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Mac mini M2/24GB or M2 Pro/16GB
- Thread starter PH39
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I'm on the same boat.
One thing that I possibly don't like about the PRO is could be louder than the standard, I hate loud machines and mininal noises around my desk. https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/so-how-silent-is-the-m2-pro-mac-mini.2378290/
One thing that I possibly don't like about the PRO is could be louder than the standard, I hate loud machines and mininal noises around my desk. https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/so-how-silent-is-the-m2-pro-mac-mini.2378290/
mmm do you think the next Studio Display goes to 120Hz? so the HDMI 2.1 makes sense now.
Apple recommends the Belkin hdmi any others worth mentioning I don’t want a 2 meter one. Smaller length I need?..
Definitely go with 32GB, you have 4 thunderbolts 4 ports means you can add more external SSDs. With a 100USD thunderbolt 3 SSD enclosure, you can achieve around 2800MB/s external SSD speed.
There's a large price difference between 16GB/1TB and 32GB/512GB (difference of 225$CD). Does the extra ram really makes a difference? (I'm not editing lots of large videos). The 1TB SSD is 2x faster than the 512GB, and apparently the performance benefit from 32GB versus 16GB is negligible.
This is base on what kind of workflow you are doing. If you are using for music creation, video creation or software development using some virtual machines. 32GB is sensitive. For 1tb version, the 7000MBs speed will decrease the sensitivity when your RAM are full. So it depends on you, your need and years preferred to use this machine. What’s your current configuration? Generally speaking, 16GB now is not future proved. It has been the default configuration for 15inch Pro in 2014. Nearly one decade ago.
16GB was the Apple's default on MBP 15" in ... 2014 ?? Are you sure of this? I'm very skeptical!
My "heavy dutty" work flow is typically this: Compiling large PDF documents with LaTeX (in background), while doing Mathematica calculations in the foreground, or drawing vectorial diagrams/schematics/illustrations with Intaglio or something similar, and listening to music at the same time. I typically keep open dozens of web tabs in my web browsers (Safari, Chrome, ...), to watch videos on YouTube for example. I also edit many photos/pictures in Pixelmator Pro (or other similar apps), while music is playing and LaTeX is compiling. I usually keep all my important apps open.
I don't edit large videos, and I don't do 3D renderings (or very rarely do).
So do you think the mini M2 (non-pro) with 16GB would be enough?
I know you are skeptical, but it's the truth, lol. See here: Spec of 2014 15 inch Macbook Pro
I also do some LaTeX work, some music creation using Logic pro, and mobile application development. I find that 16GB is just enough for my usage. The memory pressure is usually Yellow and sometimes goes to Red. With more RAM, you can open more applications and website Tabs simultaneously.
For me this time, I ordered the M2 non-pro version with 24GB RAM and 512GB SSB. For you, I think 16+512 non-pro is enough and 24GB will be more future-proof.
i like using the monoprice ultra slim 8k 48gbps 3ft hdmi cable , i use it on my ps5 & now Mac mini m2 pro, desktop setup
for longer needs like apple tv in the living room, i recommend the belkin apple cable
Majority ppl here went with M2 Pro but I think it's overkill for average usage.
Also there is no guarantee that whatever software you use can fully utilize that much CPU/GPU cores. Now assuming full CPU/GPU cores can be 100% utilized, as a prosumer, if a regular M2 takes 2 hours for a job while the M2 pro model takes 2.5-3 hours, I would happily take that extra half to one hour in exchange for a much cooler and silent machine.
Since I've got Apple studio display, the best monitor I could have right now, I'd most likely only be using thunderbolt in foreseeable future. And I don't think Apple would release any monitor with HDMI 2.1. So HDMI 2.1 is not relevant to me either. I do have LG C2 42 OLED with HDMI 2.1. Having been using it as a monitor for a while, I would say most of us would not tolerate the PPI if you're used to studio display.
So in my case I would recommend the regular M2 with 24GB memory. Save extra bucks and get a Studio Display if you don't have one. Worth every penny
Also there is no guarantee that whatever software you use can fully utilize that much CPU/GPU cores. Now assuming full CPU/GPU cores can be 100% utilized, as a prosumer, if a regular M2 takes 2 hours for a job while the M2 pro model takes 2.5-3 hours, I would happily take that extra half to one hour in exchange for a much cooler and silent machine.
Since I've got Apple studio display, the best monitor I could have right now, I'd most likely only be using thunderbolt in foreseeable future. And I don't think Apple would release any monitor with HDMI 2.1. So HDMI 2.1 is not relevant to me either. I do have LG C2 42 OLED with HDMI 2.1. Having been using it as a monitor for a while, I would say most of us would not tolerate the PPI if you're used to studio display.
So in my case I would recommend the regular M2 with 24GB memory. Save extra bucks and get a Studio Display if you don't have one. Worth every penny
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What are you doing with your Mac? What typical "heavy duty" works? Are you playing any 3D games on it?
Right now I have an M1 iMac, 16/256G. The iMac works perfectly for what I do (mainly remote login to a Windows office machine, general productivity work), but I may bump up against the SSD soon. I also think I may want a larger screen for home than the 24". I am considering four models:
M2 $999 (16GB, 512GB)
M2 $1,199 (24GB, 512GB)
M2Pro $1,299 (16GB, 512GB)
M2Pro $1,899 (32GB, 1TB)
The fourth computer would basically be an 8 year machine. The first three seem different variations on the same theme. I don't do gaming, video editing, anything more than basic photo editing, etc, so I know I don't need an M2Pro power, so I am wondering if say the second or third computers would also be eight year machines.
M2 $999 (16GB, 512GB)
M2 $1,199 (24GB, 512GB)
M2Pro $1,299 (16GB, 512GB)
M2Pro $1,899 (32GB, 1TB)
The fourth computer would basically be an 8 year machine. The first three seem different variations on the same theme. I don't do gaming, video editing, anything more than basic photo editing, etc, so I know I don't need an M2Pro power, so I am wondering if say the second or third computers would also be eight year machines.
I think that 16GB isn't enough. Like you, I don't do 4k video editing. I'm thinking about your second choice (which appears to be the best performance/cost ratio), or maybe the M2 Pro with 32GB/512GB, but this one is costly.
I don't game on mac but do use VMware Fusion to run windows. Apart from that I primarily use FCP X.
If I use a lot of One Drive but i don't download files it would be better to have a 1tb vs 512?
Your get 4 thunderbolt ports on pro model versus 2. You get HDMI 2.1 versus 2.0. If these are 2 main factors for considerations, definitely go with pro model
Does your eight year old iMac have a SSD drive? My 2015 iMac does. It seems to make all the difference in the world for daily use tasks (email, web surfing and Youtube videos). I've been to the Apple store numerous times trying to test the Studio on display against the M2, a M2 MBP 16/1 to simulate the Pro Mini and an M1 iMac against the videos I make on my iMac in FCP. Only jumping to the Studio do I see any real earth shaking benefit to the videos I'm making. The iMac 5K monitor is like a boat anchor now. I don't want to go back to 4K so I'm stuck getting a Studio Display too. The real upgrade to an M1 or M2 Mac seems to be the silence when not subjected to the fans on the iMac.
So I'm in this predicament. I can't decide between:
$1200 - Regular M2, 24 GB RAM, 512 SSD
or
$1300 - M2 Pro, 16 GB RAM, 512 SSD
This machine will be for audio production using Ableton live and running plugins with a midi controller. I'm wondering if maybe more RAM makes sense in this case than the extra power and cores of the Pro since I'm not using native Apple apps which are probably less optimized to get the performance out of those cores and will likely use more memory?
Idk though I may also do some video editting. Am I overthinking this?
I feel like jumping up to 32 GB on the Pro for $400 is a big jump. Part of me even though about saving the $200 on the regular M2 and just get 16 GB or RAM on that one.
$1200 - Regular M2, 24 GB RAM, 512 SSD
or
$1300 - M2 Pro, 16 GB RAM, 512 SSD
This machine will be for audio production using Ableton live and running plugins with a midi controller. I'm wondering if maybe more RAM makes sense in this case than the extra power and cores of the Pro since I'm not using native Apple apps which are probably less optimized to get the performance out of those cores and will likely use more memory?
Idk though I may also do some video editting. Am I overthinking this?
I feel like jumping up to 32 GB on the Pro for $400 is a big jump. Part of me even though about saving the $200 on the regular M2 and just get 16 GB or RAM on that one.
I can't help you much in your decision. But if I was to select the M2, I would definitely take the one with 24GB of ram. I ended finally with the M2 Pro with 32GB of ram. It's a bit overkill for what I usually do, but I really don't regret it (despite the high cost). From what I did on this computer until now (no music production, though), I easily use more than 20GB. Everything is super smooth and fast on this *very* silent computer, and never had any swap file yet. 16GB is definitively not enough for me.
As others posted, you must decide between 24+512 M2 and 32+512 M2 Pro. You need to pay around 50% more for the Pro version. For audio production, large memory is necessary if you need too much sound library. And 2 more p-cores on the Pro version make it available to add more tracks. If you benefit from these features, no hesitate to go to the 32+512 version. If you don't know if you really need it, the M2 version is also a good choice.
It is way too easy to "over" buy for your needs when looking at Apple products. I luckily buy my stuff from someone that works for Apple and I'm middle age, so I don't need the latest greatest anymore. But what I do when needing to replace a device is see what I was working on and how new devices compare. I replaced a 2015 iMac 5K, that was starting to be a little sluggish and I just don't need a Studio. Doing some Video editing but doing a ton of photo work in Adobe Lightroom/Photoshop and I use Illustrator a lot. I also am not in the mood anymore to really shell out exorbitant amounts of money. So I went with a pretty basic mini but wanting extra speed so I did go with 16GB/512GB. This thing blows the iMac out of the water and I can pretty much do with it what I want since it can handle more than I was doing before and way faster. I did consider the M2 PRO but after some research and info from my friend decided I just didn't need to go up. Same with extra storage as I do need 2TB but Apple's internal storage is just to expensive so I have an external ssd that is just as fast as my internal for way less and I can take it easily with me.
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Hey there guys, im looking to get my hands on mac mini, and having trouble to decide whether i shall go with 16/512gb or 24/512gb for m2, or 16gb/512 gb for m2pro, my work normally consist of software development, designing websites , perhaps photoshop and normal day to day things like streaming youtube etc. I am cool with two monitors and happy to have a dongle for extra usb ports. Which would be ideally faster? Does the ram bandwidth feels faster between 16gb/512gb m2 pro vs 24gb or 16gb/512gb m2?