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

[Allen_Wentz]

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.

I fully disagree with the overly simplistic buy when you need it claim. Unless a need is urgent (such as if one's old box failed) then it makes total sense to buy based on evaluation of the timing of the expected coming new generations. I waited for M2, for instance, because I wanted what I (correctly) thought was coming with M2.

The down side of waiting is that we really do not know the timing of what Apple will do. I wanted an M2 Studio Max, for instance, but Apple delayed so long that I ran out of patience with the limiting RAM of my old box and instead ended up with an M2 MBP Max.

So IMO the OP's thought processes are sound. Unfortunately it will always be a best guess kind of thing as to timing. But a Mini is not a Mac Pro. Most folks do not expect any major changes to the Mini, just an evolutionary 10%-20% performance increase. IMO with a Mini it would be more important to get a maximum configuration, especially RAM, than it would be to get M3 over M2.

 

[MauiPa]

There is a valid theory to buying tech that is not to buy this years newest release, but buy last year's. That strategy still gets you a more than capable product, but can save you real money. Yes, the newest products usually have a slightly better this or that, but in this world of incremental changes, the differences usually aren't life changing, hence the argument to get last year's product that meets your needs. Personally, I like to buy Apple refurbs, I have had very good luck over the years, and you can save substantially over the cost of the newest release.

 

[MauiPa]

I fully disagree with the overly simplistic buy when you need it claim. Unless a need is urgent (such as if one's old box failed) then it makes total sense to buy based on evaluation of the timing of the expected coming new generations. I waited for M2, for instance, because I wanted what I (correctly) thought was coming with M2.

The down side of waiting is that we really do not know the timing of what Apple will do. I wanted an M2 Studio Max, for instance, but Apple delayed so long that I ran out of patience with the limiting RAM of my old box and instead ended up with an M2 MBP Max.

So IMO the OP's thought processes are sound. Unfortunately it will always be a best guess kind of thing as to timing. But a Mini is not a Mac Pro. Most folks do not expect any major changes to the Mini, just an evolutionary 10%-20% performance increase. IMO with a Mini it would be more important to get a maximum configuration, especially RAM, than it would be to get M3 over M2.

Absolutely nothing wrong with what you said, but I differ on the max configuration, especially RAM. My M1 MBP is 8 GB and a 512 SSD. I simply don't run into RAM issues with what I do. I totally understand that some people use way more RAM than I need, but I would get the amount of RAM for the use case, if you don't need the extra RAM, there is no benefit to having it. My old Intel MBP had 16GB or RAM and using Activity Monitor I determined that I never cam close to using all 16, so I decided against it.

 

[LeeW]

I am debating with myself if this is the right time to buy the M2 Mac Mini or not ?

On the basis they are unlikely to change anything else about the MM, what is the M3 going to do for you that the M2 isn't?

 

[Populus]

On the basis they are unlikely to change anything else about the MM, what is the M3 going to do for you that the M2 isn't?

Maybe, and this is pure speculation, but maybe the A17/M3 architecture comes with a much bigger neural engine plus a GPU capable of machine learning, and in a distant future, some AI/ML features from macOS/iOS have the minimum on those SoCs, similar to how the A12 is the bare minimum in a year where iOS 17 comes with lots of machine learning implementations.

Just a random thought, maybe the M3 is just a faster M2 with the same cores, and there wouldn’t be many reasons to wait, aside from one or two more years of macOS support.

 

[Chuckeee]

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 ?

Seems very likely that the performance boost between an M2 Mac mini as compared to an M3 mini will not be significant. And depending what you will use the mini for I believe you would be hard press to see any performance difference.

But since you don’t seem to be in desperate need for a new Mac TODAY. I would suggest a hybrid approach. Specifically wait for the October announcement and then buy the M2 Mac mini. With an an M3 available you should be able to get a MUCH better deal on an M2 mini. And if there is some really nice new surprise feature on the M3 (e.g., front ports, SD slot, new color, etc), that is not strictly performance related, you must have - you could still get an M3

 

[Allen_Wentz]

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

Yes a new chip is always a welcomed thing. However the devil is in the details as to how important the changes are. The M2 Mini, for instance, has Thunderbolt 4, WiFi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3; the M1 lacked all those things which are important to some folks like me. The M2 now already has those upgrades, which means that there is no longer a reason to wait for M3 to get them. I know of no such important upgrading expected for M3 [but I am just guessing].

Do note that there is a huge difference between the top of the Mini choices and the base level: RAM, memory bandwidth, etc.. I strongly recommend the top of the Mini line with 32 GB RAM to properly service the life cycle of the box.

 

[Allen_Wentz]

Absolutely nothing wrong with what you said, but I differ on the max configuration, especially RAM. My M1 MBP is 8 GB and a 512 SSD. I simply don't run into RAM issues with what I do. I totally understand that some people use way more RAM than I need, but I would get the amount of RAM for the use case, if you don't need the extra RAM, there is no benefit to having it. My old Intel MBP had 16GB or RAM and using Activity Monitor I determined that I never cam close to using all 16, so I decided against it.

Obviously YMMV. But do substantive things zipping among multiple open apps and more RAM does a hella better job. Plus RAM demands always increase over time, and IMO Apple's superb UMA will just increase the RAM demands by apps/OS even faster. Preventing a new box from its full potential by limiting RAM makes no sense to me.

 

[richmlow]

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

There is always going to be "the next best chip."

Good luck in your buy decisions!


richmlow

 

[rumz]

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.

This is probably about the best you can do— see what kind of smoke appears in the next 6 weeks and then decide before the BTS promo ends if the odds of an October / November Mac mini launch are worth the wait.

I personally am in the camp that is convinced an M3 Mac mini will not appear without an M3 Pro Mac mini, and that an M3 Pro is not in likely in the cards for the first wave of M3 releases. Also I haven’t seen anything to convince me that M3 production is such that Apple could be particularly aggressive rolling out new models and additional variants (Pro, Max, etc).

I have to wonder, though, if a refreshed iMac and MacBook Air would be enough to warrant any kind of event / presentation. Did the Mac mini + MacBook Pro refresh earlier this year come out via press release?

 

[marcusalwayswins]

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

Buy.

No Like I said the additional benefits under back to school just came along the way, it is a mere coincidence I have not planned my purchase accordingly.

 

[tomekwsrod]

Wait.

 

[Lounge vibes 05]

Buy now with the discount.
There was two years and two months between the M1 Mini and the M2 Mini, and while all of the rumors are pointing in One Direction, I don’t think Apple‘s gonna shorten the upgrade cycle from 26 months to nine.
Also as pointed out by others, the M3 and M3Pro Minis will launch at the same time.
So in all actuality, we probably won’t be seeing a new mini until spring/summer 2024, probably at or around WWDC.

 

[fricotin]

I've waited 11 years, I can wait a few more months (I hope I can...)

 

[AlixSPQR]

I'll wait until the base model mini gets 16 GB RAM. See here. Hopefully, this will happen soon. 🤞🏻

 

[switz]

I have an Intel i7 2018 design Mac mini I ordered with the soldered in 2TB SSD and 10Gb ethernet and then added 64GB of OWC ram. It is used as a file server and is now running Ventura latest release. When files are coming into the mini over the 10Gb ethernet cable, I see over 50Gb of ram in use as cache for the transfer. The bottleneck is the four hard drive raid.

I am well aware Apple will try and walk away from my two Intel computers ASAP. My built in 2019 fully optioned 16" Intel i9 MacBook Pro was last sold in 2020 and the my model Intel mini was replaced in 2023. Apple should support Intel in future MacOS releases for at least three years from 2023. No guarantees in that statement.

The M2 Pro mini maxes out at 32GB of Ram. I think there is a small chance the M3 Pro might get 64Gb of ram (for cache purposes) as memory seems to get larger on the best model each generation.

Note these two Intels would continue to operate even when the latest MacOS can no longer be installed. The mission would be for no internet access programs.

 

[Populus]

I'll wait until the base model mini gets 16 GB RAM. See here. Hopefully, this will happen soon. 🤞🏻

If there's an increase of RAM memory on the M3 base models, it will probably be to 12GB, not 16. Many rumours and speculations point in that direction: Multiples of 12 instead of 8. That is, 12GB, 24GB, 36GB, 48GB...

 

[HobeSoundDarryl]

No Like I said the additional benefits under back to school just came along the way, it is a mere coincidence I have not planned my purchase accordingly.

OK, if the "deal" is not more important, then the obvious answer is wait. The downside is only perhaps realizing you don't want M3 Mini if it is actually revealed in October and not being able to get as much in the purchase of M2 Mini then. The refurb store is usually 10-15% off, so the difference between "Back to school" and refurb is not going to be huge.

There's also rumor for AirPods Pro 3. If those hit, the 2s should see some good discounts. Or Black Friday will only be 4-6 weeks away from whatever Apple might reveal in October.

So you could buy a new Mac Mini 3 or 2 at or soon after the October event (if the 3 is actually included in the event) and then get a good deal on AirPods 2 PRO as soon as you catch them in a sale at anytime thereafter (holiday season will likely have some discounts from someone).

In short, this message says...

Wait.

 

[HDFan]

When files are coming into the mini over the 10Gb ethernet cable, I see over 50Gb of ram in use as cache for the transfer.

Where are you seeing this number? I copy terabytes of files at a time and have never seen this.

 

[marcusalwayswins]

Buy now with the discount.
There was two years and two months between the M1 Mini and the M2 Mini, and while all of the rumors are pointing in One Direction, I don’t think Apple‘s gonna shorten the upgrade cycle from 26 months to nine.
Also as pointed out by others, the M3 and M3Pro Minis will launch at the same time.
So in all actuality, we probably won’t be seeing a new mini until spring/summer 2024, probably at or around WWDC.

Though my heart does not want to believe this, My mind says this is what most likely is going to be the case and will happen.

 

[AlixSPQR]

If there's an increase of RAM memory on the M3 base models, it will probably be to 12GB, not 16. Many rumours and speculations point in that direction: Multiples of 12 instead of 8. That is, 12GB, 24GB, 36GB, 48GB...

Well, if so, I won’t buy one.

 

[marcusalwayswins]

This is probably about the best you can do— see what kind of smoke appears in the next 6 weeks and then decide before the BTS promo ends if the odds of an October / November Mac mini launch are worth the wait.

I personally am in the camp that is convinced an M3 Mac mini will not appear without an M3 Pro Mac mini, and that an M3 Pro is not in likely in the cards for the first wave of M3 releases. Also I haven’t seen anything to convince me that M3 production is such that Apple could be particularly aggressive rolling out new models and additional variants (Pro, Max, etc).

I have to wonder, though, if a refreshed iMac and MacBook Air would be enough to warrant any kind of event / presentation. Did the Mac mini + MacBook Pro refresh earlier this year come out via press release?

I have also got a kind of confirmation from some of the famous YouTubers who day in and day out breathe apple products, they are also of the opinion Mac Mini will most likely be updated now in the Spring or the WWDC of 2024.

 

[LeeW]

We should just be thankful the Mini is getting more regular attention.

 

[MacCheetah3]

According to a MR article:

In his latest newsletter, Gurman repeated that he expects the first M3-powered Macs to debut as early as October. However, based on previous reporting, he does not expect the Mac mini to be one of the first models with the M3 chip. They are likely to be the 13-inch MacBook Pro, 13-inch MacBook Air, and 24-inch iMac.

Gurman last month said that he did not expect a new Mac mini to emerge until late 2024 at the earliest.

Which is historically true.

And there is reasonably still a Buy Now recommendation in:

MacRumors Buyer's Guide: Know When to Buy iPhone, Mac, iPad

This page provides a product summary for each Apple model. The intent is to provide our best recommendations regarding current product cycles, and to provide a summary of currently available rumors for each model. This page is based on rumors and speculation and we provide no guarantee to its...

buyersguide.macrumors.com

Absolutely nothing wrong with what you said, but I differ on the max configuration, especially RAM. My M1 MBP is 8 GB and a 512 SSD. I simply don't run into RAM issues with what I do. I totally understand that some people use way more RAM than I need, but I would get the amount of RAM for the use case, if you don't need the extra RAM, there is no benefit to having it. My old Intel MBP had 16GB or RAM and using Activity Monitor I determined that I never cam close to using all 16, so I decided against it.

Good advice, especially if you can evaluate now (i.e., utilize Activity Monitor on a current Mac). And if a person felt the “need” to “future proof,” simply buy/upgrade one tier higher (e.g., if your system currently does fine with 8GB RAM and 256GB storage, go for a 16GB RAM and 512GB SSD config).

 

[switz]

You can check memory usage with Activity Monitor....