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M4 Mac mini or wait for M5 to replace Intel iMac

ascNYC

ascNYC

macrumors member
Original poster
My 2017 i7 iMac's 3TB Fusion drive was rapidly failing, so I set up a Thunderbolt 2TB external drive to run the OS, as the 27" monitor is still great, and I've got 48GB of RAM. That said, not being able to run the latest macOS is starting to wear on me from an application support standpoint.

My thought was to replace the iMac with a Mac Mini and Studio Display. While I've stabilized the iMac for the time being wondering if I should wait for the M5 Mac Mini before upgrading? The new Thunderbolt drive should be a good complement to the new Mac mini, and while I don't think I'll need the pro chip, I will likely bump up the RAM with the anticipation of AI/LLM compute impact.
 
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I am in a similar boat. Long time Mac user currently without a Mac! I really want to jump back in -- I recently tried using a 24" iMac but sadly felt the screen was too small for my taste -- and naturally am thinking about a Mac mini but I believe the M5 version will be way better -- given what they have been saying about the M5 MacBook Air -- so I am waiting. Fingers crossed it doesn't take Apple too long to release it. On a side note, if they could build either a 27" or better, a 32" iMac I would be all over that!!! Best of luck to you which ever way you go!
 
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There is an extensive and almost exact other thread on this topic, maybe worth grazing through for all the details in it.

My recommendation on this subject is to wait until the announcement and availability of the M5s, then buy the M4 at what will be a lowered cost usually. Invest the cost savings into your retirement planning.
 
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I'll GUESS that the m5 Mini may take a few more months.
Probably see it around WWDC.
Perhaps a little earlier.

Just a guess, I could be wrong.
 
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I think there won't be MM M5 at all, as there was no MM M3, and they didn't release base MM M5 in time.

It has little sense for Apple to release it now when M6 should appear relatively soon (this autumn/winter?). Macbook is different matter coz it's much more popular and there already was base M5 released, so Pro/Max was guaranteed for that line.
 
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Unless you need the power for professional video, audio, graphics or picture editing (or are an avid gamer), the M5 is way overkill for most users. So is the M4 if it comes to that, but 3rd Party retail prices on it are often on sale and / or its found on Apple's own Refurb site.
As ever, RAM - and to a lesser degree, onboard storage - more important and worth the consideration.
 
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I appreciate the comments and thoughts. I hadn't considered that they may skip the M5 for the Mac mini this cycle. Suppose that could make sense as they could just use the M5 in the Studio for those who need the added power. My i7 Intel iMac is barely ok but stable so waiting a little longer isn't a really big deal, but not being able to upgrade to the latest OS and the inability to use apps like Claude Cowork, ChatGPT native desktop app, etc. is wearing thin. I'm sure the M4 would suffice but as I don't upgrade often, I like to get the latest and greatest when I do upgrade.

Another thought was to go with an M5 MacBook Air and a Studio Display. While I don't need a laptop daily (I have a work MacBook Pro) I occasionally could use a personal laptop around the house or while traveling outside of work. Def the more expensive option but considering I keep my computers a long time (current iMac is a 2017) I definitely get my money's worth.

Thanks again for everyone's comments - always good to get a second opinion.
 
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ascNYC said:
I appreciate the comments and thoughts... I'm sure the M4 would suffice but as I don't upgrade often, I like to get the latest and greatest when I do upgrade.
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If we all waited for the 'latest and greatest', then we'd never buy a new product at all. 😏

Even before the most recent device is tucked under our arms and making its way out of the store, companies are reporting their plans for the next version - be it hardware or OS. And Apple's release dates for new devices are now all over the calendar year, so consumer can't 'best guess' when these plans will come to fruition. If at all.

What is really comes down to is Need vs. Want. Ideally, Apple wants the consumer churn of having its users buy a new device every year, but reality says otherwise. If your current device does all you need it to do, then save your money until whatever might show up next - whenever that may be. If it's lacking in abilities you need (or imminent hardware fails that can't be resolved cheaply) and you have the money to fling at Apple, then go with current with best specs you can afford.
(A sidebar here: be careful of specs overkill if your thoughts are to trade it in at Apple within a couple of years, as the amount you paid for increased specs may not be reflected in trade-in value)

Its a conundrum as Apple (previously) had a reputation for building stuff that lasts (see your 2017 iMac), so the need to replace was not a constant thing - and more often than not, its not the hardware that gives up, its the OS 'upgrades' that Apple builds that forces the consumers' hand. Demanding more horsepower than older devices can offer, with little actual gain to functionality (see recently Liquid Glass and Apple Intelligence).
 
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This is also me. 2017 27" iMac that I want to upgrade before the AI garbage destroys home computing.
 
Basic75 said:
Normally the advice is "need it now, buy it now; don't need it, don't buy it", but there's a high chance the M5 Mac mini will be released this week, so I'd at least wait until Saturday.
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Wait, they're not done? 😳
 
Bazza1 said:
If we all waited for the 'latest and greatest', then we'd never buy a new product at all. 😏

Even before the most recent device is tucked under our arms and making its way out of the store, companies are reporting their plans for the next version - be it hardware or OS. And Apple's release dates for new devices are now all over the calendar year, so consumer can't 'best guess' when these plans will come to fruition. If at all.

What is really comes down to is Need vs. Want. Ideally, Apple wants the consumer churn of having its users buy a new device every year, but reality says otherwise. If your current device does all you need it to do, then save your money until whatever might show up next - whenever that may be. If it's lacking in abilities you need (or imminent hardware fails that can't be resolved cheaply) and you have the money to fling at Apple, then go with current with best specs you can afford.
(A sidebar here: be careful of specs overkill if your thoughts are to trade it in at Apple within a couple of years, as the amount you paid for increased specs may not be reflected in trade-in value)

Its a conundrum as Apple (previously) had a reputation for building stuff that lasts (see your 2017 iMac), so the need to replace was not a constant thing - and more often than not, its not the hardware that gives up, its the OS 'upgrades' that Apple builds that forces the consumers' hand. Demanding more horsepower than older devices can offer, with little actual gain to functionality (see recently Liquid Glass and Apple Intelligence).
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Sage advice, thanks. You hit the nail on the head. While I love the "latest and greatest" I've never felt compelled to prematurely upgrade my computer hardware (outside of my iPhone) every year or two. For my use, the 2017 Intel based iMac does (did) all I needed it to do. The 5K display is still awesome. The 3TB Fusion Drive was failing but after recently moving everything over to an external 2TB TB drive it's running great. As you noted, the inability to upgrade the OS (and run certain apps i.e. Claude Co-Work) has been my biggest frustration.

Likely I'll wait for a M5 Mac mini (if they make one), assuming the iMac doesn't die in the meantime. If it does I can always grab an M4 Mac mini if needed.

Thanks again!
 
ascNYC said:
Sage advice, thanks...As you noted, the inability to upgrade the OS (and run certain apps i.e. Claude Co-Work) has been my biggest frustration.

Likely I'll wait for a M5 Mac mini (if they make one), assuming the iMac doesn't die in the meantime. If it does I can always grab an M4 Mac mini if needed.

Thanks again!
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Oh, you're welcome.

Truth to be known, while I do a majority of my stuff on a M2 Mini these days, I still haul out my 2017 Intel Air (the last year with all the ports and running Monterey) for some work, travel and the occasional cafe visit. Beyond replacing the battery, I've not done anything to it (okay, I most often use the SD slot for it's Time Machine) and it actually runs about 95% of the apps found on the M2. Happily transfer stuff back and forth from both devices and my iPhone via AirDrop.

It just works. Apple probably hates that.
 
Delivery time for a 32/256 M4 was eight weeks as of Thursday last week. I went with a 24/512 that was in stock around here.
 
I would think Apple will skip the M5 for the Mac Mini this year and put an M5 in the iMac. The M4 Mac Mini is plenty powerful enough for most home and business use, and even good for video and photo editing. What you have to be aware of is that you can get the Mac Mini optioned to a price point that it is nearly better to buy a Studio.

Look at the Apple Refurbished Store and/or a Veteran discount (if a U.S. veteran) for a refurbished Mac Mini. If the MM does come out in M5, some of those will be sent back, and people who recently bought an M4 MM might send the M4 back and replace it with an M5 MM.

A little patience now may be of benefit later.
 
Since receiving my M5 MacBook Air earlier today, I've run a few benchmarks (Cinebench) and compared with the M4 Mac Mini (both 16GB RAM).

The M5 performs only slightly better than the M4 Mac Mini in the multi-threaded test, and much better for single-threaded and GPU. I don't know if that's of any help with deciding whether to buy an M4 Mac Mini now or wait for an M5 or M6 Mac Mini.
 
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ascNYC said:
My thought was to replace the iMac with a Mac Mini and Studio Display. While I've stabilized the iMac for the time being wondering if I should wait for the M5 Mac Mini before upgrading? The new Thunderbolt drive should be a good complement to the new Mac mini, and while I don't think I'll need the pro chip, I will likely bump up the RAM with the anticipation of AI/LLM compute impact.
Click to expand...

Apple claims AI is way, way faster on M5 series.

www.apple.com

Apple unleashes M5, the next big leap in AI performance for Apple silicon

Apple today announced M5, delivering advances to every aspect of the chip and the next big leap in AI.
www.apple.com
 
To the OP: You don't say what you do with your machine, at all, but request advice on what to upgrade to..

😍

On a general note, Studio has the max/ultra CPU cores (mostly cache differences) and double the encode/decode engines when it comes to GPU. Plus potentially, a higher RAM configuration.
(i mention this because the usual "it has 'x' cores more" isn't or shouldn't be a decision factor on its own)

If these are things you need, you already have the answer.
If not, once again.
 
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