to do this on an old 27" iMac I had, ages ago.

Who would have thought this would not be an option, by default with this new M1. Very, very interesting...

 

[Fishrrman]

It looks like the new m1 Minis WILL NOT support external GPU's.
That could change, but I wouldn't buy one with the intention of using it with an eGPU.

At this point, I'm not sure if they'll even support Windows emulation (through Parallels or VMWare Fusion).

The word is that the m1 Mini WILL NOT work with bootcamp (for now).

If you buy an m1 Mini with those use cases in mind, you could end up VERY disappointed...

 

[ivanwi11iams]

It looks like the new m1 Minis WILL NOT support external GPU's.
That could change, but I wouldn't buy one with the intention of using it with an eGPU.

At this point, I'm not sure if they'll even support Windows emulation (through Parallels or VMWare Fusion).

The word is that the m1 Mini WILL NOT work with bootcamp (for now).

If you buy an m1 Mini with those use cases in mind, you could end up VERY disappointed...

Certainly appreciate the feedback. One downside to new technology, not every is optimized at time of deployment, features are more geared towards the masses...