Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
Mini M4 Pro vs Studio M2 Max?
- Thread starter Black Diesel
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
I’m really debating going for the M2 Studio right now. I’ve got a bit of FOMO over the M4 Max/Ultras.
But I’m guessing the M2 Max/Ultra are probably enough for audio production and years to come.
From your own description of what you're doing, it's likely the base M4 is enough, though it may not leave you with a lot of headroom for the future. (Though it's so cheap, you might be better off getting it, and then trading it in in a few years for an M7 or so.)
Again, go get the M4 Pro. If you don't like it, return it. You're obsessing over something that probably isn't a real thing.
I have no recollection of regrets because I bought too powerful a processor, too much RAM, or too large a drive. In 30+ years of building and buying both personally and professionally, my regrets are many - and they are all a result of throttled processors, limited RAM, and hours screwing around to have the files I need on the local drive.
I believe the original question was not about whether you could get by with less, but rather whether a mini with the M4 Pro would be better than the M2 Max. Particularly for your needs, these systems are going to be similar, but the Studio is specifically designed for what you're about. I'm guessing with the specs you're talking about, the new M4 Studio won't still be in budget, so I would buy now. If you think it might still be within your budget, hold out.
I'm currently writing this on a 2017 iMac 27-inch because I pulled it back out when my 2019 MBP 16" couldn't keep up due to thermal throttling. The money I spent putting 40 GB of RAM into this box doesn't bother me, but the squeezed .5 TB drive on the MBP does. These aren't systems that can simply be upgraded as they get limited, so I find it critical to prevent limitations on the front end. By the time your Studio is outdated, you will have already replaced it because you needed more oomph, but the difference between the pro-level build of the Studio and the consumer level of the Mini could well speed up the need to replace the system.
Get all that you can and embrace the renewed joy of the fleeting magic of crazy new speed
I believe the original question was not about whether you could get by with less, but rather whether a mini with the M4 Pro would be better than the M2 Max. Particularly for your needs, these systems are going to be similar, but the Studio is specifically designed for what you're about. I'm guessing with the specs you're talking about, the new M4 Studio won't still be in budget, so I would buy now. If you think it might still be within your budget, hold out.
I'm currently writing this on a 2017 iMac 27-inch because I pulled it back out when my 2019 MBP 16" couldn't keep up due to thermal throttling. The money I spent putting 40 GB of RAM into this box doesn't bother me, but the squeezed .5 TB drive on the MBP does. These aren't systems that can simply be upgraded as they get limited, so I find it critical to prevent limitations on the front end. By the time your Studio is outdated, you will have already replaced it because you needed more oomph, but the difference between the pro-level build of the Studio and the consumer level of the Mini could well speed up the need to replace the system.
Get all that you can and embrace the renewed joy of the fleeting magic of crazy new speed
Whatever you choose buy before any tariffs go in place.
People really don't seem to either know this is coming or consider it a reality that will potentially hit very hard. Apple isn't going to get some exception because they are Apple.
the NIC upgrade to 10G for $100 is literally the only upgrade where Apple doesn't rob you. The new Mac mini (5x5) w/a 10G NIC is a worthwhile upgrade under any circumstances. Even if you don't need it right now, there's a good chance you will in the upcoming years.
*I'm not sure I've even seen a 10g NIC option in another mini PC, (I've seen 2.5G). Maybe there are, and just haven't seen it but it's certainly not common. If anyone has please send a link. Thanks
I tend to agree. External Thunderbolt to 10GbE interfaces are expensive, large and run very hot. US$100 for adding this feature is surprisingly reasonable considering it's Apple! I use a NAS on a 2.5GbE network so this seemed like a better bet than using one of my precious TB5 ports for a 2.5GbE adapter (these are *much* cheaper than the 10GbE options) but I'd rather keep an extra TB5 port free, and not have the hassle of an external adapter that might run slower than the internal one.
Also, at some point I will have a 10GbE local network (i.e. when prices of switches / NAS units drop to "consumer levels"), so having the 10GbE upgrade seems a good bet.
The higher speed ethernet does seem sensible for those with cable environments.
But for a notebook, there are already quite cheap USB 3.2 docks with 10GbE speeds, and some other ports and power capabilities too. USB 3.2 is 20 Gbps. They are probably cheaper than the $100 upgrade. The issue that might make it a non optimal investment for the future, might be a new ethernet 20 GbE.
But for a notebook, there are already quite cheap USB 3.2 docks with 10GbE speeds, and some other ports and power capabilities too. USB 3.2 is 20 Gbps. They are probably cheaper than the $100 upgrade. The issue that might make it a non optimal investment for the future, might be a new ethernet 20 GbE.
The sweet spot in terms of power/performance this year is probably USB 5GbE for ~$40. You still have to find a switch capable of 5GbE, which is getting easier... but not easy. That's if you're wedded to copper, anyway.
If I was building a wired network in my home these days, I'd do it on fiber, despite the various drawbacks. 10/40(!!) Gbps switches are dirt cheap, optics cost pennies, power draw is small compared to copper. Of course you have to get cables of the right length, or learn to do it yourself, which isn't totally trivial. Probably still worth it. Of coruse, then you have to figure out how to get your Mac onto that network. :-( Media converters are so ugly, but practical (though you pay the power bill twice). Alternatively, a USB dongle with an SFP+ seems like a much better bet - if you can find one that works reliably (I haven't tried; I hope it exists). Best, but pricier, would be a thunderbolt dock with SFP+ or QSFP.
There are no perfect solutions. :-/
If I was building a wired network in my home these days, I'd do it on fiber, despite the various drawbacks. 10/40(!!) Gbps switches are dirt cheap, optics cost pennies, power draw is small compared to copper. Of course you have to get cables of the right length, or learn to do it yourself, which isn't totally trivial. Probably still worth it. Of coruse, then you have to figure out how to get your Mac onto that network. :-( Media converters are so ugly, but practical (though you pay the power bill twice). Alternatively, a USB dongle with an SFP+ seems like a much better bet - if you can find one that works reliably (I haven't tried; I hope it exists). Best, but pricier, would be a thunderbolt dock with SFP+ or QSFP.
There are no perfect solutions. :-/
So....I just went through this same dilemma an M4 Pro Mini base is $1,199.00 at MicroCenter or the M2 Max Studio base is $1,349.00. $150.00 more but 32 GB of RAM vs. 24 and much better cooling. I do mostly office work and some 2D CAD work so pretty basic. I went for the Studio just because I wanted one since they first came out. So far zero noise and butter smooth on everything. I still have a week to decide if I want to keep it or go for the M4 but I think it's a keeper.