New Mac or Not?

[eljanitor]

Oh my old Mac Mini looks like it's dying. Wonderful machine for many years, upgraded it with two SSD's maxed out the RAM, but the last two years it just looks like the logic board is going. So after trying many different things last year I thought I'd replace it with a newer Mac, but I knew the ARM Macs were coming so I didn't.

To top it off I missed playing games and I've known for a long time that's not a Mac thing. I decided to build a PC again and built a really nice gaming Intel i7 gaming PC and before the video card purchase it was about the price of a new high end Mac Mini. Anyhow this Mac Mini is still sitting here and has it's purpose and then one day I ran the software update and no more iMovie. Because it installs a 64 bit version and you can't down grade after the update. So I go to the App store and surprise surprise Apple removed it.

So again this year I said what are my Mac choices. I like the GUI in Catalina it's so nifty the dark and light mode, and I have two Apple TV's so what about the new ARM based machines? Surprisingly Apple has restricted all and any upgrades to any new ARM computer they make unless you know how to remove solder and glue. You buy the machine with whatever RAM configuration you want at cost, same with storage and that's it. For as long as you own that computer no aftermarket upgrades.

I was a repair tech when Apple moved from the Motorola processors to Intel processors fixing out of warranty and AppleCare Apple computer repairs for a mom and pop repair company / store. I continued to repair Apple computers and make them better for many years to come afterwards on my own. ( When I worked for the repair store was right around when Apple stated killing that business off by opening Apple Stores) I was impressed that you could now run Windows without emulation software on a Mac, and honestly it was a great thing even though in the beginning I was not thrilled with it TBH.

So now Apple is moving to ARM processors, no more Windows unless you have something like VM Ware. Also as I mentioned earlier Apple has gone back to strong arming their customers into buying the machines with no way to upgrade them yourself. This has been a transition they have been doing for years slowly, and it's horrible. If you want a computer to surf the web with that has a really nice case buy a Mac. In three years when you need more RAM you're SOL. If You want more storage space internally again SOL. When the Intel based Macs are no more of Apple continues it's current course Apple will no longer be for anyone who is tech savvy.

 

[xraydoc]

Oh my old Mac Mini looks like it's dying. Wonderful machine for many years, upgraded it with two SSD's maxed out the RAM, but the last two years it just looks like the logic board is going. So after trying many different things last year I thought I'd replace it with a newer Mac, but I knew the ARM Macs were coming so I didn't.

To top it off I missed playing games and I've known for a long time that's not a Mac thing. I decided to build a PC again and built a really nice gaming Intel i7 gaming PC and before the video card purchase it was about the price of a new high end Mac Mini. Anyhow this Mac Mini is still sitting here and has it's purpose and then one day I ran the software update and no more iMovie. Because it installs a 64 bit version and you can't down grade after the update. So I go to the App store and surprise surprise Apple removed it.

So again this year I said what are my Mac choices. I like the GUI in Catalina it's so nifty the dark and light mode, and I have two Apple TV's so what about the new ARM based machines? Surprisingly Apple has restricted all and any upgrades to any new ARM computer they make unless you know how to remove solder and glue. You buy the machine with whatever RAM configuration you want at cost, same with storage and that's it. For as long as you own that computer no aftermarket upgrades.

I was a repair tech when Apple moved from the Motorola processors to Intel processors fixing out of warranty and Apple computer repairs for a repair company. I continues to repair Apple computers and make them better for many years to come afterwards. ( This was right around when Apple stated killing that business off by opening Apple Stores) I was impressed that you could now run Windows without emulation software on a Mac, and honestly it was a great thing even though in the beginning I was not thrilled with it TBH.

So now Apple is moving to ARM processors, no more Windows unless you have something like VM Ware. Also as I mentioned earlier Apple has gone back to strong arming their customers into buying the machines with no way to upgrade them yourself. This has been a transition they have been doing for years slowly, and it's horrible. If you want a computer to surf the web with that has a really nice case buy a Mac. In three years when you need more RAM you're SOL. If You want more storage space internally again SOL. When the INtel based Macs are no more of Apple continues it's current course Apple will no longer be for anyone who is tech savvy.

While the M1 has on-die RAM, I would suspect the next Mac Pro-level machine will have user-accessible RAM
But also note that the current Intel mini and MacBooks also have non-upgradable RAM and internal SSDs. So not much is different at this point.

 

[The_Interloper]

But also note that the current Intel mini and MacBooks also have non-upgradable RAM and internal SSDs. So not much is different at this point.

The current Intel Mac Mini has replaceable SODIMM RAM. I have upgraded two of these machines myself.

 

[ArPe]

Windows 10 ARM will be ready in about a year.

The upcoming Macs will be incredible if you need more than 16GB ram. They’ll be so awesome you’ll get hard on even if you’re a girl.

 

[eljanitor]

The current Intel Mac Mini has replaceable SODIMM RAM. I have upgraded two of these machines myself.

I noticed that, but I would think these will be the last line of Intel macs.

 

[jerryk]

What there a question in there?

 

[robco74]

The Mac Pro is upgradeable. You can add RAM to the iMacs. Most user never crack the case of their machine.

If the ability to upgrade is very important to you, then you should probably move on to commodity hardware. We'll see what happens as the transition to Apple Silicon progresses, but other than maybe the larger desktops, I wouldn't hold out much hope that the newer machines will be upgradeable.

 

[The_Interloper]

I noticed that, but I would think these will be the last line of Intel macs.

You are right, I was just correcting the misconception that current 2018 Intel Mac Minis cannot have their RAM upgraded.

Personally, I would not invest any money into an Intel Mac at all at this point. If you are not comfortable with the un-upgradability of the M1 Macs, then it may be time to move on to a different operating system. And this is something I have to reconcile, too.

 

[bobcomer]

One thing you are all missing about the M1 and the possibility of adding RAM -- the current design has all RAM on the die and there isn't any bus to add RAM to. I expect they will have to think something up, but there's been no clue from Apple that I've seen. Who knows, the M1X or M2 will have some kind of interconnects or shared bus for multiple M chips, but only they know about it, and I don't think we'll see it for awhile, it's not a minor change to allow scaling up, either hardware or software-wise.

 

[applefan19]

Oh my old Mac Mini looks like it's dying. Wonderful machine for many years, upgraded it with two SSD's maxed out the RAM, but the last two years it just looks like the logic board is going. So after trying many different things last year I thought I'd replace it with a newer Mac, but I knew the ARM Macs were coming so I didn't.

To top it off I missed playing games and I've known for a long time that's not a Mac thing. I decided to build a PC again and built a really nice gaming Intel i7 gaming PC and before the video card purchase it was about the price of a new high end Mac Mini. Anyhow this Mac Mini is still sitting here and has it's purpose and then one day I ran the software update and no more iMovie. Because it installs a 64 bit version and you can't down grade after the update. So I go to the App store and surprise surprise Apple removed it.

So again this year I said what are my Mac choices. I like the GUI in Catalina it's so nifty the dark and light mode, and I have two Apple TV's so what about the new ARM based machines? Surprisingly Apple has restricted all and any upgrades to any new ARM computer they make unless you know how to remove solder and glue. You buy the machine with whatever RAM configuration you want at cost, same with storage and that's it. For as long as you own that computer no aftermarket upgrades.

I was a repair tech when Apple moved from the Motorola processors to Intel processors fixing out of warranty and AppleCare Apple computer repairs for a mom and pop repair company / store. I continued to repair Apple computers and make them better for many years to come afterwards on my own. ( When I worked for the repair store was right around when Apple stated killing that business off by opening Apple Stores) I was impressed that you could now run Windows without emulation software on a Mac, and honestly it was a great thing even though in the beginning I was not thrilled with it TBH.

So now Apple is moving to ARM processors, no more Windows unless you have something like VM Ware. Also as I mentioned earlier Apple has gone back to strong arming their customers into buying the machines with no way to upgrade them yourself. This has been a transition they have been doing for years slowly, and it's horrible. If you want a computer to surf the web with that has a really nice case buy a Mac. In three years when you need more RAM you're SOL. If You want more storage space internally again SOL. When the Intel based Macs are no more of Apple continues it's current course Apple will no longer be for anyone who is tech savvy.

Upgraded from functioning mid-2012 MB Pro to 2020 M1 this week. Recommend it. I got 16 GB RAM and 1 TB SSD.

 

[UltimateSyn]

I’m not quite sure what the essence of your question is, but since you mentioned having an older Mac mini and a gaming PC I’m assuming that you don’t care much for portability and own a monitor or two.. That would lead me to recommend the new M1 Mac mini if you’re in the market for a Mac today. The M1 MBP that I owned briefly was simply incredible; Apple has really outdone themselves with even the first-gen Apple Silicon machines. If you are looking for repairability and upgradeability, though, the newer Macs will likely not leave much for you to be able to tinker with.

 

[eljanitor]

I agree most Mac users don't open their machines and if they did they would be hard pressed to find Apple parts to buy at retail to them as Apple controls that well. You can buy RAM for intel mac's and install SSD's in them, but as they move to ARM processors in their computers they are taking the consumer upgradeable option away. In all the years I've dealt with computers RAM always has to get upgraded as programs get heavier so people can extend the life of their computer, instead of purchasing a new one every three years.

iPads are great, iPhones too, Apple also always makes the GUI look nice also. They know their market and their customers and like someone posted here Commodity hardware is what you want if you want to DIY. I will miss being able to improve Apple products, and if they are not scalable from this point on I might not buy another Apple desktop or laptop from here on. Just makes me feel sad to see this.

 

[Apple Knowledge Navigator]

Keep in mind the objective for M1 (which Apple itself stated); it's a SoC focused on power efficiency. Yes, even the Mac mini benefits from this in sever farms!

Therefore we should no think too hard about how Apple Silicon will translate into other desktop Macs, where accessibility and computer power become the priorities.

I suspect RAM will be upgradeable if only because of the costs involved with placing larger memory capacities into so few chips. For instance, the M1 has two RAM dies that can be configured as 2 x 4GB or 2 x 8GB options. Now, there's nothing to say that Apple won't continue to simply add more dies around the SoC, much like a modern video games console, but at that point the memory is no longer technically 'part' of the package, so the benefits would be reduced anyway.

It' interesting for sure!

 

[Brian1230]

I just got a m1 MacBook Air a week ago Friday. I have had intel MacBook pro and air and by far the new m1 MacBook Air is far superior to any intel unit. awesome battery life and at least 3 times faster than intel.

 

[ader42]

I’ve been using Macs for a quarter of a century and never have I needed to upgrade them.
I’m more than happy to buy the Mac I need now - buy the best you can afford and it will last you.

My Macs usually last me 6 to 8 years because I don’t skimp when I buy. For example, the iMacs I’ve bought I have always maxed out the RAM when I bought them (using 3rd party RAM of course).

That said, the Macs I will buy this year I only require them to last 2 years before I replace them, and I expect in 2 years time they will still hold some resale value if I decide to sell them.

 

[MevetS]

I’ve been using Macs for a quarter of a century and never have I needed to upgrade them.
I’m more than happy to buy the Mac I need now - buy the best you can afford and it will last you.

My Macs usually last me 6 to 8 years because I don’t skimp when I buy. For example, the iMacs I’ve bought I have always maxed out the RAM when I bought them (using 3rd party RAM of course).

That said, the Macs I will buy this year I only require them to last 2 years before I replace them, and I expect in 2 years time they will still hold some resale value if I decide to sell them.

My first Mac was a 512KE, which I acquired used around 1988 or so. I still have it, but haven't fired it up in some time. I upgraded it with a logic board that had a 68030 processor and added a SCSI port so I could add a 20 MB (!!) hard drive, essentially turning it into a SE30. I had a PowerMac G3 Desktop that I installed an Orange Micro 386 board in so I could run Windows. I also upgraded the RAM. I later repurposed it as a MP3 machine, painted it black, upgraded the hard drive, and added a sound card to attach it to my stereo, and IIRC (it was a long time ago!) a USB card. I had a MacPro 2010 that I added RAM, multiple hard rives and SSDs, a Metal capable video card, a USB 3 card, and kept it running for ten years.

I've had a variety of other Macs over thirty some years. The best were the ones I could open up and tinker with. I generally run my machines for years, and the ability to upgrade and add new technologies has been an enabler for that. I'm currently using a 2018 Mini and while pleased with it I realize it is a bit of a stopgap machine. I really hope that either the next set of ASi Macs, or the ones after that, include an affordable enthusiast's upgradable machine.