Would I regret buying the Mac Mini M2 (8GB version)?

[Bazza1]

No.
Cruising the internet (with lots of tabs open), streaming (including Zoom / Zoom-like meetings), document creation of all kinds, photo and video manipulation and multiple apps open and switching between - and nary a beachball here.

More RAM is always good, but unless you're planning on building games, go full Garageband in a music studio or are working for Pixar, I think 'regret' won't be an issue. Unless you consider the regret for paying for overkill - and realizing you'll not really recoup the expense when / if you eventually trade it in.

 

[gino4lyfe94]

I'm a light user. Going with the base 8GB RAM. If I get into any problems I'll just sell and upgrade the RAM. People shouldn't think of keeping stuff for 3, 5, 10 years. Things change. If 8GB Ram ain't working for you just sell and upgrade.

Any update? How is it running?

 

[AVBeatMan]

Any update? How is it running?

Ended up not buying. Just hooking up my MBP to my monitor.

 

[gino4lyfe94]

Ended up not buying. Just hooking up my MBP to my monitor.

Do you regret it or still want to get a MM?

 

[AVBeatMan]

Do you regret it or still want to get a MM?

Still thinking about it. Don't really need it but open to persuasion

 

[gino4lyfe94]

Still thinking about it. Don't really need it but open to persuasion

I’m in a tough predicament myself regard getting on or more on which one to get

 

[eRondeau]

I recently rewatched the original M1 introduction keynote from November 2020 and some of the early YouTube reviews of the first products using it. Several said this new System-on-a-Chip was a "paradigm shift" in CPU architecture that made previous benchmarks meaningless. The biggest problem with paradigm shifts is that often the users' understanding won't shift along with them. While I'm not necessarily defending 8GB/256GB as a reasonable standard in 2024, a minimum-spec Apple M CPU is far more capable than any Intel i5 or i7. My "base" 8GB/256GB M1 Mac Mini (used as my main computer) continues to be fast & responsive and still makes me happy every time I use it.

 

[udance4ever]

I am still using every day my 2012 mini with 16GB RAM. Waiting for the M4...

and when you do decide to switch, your 2012 will run Ubuntu Server great & make a nice lil home server (esp with the advent of CasaOS which makes it 10x easier!)

finally read through this whole thread and happy to hear so much success with peeps on 8GB.

If I can snag it, I'm opting for a 16GB M1 as I will be pushing the unit graphically & doing virtualization.

it was my first PPC mac mini in 2004 that opened my eyes to the unifying power of Web 2.0 (Writely anyone?) & as much as I love Linux & the gaming world that has emerged on PCs, I still find macOS (and iPadOS!) a solid experience despite their quirks showing their age.

 

[Gloor]

What an insane advice!

Of course people should think to keep stuff for 3,5,10 years!!!

Do you replace your fridge every 3 years? Or blender or other stuff at home?

For light user, computer should last minimum 5 years (if not 10 or more).

What kind of a silly circle do you live in that you thing we should consume faster and waste more? Jeeez

I'm a light user. Going with the base 8GB RAM. If I get into any problems I'll just sell and upgrade the RAM. People shouldn't think of keeping stuff for 3, 5, 10 years. Things change. If 8GB Ram ain't working for you just sell and upgrade.

 

[ignatius345]

I'm hearing all sorts of things regarding the 8GB from people, and it has me concern. Some say the 8GB will only last 2 to 3 years versus 10 years for the 16GB. I don't know what that means exactly?

Anybody claiming a number of years a Mac will "last" is pulling that out of their ass, if you ask me. I doubt any Mac you can buy today will still be getting security updates in 10 years.

IMO, an 8GB RAM Mac is useful right now for a lot of stuff. As time goes on, OS and other software upgrades will get harder for the Mac to run, though, and more installed RAM should help keep things responsive for longer. Personally, I'm treating 16 GB as a floor for any Mac I'd buy today, just based on my workload (graphic design) and the fact that I'd like it to stay reasonably responsive for at least 3-4 years.

When people talk about the "life of the computer", do they mean that A) it will actually die (won't turn on) or B) it will be obsolete/outdated?

Depends on who's talking, but bear in mind three things:
1. how responsive will your computer be in the time frame you're using it?
2. will it be able to download and run the current version of software?
3. how long will Apple officially support the machine and provide security updates?

#1 will be a longer period, probably, if you have more RAM
#2 may also be influenced by how much RAM you have
#3 you don't have any control over

Some of this is also processor-dependent. So if you're truly truly going for longevity, get the most recent and highest level of processor you can afford.

 

[ignatius345]

What an insane advice!

Of course people should think to keep stuff for 3,5,10 years!!!

Do you replace your fridge every 3 years? Or blender or other stuff at home?

For light user, computer should last minimum 5 years (if not 10 or more).

What kind of a silly circle do you live in that you thing we should consume faster and waste more? Jeeez

My blender doesn't download an overhauled OS every year or run software that gets more complex over time. I would have to upgrade my blender every 3-5 years if fruit became more complicated to blend somehow, or had new features that my blender couldn't accomodate. Because that's basically what we're talking about with computers.

 

[Gloor]

Nonsense. You can use earlier versions of OS and still be fine. Your argument is irrelevant.

Expecting everything updated ever 3 or so years is pure consumerism 101. But clearly you don't get it so i guess you will continue your way. Well, at least my AAPL will grow thanks to people like you.

My blender doesn't download an overhauled OS every year or run software that gets more complex over time. I would have to upgrade my blender every 3-5 years if fruit became more complicated to blend somehow, or had new features that my blender couldn't accomodate. Because that's basically what we're talking about with computers.

 

[ignatius345]

Nonsense. You can use earlier versions of OS and still be fine. Your argument is irrelevant.

Expecting everything updated ever 3 or so years is pure consumerism 101. But clearly you don't get it so i guess you will continue your way. Well, at least my AAPL will grow thanks to people like you.

Strong words, Gloor. I was just pointing out what a bafflingly poor analogy you were trying to pass off.

But by all means, carry on my friend 🤣

 

[lepidotós]

#3 you don't have any control over

I will take the opportunity to point out OCLP; some of the Macs that could use it to run Sonoma are as old as 2008, even more models if you're willing to settle for Monterey -- and that's without discussing non-macOS options. A bit of a far cry from the officially supported 2017 baseline, eh?​

 

[ignatius345]

I will take the opportunity to point out OCLP; some of the Macs that could use it to run Sonoma are as old as 2008, even more models if you're willing to settle for Monterey -- and that's without discussing non-macOS options. A bit of a far cry from the officially supported 2017 baseline, eh?​

How well does Sonoma really run on a 2008 Mac? That just has to be a horrible user experience.

 

[lepidotós]

How well does Sonoma really run on a 2008 Mac? That just has to be a horrible user experience.

Ehhh.... sorta-ish? Going off a video of someone actually doing so, it works just fine for I'd say most people, and the performance is actually slightly better than Mavericks on the same hardware, but there are a few issues that may not even be its fault like bluetooth file sharing weirdness. It's in striking distance of a 2015 MacBook Pro, at least. And this is without any real upgrades, which you'd have if it was your main desktop.​

 

[jlc1978]

Nonsense. You can use earlier versions of OS and still be fine. Your argument is irrelevant.

Certainly. A machine doesn't stop working simply because a new OS came out, and unless the new one has some must have feature you can get by just fine with an older version. I ran Snow Leopard on a mini until a year or so ago and it worked fine for my needs.

Expecting everything updated ever 3 or so years is pure consumerism 101. But clearly you don't get it so i guess you will continue your way.

Not necessarily; while it is true some people just want a new shiny, there are use cases where a new machine makes sense. For others just because eteh machine is old doesn't mean it can't met their needs.

An old machine still has resale value or can be passed down to replace someone's older machine; it's not like they simply become ewaste. I've also donated older Macs where someone only needs a word processor and browser.

 

[Gloor]

Yep, exactly.

I still use 2017 15" MBP which will be replaced by M4 Mini (or studio) so I can stop using my work computer for 3D and I can use my own.
Meanwhile, the 2017 MBP will go to my partner who is more than happy with it. Apple builds computers so well that they do last a long time with a good care.

I can't imagine how much money I would waste if i was updating every 3 years. Absolute insanity!

I'd rather invest it in AAPL and get paid dividends and see growth of my portfolio. Way more sensible.

Certainly. A machine doesn't stop working simply because a new OS came out, and unless the new one has some must have feature you can get by just fine with an older version. I ran Snow Leopard on a mini until a year or so ago and it worked fine for my needs.



Not necessarily; while it is true some people just want a new shiny, there are use cases where a new machine makes sense. For others just because eteh machine is old doesn't mean it can't met their needs.

An old machine still has resale value or can be passed down to replace someone's older machine; it's not like they simply become ewaste. I've also donated older Macs where someone only needs a word processor and browser.