To Buy the M2 Mac Mini now ? or wait for M3 Mac Mini ?

[marcusalwayswins]

Hi Guys,

I am debating with myself if this is the right time to buy the M2 Mac Mini or not ? Mark Gurman has speculated that the M3 Mac Mini could just be arriving as early as October of this Year which gets me thinking. Now before anyone points it out that If I am in need of a Computer not to think about anything and just get it if I need it right now. That is Partially yes and no the case with me. Yes I need an updated Computer now but, No I am not in any urgent hurry. My work has not come to a halt because of no computer. So if it is Guaranteed going to come in October I might aswell wait.

The only thing to be concerned right now is, I am getting a Heavily Discounted Airpods Pro 2 along with a Mac Mini under the back to school offer If I purchase it right now, which may not be the case later hence the dilemma. Also before someone tells me oh ! why are you waiting for the M3 Mac Mini, M2 Mac Mini is capable enough already and it can easily blow the water out of anything which is thrown at it. So I know all of that But still if in 2 Months there is a possibility of an updated chip coming why not wait for 2 months it is just 2 months. But is it really going to be only 2 months that is what I would like to know if you guys know anything about it ?

 

[Eriamjh1138@DAN]

Yes.

 

[marcusalwayswins]

Yes.

Yes what ?

 

[giffut]

Buy what you need when you need it. Don´t speculate on anything which might be happening in the future - be it hardware changes or software support.

We can´t help you chase discounts, though.

 

[marcusalwayswins]

Buy what you need when you need it. Don´t speculate on anything which might be happening in the future - be it hardware changes or software support.

I knew this was coming. I said this at the beginning of my post. Someone would just point this out even after mentioning it here, that I already know the Philosophy which is buy when you want to and are in need of it. Dont wait for Future. Though that is being Practical is cliched.

 

[Spock]

If you look at the M2 performance over the M1, you can use that to compare the M2 to the M3 and I can't imagine it will be a groundbreaking change. Also, from what I have read, M3 will be more about power efficiency and that doesn't matter that much on a desktop computer. I say go for the Mac mini, if not you will be asking the same thing about the M4 Mac mini in a few months.

 

[marcusalwayswins]

If you look at the M2 performance over the M1, you can use that to compare the M2 to the M3 and I can't imagine it will be a groundbreaking change. Also, from what I have read, M3 will be more about power efficiency and that doesn't matter that much on a desktop computer. I say go for the Mac mini, if not you will be asking the same thing about the M4 Mac mini in a few months.

That is a good point. But after all a new chip is always a welcomed thing. Isn't it ?

 

[Bazza1]

Gurman may be right - but then, the M2 Mini was only released earlier this year, so the timeline seems off. M2 Mini out several months after M2 MacBooks, and traditionally, the Mini's upgrades have always lagged behind other products.

Need vs want is, by your admission, also in play here. Yes, the latest and greatest is always attractive, but are the rumoured improvements absolutely essential for what you do / would need to do with your computer? Really?
And I'll point out you feel the Back-to-School deal sounds attractive enough to consider - so maybe you already know your answer. And it's almost a given there will be a price spike in the next iteration of any Mac product. If you really do have the cash to blow to consider the M3 (eventually), then maybe invest some of that into more RAM - if absolutely necessary.

And, if cash is really the issue (and why wouldn't it be), then don't be afraid to check out Apple's own online Refurb Store (https://www.apple.com/shop/refurbished). Prices there may beat Back-to-School or Educational pricing. Product availability flucuates, but you might be able to get yourself a higher spec'd Mini than you were anticipating - and be able to afford the iPods (also sometimes found there), too.

 

[leifp]

Since the Mac mini now also supports the Pro series of chips it is highly unlikely that a new Mac mini will release before the Pro and Max chips are also available. Will that be simultaneously with the base M3? I’d guess “no” but have no insight at all. I recently bought the M2Pro mini as the M3 versions will offer nothing I need.

 

[marcusalwayswins]

Since the Mac mini now also supports the Pro series of chips it is highly unlikely that a new Mac mini will release before the Pro and Max chips are also available. Will that be simultaneously with the base M3? I’d guess “no” but have no insight at all. I recently bought the M2Pro mini as the M3 versions will offer nothing I need.

I think you are saying the opposite if you go through this link it says the M3 Mac Mini will be released in Phases first wave would be the non pro series which is what I am eyeing on. I am not looking for the pro series.

Apple's M3 Chip: Everything We Know

Apple in October 2023 introduced its third-generation Apple silicon chips, the M3, M3 Pro, and M3 Max. The chips are Apple's first that are built...

www.macrumors.com

 

[meson]

The question really is "Am I better off getting an M2 mini and using the edu gift certificate towards a new pair of AirPods or wait for the M3 mini?"

From what I gather, your instincts are that shiny and new are better, but the value proposition says get the M2 now.

In January, I ordered and received my 16/256 M1 mini within the two weeks prior to the M2 mini launch (I really did not see them coming before April). I used zero interest payroll deduction through my employer to make the purchase, which carries a stipulation of no refunds/exchanges. In the end I had zero buyers remorse. I got the machine I needed when I needed it. I was a bit miffed that Apple changed the EDU pricing, but with the new pricing, I would have bumped both the ram and storage and ended up spending slightly more.

Frankly with the entry level M-series chips having such great performance, from a student/consumer perspective, there is little incentive to stay on the bleeding edge of Apple tech.

I recommend going with the M2 and discounted AirPods now. The old adage, a bird in hand is better than two in the bush still holds. Apple has already shown that they are willing to delay particular product categories if chip yields aren't high enough or they have some other internal incentive to do so because the M2 mini didn't arrive until the M2pro chips were ready to go in the machine in January.

 

[Zaydax333]

I think you are saying the opposite if you go through this link it says the M3 Mac Mini will be released in Phases first wave would be the non pro series which is what I am eyeing on. I am not looking for the pro series.

Apple's M3 Chip: Everything We Know

Apple in October 2023 introduced its third-generation Apple silicon chips, the M3, M3 Pro, and M3 Max. The chips are Apple's first that are built...

www.macrumors.com

So. I think you misunderstood leifp's point. Apple only updated the Mini with the M2 in January. Not when the M2 launched last July. Why? Because they launched an M2 Pro chip alongside it. I think this will continue and they will only update it to M3 when M3 Pro chip also launches. More cohesive that way.

They did the same thing with the Mac Studio. The M2 Max chip launched in january but they didn't update the entire line until they launched the M2 Ultra.

I think this fall we're going to see the new iMac, iPad Pros, and maybe a refreshed 13 inch MBP if they decide to keep it around.

But again, I could be wrong and this is all speculation. That is all these sites and analysts are also doing. If you don't buy it now and they don't launch M3 Mac Mini in October then you'll be saying the same thing, "should I wait? surely it will only be a few months out!"

IMO it's better to upgrade tech when you don't NEED it so then you're not panicking and trying to replace something important in a hurry. This way you'll get a better deal as well.

 

[leifp]

I think you are saying the opposite if you go through this link it says the M3 Mac Mini will be released in Phases first wave would be the non pro series which is what I am eyeing on. I am not looking for the pro series.

Apple's M3 Chip: Everything We Know

Apple in October 2023 introduced its third-generation Apple silicon chips, the M3, M3 Pro, and M3 Max. The chips are Apple's first that are built...

www.macrumors.com

Apple typically does not release product that has multiple APUs until all of them are available. They don’t release an MxPro computer without an MxMax version, for example. In the case of the Mac mini, they likely won’t release a base M3 mini until an M3Pro version is also ready to release. There are always exceptions but this tends to be their M.O.

edit: saw Zaydax333’s response after I posted mine. Theirs is a better/more detailed explanation.

 

[Tyler O'Bannon]

Hi Guys,

I am debating with myself if this is the right time to buy the M2 Mac Mini or not ? Mark Gurman has speculated that the M3 Mac Mini could just be arriving as early as October of this Year which gets me thinking. Now before anyone points it out that If I am in need of a Computer not to think about anything and just get it if I need it right now. That is Partially yes and no the case with me. Yes I need an updated Computer now but, No I am not in any urgent hurry. My work has not come to a halt because of no computer. So if it is Guaranteed going to come in October I might aswell wait.

The only thing to be concerned right now is, I am getting a Heavily Discounted Airpods Pro 2 along with a Mac Mini under the back to school offer If I purchase it right now, which may not be the case later hence the dilemma. Also before someone tells me oh ! why are you waiting for the M3 Mac Mini, M2 Mac Mini is capable enough already and it can easily blow the water out of anything which is thrown at it. So I know all of that But still if in 2 Months there is a possibility of an updated chip coming why not wait for 2 months it is just 2 months. But is it really going to be only 2 months that is what I would like to know if you guys know anything about it ?

If you’re not in a hurry M3 will be worth the wait

 

[HobeSoundDarryl]

OP, if this hinges on a guarantee of October launch, no one here could offer it. Nobody knows when M3 is going to hit except some people inside Apple Inc. There is plausibility that it could arrive in October. There is plausibility it could wait for 2024.

If you are not burning to buy now, October begins only about 6 weeks from now. Wait and see if rumors really pile up about new Macs with M3. Or wait out the 8-10 weeks for Apple to have (or not have) an October event and see if M3 arrives or not.

If it does, you can know exactly what it offers vs. the M2 version... and the latter will get a discount because it is replaced. Thus, you'll be able to buy "latest & greatest" on debut or next best version at a discount. The "back to school" discount does not seem much better than the typical last-gen refurb discount. So I guess the potential loss is the gift card.

As you may have noticed, every week there are "Apple deals" posted on this site. Here's one posted just as I write this. Those often involve Macs at discounts lower than Apple goes. M2 Mini will almost certainly be in those hot and heavy as soon as there is an M3 Mini... or even if there is no M3 Mini yet (as M2s are already promoted in weekly "deals"). And some of those may exceed the back to school + gift card savings.

 

[hirsthirst]

I'm in a similar boat to the OP - my employer is tightening up on personal usage of their work-issued Macbooks, so I'm having to migrate my personal stuff off their M1 MB Pro from next week.

My 2012 iMac has been in the loft since I moved house a year ago - my secondary device is a 2018 iPad Pro 11" - so I'm set on replacing that as my personal machine with a Mini to use my existing nice LG 5K monitor & Magic Keyboard / Mouse.

M3 won't be needed, but I'd be disappointed to buy 'the old one' potentially weeks before 'the new one' drops, especially as I'll be keeping it a good while.

 

[marcusalwayswins]

OP, if this hinges on a guarantee of October launch, no one here could offer it. Nobody knows when M3 is going to hit except some people inside Apple Inc. There is plausibility that it could arrive in October. There is plausibility it could wait for 2024.

If you are not burning to buy now, October begins only about 6 weeks from now. Wait and see if rumors really pile up about new Macs with M3. Or wait out the 8-10 weeks for Apple to have (or not have) an October event and see if M3 arrives or not.

If it does, you can know exactly what it offers vs. the M2 version... and the latter will get a discount because it is replaced. Thus, you'll be able to buy "latest & greatest" on debut or next best version at a discount. The "back to school" discount does not seem much better than the typical last-gen refurb discount. So I guess the potential loss is the gift card.

As you may have noticed, every week there are "Apple deals" posted on this site. Here's one posted just as I write this. Those often involve Macs at discounts lower than Apple goes. M2 Mini will almost certainly be in those hot and heavy as soon as there is an M3 Mini... or even if there is no M3 Mini yet (as M2s are already promoted in weekly "deals"). And some of those may exceed the back to school + gift card savings.

Yeah but missing the opportunity to buy right now, I also miss on the Airpods Pro 2 which I am getting Just at around $140 vs the regular price Ofcourse this just came along the way...I did not plan my purchase keeping the additional perks in mind.

 

[HobeSoundDarryl]

Reads like the deal is more important than M3 potentials to you. That's basically "bird in the hand."

Buy.

 

[wlossw]

Every year computers get faster, sometimes they get more expensive, but the old ones often come down in price. Never buy tech today that you can buy tomorrow. If you are able to do what you need to do with your current setup, wait. I am still running all intel Macs as they are more than sufficient for the tasks I do. I have been waffling about buying an M series Mac since the first MacBook Air, and maybe the m3 will be the year, but here's hoping I can make it another year without upgrading!

 

[spatlese44]

As a general rule, I'd buy things as soon as they are updated. That way you know it's going to be the best it's going to be for a while. That said, I'm in the same boat you are. I plan on buying a new Mac mini any day now. The education deal is a real thing and it ends early October if I remember correctly. Right now I'm banking on it being too soon to update the mini to M3. Remember, the "the new Mac mini is coming" thread was one of the longest I've ever seen and you could wind up waiting another year or longer.

I'm planning on bumping up to 16GB and 1TB and getting the pro version. I'm not planning on getting the 12 core pro.

Something to consider:

rough geek bench numbers for multicore

M2 Pro 12 core - 14000
M2 Pro 10 core - 12000
M2 - 10000
M1 - 8000
2012 mini i7 2. - 2000

From M2 to pro and pro to pro with more cores is about $300 each jump. I expect M3 base to be around 12000. Just a guess.

 

[gorbag42]

1. It's always better to wait.
2. Fresh is best.

If you can wait for the M3, why not wait for the M4?

 

[philipma1957]

buy the airpod now and wait on the mini.

I was all set to get a m2pro with 16 gb and 1tb. I am now going to wait for M3 mini.

 

[CalMin]

Life is too short. If you need it now then get it and keep the box. If M3 arrives and it has some sort of 'must-have' feature you need, then sell the M2 for not much less than you bought it for and then upgrade.

In all likelihood, the M3 won't be able to handle anything more than the M2. It will be a performance bump that you will barely notice except for benchmark tests (kind of like M1 to M2 isn't really noticeable for most use cases). Unless you're constantly running massive 8k video renders, then the few seconds a day that the difference between the two makes, isn't going to change your life.

There's always something better around the corner. And, Gurman, is often wrong. What if there's no M3 mini at all this year? Well - then you missed out on AirPods Pro and a few months of your life for nothing.

 

[Populus]

Every year computers get faster, sometimes they get more expensive, but the old ones often come down in price. Never buy tech today that you can buy tomorrow. If you are able to do what you need to do with your current setup, wait. I am still running all intel Macs as they are more than sufficient for the tasks I do. I have been waffling about buying an M series Mac since the first MacBook Air, and maybe the m3 will be the year, but here's hoping I can make it another year without upgrading!

Yeah, I’m the same type of consumer, still rocking a dual core Intel. But every year the temptation is bigger. At this point, I will either get an M3 (probably) or wait until the M4 if the M3 doesn’t offer a big leap over M1/M2.

 

[Populus]

Life is too short. If you need it now then get it and keep the box. If M3 arrives and it has some sort of 'must-have' feature you need, then sell the M2 for not much less than you bought it for and then upgrade.

In all likelihood, the M3 won't be able to handle anything more than the M2. It will be a performance bump that you will barely notice except for benchmark tests (kind of like M1 to M2 isn't really noticeable for most use cases). Unless you're constantly running massive 8k video renders, then the few seconds a day that the difference between the two makes, isn't going to change your life.

There's always something better around the corner. And, Gurman, is often wrong. What if there's no M3 mini at all this year? Well - then you missed out on AirPods Pro and a few months of your life for nothing.

I very much agree with this message.

I don’t fully trust the report that M3 mini is coming this year, and maybe you are waiting for nothing. Yeah, I fully understand that the 3nm process node will offer a substantial boost in performance, so either take the promo and sell it later, losing as little money as you can, or wait until October, lose the chance to get the promo, and if the M3 Mac mini don’t come in autumn, then get the M2 (or keep waiting).