2 mac mini M1 ( 16 GB memory) or 1 mac mini 2nd generation (32 GB of memory)?

[Gate 13]

Folks,
If you were seriously thinking to update your studio with mac mini devices , would you buy 2 mac mini M1 ( 16 GB memory) or wait until the New mac mini 2nd generation (32 GB of memory) comes out?
I am a composer with heavy loads of orchestral VIs.

For efficiency ( and price.. since I expect the new M1 mac mini Pro or Max to be super expensive) I would go with the first option ( 2 mac minis first generation 16 GB each) but I need your opinion!
Thank you!

[mikehalloran]

Since the only 32/64 Macs yet released are the MBP and they're brand new, there's not much of an opinion yet.

I am a composer with heavy loads of orchestral VIs.

It really depends on effects as well as VIs. There are many tests out there that suggest that 16GB integrated RAM may be enough for most DAW users. Unfortunately, they all appear to be done with Logic.

Since the 64GB is only $400 more than the 32GB version of the M1 Max, it will surprise me if most professionals don't just buy the 64.

Apple has not promised a new Mini although it's probably going to happen. A larger iMac does appear to be on the horizon as prototypes have been spotted in studios.

I do not use heavy loads of orchestral VIs but I am doing a lot of AV. For that reason, I'm holding out for a new iMac with the M1 Max 64GB. The Mini has been maxing out at half the storage of the MBP and large iMacs with one SSD as opposed to two in a modified RAID 0 in the larger machines. If Apple makes use of that extra space they have (the M1 GPU is also integrated) and stuff 8TB into the Mini, I'll be very interested.

since I expect the new M1 mac mini Pro or Max to be super expensive)

You need to qualify expensive. The top end MBP is only $6,100 — a little over half the price of my iMac Pro. Considering that it has a display and 8TB storage, it will surprise me if the next Mini reaches $4,000 since it will have no display and will likely max out at 4TB onboard (my guess: $3,600). Apple has been very consistent with the pricing of their storage options.

In other words: We'll see…

[HCMarkus]

The missing variable: When do you need it?

I, too, am hopeful an M1 Max 64 GB Mac Mini will soon be released and will be transplanted into my studio as its new heart. In the interim, I will continue to use my still very functional 12 core 5,1 Mac Pro.

However, if you need something today, such a Mini is not an option.

One can pick up a 12 core 5,1 on eBay for under $500 these days. I had one up for sale with no bites; demand for these aging beasts of burden has clearly fallen off. Could be a pretty potent interim solution for our OP. Not to mention compatibility with existing software...

[Gate 13]

Guys thank you for all the info but my question was about efficiency and price of course.
Will 1 mac mini M1 chip second generation (32 GB memory) when it comes available be better than 2 mac mini M1 first generation (16 GB memory each).
The new mac mini could cost around $3500 while the 2 mac mini around 1299 each.

But even if the price was the same (1 new mac mini 32GB= 2X maci mini first generation 16GB each) what would be better for the flow?

[HCMarkus]

I like to run my work on a single computer possible. So, for me, the workflow using one more powerful Mac is preferred.

Price is a more difficult question to answer at this point, as we don't know what Apple will charge if and when they release a "Mini Pro."

And, again, there is always the "when?"

[mikehalloran]

Will 1 mac mini M1 chip second generation (32 GB memory) when it comes available be better than 2 mac mini M1 first generation (16 GB memory each).
The new mac mini could cost around $3500 while the 2 mac mini around 1299 each.

As has been pointed out, your guess is as good as anyone's including Mr. Marcus's and mine.

Macs with the T2 chip and 10GBE Ethernet can be connected to create a larger computer. Apple was demonstrating stacks of 20 Minis being controlled by an iMac Pro before the release of the Mac Pro 7.1 which sort of made the scheme redundant. I have no idea of the M1 Mini can be combined in the same fashion though I notice that 10GBE is available. Interestingly, the new MBP (like the Air) does not come with Ethernet at all except through a Belkin USB-C to Gigabit Ethernet Adapter (!?!?!).

[dix]

Guys thank you for all the info but my question was about efficiency and price of course.
Will 1 mac mini M1 chip second generation (32 GB memory) when it comes available be better than 2 mac mini M1 first generation (16 GB memory each).
The new mac mini could cost around $3500 while the 2 mac mini around 1299 each.

But even if the price was the same (1 new mac mini 32GB= 2X maci mini first generation 16GB each) what would be better for the flow?

As Mike points out, apart from VEP maybe, I’m not aware of an elegant way to stack MacMinis. Do you know how that would be done? Re flow, maintaining 2 computers is more work than 1. I’d personally opt for fewer computers in my work flow unless more were unavoidable. I would have bought an M1 MacMini with 64gb had they been announced. The current Minis wouldn’t make much sense for me - large orchestral templates etc need way more RAM.

Have you considered using your current Mac as a VEP slave to a M1 MacMini?…it’s not clear from your sig if that would make sense, but maybe

[Gate 13]

Have you considered using your current Mac as a VEP slave to a M1 MacMini?…it’s not clear from your sig if that would make sense, but maybe

I hope it could be possible but my Mac is 2007 OS 10.6.8 ...can it support VEP? I dont think so.

[dix]

Have you considered using your current Mac as a VEP slave to a M1 MacMini?…it’s not clear from your sig if that would make sense, but maybe

I hope it could be possible but my Mac is 2007 OS 10.6.8 ...can it support VEP? I dont think so.

Doubt it. Sry. I forgot, the MAS version of VEP doesn't work on M1s yet. Plus yeah, you'd likely need a newer OS.