Mac mini M2/24GB or M2 Pro/16GB

[ovbacon]

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?

What do you use now? and is it adequate or is it really under performing...

I have a mini M2, 16GB/512GB and I do very heavy Photoshop/Lightroom and illustrator work and this mini is doing an awesome job. I do have a very fast external ssd that allows me to read and write to it as fast as an internal one for a fraction of the price.

Web design should not be a problem and software dev is to brought to mean anything as far as spec needs. coding is not a problem doing crazy amounts of 3d rendering, I would not even attempt to use a mini.

 

[Fishrrman]

Santiagozero --

M2Pro.
More speed, more power, more ports.
Get the 1tb drive if you can afford it (it's 2x as fast as the 512gb).

 

[Cham2000]

Santiagozero --

M2Pro.
More speed, more power, more ports.
Get the 1tb drive if you can afford it (it's 2x as fast as the 512gb).

I agree that the M2 Pro mini is really faaaast! I also had much difficulties in choosing between the M2 and M2 Pro. And between 24GB (non-Pro) and 32GB (Pro). I don't regret my final choice: Pro with 32GB and 1TB ssd. This is THE computer I was waiting for the last 4 years!

 

[saturn88]

MaxTech did the 16GB vs 32GB comparison test and found only a very small difference in performance so 16GB to 24GB would not a really make big difference. 16GB RAM option good cost performance. Base pro chip upgrade may be useful as you do some video editing and if you plan to upgrade your monitor at some point. Many of us looking at the mini are pondering exactly which config is best. 16GB RAM/1TB I would go .... with base M2Pro seems a good balance. But in the end it is your choice. Hope you are happy with your new Mac what ever decision you make!

RAM is not so much for performance of individual application. It's for multitasking

 

[saturn88]

Ready to order a Mac mini - just trying to decide which one. M2 with 24GB ($1059 EDU pricing) or M2 Pro 16GB ($1199 EDU pricing). Light work, occasional photo / video editing but nothing major. Replacing an 8 year old iMac (16GB - never had any problems) so I'm sure either one is more than I need now. But the question is 5 years from now which one will be better? I like the better video of the pro (up to 8k at 60hz or 4k at 240hz) although I don't have a monitor that supports either now. I like the idea of 24GB on the M2 for future proofing (who knows what the next cool thing is that might be a memory hog).

I'm already overbuying my needs - so can't justify the additional $360 to go from 16GB to 32GB on the Pro. I know there is no right answer here, just looking for some opinions. Thanks

24gb is better for multitasking

 

[Cham2000]

RAM is not so much for performance of individual application. It's for multitasking

I agree that it's better for multitasking (which is what I do alot). I fill my 32GB pretty easily, and even get some swap file (currently at 542MB). It would have been a mistake for me to select the mini with 16GB.

 

[zgagato]

I would go for the Pro 32/512 SSD or 1 TB SSD. I have Mini M2 pro with 32 GB SSD/1TB internal SSD/ 19core and 10 GB. Maxed out without the SSD. Its Silent, fast, I love it. It replaced an 5.1 MacPro. Prefer the mini to Mac Studio because its newer. if a M2 max Studio existed i would get that.