Thinking of buying a Mac mini

[jalsakaro]

Hi All,

ive been a MacBook Pro since 3 years. Quite satisfied with it as I use it for normal office work and editing some videos.

I am planning to buy another Mac book pro with the m1 but I found that the Mac mini is cheaper than the MacBook Pro.

In this case is a 256 GB SSD enough for the base Mac mini as its quite cheaper then.

I would buy an external USB C 1 TB Drive which is quite cheap.

Please advise.

The decision is Mac mini because of price. Portability is not an issue for me as I work from home most of the time.

-thads

 

[Juicy Box]

I have a M1 MM and love it.

Please advise.

Do you have a question?

 

[Chips Stephens]

I would look at what programs you are using exactly, will they run on an external drive? Some will not. see if they are running currently on m1. Or even Big Sur for that matter...

being that you have zero opinion for upgrades I would think long and hard about more memory, 16, vrs 8.

I just went intel Mac mini, for me, M1
Is just not ready for the programs I use.

no bootcamp to switch to windows.
No egpu support.
No ram upgrades.
No downgrade of the operating system can be done on M1.



I am sure it will work for people not using it the way I do.
But I would check, if it runs what you need before purchase.

 

[ivanwi11iams]

Some valid points by @Chips Stephens. It really does come down to your use and need for the unit...

 

[xylitol]

Why do you want to buy a new Mac when you are satisfied with what you have, especially when you seem to be price sensitive? From work perspective, need trumps want.

 

[nothingtoseehere]

Assumed that no Windows/Intel programs are needed, the M1 Mac mini is a fantastic little machine, I love mine.

Internal mass storage: It is between price and convenience. 256 GB internal SSD should be enough for the functionality as such, and as OP says he would use an external drive, why not? You can put the external SSD nice and neat on top of the Mac mini.

When I got my Mac mini, I kept the old MBP. Great to have both machines at hand, one for desk work, the other one for every other room

 

[Partron22]

You can put the external SSD nice and neat on top of the Mac mini.

My 2 TB Samsung SSD is about 2.25X2.9" It'd look silly sitting up there.
If you are getting the 256GB internal, Consider getting a bigger external. Those docs, photos, music and videos fill things up fast.