Mac Mini and external storage

[bryan8252]

Hello all...


Currently have a 27", 2014 Mac that is starting to run into issues due to not being able to download any updates after Big Sur (11.7.11).

I use my Mac for basic web browsing and online purchases, but mainly for storing/viewing family photos and storing/listening to music. I have a 4TB OWC Mercury Elite Pro external storage hooked up to my Mac to store my photos.

Since I can't get a 27" iMac anymore, I am looking into other options, one of which is the Mac Mini. I would like to be able to use a 27" display, or maybe even a portrait display or multiple displays, and I think the Mini lets me do that.

I was reading this thread: https://forums.macrumors.com/thread...e-for-m4-mac-mini-3-5-platter-drives.2477912/ but was having trouble following it. There is a lot of info in there that I just don't know anything about regarding drives.

Could I please get some suggestions regarding what type of external storage would work well if I bought a Mini for storing photos? Maybe the Mini may be overkill for what I use my Mac for?

Appreciate any feedback.

 

[!!!]

Could I please get some suggestions regarding what type of external storage would work well if I bought a Mini for storing photos?

There's nothing special about the Mac mini or Apple Silicon, any storage should work the same as any other computer.

I would just recommend getting a second drive and using it as a backup, for your photos and Mac.

Maybe the Mini may be overkill for what I use my Mac for?

No, it sound like a pretty good use case for a base mini.

 

[Basic75]

I would just recommend getting a second drive and using it as a backup, for your photos and Mac.

Make that at least two backup drives.

 

[bryan8252]

Thanks !!! and Basic75.

I do back up my photos/music using Time Machine to 2 external drives that are not constantly connected to the Mac.

What about storage and memory on the Mini. Should I pick the minimum and just store everything on an external drive? I would really like to buy one device but the Mini with 8 TB of storage is a nice chunk of change that I don't know if I could swallow.

 

[Fishrrman]

My "standard recommendation" for an m4 Mini is 32gb of RAM and a 1tb SSD.

But with the supply constraints right now, might be hard to GET one.
I'd keep an eye on Apple's refurbished pages, checking mornings, afternoons, and evenings EVERY day. They don't last long when they become avaialble.

As for an external drive for photo storage, just keep using what you're using now, until that no longer works.

For a display, 27" 4k or 5k.
4k has many choices, from low to high.
5k has fewer choices, and more money.

Depending on your finances, you might even consider 32" 6k, not many choices available yet, look here:

RetinaDisplays.com

Retina Displays is a browser for external monitors at 210 PPI and above.

retinadisplays.com

If you can hold out a while longer, the m5 Minis may appear.
But I sense that they're going to get a price hike due to RAM constraints...

 

[LookToWindward]

Why don't you install OpenCore? You'll be able to upgrade Mac OS then

 

[fricotin]

2012 mini 16Gb running Catalina with:
One SSD Samsung for Parallels / storage
One HDD Toshiba for Time Machine / storage
One HDD G-Drive for SuperDuper! / storage.

 

[Nate455]

I find the storage in these devices lacking, and I highly recommend that anyone thinking of getting this consider getting an external storage.

 

[bryan8252]

Why don't you install OpenCore? You'll be able to upgrade Mac OS then

Truthfully? Because I am computer illiterate and would be worried I would brick the Mac. You mention OpenCore but I don't know what that is (until I Google it).

 

[benholt]

I've been running a pretty lean internal setup for years — mostly 1TB or 2TB internal, nearly everything else on external. For photos and music that workflow is completely fine; there's no meaningful real-world speed difference for that kind of access.
The thing I'd push back on: the internal storage question is actually less critical than the RAM question. Storage you can always add externally and cheaply. RAM is soldered and you're stuck with what you buy. Whatever config you land on, I'd prioritize RAM over internal storage capacity — a machine with 24GB RAM and 512GB SSD will serve you better long-term than the same price with 16GB RAM and 2TB SSD.