MacStudio power cable and more

[Giuanniello]

Hello,

based in Italy, looking to upgrade my 2014 (!!!) Mini, amazing how it still delivers after over 11 years, some tasks are endless which is weird, for example exporting photos from LightRoom, seems like slowing more with time but about time to switch, decided for a Studio (why not!) and since my mate is coming from the US I thought of saving something on taxes and US$ vs Euro and asked her to get me one, a base M4 with a 1TB storage, while she was on the way to a store I gave a look at the Apple Refurb and found an M4 with 1TB, bingo!!!

First thing first I need an EU power cable, is this fine?

My actual storage, photo archive, is on an external LaCie FW800 drive, adapter from TB to FW800, I got also an adapter which USB-C to TB to FW800 and tested it working but thought I might buy a new USB-C or TB box for my two WD RED 4TB drives (since I have them why not) rather than all of those adapters and leave the LaCie for backup once in a while through some adapters to use only upon need (I wanna remove clutter from the desk), any suggestion on a USB-C raid box?

Any accessory you'd suggest for the Studio?

Grazie

 

[maflynn]

asked her to get me one, a base M4 with a 1TB storage,

If customs sees the Mac in the suit case and your friend doesn't declare the computer, its quite possible he/she will get fined and still have to pay the duties.

 

[Giuanniello]

If customs sees the Mac in the suit case and your friend doesn't declare the computer, its quite possible he/she will get fined and still have to pay the duties.

This doesn't really answer the question and nothing new, thank you for your reply

 

[MarkC426]

Is it a large saving importing from USA (without taxes)…?
Personally I would buy locally if possible.
Out of curiosity what would it cost you in Italy….?

Not sure about the cable, I only ever use Apple official power cables.

 

[maflynn]

This doesn't really answer the question

It doesn't but it may save your friend from getting into trouble. Technically what you're advocating is against the law and possible repercussions.

 

[eldho]

This doesn't really answer the question and nothing new, thank you for your reply

But is an extremely relevant comment as it points out that your attempt to save money would very likely end up costing a lot more.

 

[Giuanniello]

Is it a large saving importing from USA (without taxes)…?
Personally I would buy locally if possible.
Out of curiosity what would it cost you in Italy….?

Not sure about the cable, I only ever use Apple official power cables.

Locally takes weeks and weeks for a BTO while in the US couple weeks at the most, taxes will be paid in the US and the person taking it over is an American citizen so there should be no issue

 

[Ifti]

The cable should be fine.
Hopefully you don't have any issues that need warranty coverage......

 

[Daverich4]

Hello,

based in Italy, looking to upgrade my 2014 (!!!) Mini, amazing how it still delivers after over 11 years, some tasks are endless which is weird, for example exporting photos from LightRoom, seems like slowing more with time but about time to switch, decided for a Studio (why not!) and since my mate is coming from the US I thought of saving something on taxes and US$ vs Euro and asked her to get me one, a base M4 with a 1TB storage, while she was on the way to a store I gave a look at the Apple Refurb and found an M4 with 1TB, bingo!!!

First thing first I need an EU power cable, is this fine?

My actual storage, photo archive, is on an external LaCie FW800 drive, adapter from TB to FW800, I got also an adapter which USB-C to TB to FW800 and tested it working but thought I might buy a new USB-C or TB box for my two WD RED 4TB drives (since I have them why not) rather than all of those adapters and leave the LaCie for backup once in a while through some adapters to use only upon need (I wanna remove clutter from the desk), any suggestion on a USB-C raid box?

Any accessory you'd suggest for the Studio?

Grazie

You’ll need to do something with your existing drives as the upcoming OS not longer supports FireWire.

 

[Giuanniello]

You’ll need to do something with your existing drives as the upcoming OS not longer supports FireWire.

Ouch, really bad news, they are triple interface so I could use USB-A but at this point I need to find a USB-C enclosure for sure, any suggestion for reliable ones?

 

[MarkC426]

Ouch, really bad news, they are triple interface so I could use USB-A but at this point I need to find a USB-C enclosure for sure, any suggestion for reliable ones?

How big is your current FW storage drive…?
You can get pretty big modern LaCie drives for a reasonable price now.
Might be easier than transfer the ‘old’ drive to a new enclosure.
BTW, all my external drives (which are many) are LaCie.

For example 4TB £165

LaCie d2 Professional 4TB, External Hard Drive DeskTBp, for PC Mac & iPad, 1 Month Adobe CC, Data Rescue Service (STHA4000800)

The LaCie d2 Professional is the go-to external desktop hard drive for creatives using SSD-based laptops or all-in-one-computers with limited storage capacity. Easily edit and archive projects with enormous capacity and speeds of up to 260 MB/s. Seamlessly connect to USB-C and enjoy reduced noise...

www.amazon.co.uk

 

[Giuanniello]

How big is your current FW storage drive…?
You can get pretty big modern LaCie drives for a reasonable price now.
Might be easier than transfer the ‘old’ drive to a new enclosure.
BTW, all my external drives (which are many) are LaCie.

For example 4TB £165

LaCie d2 Professional 4TB, External Hard Drive DeskTBp, for PC Mac & iPad, 1 Month Adobe CC, Data Rescue Service (STHA4000800)

The LaCie d2 Professional is the go-to external desktop hard drive for creatives using SSD-based laptops or all-in-one-computers with limited storage capacity. Easily edit and archive projects with enormous capacity and speeds of up to 260 MB/s. Seamlessly connect to USB-C and enjoy reduced noise...

www.amazon.co.uk

I liked to have same enclosures, I have the RAID ones with multiple interfaces, USB-FW800-ESATA etc but as much as I like them buying another used one with the possibility for it to fail doesn't really attire, found one for 50 euros so I might give it a try but then for 100 I found a G-Tech with an USB-C interface which could do much better without the complication of going from USB-C to FW800 (if it is still supported by next MacOS upgrade).

Disks I own are 6+6TB in the working LaCie and 4+4 from the failed one, it's a pity not to use them as they are WD Red series which are NAS disks and as such supposed to be very reliable