mac mini m1 2020 is it worth it?

[kaitlin4599]

so my mom currently has a macbook pro late 2013 retina 15 inch its old and apps like google chrome no longer work. however since im on a tight budget i thought maying buying my mom a used mac mini from 2020 which i believe is the m1 version would be the way to go since my mom refuses to use a windows pc is the mac mini M1 still viable for a few more years? she only uses her mac for web browsing and writing the occasional word document i might be able to afford an m2 but honestly my budget is $225 or less i dont need anything fancy just something to help her get by for google browsing

 

[EdwardC]

Just gave one to my 89 year old dad. I have a Mini M2 Pro as well and for day to day use there is almost no decernable difference. Not sure when Apple will discontinue updates for it but it is still a great computer.

 

[Fishrrman]

Get her at least an Apple refurbished m2.

Apple refurbished m4 would be a MUCH better choice.

 

[Spock]

Just gave one to my 89 year old dad. I have a Mini M2 Pro as well and for day to day use there is almost no decernable difference. Not sure when Apple will discontinue updates for it but it is still a great computer.

Since they are still supporting Intel for now, I am guessing that the M1 still has plenty of support left in it.

 

[ducknalddon]

I just upgraded my 2018 i7 Mac Mini to a 2020 M1 and performance is double the old machine. She will see an even bigger increase against the MacBook.

 

[cjsuk]

The M1 mini had a couple of issues with bluetooth and HDMI I found. I would go M2 if you need to avoid them.

 

[kaitlin4599]

The M1 mini had a couple of issues with bluetooth and HDMI I found. I would go M2 if you need to avoid them.

she uses an hdmi monitor connected to her macbook pro

 

[cjsuk]

she uses an hdmi monitor connected to her macbook pro

It's specific to the M1 mini the issues. MBP is probably fine.

 

[kaitlin4599]

It's specific to the M1 mini the issues. MBP is probably fine.

so should i skip my m1 mini in favor of an m2 mac mini since she uses an hdmi monitor?

 

[chrfr]

so should i skip my m1 mini in favor of an m2 mac mini since she uses an hdmi monitor?

I’ve never had any HDMI or Bluetooth issues with my M1 mini. If your budget allows for an M2, I’d pick that for the slightly longer support lifespan, though.

 

[Allen_Wentz]

so my mom currently has a macbook pro late 2013 retina 15 inch its old and apps like google chrome no longer work. however since im on a tight budget i thought maying buying my mom a used mac mini from 2020 which i believe is the m1 version would be the way to go since my mom refuses to use a windows pc is the mac mini M1 still viable for a few more years? she only uses her mac for web browsing and writing the occasional word document i might be able to afford an m2 but honestly my budget is $225 or less i dont need anything fancy just something to help her get by for google browsing

Do not downgrade her to a sessile desktop after she has had years of a mobile MBP. Buy her a mobile M-series Mac. The cheapest you can find, ideally an Apple-rebuilt.

Make sure not to overfill the new SSD storage, keeping her below 80% full.

 

[ducknalddon]

so should i skip my m1 mini in favor of an m2 mac mini since she uses an hdmi monitor?

My M1 Mini is fine on hdmi. I don't think there is some inherent problem.