Mini M2

[martint235]

Silly question. I have a 2017 5k 27” Mac. It’s not heavily used but when it is it is for running a selection of VMs in Parallels as I practise my Python coding. I’m considering the 512Gb Mini M2 with a 27” monitor to match my work one. Would I notice real differences in speed etc?

 

[FreakinEurekan]

Yes. I replaced a 2017 5K 27” iMac with a M1 mini / 16GB and the difference is VERY noticeable.

 

[martint235]

Yes. I replaced a 2017 5K 27” iMac with a M1 mini / 16GB and the difference is VERY noticeable.

Thanks for your help. That probably sways it

 

[weaztek]

When I am considering a new Mac purchase I generally go off of Geekbench results to give me an idea of performance. I won't even consider a purchase unless the metrics are at least double what I currently have. The benchmarks are found here: https://browser.geekbench.com/mac-benchmarks/

The 3 metrics I look at are: Single core, Multi core, and Metal (graphics).

The M2 Mini isn't listed yet, but I expect it within a week or so. Your iMac benchmarks are listed on there.

 

[martint235]

When I am considering a new Mac purchase I generally go off of Geekbench results to give me an idea of performance. I won't even consider a purchase unless the metrics are at least double what I currently have. The benchmarks are found here: https://browser.geekbench.com/mac-benchmarks/

The 3 metrics I look at are: Single core, Multi core, and Metal (graphics).

The M2 Mini isn't listed yet, but I expect it within a week or so. Your iMac benchmarks are listed on there.

Thanks for that. I’ll wait for the new mini to show up

 

[weaztek]

Thanks for that. I’ll wait for the new mini to show up

It's up! https://forums.macrumors.com/thread...ax.2377495/page-6?post=31891220#post-31891220

 

[martint235]

It's up! https://forums.macrumors.com/thread...ax.2377495/page-6?post=31891220#post-31891220

Thanks. Way above my Mac then. Time to start looking at my savings

 

[ivnj]

Does parallels even support M1 or M2. I thought it was intel only.

 

[QuietGamer]

Yes it does.

Processor

Apple M2, M1 Ultra, M1 Pro, M1 Max, and M1 chips, Intel Core 2 Duo, Core i3, Core i5, Core i7, Core i9, Intel Core M or Xeon processor

 

[xraydoc]

Does parallels even support M1 or M2. I thought it was intel only.

Parallels works fine on the M-series Macs. However, the guest OS needs to be ARM-based. There's a developer version of Windows 10/11 for ARM. Works fine and supports many (but not all) x86 apps via Windows-for-ARM's built-in x86 emulation.

Windows performance is fair -- good enough for office apps. Fortunately my main use for it is just verifying that my PowerPoint files display properly on Windows machines. Every so often fonts/sizes and images need to be tweaked just a bit.

 

[dotnet]

Yes. I replaced a 2017 5K 27” iMac with a M1 mini / 16GB and the difference is VERY noticeable.

Good to know. I’m about to replace a 2014 5K 27” iMac, which I suppose is similar to yours (3 years isn’t a long time on the Intel timescale ).

 

[martint235]

Ok that talk about Parallels and the M2 was a bit scary. I tend to use Linux VMs so will have to make sure they work on ARM. I’m sure the larger distros will

 

[theluggage]

Ok that talk about Parallels and the M2 was a bit scary. I tend to use Linux VMs so will have to make sure they work on ARM. I’m sure the larger distros will

Are you just running Linux as a “sandbox“ for experimenting with Python, or do you need specific Linux distros to mimic a particular target environment, or maybe obscure Python libraries that aren’t included in the major distros?

Also, do you need a graphical environment for Linux or just command line/server-style access?

Parallels runs on M1/M2 - the catch is that it can only run ARM based operating systems, but Linux has supported ARM since forever and there are well established ARM versions of the big distros. If you want a graphical desktop and care about graphics performance then it might be worth getting parallels, otherwise UTM is free (supports graphics but may be slow), as is Ubuntu Multipass (more server style).

(Most python stuff is cpu-independent anyhow and will probably just work, but there’s always the odd technical exception or library with a lurking x86 blob in it).

 

[martint235]

Are you just running Linux as a “sandbox“ for experimenting with Python, or do you need specific Linux distros to mimic a particular target environment, or maybe obscure Python libraries that aren’t included in the major distros?

Also, do you need a graphical environment for Linux or just command line/server-style access?

Parallels runs on M1/M2 - the catch is that it can only run ARM based operating systems, but Linux has supported ARM since forever and there are well established ARM versions of the big distros. If you want a graphical desktop and care about graphics performance then it might be worth getting parallels, otherwise UTM is free (supports graphics but may be slow), as is Ubuntu Multipass (more server style).

(Most python stuff is cpu-independent anyhow and will probably just work, but there’s always the odd technical exception or library with a lurking x86 blob in it).

Purely sandbox. I won’t be doing anything severely challenging with it or critical

 

[martint235]

So I’ve pulled the trigger and pre-ordered. Now I just need to find a home for my iMac otherwise it ends in the lift with the 3, possibly 4, old PCs

 

[martint235]

One last question. I have a 2TB SSD from my old PS4. If I attach that via Thunderbolt will it be quick enough to run a VM from or should I use the internal drive?

 

[xraydoc]

One last question. I have a 2TB SSD from my old PS4. If I attach that via Thunderbolt will it be quick enough to run a VM from or should I use the internal drive?

Very likely yes, it'll be fast enough.

 

[martint235]

Thanks

 

[MacintoshDan]

Im going from a late 2015 27in 5k iMac. I ordered a studio display and a base model mini with 16gb ram. I am sick of waiting for a new 27in iMac that at least now looks like it isn't coming soon if at all.

 

[dotnet]

Im going from a late 2015 27in 5k iMac. I ordered a studio display and a base model mini with 16gb ram. I am sick of waiting for a new 27in iMac that at least now looks like it isn't coming soon if at all.

Same here (coming from a late-2014 27” 5K iMac). Haven’t quite pulled the trigger on the studio display yet. I’m still considering cheaping out and getting the LG Ultrafine 5K, but there are no good deals around (or much in the way of stock), so I may end up getting the proper thing.

 

[CausticPuppy]

One last question. I have a 2TB SSD from my old PS4. If I attach that via Thunderbolt will it be quick enough to run a VM from or should I use the internal drive?

Yes it’ll be fast enough, but given that it’s a SATA drive it will be limited to 6GBps, so a Thunderbolt enclosure will be overkill. Save your money and get a USB 3.2 enclosure instead - 10GBps will still exceed the limit of that drive.

 

[martint235]

Yes it’ll be fast enough, but given that it’s a SATA drive it will be limited to 6GBps, so a Thunderbolt enclosure will be overkill. Save your money and get a USB 3.2 enclosure instead - 10GBps will still exceed the limit of that drive.

It was only £8. It seems to work ok with the existing Mac (M2 is two weeks away)

 

[MacintoshDan]

Same here (coming from a late-2014 27” 5K iMac). Haven’t quite pulled the trigger on the studio display yet. I’m still considering cheaping out and getting the LG Ultrafine 5K, but there are no good deals around (or much in the way of stock), so I may end up getting the proper thing.

Yea I didn't see them any cheaper anywhere, availability here in the US appears almost nonexistent. I would have considered waiting for the Samsung Viewfinity S9 if I knew it was going to be cheaper and when it would be available.

 

[martint235]

So Apple were saying delivery of 7th - 14th Feb for 16gb/256gb. I’m too impatient so now have 16gb/512gb pro arriving tomorrow 😊