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Mac Mini for Learning Development and Using Final Cut

P

PSkilton

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Oct 4, 2015
8
4
Hello!

I would like to get some input on the best setup for a use case.

Currently I am working from home with the following:
Stand up desk
Windows custom built gaming PC
32' ultrawide and 24' portrait monitors

I also have a MSI GF65 laptop and a 2014 Macbook Pro.

I am looking to dabble into Apple's Swift development, as well as continue using Final Cut and the works occasionally. My Macbook isn't as fast as it used to be for certain things, and I rarely use it anymore.

I would like suggestions as to the best setup I could do with what I have and what could be purchased for relatively inexpensive prices.
I hope to stick the Mac Mini on my desk and use the 32' ultrawide with it, doesn't have to use the portrait 24'. The monitor does have a 2nd input that is easily switched do but wouldn't allow use of the keyboard and mouse. I have an iOGear HDMI KVM that has a jumble of cables, though it doesn't support the 32' resolution of 2560x1080 (https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/prod...GCS62HU_2_Port_HD_Cable_KVM.html?sts=pi&pim=Y)

So TLDR:
What Mac Mini configuration (or other suggestions for that matter) would be the best bang for the buck for learning to develop, and medium-heavy Final Cut use, and use the desk space, keyboard and mouse, and monitors I have for my Windows PC easily.

Thanks!
 
The M1 will do great with FCP, Xcode, and Playgrounds. I would highly recommend going for the 16GB RAM upgrade. As for storage, 512GB should suffice, unless you have zero external options. Xcode and FCP projects are easily stored and moved wherever.
 
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Agreed, a 16GB Mac mini will do you well. The only problem I found with 8GB was with 4K multicam (where performance fell off a cliff with too many angles) but it performs well. The one exception is with performance of complex titles and transitions, but overall it's very good. Storage is up to you, but adding external storage will be much cheaper.

Here are my tests:
 
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I just upgraded my self. 8gb is enough for me. I don't need 16gb.
 
Those sound like the exact reasons Apple made the mini! I'd go for it, and m1 is an incredible upgrade over the processors in the 2014 mbp.
 
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PSkilton said:
Hello!

I would like to get some input on the best setup for a use case.

Currently I am working from home with the following:
Stand up desk
Windows custom built gaming PC
32' ultrawide and 24' portrait monitors

I also have a MSI GF65 laptop and a 2014 Macbook Pro.

I am looking to dabble into Apple's Swift development, as well as continue using Final Cut and the works occasionally. My Macbook isn't as fast as it used to be for certain things, and I rarely use it anymore.

I would like suggestions as to the best setup I could do with what I have and what could be purchased for relatively inexpensive prices.
I hope to stick the Mac Mini on my desk and use the 32' ultrawide with it, doesn't have to use the portrait 24'. The monitor does have a 2nd input that is easily switched do but wouldn't allow use of the keyboard and mouse. I have an iOGear HDMI KVM that has a jumble of cables, though it doesn't support the 32' resolution of 2560x1080 (https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/prod...GCS62HU_2_Port_HD_Cable_KVM.html?sts=pi&pim=Y)

So TLDR:
What Mac Mini configuration (or other suggestions for that matter) would be the best bang for the buck for learning to develop, and medium-heavy Final Cut use, and use the desk space, keyboard and mouse, and monitors I have for my Windows PC easily.

Thanks!
Click to expand...

I would recommend the Mac mini (Apple Silicon), 16GB RAM configuration, when it is released by Apple.

Currently, there is only an 8GB RAM option.


richmlow
 
hello! I'm more of a hybrid front-end dev / web designer, so not your exact use case, but close enough as I use FCP for my YT channel. I think it's a great machine. I've tested both the 8gb and 16gb. I'd say go with the 16GB if you can afford it. I also found a nice monitor to go with. I've developed my point more in depth in this video:


Hope it helps!
 
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@kay23 FYI

[KNOWN ISSUE] Affinity apps taking 20+ seconds to launch on macOS Big Sur & Catalina

If you have macOS Big Sur or macOS Catalina you may notice that our apps are taking 20+ secs to launch after starting your Mac from cold or after rebooting your Mac. However, subsequent launches should be fine. This issue has been logged with our developers but a workaround can be found here.
forum.affinity.serif.com forum.affinity.serif.com
Indeed, I have the same problem. Hopefully, Affinity has it fixed in the next version or two. However, with the initial ("cold") launch the only one being painstakingly long, I'm not flustered about it.
 
MacCheetah3 said:
@kay23 FYI

[KNOWN ISSUE] Affinity apps taking 20+ seconds to launch on macOS Big Sur & Catalina

If you have macOS Big Sur or macOS Catalina you may notice that our apps are taking 20+ secs to launch after starting your Mac from cold or after rebooting your Mac. However, subsequent launches should be fine. This issue has been logged with our developers but a workaround can be found here.
forum.affinity.serif.com forum.affinity.serif.com
Indeed, I have the same problem. Hopefully, Affinity has it fixed in the next version or two. However, with the initial ("cold") launch the only one being painstakingly long, I'm not flustered about it.
Click to expand...
Thanks so much for the info!
I can't wait for this. I remember initially one thing I loved about Affinity Software is that it was launching so fast.
I just did the latest update and launched aAffinity Photo in 16 seconds compared to 24 seconds in the previous one.
Still not there yet, but 33% faster is a good start.
As long as working in the software is snappy I can cope with it for the time being :)
 
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