Mac Mini M4 Pro a good alternative to Mac Studio M2 Max?

[Noctilux.95]

Hey guys, I'm in desperate need of upgrading my 2020 iMac i7 retina 5K to the Mac Studio. Unfortunately the M4 chip wont be coming to the Mac Studio until mid to late next year and I just don't want to pay top dollar for a computer that has a two generation old chip. On the other hand the Mini will be getting the M4 Pro chip this fall. I was planning on running Photoshop and Lightroom on a pair of BenQ 31.5 4K displays on the Mac Studio and the same with the Mini. What do you think?

 

[axu2]

Does you iMac have an HDD/Fusion drive or an SSD? If it doesn’t have an SSD, an SSD, even an external one, would greatly speed it up if you install macOS on the SSD.

 

[Noctilux.95]

Does you iMac have an HDD/Fusion drive or an SSD? If it doesn’t have an SSD, an SSD, even an external one, would greatly speed it up if you install macOS on the SSD.

1-TB SSD

 

[HobeSoundDarryl]

Nobody (outside of Apple) knows anything here or elsewhere about WHEN M4 anything is going to arrive. Some of us “think" we see some kind of pattern of releases but we're still guessing on hardly any iterations that keep jumping around generation to generation.

A 2020 i7 iMac should be quite robust in 2024. As #2 says, perhaps you need to go SSD if you are not already. Silicon is great & all but the last gen i7s were no slouch and still run latest gen macOS.

However, the hypothetical Mini M4 Pro should be quite capable of Photoshop & Lightroom. Pay up that HEFTY Apple premium for more RAM than base so you don't need to lean on much SWAP to maximize speed. Base doesn't really cut it for RAM intensive operations and all the assurances that SWAP is no issue should be viewed like all of the arguments back in the day about how Fusion would not be an issue when that little slice of SSD was- basically- used like SWAP now. There are only so many writes to SSD and then it's over. Unlike Fusion Drive Macs, when Silicon SSD conks, you lose the WHOLE computer with no repair remedy at all. So don't opt to set yourself up for that by choosing the option that will be likely to then do a lot of SWAPping.

Another option at least as strong as buying that M4 Mini launch this Fall is putting your money to the similarly rumored M4 MBs PRO OR MAX and use it in clamshell mode (as many do). Then you can get M4 MAX if you want it and BONUS: your desktop can easily morph into and double as a laptop when you might need to hit the road. If you need it to be more like a desktop, consider a nice dock for it like maybe the Brydge one. Laptop as a desktop is a great option... and good way to kill 2 birds with 1 expensive stone. I you really want the MAX version of the chip, that's likely best option for soonest M4 MAX release... but- per paragraph 1- what do I know about release schedules?

 

[Basic75]

I think that if you "desperately" needed a new computer you'd go out and buy one. How much RAM does your iMac have?

 

[leifp]

As we’re speculating, and your needs are not particularly heavy, if the choice were mine, I’d go with the M4Pro Mac mini. The (present) 32GB RAM limit of the M2Pro is likely to exceed your Photoshop requirements and definitely does so for Lightroom. Neither is likely to take advantage of the additional GPU cores a Max variant offers.

 

[Chuckeee]

As we’re speculating, and your needs are not particularly heavy, if the choice were mine, I’d go with the M4Pro Mac mini. The (present) 32GB RAM limit of the M2Pro is likely to exceed your Photoshop requirements and definitely does so for Lightroom. Neither is likely to take advantage of the additional GPU cores a Max variant offers.

You really think the maximum RAM for an M4Pro will be significantly more than the M2Pro? Perhaps 36GB vs 32GB based on the MBP M3Pro. But I would be surprised about anything more than that.

 

[bzgnyc2]

You really think the maximum RAM for an M4Pro will be significantly more than the M2Pro? Perhaps 36GB vs 32GB based on the MBP M3Pro. But I would be surprised about anything more than that.

I will be disappointed if Apple doesn't at least double the max memory capacity on the M4 generation over the comparable M2. Presumably the M4 generation of the Mini/Studio need to be competitive for several years following introduction.

Then wholesale memory prices are about $3-6/GB for chips up to 64GB. I don't expect Apple to price it anywhere near that but rather designs based around small multiples of memory packages up to that size should be cost effective for Apple (versus the 96 and 128GB packages which are multiple times as expensive per GB).

 

[cuhulin]

I think we are all speculating here. We should know, within a few months, whether we actually do get a Mac mini with the M4 and/or M4 Pro chip this Fall. If your iMac is at all doing the job for you still, waiting until we actually know something seems advisable.

 

[leifp]

You really think the maximum RAM for an M4Pro will be significantly more than the M2Pro? Perhaps 36GB vs 32GB based on the MBP M3Pro. But I would be surprised about anything more than that.

My point was that 32GB RAM is both presently available and more than required by the OP. The M4Pro will not offer less (and likely the 36GB you mention). Thus no need for something more capable than a Mac mini.

 

[sublunar]

Hey guys, I'm in desperate need of upgrading my 2020 iMac i7 retina 5K to the Mac Studio. Unfortunately the M4 chip wont be coming to the Mac Studio until mid to late next year and I just don't want to pay top dollar for a computer that has a two generation old chip. On the other hand the Mini will be getting the M4 Pro chip this fall. I was planning on running Photoshop and Lightroom on a pair of BenQ 31.5 4K displays on the Mac Studio and the same with the Mini. What do you think?

You can’t be sure about Apple’s plans for new computers till they happen. One thing you can assume on is 3rd party retailers doing deals on ageing models so there’s that.

It’s going to be largely assumed that macs with M3 will be replaced with M4 equivalent models so why not look at MacBook Pro in October if m4 variants are launched later this year.

 

[MayaUser]

Probably the Mac Mini M4 Pro will be on par with current M2 Max
Expect the Mac mini this fall
BUt you want to trade your mac studio for m4 pro for little gains ? Dont you wanna go studio M4 Max

 

[next_cube]

Apple preparing major Mac mini redesign for later this year, report says

 

[Noctilux.95]

I really want a Mac Studio but not willing to pay retail for an already two generation old M2 chip. I also don’t have time to wait until fall of 2025 for an M4 Studio as I’m currently struggling to get by with my 2020 iMac Retina. As of now I’ll jump on a Mini M4 Pro and a pair of BenQ 3225 32” displays.

 

[Phonzoxd]

I really want a Mac Studio but not willing to pay retail for an already two generation old M2 chip. I also don’t have time to wait until fall of 2025 for an M4 Studio as I’m currently struggling to get by with my 2020 iMac Retina. As of now I’ll jump on a Mini M4 Pro and a pair of BenQ 3225 32” displays.

Im doing the same thing. M4 studio is just too long, im going m4 pro mac mini. The redesign is a selling point as well.

 

[clv101]

Any idea what memory bandwidth the M4 Pro is likely to have? And will it support more than 32Gb in the new Mini?

 

[Populus]

Any idea what memory bandwidth the M4 Pro is likely to have? And will it support more than 32Gb in the new Mini?

The M4 on the iPad increased from 100GB/s on the M2 to 120GB/s. Not a huge improvement if you ask me, but I guess it’s better than nothing.

I suspect that by the release of the M5, if it comes with LPDDR6, the speeds will improve much more.

As for the Pro chip, we can only speculate, so let’s do it!

The M2 Pro had a memory bandwidth of 200GB/s, effectively doubling the bandwidth. However, the M3 Pro just had a memory bandwidth of 150GB/s.

Given that the M2 Pro doubled the bandwidth (100%) but the M3 only increased a 50%, we could see the M4 Pro memory bandwidth increasing from 180GB/s (50%), to a maximum of 240GB/s if we’re optimistic (100%).

 

[rtrueman]

I really want a Mac Studio but not willing to pay retail for an already two generation old M2 chip. I also don’t have time to wait until fall of 2025 for an M4 Studio as I’m currently struggling to get by with my 2020 iMac Retina. As of now I’ll jump on a Mini M4 Pro and a pair of BenQ 3225 32” displays.

I'm running an iMac Pro w/ 64 GB RAM, 10-core Xeon, and an upgraded graphics card, but I would also like to upgrade to the M4 Studio or Mac Mini for Apple Silicon and AI. I'm in no rush and will see if there's a redesigned Mini with M4 Pro. I have a question about the monitors, as I'm also looking at the BenQ 3225 display. Instead of two, have you considered the Dell Ultrasharp U4025QW ultrawide or similar? I didn't think I'd consider a Dell over BenQ, but a widescreen seems appealing over two 27 or 32" displays. I also do photography work in Photoshop and Lightroom and productivity for my day job. Thoughts?

 

[Fishrrman]

OP wrote:
"Unfortunately the M4 chip wont be coming to the Mac Studio until mid to late next year"

I believe your assumption is wrong.
I think we may see the new Studio models earlier than that.
Probably second quarter of 2025, before or at WWDC.
Maybe even earlier.

Old saying applies:
"If you NEED now, then BUY now".
Do you really, really "need it" now?
A 2020 iMac is not "old".
Unless it's failing mechanically, you can probably "hold out" a while longer.