Mac Mini M1 VS Mac Pro 2013

[Fishrrman]

"I use a lot of ram and i mean a lot of ram sometimes 10GB with VM's (windows and other operating systems)"

You understand that you can't run Windows on the m1 Macs, right?
Not even through virtualization, I believe.

Also, the m1 Macs (Mini included) are limited to 16gb of RAM.

If you need more RAM than that, and if you need Windows, you need an Intel-based Mac.

Have you considered a well-equipped 2018 Intel Mini...?

I would NOT buy a 2013 Mac Pro now.
Just "too far back" in age.

 

[OldMike]

I have both a 2013 Mac Pro (6 core / D500 / 64GB / 2TB SSD) and a 2018 Mac Mini (i5 / 64GB / 512GB SSD). I have owned the 2013 Mac Pro since 2018 (it just came off of AppleCare warranty in April 2021) and have not had any issues with it.

They both perform similarly. I have a RX580 eGPU on the Mac Mini which helps with the fact that the internal graphics are pretty weak.

I also believe that the 2018 Mini will be supported for a longer period than the 2013 Mac Pro. I am not sure if macOS 12 will be the last update for the 2013 Mac Pro, or if we will see more in the future. I am hoping it will get new OS updates for a few more years.

I think the big factors in making the decision on whether or not to get the 2013 Mac Pro vs Mini, is if you need graphics support above the intel graphics on the Mini, and if you would like to have the capability of having a large SSD internally. For the Mac Pro, I am using a Sintech adapter with a 2TB SX8200 Pro drive.

The D500 graphics is not great - but it is much better than what is included with the Mini. There were issues with earlier graphics cards in the 2013 Mac Pros, so if you can find a more recently manufactured one, it will include any fixes that Apple made. I have also heard of problems with the D300 graphics and from my research the D500 seems to have the least amount of issues.

For the Mac Pro, this is a good site with lots of links in regards to upgrades that can be performed on the 2013 Mac Pro:

The Definitive Trashcan Mac Pro 6.1 (Late 2013) Upgrade Guide

A guide with every conceivable Mac Pro 2013 upgrade, from SSD hacks, CPU upgrades, to eGPUs.

blog.greggant.com

Power consumption is really low. Right now I have the 2013 Mac Pro, a 4 bay OWC Thunderbolt enclosure (with fan), USB 10 port hub, Creative Soundlabs small speaker, and a Arlo camera hub plugged into a UPS and I am drawing 150 watts.

I know the 2013 Mac Pro was a polarizing Mac. I happen to really love it and think it is a really unique and interesting computer from Apple, along the lines of the also controversial G4 Cube that I always loved as well.

 

[pmiles]

Hi Guys,

I'm currently looking for a Mac but I would like to know you're thoughts.

I'm either looking at a mac mini M1 as I have heard good things regarding performance etc. Or a Mac Pro (2013)

I'll tell you why I'm considering both and maybe your input will help.

I use a lot of ram and i mean a lot of ram sometimes 10GB with VM's (windows and other operating systems)

I use Spotify to stream to music and i have my own collection around 270GB

I use VLC to play big video files around (5GB, 7GB)

I'm considering the mac pro because of the amount of RAM i can get but also thinking about future proofing i don't want to buy one and Apple drop support.

Any input on this will be appreciated.

Thanks

You need to define your idea of future proofing and support... because everyone defines it differently. We may all agree on what the gist of said terms means, but actual expectations vary.

You buy anything that isn't ARM based from Apple, you're buying EOL computer equipment. It's that plain and simple. Apple is not going forward with INTEL, they are shelving it. There is no future proofing something that has no future.

The Mac Pro 2013 is going to be replaced. It will be the last model Apple migrates to ARM because it will be the most difficult to market when it does. Odds are pretty good that if you're not the type to have a different color Tesla for each day of the week, odds are pretty good whatever they come up with will be beyond the price point of your wallet.

Your choices are funny, on one hand you are looking to buy the lowest end ARM Mac that Apple offers, and on the other, the most expensive Mac. Your telling us you want power, flexibility, and upgradeability with the Mac Pro, but are willing to settle for an M1 Mac mini for the benchmarks. Neither seem to really fit your bill. Do I want to cut off my hand or my foot sort of question. Neither actually, but I'm forcing myself to choose anyways.

 

[dermeister]

I really don't think this is accurate. Apple will probably support Intel Macs until 2024-2026 based on that they only drop vintage products. The transition to Arm is also radically different than it was to intel and apple has a much larger team to support intel products unlike 2005 with Power Pc

Did I say Apple would stop supporting Intel products the moment they stopped selling them? I said the opposite. Try re-reading it.

In fact since vintage status is for products that haven't been sold for 5 years, your time-range of 2024-2026 makes no sense. Saying 2024-2026 is end of support means you predict the last Intel mac will have been sold between 2019 and 2021. I don't know why you'd include 2019 and 2020 in your range since those years are past, and 2021 is half done. So unless the last Intel Mac is sold this year, your range is completely wrong.

Assuming the last Intel Mac is sold in early-mid 2022, macOS Monterey 12 will be the last universal version of macOS shipped, and macOS 12 will receive updates until 2027 (i.e. Intel will be supported to 2027).

If the last Intel Mac is sold in mid-early 2023, macOS 13 will be the last universal version of macOS shipped, and macOS 13 will receive updates until 2028 (i.e. Intel will be supported to 2028).

And so on...

 

[loby]

That’s pretty cool. If I had known about when I updated my MP SSD I would have gone with it. A little late now.

AngelShark Carrier Board

The AngelShark Carrier Board is an interesting addition to the Mac Pro 2013. Anyone who has one can let us know how how hot does it get in the cylinder? Does it make the Mac Pro 2013 hotter than it already is? Big Sur with all the the firmware updates since Mojave seem to cool it down some...but I am wondering if the AngelShark board generates a lot of heat.. Thanks for any input!