*** The official 2023 and 2024 Mac mini thread (it has the M2 chip, the M4 chip and everything!) ***
- Thread starter Feek
- Start date
Soldato
Tempted. I want to see some reviews first and see some performance benches M2 vs M2 Pro. Assuming these should start trickling out anytime soon.
Edit: Typically, something which starts out relatively cheap with the base model has turned into a lot more expense on paper. Looking to save money where I can with the options availabile.
Seems like only the M2 Pro model has HDMI 2.1 capability. I'd want this to drive my display at 120hz @ 4K.
Next thing is RAM. I'd want to edit 4K footage, Lightroom, Photoshop and music production eventually. I frequently go over 16GB in Windows, so just assumed I'd need 32GB for an extra £360 it's an absolutely eye watering cost. But after reading this, I'm now not sure if I actually need 32GB?
Edit: Typically, something which starts out relatively cheap with the base model has turned into a lot more expense on paper. Looking to save money where I can with the options availabile.
Seems like only the M2 Pro model has HDMI 2.1 capability. I'd want this to drive my display at 120hz @ 4K.
Next thing is RAM. I'd want to edit 4K footage, Lightroom, Photoshop and music production eventually. I frequently go over 16GB in Windows, so just assumed I'd need 32GB for an extra £360 it's an absolutely eye watering cost. But after reading this, I'm now not sure if I actually need 32GB?
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Caporegime
M1 with 16GB handles Lightroom easily, so I'd go M2 Pro 24GB.
Soldato
The 24GB option is only available for M2 model and not the M2 Pro.
Caporegime
I think you'd have no issues with the M2, the accelerators for video editing breeze through those tasks.
Soldato
I've been holding out since the Apple Silicon transition started for a new 27" or larger screen iMac with either M2/M2 Pro to finally upgrade my Late 2013 iMac, however I don't see it forthcoming anytime soon 
As much as I like the simple All-in-one design of an iMac, I've got to admit the new Mac mini has peaked my interest.
If I didn't want to spend the £1499 on the 27" Studio display what would be a cheaper but comparable recommendation?
As much as I like the simple All-in-one design of an iMac, I've got to admit the new Mac mini has peaked my interest.
If I didn't want to spend the £1499 on the 27" Studio display what would be a cheaper but comparable recommendation?
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Caporegime
I've been holding out since the Apple Silicon transition started for a new 27" or larger screen iMac with either M2/M2 Pro to finally upgrade my Late 2013 iMac, however I don't see it forthcoming anytime soon
As much as I like the simple All-in-one design of an iMac, I've got to admit the new Mac mini has peaked my interest.
If I didn't want to spend the £1499 on the 27" Studio display what would be a cheaper but comparable recommendation?
You could go with an Apple refurb when they are back in stock at £1269
Refurbished Apple Studio Display, Standard glass, Tilt-adjustable stand
A big, beautiful window into new worlds, Studio Display draws you in from the moment you turn it on. It has a slim, all-screen design. And it’s packed with a phenomenal set of features so everything you do springs to life with gorgeous colour and spectacular detail.
www.apple.com
or the LG 27" 5K ultrafine, if you can find one. Costco seem to sell them at £949.99
Costco
www.costco.co.uk
Or wait for the Samsug 27" 5K, no idea on date or price.
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Samsung takes on Apple and LG with its own 5K display for creative pros
It’s the same size and same resolution as the Studio Display.
www.theverge.com
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Soldato
Thanks for the optionsYou could go with an Apple refurb when they are back in stock at £1269
Refurbished Apple Studio Display, Standard glass, Tilt-adjustable stand
A big, beautiful window into new worlds, Studio Display draws you in from the moment you turn it on. It has a slim, all-screen design. And it’s packed with a phenomenal set of features so everything you do springs to life with gorgeous colour and spectacular detail.www.apple.com
or the LG 27" 5K ultrafine, if you can find one. Costco seem to sell them at £949.99
Costco
Or wait for the Samsug 27" 5K, no idea on date or price.
Samsung takes on Apple and LG with its own 5K display for creative pros
It’s the same size and same resolution as the Studio Display.
I completely forgot about the Apple Refurb Store! That's actually a decent discount on the Studio Display.
Caporegime
It will be like new as an Apple refurbished so a good saving for no downsides. My preference would be the Studio Display so you can have that Apple service and warranty peace of mind. Run AppleCare on a yearly sub and you’ll be covered for as long as you pay.Thanks for the options
I’ve been very pleased with my Studio Displays. They were a long time coming but worth the wait.
Soldato
I'm still hoping Apple releases something with dimming zones and HDR for less than £6k.
Soldato
I've ordered off the Refurb Store before and everything was perfect. Just completely forgot about it
That's great to know. The Studio Displays do look lovely, what stand did you go with Feek?
Just trying to figure out what spec I should be looking at for best performance to price. Anything M2 will be a massive performance upgrade over my i7 3.5GHz (Quad-Core) with 32GB RAM and 4GB Geforce GTX 780M.
When I bought my iMac it was pretty much top-spec and is still happily usable today 10yrs on.....especially thanks to Open-Core Legacy Patcher. I don't want to overspend on bells and whistles if they aren't needed, though a little bit of future proofing doesn't hurt.
My uses are general web, office work, little bit of Xcode work and light video editing/encoding.
What spec of Mini do you think I should be considering? I'm settled on 1TB SSD and 16GB RAM. I have a Synology NAS for file storage.
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I’ve got one of each
Caporegime
M2 1TB/24GB. I’ve gone for M2 512/24GB
Am the same but went with 16gb when ordering. Its not slowed once and am working on it several hours a day with various video playing in the bg, right up to 4k. Never slows down so ill wait for the M3 or maybe even the new mac mini design if it ever comes
Soldato
- Joined
- 30 Jul 2012
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- 2,774
Have a 12/19 core about to ship. Been waiting to replace the studio (All noisy/Coil whine), perhaps they will do a better job with the M3 Max.
Soldato
- Joined
- 30 Jul 2012
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£1,099.00
Soldato
Given what’s come out of the m2 pro mini, a similar spec m2 pro 12/19 with 10g nic and 32gb of ram is the same price as the M1 Max 10/24 studio… I’m sure the extra horse power would be nice in the cpu department from the mini but the GPU would at a guess still be served a little short and I’m used to the 10/32 M1 Max found in the 16”.
I think I’ll be waiting on the studio refresh with the 12/30 or 12/38 assuming it doesn’t break the bank but I can’t see that happening given the latest prices for the UK on apple product.
I was looking at the ultra but I can’t justify it’s price nor the fact it has issues still with scaling.
I think I’ll be waiting on the studio refresh with the 12/30 or 12/38 assuming it doesn’t break the bank but I can’t see that happening given the latest prices for the UK on apple product.
I was looking at the ultra but I can’t justify it’s price nor the fact it has issues still with scaling.
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