Which is better for $500? New base M2 or used M1?

[whodiini]

Trying to decide which is better:
1) Base M2 8G/256 EDU price $500. Pros: will have updates longer
2) Used M1 16G/256. ebay price $500. Pros: 2x memory so less swapping, 2x faster SSD.
I am using this mainly as a itunes/TV server and TM backup device onto an external drive. Also as a backup in case my Studio Max fails.

opinions welcome. Thanks!

 

[arw]

For TV / TM both are equally suited.

If the mini were your only productivity device, 16 GB would probably be more noticeable than the M1 to M2 bump.
At least this seems to be the consensus in this forum.

If you tend to keep your Macs longer, I would pick the M2 because of your last point: Backup for the Studio:
As the Studio with M1 Max/Ultra came out over a year later than the M1 mini, it could receive one version of macOS more. The M2 will always be able to run the same version as the Studio which makes cloning or using the same apps more seamless than if you had to revert to an older version of macOS on the M1.
This is of course only relevant in a couple of years and only based on Apples previous OS cycles.

 

[whodiini]

Thank you. Very good points

 

[ZipZilla]

I'd get the M1...more RAM and without the gimped SSD of the M2