Finally time for a new computer soon: Mac MIni?

[HCMarkus]

So, I'm guessing that, if I were looking to purchase a new Mac Mini, I would have to buy the Intel Core because the M1s can only go up to 16GB RAM.

Is that a correct assumption?

No. With SSD storage closely integrated into the CPU, it seems Apple has managed to overcome issues that we would expect to show up with the limited RAM. Some have reported extremely high SSD wear... this issue hasn't blown up into a BFD so far.

From all reports, the M1 Apple Silicon Macs work remarkably well both with Native software (Logic) and with DAWs running under emulation. But there are pitfalls and caveats reported. I've seen at least a couple of folks here running DP on Apple Silicon. Bang for the buck looks really great. But M1s are admittedly not that far removed from the bleeding edge at this point.

I'm actually looking at getting an M1 MacBook Air for use with Apple's MainStage software in my live shows. Seems like an ideal setup... no fans, built in screen and battery backup and, by all reports, extremely capable. I will go for 16GB RAM and probably 1TB SSD. Also a hub to connect two keyboards and breath controller. Although I already own MainStage, I'll probably pickup the education package software deal as well, $200 for Logic, MainStage, Final Cut ProX and a couple of video tools. I can trade in my aging Air, and sell my Mini Ventilator and Leslie Studio 12 to cover (hopefully most of) the cost.

Still loving my 5,1 12 core in the studio. We'll see if the new Air will spoil me.

[primeevolutionary]

Thank you, HCM!

I appreciate your insight.

[dix]

So, I'm guessing that, if I were looking to purchase a new Mac Mini, I would have to buy the Intel Core because the M1s can only go up to 16GB RAM.

Is that a correct assumption?

No. With SSD storage closely integrated into the CPU, it seems Apple has managed to overcome issues that we would expect to show up with the limited RAM. Some have reported extremely high SSD wear... this issue hasn't blown up into a BFD so far. ...

Is this just an observation re RAM in the M1s, or have you seen this documented somewhere? I makes sense to me. This was my initial hunch when the M1s showed up with conspicuously low, un-upgradable RAM specs. High SSD wear would comport with this for sure.

[primeevolutionary]

I guess I should ask this as well. Pay the extra $200 for a 1TB internal and get a Samsung X5 2TB External to use as a system drive, or, pay the extra $600?

[dix]

I guess I should ask this as well. Pay the extra $200 for a 1TB internal and get a Samsung X5 2TB External to use as a system drive, or, pay the extra $600?

Good question! If it's true the M1's decrease SSD lifespans, would keeping the OS on an external SSD (that could be replaced) make sense, or would that negate efficiency? ...that is assuming keeping the OS on an external is possible with the M1s, which I don't know for a fact.

[bayswater]

So, I'm guessing that, if I were looking to purchase a new Mac Mini, I would have to buy the Intel Core because the M1s can only go up to 16GB RAM.

Is that a correct assumption?

Maybe not. The M1s are supposed to make more efficient use of RAM than the Intels. The real world difference may not matter. It might be worth looking at sites that rate the performance of computers and see if they have checked out the practical side of the question.

[mikehalloran]

I guess I should ask this as well. Pay the extra $200 for a 1TB internal and get a Samsung X5 2TB External to use as a system drive, or, pay the extra $600?

If you cost it out, the X5 is about the same price as adding onboard storage when you buy ($600 for 2TB onboard vs $592 for 2TB external). There are many advantages to having as much storage onboard as you'll ever need and no disadvantages — you can't upgrade internal storage later. If you need external storage in the future, add it then

So, I'm guessing that, if I were looking to purchase a new Mac Mini, I would have to buy the Intel Core because the M1s can only go up to 16GB RAM.

Is that a correct assumption?

No. All reports are that the integrated RAM is far more efficient.

In any case, you don't want to order anything before the Event on April 20. Many rumors about what we'll see.
https://www.apple.com/apple-events/

At the moment, the loaded MB Air M1 (16GB 2TB) is looking really good to me @ $1,739 in the Refurb Store. My 2012 MBP i7 is upgraded as far as it can go (16GB, 2TB SSD, 802.11ac, BT 4.2) and still has some value in the used market. I'll still wait till next Thursday, of course.

[bayswater]

I'll still wait till next Thursday, of course.

I'm always waiting until next Thursday. Every time I decide to buy a new Apple doodad, they announce yet another product launch. They need to give me time to actually buy something.

[primeevolutionary]

Thank you, Mike!

I guess I’ll wait. I have no issue with refurbished.

Have a great weekend!

Joe

[mikehalloran]

LogicProx isn't DP but… According to this, 455 tracks in Logic Pro on the M1. No details such as VIs or plugins but 455 tracks of audio… damn!

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/25 ... %20tracks.

This guy's doing 150 tracks of VIs with effects in the 8G RAM version:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e3RxuQlBPgA

Then there's this, again 8GB RAM. This is insane (and pretty funny)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KIAUiFoYPtQ

[bayswater]

LogicProx isn't DP but… According to this, 455 tracks in Logic Pro on the M1. No details such as VIs or plugins but 455 tracks of audio… damn!

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/25 ... %20tracks.

This guy's doing 150 tracks of VIs with effects in the 8G RAM version:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e3RxuQlBPgA

This is not big deal. My DP test project of 500 tracks including 128 VI instances, the rest each with its own audio file, and effects on every track runs fine on the i7 Mini. It even ran sort of OK with a bit of effort before I upgraded from 8G. The Logic version of the same project used a little less CPU.

Before I bought the i7 Intel MINI, I tried out the 1000 track Logic project at the Apple Store on it, and it was fine too.