Thinking about switch the new Mini

[mixart]

I'm an independent Art Director and Visual Artist, where I mostly work with Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign and a little After Effects. As Visual Artist I create surrealistic worlds by combining different photographs with a 50MB pixel medium-format camera. I don't do heavy video rendering, but I like having more software open at the same time. For now I have a MacBook Pro 15" 2.9GHz/16GB/512GB/560 Pro from 2017 and the LG 5K, and I'm thinking about selling both for a Mac Mini 3.2GHz/512GB SSD/8GB ram - upgrade to 32GB by my self, get a good good 32" 4K Display with excellent Adobe RGB color space. I'm looking at the Asus ProArt PA32UC with a eGPU like the Blackmagic eGPU to get a smooth experience.

It's a big decision, because I'm also curious about the new iMac redesign in 2019 and I don't need the portable anymore. Rumours says it will have a new display and if it covers Adobe RGB close to the 100%, I'm sold. I'm also sensitive for noise. That's why I'm holding back for the Mac Mini and thinking twice, when I read all about how much warm it gets and makes noise on this forum.

Maybe it's best to wait if I can?

 

[F-Train]

I have a 2018 mini and the Asus monitor that you are thinking of purchasing. As an external GPU, I am using an Asus XG Station Pro with an RX Vega 56 card. I believe that this works every bit as well as the Blackmagic eGPUs, and it is hundreds of dollars less expensive than Blackmagic's new eGPU Pro.

It is also upgradable, which the Blackmagic eGPUs are not. On the significance of that, see this post that I made earlier today on AMD's upcoming announcement at CES: https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/external-gpu-egpu-resources.2154653/page-14#post-26925454

I agree that a 2019 iMac would be extremely attractive if it covers Adobe RGB. This would require Apple to reverse its previous decision to support only DCI-P3, but it seems to me that covering Adobe RGB could significantly increase iMac sales to the many people who need, or want, that colour space.

If I can ask, what medium format camera/back are you using?

 

[mixart]

I'm using a Hasselblad X1D.

How is the noise level with the Mac Mini and the ASUS Station together?

Another reason for switching to Mac Mini is that I need more than 16GB RAM and it is so expensive for a MacBook Pro with 32GB. It's almost half the price for a Mac Mini, if I upgrade the ram by myself. If I'm selling my MacBook Pro now, it will mostly cover the price for the Mac Mini, maybe with a little money left.

 

[F-Train]

Thanks, knowing that you're using an X1D helps me better understand where you are coming from.

The following posts address a number of issues that may interest you. Two of them specifically address my eGPU and noise. I believe that the number of people who have had noise issues with the Mac mini itself are in a distinct minority, although this may also be an issue of personal sensitivity. Anyway, the posts:

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/external-gpu-egpu-resources.2154653/page-13#post-26907392

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/external-gpu-egpu-resources.2154653/page-13#post-26917986

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/are-egpus-really-plug-and-play.2161368/#post-26926607

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/external-gpu-egpu-resources.2154653/page-13#post-26908339

I also have a late 2014, 5K 27" iMac, and I want to reiterate that I think that a 2019 iMac, if it covers Adobe RGB, and you don't have any need for mobility, strikes me as very attractive.

Here is a thread on my personal reasons for purchasing, and keeping, the mini, just so you understand my thinking and personal needs/reasons: https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/its-decision-day-the-mini-is-staying.2160573/

I should add that the price of the Asus PA32UC monitor would be US$ several hundred lower were it not for the fact that it includes HDR. If you don't need HDR, it's something to consider. I started a thread on this monitor, which you might also find useful. The last post contains a link to a pretty good overview of it: https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/pros-cons-of-my-new-32-4k-monitor-display.2157978/

Cheers, hope this helps.

 

[mixart]

Thanks, I will surely read your post later.

I don't need HDR, but the high contrast with great black levels are one of the thing, why I'm considering the Asus PA32UC. I also have my eyes open for a second hand Eizo CG318. The new Eizo CG319X looks great, but I don't need HDR and is very expensive. It's a hard decision.

If iMac next year gets a new design, smaller bezel, better screen with Adobe RGB 99%, cooling system like the iMac Pro or better, it would be my dream computer, and I would regret getting a Mac Mini with eGPU and an expensive monitor, because the new iMac would definitely cost less. But then again a 32" monitor is very tempting.

 

[fujitasenpai]

Hi, I'm very interested in this also. I'm looking for a machine to replace my dying 2013 iMac 27in. I mainly use Illustrator to do layouts and also to do some tracing of some handlettering. My file can have lots of anchor points and tends to be heavy. I'm planning to get the fastest i7 processor and at least 16GB of RAM with 1TB of storage. One of my main concern is the iGPU and at this time I don't think I have a budget for an eGPU (not to mention the headache that comes with it).

Will this machine be enough? I live in a country where I can't return the machine if it's not working out. Once I buy it, I'm stuck with it. Thanks.

 

[F-Train]

Hi, I'm very interested in this also. I'm looking for a machine to replace my dying 2013 iMac 27in. I mainly use Illustrator to do layouts and also to do some tracing of some handlettering. My file can have lots of anchor points and tends to be heavy. I'm planning to get the fastest i7 processor and at least 16GB of RAM with 1TB of storage. One of my main concern is the iGPU and at this time I don't think I have a budget for an eGPU (not to mention the headache that comes with it).

Will this machine be enough? I live in a country where I can't return the machine if it's not working out. Once I buy it, I'm stuck with it. Thanks.

Adobe has at least one support page that specifies what tasks its applications use a GPU for.

Leaving aside the issue of budget, I’m using an external GPU and don’t find it a headache at all. It’s plug and play.

 

[Apple fanboy]

Thanks, I will surely read your post later.

I don't need HDR, but the high contrast with great black levels are one of the thing, why I'm considering the Asus PA32UC. I also have my eyes open for a second hand Eizo CG318. The new Eizo CG319X looks great, but I don't need HDR and is very expensive. It's a hard decision.

If iMac next year gets a new design, smaller bezel, better screen with Adobe RGB 99%, cooling system like the iMac Pro or better, it would be my dream computer, and I would regret getting a Mac Mini with eGPU and an expensive monitor, because the new iMac would definitely cost less. But then again a 32" monitor is very tempting.

Noise on my Mac mini is pretty quiet. The fans spin up sometimes in PS, but generally they don’t. When they do t it’s too quiet to hear.

I’m using the BenQ SW271 (pair), but the SW320 might be worth a look. 99% Adobe and 3D LUT means you get hardware calibration like the Eizo’s if you have an i1 or Spider.

 

[EEzycade]

If you have the money and patience, wait for the new mac pro. Then make a decision from there. You don’t want to get the mini and then when mac pro comes you say man, i should have waited

 

[mixart]

If you have the money and patience, wait for the new mac pro. Then make a decision from there. You don’t want to get the mini and then when mac pro comes you say man, i should have waited

I think I will wait and see what Apple comes up next with Mac Pro, new iMac and maybe a new screen. I will definitely regret, if they launch something awesome. I have a feeling the new Mac Pro will be expensive. The Mac Mini with 3.2GHz i7, 512GB and 32GB is fast enough for me, but it is the iGPU that I am concern about. If it had Vega 20 or something, it would be perfect for me.

 

[fujitasenpai]

The Mac Mini with 3.2GHz i7, 512GB and 32GB is fast enough for me, but it is the iGPU that I am concern about. If it had Vega 20 or something, it would be perfect for me.

This is exactly what my concern is as well. I really hope Apple will release one of those in the future just like the Macbook Pro one.

 

[mixart]

This is exactly what my concern is as well. I really hope Apple will release one of those in the future just like the Macbook Pro one.

Yeah, I like the Mac Mini, but I prefer to avoid an eGPU to keep it simple. But I can also see the positive of an eGPU. Hard decision, but I think I will wait till summer and see what Apple comes up next.