New MacMini Impressions

[verdejt]

Well here we are 2 days into owning my new MacMini M1 with 16Gb RAM and a 512GB SSD. I have to say I’m pretty impressed with it so far. I’m coming from a 2010 5,1 MacPro dual quad core processors with 32Gb of RAM and a 256GB SSD with 4 extra internal drives installed for data files. I Was a little concerned at first when reinstalling all my apps (I don’t like to use Migration tools because I like to load everything as new to eliminate any possible application errors) and I got the beachball a couple of times, but only for a few seconds. Now that all my stuff is loaded this thing really screams. While surfing YouTube I was able to burn a 25GB Data BluRay Disc in about 10 min, 15 min with verify. So just for giggles and grins I went into YouTube and just started clicking YouTube music videos to see how long it would take to load each one switching from another one. All I can say it was almost instant. Now this is the performance I expect from a machine in 2021.

 

[ashleykaryl]

I have the same model Mac Pro, which I have owned since new and it takes some mental adjustment accepting a mini can leave it for dust. I also have an i7 mini and even that embarrasses the Mac Pro most of the time, so I have no doubt an M1 would feel like lightning in comparison.

I am waiting to see what emerges from Apple with the expected M1X mini. As for the Mac Pro it's been a fantastic workhorse but technology has moved on and I think it is fast running out of road as a productive machine. The compatibility issues with Mojave are starting to tell and there will be no more security updates.

 

[deeppurple114]

i bought few month's ago same Mac Mini as you have and i in loved with him!
i use him has daily computer at my home - regular usage , not programming or graphic , most of my use it's for internet and video and no matter how windows this machine is Monster! not stuck like windows in every place, working smooth and fast!

 

[zoltm]

Well here we are 2 days into owning my new MacMini M1 with 16Gb RAM and a 512GB SSD. I have to say I’m pretty impressed with it so far. I’m coming from a 2010 5,1 MacPro dual quad core processors with 32Gb of RAM and a 256GB SSD with 4 extra internal drives installed for data files. I Was a little concerned at first when reinstalling all my apps (I don’t like to use Migration tools because I like to load everything as new to eliminate any possible application errors) and I got the beachball a couple of times, but only for a few seconds. Now that all my stuff is loaded this thing really screams. While surfing YouTube I was able to burn a 25GB Data BluRay Disc in about 10 min, 15 min with verify. So just for giggles and grins I went into YouTube and just started clicking YouTube music videos to see how long it would take to load each one switching from another one. All I can say it was almost instant. Now this is the performance I expect from a machine in 2021.

Indeed cool to see some vintage Mac Pro user here sharing m1 Mac mini experience. I m also on the same boot, was using the 4,1 flashed 5,1 Mac Pro single core with 64g of rams. For my casual typical internet youtube consumer workflow, I would not complaint if I have to use the trusted and stable Mac Pro for more years. However, the Mac pro failed recently and would not chime again. i may have hit with the bootrom spi flash issue. Continue To sink money onto this aged platform may not be a good thing to do. The latest m1 Mac mini really seems promising and smoking. Originally I worry about native apps support but it seems it is more than fine now given the less than 1 year introduction of the M1. some apps even perform better with the Rosetta 2 translator than running native on the intel platform.

any thoughts on how I could Reuse some of my nvme ssd investment in the Mac Pro with the m1 Mac mini?

 

[verdejt]

@zoltm There are quite a few docks and hubs that have slots for NVME drives. I'm going to be "cleaning" my 5,1 MacPro and putting it up for sale. I'm hoping for something in the $600 dollar range but realistically I think it will be much less.

 

[DeepIn2U]

Glad you love your new Mac Mini M1!

Next up ... ensure you've got good power supply or setup a clean energy and mine some digital currency while you're not using it

Make that Mac Mini work for ya

All ideas and kidding aside my bruv picked one up 2 mths back and he's crushing production sets in Logic or Ableton, it's like software etc is keeping up with his creative thoughts whereas before he'd have to pause with no distractions bit by bit by bit (literary).

 

[JEuro2285]

Well here we are 2 days into owning my new MacMini M1 with 16Gb RAM and a 512GB SSD. I have to say I’m pretty impressed with it so far. I’m coming from a 2010 5,1 MacPro dual quad core processors with 32Gb of RAM and a 256GB SSD with 4 extra internal drives installed for data files. I Was a little concerned at first when reinstalling all my apps (I don’t like to use Migration tools because I like to load everything as new to eliminate any possible application errors) and I got the beachball a couple of times, but only for a few seconds. Now that all my stuff is loaded this thing really screams. While surfing YouTube I was able to burn a 25GB Data BluRay Disc in about 10 min, 15 min with verify. So just for giggles and grins I went into YouTube and just started clicking YouTube music videos to see how long it would take to load each one switching from another one. All I can say it was almost instant. Now this is the performance I expect from a machine in 2021.

Nice brother, congrats. That's how new tech is supposed to make you feel
Think where these M chips will be in 5-10 years

 

[adam9c1]

I've had a number of cMP.
2008
2009 4,1 dual CPU which I ended up delidding and upgrading
2010 5,1 running the aftermarket firmware which let's you run newer OS (at the same time I had a spare 2010)

upgraded to SSD, PCI SSD, BT and WiFi, ... Not fully decked out 5,1 in terms of graphics but I did run 128GB of RAM at some point...

I sold off my Mac Pros two weeks too late as their prices tanked FAST.
I've been working with MBA, MBP, and mini.

While my workflows have changed I can see the M1 has some limitations, but 85% of the time it kicks the 5,1 butt. Big Time.

 

[ashleykaryl]

I sold off my Mac Pros two weeks too late as their prices tanked FAST.

Out of curiosity when did you sell the Mac Pros? I have been planning to sell my 5.1 and somewhat confused about the large variation in prices, at least here in the UK. I am reluctant to put it on eBay due to their selling policies, since I read buyers can now come back up to six months later for a return at the expense of the seller.

 

[Tapper]

As for the Mac Pro it's been a fantastic workhorse but technology has moved on and I think it is fast running out of road as a productive machine. The compatibility issues with Mojave are starting to tell and there will be no more security updates.

Thanks for noting that Mojave is no longer being updated. That pushed me over the edge given I have a 4,1 flashed to 5,1 Mac Pro 2009. So I checked https://endoflife.date/macos and then on CyberMonday I purchased a 16GB Mac Mini 512GB with the $100 off special. I'm very excited and already have a Sabrent dual dock in operation with a 2TB SSD for storage and 4TB HDD for backup.

 

[ashleykaryl]

@Tapper I know quite a lot of people run Mojave to access 32-bit apps but I think that is only tenable from a security standpoint if you never connect to the internet. Apart from the end of security updates from Apple, Intel stopped with the microcode updates for the processors a few years ago, so there is an additional point of weakness that has existed for quite a while.

My Mac Pro is currently sat dormant and effectively retired. These computers have done exceptionally well and I know there are some out there running even older ones, but realistically I think we should view computers as having a lifespan of no more than 5-7 years. The earlier you buy a computer following release the better value you potentially have.

 

[Tapper]

@Tapper I know quite a lot of people run Mojave to access 32-bit apps but I think that is only tenable from a security standpoint if you never connect to the internet. Apart from the end of security updates from Apple, Intel stopped with the microcode updates for the processors a few years ago, so there is an additional point of weakness that has existed for quite a while.

My Mac Pro is currently sat dormant and effectively retired. These computers have done exceptionally well and I know there are some out there running even older ones, but realistically I think we should view computers as having a lifespan of no more than 5-7 years. The earlier you buy a computer following release the better value you potentially have.

Wow, I never heard about Intel microcode updates. Thanks. I may keep my cMP for a short time just to run Quake 4! Other than that I have no need to run 32-bit apps fortunately. I even have a few OS9 games I like to fire up on rare occasion and have Sheepshaver for that. I agree with your assessment of 5-7 year lifespan and running my 2009 cMP until now has been the best computer value of my life.

 

[marstan]

Another 5,1 cMP owner here ready to move on for all the reasons mentioned.

Unfortunately, the M1 mini is not completely ready for prime time at least for my use. For example, my Apogee Duet is not yet completely supported by Apogee on M1. The USB-C hub on my EIZO monitor doesn't work with USB-C connection via the M1 mini (although the alternate USB-B to -A connection works but that takes up scarce ports). Just a lot of things like that. So I returned the mini and will wait for the next — more powerful, flexible and less buggy I hope — version.

In the meantime, I do have a security gap but I don't use Safari but Firefox which is kept up-to-date for now.

 

[vddobrev]

A word on the M1 audio output. I was also hoping to replace my ageing 2014 mini with an M1.
My 2014 (used as a media device) is struggling with 4K output to my TV, so I tried the M1. While excelling at video output, the HDMI audio output of the M1 mini is limited to only 48kHz, there is no other choice in the Audio MIDI Setup, there is not even 44.1kHz. It sounds worse than my 2014 mini, that has 192.0kHz output via HDMI and optical S/PDIF.