Is base M2 8/256 Mac Mini worth upgrading from 2018 i5/8/256 Mac Mini?

[dmk1974]

Has anyone upgraded from the 2018 i5/8/256 to the base M2 Mac Mini with the same 8/256? Figuring after 4+ years it might be time and I can get the base M2 for $500 since my kids are in college. Looks like I'd lose 2 USB-C ports. But aside from the bump up in processor, any other key worthwhile/noticeable differences? Thanks!

 

[Fozziebear40]

Hi, I've just done that, although my 2018 i5 was 16GB 512GB SSD. I think I need 16GB RAM as my dual 4K monitors are not both scaling correctly, I think the GPU used RAM.

 

[Juicy Box]

What do you currently do with your Intel Mac Mini?

 

[dmk1974]

What do you currently do with your Intel Mac Mini?

Mostly browsing, office, media playing. Very light engineering apps here and there, but not SolidWorks. Not much video editing, but some.

 

[Dochartaigh]

Honestly they're all pretty much EXACTLY the same - if you're coming from a decent machine (like I consider your current computer). I recently got the 2023 Mac mini M2 Pro - been using for ~2 weeks for 12+ hours a day. It replaced a 2012 Mac mini (2.3ghz i7/16GB/aftermarket SSD), which I again was using for 12+ hours a day... I'm noticing absolutely not a single difference EXCEPT programs loading up much faster – in like 2-5 seconds, instead of like 8ish seconds for Photoshop or 25+ seconds for ones like Premiere Pro (which I rarely use anyway).

I thought the 2023 Mac mini, especially the higher-end M2 Pro model I got would absolutely blow me away... and for fun stuff like being able to click/open Adobe InDesign, Photoshop, Bridge, Lightroom Classic, Illustrator, Dreamweaver right after another and have them all magically open literally ~5 seconds later it DOES blow me away... that's cool as hell... but honestly, I don't use ALL of those at once (ok, many times I do, but not all the time), let alone launch all of them at once in a row anyway... so it really doesn't matter.

Switching from one program to another 500+ times a day is the same experience as my 2012 believe it or not... Loading files is exactly the same too since the real choke point is my Gigabit internet and the old gigabit-only server I connect to and store all my files on.

Doing stuff like advanced Photoshop filters can be WAY snappier... but again, even with my experience working for Fortune 100 companies that's not something I tend to do much (the nice Getty images we pay for don't need much). Even files I do have to go to town on, with like 30+ layers/layers within multiple folders... still seem to act the same for the most part

I even had a chance to do some super-mediocre video stuff on the 2023 Mac mini M2 Pro (a rarity for me, I'm mostly digital and print still), and thought the final video file output would take like 30 seconds since everybody is saying how blazing fast these are... nope, still took 4-6 minutes to output a SUPER simple video (literally took a 3-4 minute long 1080p60 vacation video I took, and needed to flip it 180º then mirror – then output to 1080p Vimeo format and it STILL took ~5 minutes to export). Sure, my ancient 2012 might have taken 15 minutes for all I know, but whatever, I still wasn't blown away on performance.

Now if you solely do video work, or other crazy intensive stuff... then you shouldn't/wouldn't be using a Mac mini anyway TBH - use a Mac Studio+ or whatever... for the normal user I think the benefits wouldn't even be noticed to the lesser degree I've outlined above as they're doing WAY more simple stuff.

 

[Heat_Fan89]

Has anyone upgraded from the 2018 i5/8/256 to the base M2 Mac Mini with the same 8/256? Figuring after 4+ years it might be time and I can get the base M2 for $500 since my kids are in college. Looks like I'd lose 2 USB-C ports. But aside from the bump up in processor, any other key worthwhile/noticeable differences? Thanks!

Those are my last two configurations. I upgraded the RAM in the 2018 Mini (32GB). I find that the M2 is about 50% faster in boot time and opening apps. Memory pressure usually stays in the 45-50% range. I have yet to see a swap file as memory is compressed as you start to open apps.

I have had Safari, Edge, Chrome, Firefox, Mail, Pages, Numbers, Keynote, iMovie, GarageBand, Apple TV+ all running and the worst I've seen is 6.16GB out of 8GB RAM, compressed memory 1.9GB, memory pressure 50% and NO swap file.

For most the M2 8/256 config is just fine for most. I took advantage of the Edu discount, plus I had store credit and put it on my Apple Card which got me $14 cashback. Tax included I paid $462. Awesome price for a really nice Mini.

 

[m1maverick]

Honestly they're all pretty much EXACTLY the same - if you're coming from a decent machine (like I consider your current computer). I recently got the 2023 Mac mini M2 Pro - been using for ~2 weeks for 12+ hours a day. It replaced a 2012 Mac mini (2.3ghz i7/16GB/aftermarket SSD), which I again was using for 12+ hours a day... I'm noticing absolutely not a single difference EXCEPT programs loading up much faster – in like 2-5 seconds, instead of like 8ish seconds for Photoshop or 25+ seconds for ones like Premiere Pro (which I rarely use anyway).

I thought the 2023 Mac mini, especially the higher-end M2 Pro model I got would absolutely blow me away... and for fun stuff like being able to click/open Adobe InDesign, Photoshop, Bridge, Lightroom Classic, Illustrator, Dreamweaver right after another and have them all magically open literally ~5 seconds later it DOES blow me away... that's cool as hell... but honestly, I don't use ALL of those at once (ok, many times I do, but not all the time), let alone launch all of them at once in a row anyway... so it really doesn't matter.

Switching from one program to another 500+ times a day is the same experience as my 2012 believe it or not... Loading files is exactly the same too since the real choke point is my Gigabit internet and the old gigabit-only server I connect to and store all my files on.

Doing stuff like advanced Photoshop filters can be WAY snappier... but again, even with my experience working for Fortune 100 companies that's not something I tend to do much (the nice Getty images we pay for don't need much). Even files I do have to go to town on, with like 30+ layers/layers within multiple folders... still seem to act the same for the most part

I even had a chance to do some super-mediocre video stuff on the 2023 Mac mini M2 Pro (a rarity for me, I'm mostly digital and print still), and thought the final video file output would take like 30 seconds since everybody is saying how blazing fast these are... nope, still took 4-6 minutes to output a SUPER simple video (literally took a 3-4 minute long 1080p60 vacation video I took, and needed to flip it 180º then mirror – then output to 1080p Vimeo format and it STILL took ~5 minutes to export). Sure, my ancient 2012 might have taken 15 minutes for all I know, but whatever, I still wasn't blown away on performance.

Now if you solely do video work, or other crazy intensive stuff... then you shouldn't/wouldn't be using a Mac mini anyway TBH - use a Mac Studio+ or whatever... for the normal user I think the benefits wouldn't even be noticed to the lesser degree I've outlined above as they're doing WAY more simple stuff.

You post does an excellent job of demonstrating how one needs to be aware of their requirements and test a new system against them.

 

[m1maverick]

Has anyone upgraded from the 2018 i5/8/256 to the base M2 Mac Mini with the same 8/256? Figuring after 4+ years it might be time and I can get the base M2 for $500 since my kids are in college. Looks like I'd lose 2 USB-C ports. But aside from the bump up in processor, any other key worthwhile/noticeable differences? Thanks!

You didn't mention that you were experiencing any issues with your current Mac and you did note one disadvantage to the new one. Given this it likely doesn't make sense to upgrade.

 

[dmk1974]

You didn't mention that you were experiencing any issues with your current Mac and you did note one disadvantage to the new one. Given this it likely doesn't make sense to upgrade.

I'd say my only gripe really is once in a while my Ligitech bluetooth keyboard and mouse get buggy/stutter. Otherwise it has been a fine machine.

I was thinking of passing this 2018 to my mother-in-law to replace her 2012 Mac Mini that I gave her when I got this '18. She just uses it for email and browsing anyway. But the times I go over there to run updates and stuff for her, it does take a bit longer than my '18 for sure.

Storage-wise, I only use about 70-80gb on my 2018 (I keep most data in the cloud and on an external 4TB USB drive). I figure the base M2 has enough room for me as well. Maybe I'd up the RAM to 16gb, but the 8gb has never presented a noticeable issue for me.

 

[ian87w]

Based on your own assessment, the only thing you have to seriously consider is the loss of the 2 USB-C ports. That can be a dealbreaker, especially if you do use those ports on your previous mini. So the choice is pretty much just a mini with 2 USB-C ports (base M2), or a mini with 4 USB-C ports (base M2 Pro). Are 2 additional USB-C ports (and 16/512) worth $700? Yours to decide.

 

[TechnoMonk]

I personally would keep it till apple supports the model with Patches, os updates, and service. You can always upgrade to M3 or M4.

Edit: It may not be bad idea to give your mother in law the 2018 and get yourself 2023 Mac mini. I would say, get 16GB if its with in your budget.

 

[CausticPuppy]

Has anyone upgraded from the 2018 i5/8/256 to the base M2 Mac Mini with the same 8/256? Figuring after 4+ years it might be time and I can get the base M2 for $500 since my kids are in college. Looks like I'd lose 2 USB-C ports. But aside from the bump up in processor, any other key worthwhile/noticeable differences? Thanks!

If you‘re comfortable with disassembling electronics, you can pretty easily upgrade the RAM in your 2018. Even 32GB would be cheap. You might get another 2 years of good use and then get an M3 model. It really depends on how much video editing you do, because the 2018’s GPU will really be outperformed by the M2.

But, if you really want to treat yourself to a new Mac Mini, go for the M2 but try to get 16GB RAM. Repurpose the 2018 or give it to somebody else.

 

[Dochartaigh]

I have had Safari, Edge, Chrome, Firefox, Mail, Pages, Numbers, Keynote, iMovie, GarageBand, Apple TV+ all running and the worst I've seen is 6.16GB out of 8GB RAM, compressed memory 1.9GB, memory pressure 50% and NO swap file.

I've actually had the totally opposite experience, and it's making me think I should have gotten 32gb RAM...

I say this because I'll normally have 2x browsers open, like 5x tabs in each; InDesign, Photoshop, Lightroom, Bridge, Microsoft Outlook, Microsoft Teams, at a minimum. This goes for my old 2012 Mac mini, or my new 2023 Mac mini M2 Pro. BOTH have 16GB RAM.

The ancient 2012 with all the same stuff open would be at maybe 30% RAM used – I don't think I EVER saw the bar raised all the way to the top... The new 2023 is easily at the top 80% (if not more) – ALL THE TIME!!! Like even right now, after work, I ONLY have open Photoshop, Bridge, and this browser with 5x tabs open, the RAM bar is at that same 80%-ish... So makes me worry. And makes me think I should have gotten more RAM as I've never, ever seen usage this high on a regular basis (side note: I have no clue what compressed and ram pressure is really... I just go off iStat Menu's total percent of RAM used bar I've added to the top of my screen).

 

[m1maverick]

The ancient 2012 with all the same stuff open would be at maybe 30% RAM used – I don't think I EVER saw the bar raised all the way to the top... The new 2023 is easily at the top 80% (if not more) – ALL THE TIME!!! Like even right now, after work, I ONLY have open Photoshop, Bridge, and this browser with 5x tabs open, the RAM bar is at that same 80%-ish... So makes me worry. And makes me think I should have gotten more RAM as I've never, ever seen usage this high on a regular basis (side note: I have no clue what compressed and ram pressure is really... I just go off iStat Menu's total percent of RAM used bar I've added to the top of my screen).

I wouldn't worry about RAM compression however RAM pressure is something to keep an eye on. It's Apple's way of trying to simplify whether the system is running out of physical memory. I won't go into the details but if you're routinely in the yellow then you're on the edge. If you're routinely in the red then you need more RAM. Unfortunately, with Apple's latest models, that means a new Mini.

 

[Fishrrman]

Question:
"Is base M2 8/256 Mac Mini worth upgrading from 2018 i5/8/256 Mac Mini?"

In my opinion, NO.
It's not "a big enough jump forward".

Now...
If you got an m2pro Mini with a 1tb SSD, that WOULD become a decent "jump up"...

(I'm a 2018 Mini owner, also)