All the M1 apps are still first generation. I would expect Publisher to be optimized for the new Macs in future releases. I have faith in Affinity to fix anything that needs it.
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Is the base model Mac Mini good enough for basic graphic/web work?
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If you don't need a new computer right now, I would wait for the second generation of these M chips... I think Apple will make some noteworthy changes/corrections with the M2 (or whatever it will be called) chip.
Some rumors suggests, than we can see some new hardware in June, but if not than, than in the Autumn.
Some rumors suggests, than we can see some new hardware in June, but if not than, than in the Autumn.
Ignore “Cached Files” that’s just a benefit optimization if the system has extra RAM to play with.
As to why I said 8GB would be tight and the mini would "be throwing down at least some swap”...
The latest version of Catalina (10.15.7) running Activity Monitor, Mail, Messages, Safari (only a single tab : this page) as well as Affinity Photo (1.9.0) with a 4032x3024 photo open.
I’m not aware of the exact threshold, but the system will create swap files before completely filling RAM.
Ultimately, would 8GB be unusable or devastating? No. Nonetheless, I strongly recommend more for your use case.
Thanks. I think it's just a general issue with the sizes of the files being generated rather than anything to do with the software itself - if I'm exporting a big document full of high resolution photos and graphics then it's going to take a lot of resources. I don't generally do a lot of print work these days so that probably won't happen, but the fact it's close to the limit on even small documents with a few pages is a concern. On my Macbook Pro I can have all the Affinity apps open at the same time, whereas this would most likely be an issue with an 8gb Mini.
It's looking like I will be on the fence for a while, though the new iMac design is starting to look less off-putting to me than it was at first!
Thanks for doing this, that is a concern, though I'm wondering if having 16gb of RAM as opposed to 8gb, more resources are being allocated and thus pushing up the usage? I noticed usage seem to be higher on my 16gb MacBook Pro than my 8gb 2012 MacBook Pro, but that could just be down to different Mac OS's.
I appreciate you've gone to the trouble to do this though, and after going through the feedback on this forum I do need to rethink getting the base model.
I'm going to keep an eye out for a 16gb refurb, and also user reviews of the 24" iMac, as those two options are still on the cards, but basically the best advice for me at the moment is to do nothing!
I’m not familiar on how much it translates to actual usage though indeed Catalina and Big Sur have double the minimum RAM requirement (4GB vs. 2GB for Lion through Mojave).
macOS High Sierra - Technical Specifications - Apple Support
macOS Mojave - Technical Specifications - Apple Support
macOS Catalina - Technical Specifications - Apple Support
macOS Big Sur - Technical Specifications - Apple Support
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Hmmm...interesting, my old MBP is using 3gb whereas it states 2gb in the specs for High Sierra. I guess there could be other stuff going on, and the monitor isn't totally accurate.I’m not familiar on how much it translates to actual usage though indeed Catalina and Big Sur have double the minimum RAM requirement (4GB vs. 2GB for Lion through Mojave).
macOS High Sierra - Technical Specifications - Apple Support
support.apple.com
macOS Mojave - Technical Specifications - Apple Support
macOS Catalina - Technical Specifications - Apple Support
macOS Big Sur - Technical Specifications - Apple Support
4gb for the latest OS's though doesn't leave a lot of room for apps to run on an 8gb machine.
This sort of comment makes me laugh. It reminds me of when people rode horses and made disparaging comments about motor vehicles. Most comments like this come from users who have never used an M1 Mac and haven't a clue what they're talking about. You'd have to do some really intensive stuff, and lots of it, to run out of steam on the 8GB Mac Mini. Only if you are really going to work it really hard would I recommend a 16GB model. I have the base model and I couldn't be happier. Nothing I do fazes it. We absolutely cannot use Intel experience to comment an an ARM Mac.
I'm willing to wager that M2 won't end up in the base model. Either a paid upgrade or higher tier model.
Agreed.
My friend uses his 3 year old iPad Pro to edit video professionally. Let that sink in for a minute.
There's a sketch on the old Fast Show BBC series years ago, where Paul Whitehouse plays a bloke in a pub who can't make his mind up - on one side his mates are telling him one thing, so he agrees with them, but then on the other side a completely different point of view from another mate - and he agrees with that as well.
That's me at the moment!
I can see the logic of the potential issue of only having 4gb of spare RAM for apps to run in - particularly graphic software, but anecdotal evidence from most users seems to suggest it's ok. But it's not going to be future proof - all it needs is an increase of resource usage in the OS and/or software update, and suddenly things don't work so well.
The really frustrating part of all this is not having user-upgradeable RAM - if this was still a thing, I could buy the 8gb, see how it goes, and add another 8gb myself if it turns out to be to little, or future updates cause RAM issues. And if Apple didn't charge 200 quid for another 8gb...
Appreciate all the feedback - I'll stay on the fence until June anyway - if there's a new 27" at a price that doesn't mean I have to take out a second mortgage I might get one of those, or the 24" if reviews are really good. Otherwise it'll be a temporary fix Mini - and a toss-up between a really temporary 8gb, or a refurbished 16gb.
I’ve ordered a base model Mini from Apple refurb today, at £589 I’m happy with that and from all I’ve seen it runs Lightroom and Photoshop without issue. Apple have usually been good at optimising the OS so that fairly recent computers remain relevant and do not need replaced frequently. I’m hoping to get a few years out of this. My 2009 MacBook Pro is long past Apple OS support and I’ve had enough of my Surface Pro.
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I'd be interested to hear how you get on with it, and what monitor you use. A refurb 16gb Mini and 27" LG or Samsung monitor is top of my list of short-term (a couple of years) options at the moment, but I still may fork out on a 16/512 iMac 24" if the reviews are good, as a longer term solution.
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M1 mini is a great machine 8GB ram. Image work is fast, Final Cut Pro working on 4K movies renders at acceptable speeds, affinity apps work brilliantly. iPad apps, in the main translate, reasonably well.
LG ultra fine display is amazing, no lagging.
I too wanted a larger iMac, but got fed up of waiting so I bought this, very satisfied. An iMac is a cheaper option though if your after a 4K+ display
Those who claim it’s only good for light web browsing, because of stats, I suspect they are mistaken.
LG ultra fine display is amazing, no lagging.
I too wanted a larger iMac, but got fed up of waiting so I bought this, very satisfied. An iMac is a cheaper option though if your after a 4K+ display
Those who claim it’s only good for light web browsing, because of stats, I suspect they are mistaken.
In the EU expensive items must last for five years, If they don’t you can easily sue the company for a free replacement, its Consumer Law.
i once had an iMac who’s screen died four year and eight months int after purchase, Apple got it free of charge after I pointed out their obligation.
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