Category: Mac Mini

Apple’s potential introduction of a low-cost MacBook powered by the A18 Pro chip brings up intriguing possibilities for other devices in their lineup. One such possibility is the Mac mini, which could benefit from similar advancements. Many users would likely welcome a more affordable Mac mini option that leverages the power of the A18 Pro chip.

Imagine a Mac mini featuring the A18 Pro, equipped with 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage, priced at just $399. This configuration might appeal to a wide audience, particularly those looking for a cost-effective desktop option. However, it is important to consider the device’s limitations.

For instance, it would only come with two USB-C ports, which may not be sufficient for users who rely on multiple peripheral connections. Despite this potential drawback, many consumers might find the value proposition compelling. The A18 Pro chip would likely enhance the Mac mini’s performance, making it a suitable choice for everyday tasks, light creative work, and even casual gaming.

The combination of an affordable price, decent specifications, and the reputation of Apple’s ecosystem could drive interest in such a device. Ultimately, the decision to purchase a Mac mini with these specifications would depend on individual needs and preferences. For those seeking a balance between performance and cost, a Mac mini featuring the A18 Pro could be an attractive option.

However, the limited number of ports may be a deterrent for users seeking extensive connectivity. As with any tech purchase, potential buyers would need to weigh these factors carefully.

Many users are anticipating the arrival of affordable 2TB modules for the M4 Mac Mini, hoping to upgrade storage independently. However, this process may be technically complex, requiring specialized equipment that many Mac users may not possess.

Although third-party companies like OWC might offer upgrade kits, the market for such products is likely to be small. Users can often achieve similar performance with Thunderbolt SSDs, which might discourage them from pursuing internal upgrades.

The Mac Mini is primarily an entry-level device designed to introduce users to the Apple ecosystem. It is not intended to serve as a pro-class machine that enables frequent upgrades.

For those who seek an easily upgradeable workstation, the Mac Pro is the suitable option. Users should not expect Apple to allow simple plug-and-play upgrades, especially considering the company’s trend toward hardware restrictions and premium pricing for component enhancements.

In the past, users could easily upgrade RAM and storage for the Mac Mini at reasonable prices. Unfortunately, Apple’s current approach seems to have shifted towards locking down devices, limiting user upgrades not only in the Mac Mini but also in higher-end models like the Mac Pro.

Many people lament the changes and wish Apple would recognize the demand for more accessible upgrades. It’s important to note that while other small form factor PCs allow users to adjust RAM and storage, Apple opts for a more restrictive approach, often resulting in high initial costs for upgrades.

Some hope that future regulations might compel Apple to make their devices more user-friendly regarding upgrades. In the meantime, users must decide whether to stick with Apple or explore alternative PC options that offer the flexibility they desire.

I am considering between purchasing a Mac Mini or a Mac Studio. My primary workloads involve numerical computing, which typically relies heavily on single-core CPU performance. In that respect, I don’t see a significant advantage of the M4 Max over the M4 Pro or even the base M4. While it is true that the Pro and Max perform significantly better than the base M4 when tasks can be parallelized, much of my work does not lend itself well to parallel processing.

I would like to gather insights on thermal throttling experiences with the Mac Minis compared to the Mac Studios. Understanding how each performs under sustained workloads would help inform my decision. In terms of pricing, a fully equipped Mac Mini featuring the Pro chip with 48GB of RAM and a 512GB SSD is around the same cost as a base Mac Studio equipped with the Max chip, which includes 36GB of RAM and the same 512GB SSD. This makes the comparison between the two systems particularly intriguing, as I want to ensure I am making a wise investment based on my specific usage needs.

If anyone has tested these devices under similar workloads or has observations about their thermal management, I would greatly appreciate your thoughts.

I haven’t attempted it yet, but I have my display connected through the dock while the SSD enclosure is directly linked to my Mac for ease of access. From your original post, it wasn’t clear that the SSD enclosure was not connected to the dock. If you intend to connect the SSD to the dock when you upgrade to the M4 Pro Mac mini, you should consider the following question: Does the write speed decrease significantly when the SSD is connected to the dock along with the display? If the performance remains stable, switching to a new dock may not yield significant improvements.

The write speed of 1500 MB/s equates to approximately 12 Gbps. In contrast, a high-performing NVMe drive connected via Thunderbolt 3 can reach speeds around 22 Gbps. It’s possible that the controller in your SSD enclosure is limiting your NVMe speeds. Additionally, it would be worthwhile to check the specifications of your NVMe to understand its expected performance when not connected via Thunderbolt.

A typical Thunderbolt 3 dock can manage a maximum of around 25 Gbps for regular data transfer since Thunderbolt 3 supports 40 Gbps total bandwidth excluding display data. The bandwidth allocation for video resolutions varies: a 4K60 display uses about 16 Gbps, a 5K60 display around 28 Gbps, and a 6K60 display with Display Stream Compression (DSC) consumes about 15.4 Gbps. In contrast, the CalDigit TS3+ dock features a 1 Gbps PCIe Ethernet controller and USB ports that share bandwidth. In a Thunderbolt 5 dock, USB devices typically connect to the USB 3.1 gen 2 controller with a bandwidth of 9.7 Gbps.

This arrangement means all connected USB devices would share that bandwidth. Furthermore, Thunderbolt 5 docks may also integrate PCIe lanes, allowing for faster connections to NVMe devices or PCIe Ethernet adapters.

I’m looking for clarification on how to connect my current and future monitors to the Mac mini M4 that I have on the way. I’ve gone through several threads in the forum, but I still have some confusion, particularly regarding the terminology around USB-C, which I understand is more of a port type than a specific connection standard.

Currently, I’m using an Intel MacBook Pro from 2020 with four ports. In my setup, I utilize the built-in display while having an external monitor connected through an HDMI port on a hub.

Additionally, I have another monitor connected using a DisplayPort-to-USB-C cable. Since the Mac mini does not feature a built-in monitor, I plan to purchase a third external display to maintain my existing setup.

From the tech specifications I’ve reviewed, I’m curious to know if it’s essential to select a monitor that specifically highlights Thunderbolt connectivity. Understanding the right cable types and monitor compatibility is crucial for ensuring that I can effectively replicate my setup.

I appreciate any suggestions you might have regarding the necessary cable types or recommendations for specific monitors that would work well with the Mac mini M4. Thank you!

Hello everyone,

I hope you’re doing well. I’m currently considering upgrading my setup from my two 27″ Dell monitors, which I enjoy, to a larger 32″ monitor. However, I have a few questions regarding compatibility, particularly with a specific USB-C monitor mentioned in an example I came across. Halfway down the page it states that the monitor “works with devices on macOS” and specifies that it has been tested with Mac devices, ensuring compatibility.

Yet, I noticed that this information is missing for the 32″ variation of the same monitor. This leads me to wonder what variable should I be focusing on when assessing which monitors will work with my current setup. Additionally, I would like to understand why some monitors function seamlessly while others do not. I’ve recently installed an application called BetterDisplay, which has greatly enhanced my experience by allowing variable resolution and scaling.

My question is whether software might resolve potential compatibility issues I could face with the new monitor. I appreciate any insights or clarifications you might have regarding these concerns. Thank you!

I’m in a bit of a panic. I have two Mac mini M4 computers: one is the base model with 16GB RAM and 512GB storage, while the other is a M4 Pro with 24GB RAM and 512GB storage. I’m looking to sell the base M4 model, so I started the factory reset process. I signed out of everything, including Find My Mac, and followed the instructions for erasing all content and settings.

The Mac performed the reset and rebooted, but instead of the familiar setup screen, my display showed ‘No HDMI input detected.’ I noticed the white LED on the front was initially lit but then went off, only to come back on, all while nothing appeared on the screen. This flickering continued for a while, with the LED turning on and off repeatedly. After several cycles, the white LED shifted to orange and started pulsing in a way that resembled Morse code, spelling out ‘SOS’.

This seems pretty serious, and now I have no output on the screen at all. I’ve tried power cycling the device multiple times, but nothing changes. The Mac mini is only six weeks old, and I did purchase AppleCare+ for it. Thankfully, my other Mac mini M4 Pro is set up and functioning perfectly.

I’m really in a bind here and could use some help to resolve this issue.

Hello everyone,

I would like to open a discussion regarding the 16GB RAM base spec of the M4 Mac Mini and M4 Air, six months after their launch. I’m curious to hear how owners feel about this specification in terms of their actual use cases.

Is 16GB enough for your needs? How do you push the system to max out memory usage?

Specifically, what activities lead you to experience red memory pressure? Do you find yourself wishing you had opted for more RAM?

I’ve spent considerable time deliberating over which configuration of the M4 Mac Mini to purchase. Like many others, I’m concerned about the high costs associated with Apple’s upgrade options.

It seems there’s a general consensus that these prices greatly undermine the value of the base model. Six months in, I think it would be valuable to gather insights from current users of the M4 Mac Mini and M4 Air.

Your experiences can provide clarity for prospective buyers like myself who are trying to make an informed decision. Are there specific tasks or applications that you frequently run that might require additional RAM?

Moreover, if you have gone through the process of upgrading, how has it affected your overall satisfaction with the device? I look forward to hearing your thoughts and experiences.

Your input will be incredibly useful for those of us still on the fence about which specification to choose. Thank you!

I recently came across an interesting external SSD option that uses an integrated USB4/SSD controller from Phison. This design contrasts with the more conventional approach of utilizing a TB3/USB4/TB4/TB5 bridge in combination with an NVMe SSD. While the integrated option may offer some efficiency benefits, it also means that the enclosure is not reusable.

In the event of a failure, moving the SSD to a different enclosure would not be possible, which is something to consider for prospective buyers. Performance reports for this SSD vary, with some users describing speeds as good to very good. However, one potential drawback of this new controller is that it may not be as widely proven, particularly for Mac users.

Reviews specifically from the Mac community seem limited. Some users have noted issues related to the drive, such as the need to ‘Eject disk before disconnecting’ after waking the device from sleep mode. Today, I received the Corsair EX400U external SSD, which boasts impressive data speeds—up to 4,000MB/sec for sequential reads and 3,600MB/sec for sequential writes.

I opted for the 1TB model since I don’t require extensive storage. On my MacBook Pro M4 Pro 14, I formatted the drive to APFS. It’s worth noting that some users on forums have indicated that the sleep/wake issue appears to be limited to this specific drive.

There is a discussion suggesting that the problem may stem from macOS itself, which has experienced related issues across various versions. Additionally, the drive features a relatively low TeraBytes Written (TBW) rating of 250 TBW per terabyte of capacity. Although it is unlikely to reach that limit within three years of typical use, I view this as a measure of overall quality.

Nowadays, I prefer drives that offer a five-year warranty and at least 600 TBW/TB, with 1,000 TBW becoming increasingly rare. So far, I don’t have personal experience with this drive or other off-the-shelf alternatives, and it seems that others in the community are in a similar situation.

I purchased an M1 Mac Mini when it was first announced in 2020, and I have found it to be a fantastic machine. It meets all my needs, but I made a mistake by choosing the 256GB model, which has now filled up completely. I’ve noticed that the system data has ballooned to over 50GB, making storage a serious issue.

To address the problem, I’ve tried various methods such as deleting unnecessary files and optimizing my storage to leverage iCloud. I even moved my photo library out of local storage and into iCloud, which was something I had hoped to avoid. Despite these efforts, my Mac Mini is still full, and I’m unable to open several applications due to the lack of available space.

Now I’m left with two key questions: Firstly, how can I resolve the current storage problem? Secondly, what is the best way to add external storage for offloading files, especially media? I assume I would need at least two drives—one for the data and another for backup.

This need for extra storage would likely require a hub, as I would need additional ports for connection. An alternative I have considered is upgrading to a newer MacBook Air with higher storage capacity. This may be a more straightforward solution, allowing me to avoid the hassle of external drives and managing backups altogether.

I just want to ensure that I make the best decision for my future computing needs.