I am currently using a late 2012 2.5ghz dual core i5 Mac Mini (running latest Catilina version) as my main computer. It has a 1tb SSD and 16gb ram. I am not using any intensive apps (no video rendering, gaming, etc.), but it is getting long in the tooth and increasingly sluggish. I do usually have many tabs open in Safari and Chrome, and keep Outlook (2016) running. I've had to use Memory Diag app to continuously free up memory in the background or it gets increasingly less responsive/more sluggish. I've also run Onyx, but it hasn't been much help. I believe it's time to just move to a newer Mini. From what I've researched, if I want to stay on an Intel Mini the 2018 models are the best option - is this correct? And, I've also seen a lot of love/hate for the M1 (and beyond). I know the future-proof Mini would be in the M1(+), so that would be the logical choice. And, if so, would I really need more than 8gb memory (given what I would be utilizing it for)?

Most folks (including me) would say the M1 is so much better in so many ways that it would be foolish to stay on Intel. About the only reason to stick with Intel at this point is if you need to run an older OS or have some Intel-only program that won't run on Apple silicon. The Intel to AS transition is another one of those times where you may be looking at having to pay for software upgrades or peripheral upgrades, if you have something older that won't "talk" with the M1 (if it has the wrong connectors, etc). So, that's part of the equation as well.

Looks like you could likely pick up a used base model M1 (8 gb RAM/256 GB storage) used on eBay for around $300. For the scales to tip in the favor of a 2018 model for me, the price would have to be in the "too good to be true" territory for me to even consider it.

Of course, if you're looking for a same-spec replacement to your 2012 model (in terms of RAM and storage), you'll need to look at higher-priced M1 models to get there. I'd probably recommend focusing primarily on the RAM and then just adding however much fast external storage you want rather than thinking you need to have that storage internally.

Any M1 mac or better will blow the doors off your current machine.

You need very specific reasons to stick with intel for it to make any sense.

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If you could get a 2018/2019 5k Intel iMac, it might be a good improvement over your 2012 mac mini. The screen is great, speakers are nice, and there is a decent GPU compared to that older Mac mini.

If you are keeping cash cost down, then get a 16GB/512 M-series Mac mini. And be done. Will connect to 2 external displays and blow you away.

So, I running from an external drive would be just as fast as from internal? I do have a 1tb NVMe in an external usb-c enclosure.

I always find useful defining a budget. In your case, you already have nvmes, so that’s one for a smaller internal. Maybe you can trade in for an m2, unless spending less that 409 is a must.
Anyway…

sekker - I'm not opposed to an iMac (something I will definitely look into), but would prefer to stick with the Mini line. I have an Apple TV hooked up to the same monitor through an HDMI switch, and switch between the Mini and ATV on occasion. I couldn't run the ATV through an iMac.

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rouderon
So, I running from an external drive would be just as fast as from internal? I do have a 1tb NVMe in an external usb-c enclosure.

No, the internal will be faster. But for most things the external will be fast enough that you won't notice the difference.

I keep a USB 3 external hard drive (yes, a spinner) attached to my M1 Mini (8GB, 256GB) for working with large files. It is still perfectly workable for most things. Just takes longer than the faster options.

Are the M2's that much better than the M1's? I've seen a lot of chatter that the M2's had issues (don't remember offhand what they were, though).

M2 is better than M1, not much better. Budget would dictate which way to go for me.
Unrelated, I’m of the idea that Chrome and Outlook are resource hogs. You may have important reasons to use them, but if you don’t, I would pave the way to stop using them.
A lot of time ppl use them to stay compatible when using old systems.

...and just to be clear, it IS possible to open so many tabs in chrome and you slow down newer, faster processors.

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rouderon
Are the M2's that much better than the M1's? I've seen a lot of chatter that the M2's had issues (don't remember offhand what they were, though).

The only real "issue" chatter with the M2 I can think of is that Apple used only a single 256GB SSD chip on the low end models, which halved the available throughput / bandwidth of models using two or more chips (or with the Pro models used only 2 chips for 512GB instead of 4x128.)

Most of the complaints you've heard here about Apple Silicon stem from hardware "security" changes that functionally eliminate old modes of working esp with external booting and inability to make bootable clones of drives.

Unless you can find a late model Intel mini for under $250 I'd say run, don't walk, to the cheapest Apple Silicon mini you can find and enjoy the performance improvements.

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g=



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/03/2024 10:04AM by gabester.

I will be in the minority here.

Have a '18 mini i7, 64G, TB that I bought in late '21(?).
It's holding its value well, based on what I paid.

I was thinking about this upgrade but the only lifting I do is with Pro Tools. So far this has had no problem no matter how much I stuff into a session.

I asked my buddy what runs ProTools for Skywalker.
His feeling, waste unless I plan to get into serious video editing, like diVinci, FCP, Premiere, or Avid MC.

And that's before you consider the OS "upgrade" to Ventura or Sonoma.
YMMD

Also, FWIW, the mini was an upgrade from my 2013 i7 MBA.

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!#$@@$#!

Quod suus via crustulum saxum

Couple of complementary thoughts:

1. The M2 Mac Mini Pro has extra ports, better CPUs, and IMHO opinion is worth the extra bucks, if you have the budget.

2. If you go with an M1 mini, I'd get 16GB RAM, especially given that the problems you're describing on your Intel Mini sound RAM related.

I moved from a 2012 Intel to a 2020 M1 and have been very happy. The only downside is not being able to run my old virtual windows XP. I kept the old mini for that purpose (and it runs iWeb) and access it via screen sharing.

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Ukulele music I couldn't find anywhere else.
[colquhoun.info]

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davemchine
I moved from a 2012 Intel to a 2020 M1 and have been very happy. The only downside is not being able to run my old virtual windows XP. I kept the old mini for that purpose (and it runs iWeb) and access it via screen sharing.

This was exactly the leap I made from a 2012 i7 16GB Mac Mini to a 2020 M1 8GB Mac Mini. The new computer does everything better except for running Parallels and x86 versions of Windows. I also access my older Mac Mini from my M1 Mac via screen sharing. When using Parallels I do switch my display, keyboard, and mouse to the older computer since screen sharing sometimes has some mouse focus issues with Parallels.

It wasn't all roses and sunshine though. I had more teething pains (i.e. system crashes) with the M1 Mac Mini than I had with the two previous desktop computers (2012 Mac Mini and 2009 Mac Pro both of which I still use daily). All my issues with the Mac Mini have been resolved after I stopped using the HDMI port in favor of just using the USB-C (with adapter dock to HDMI) and updated to the most recent Mac OS 14.

I appreciate all of the input! After pondering this thread I'm now heavily leaning toward an M1 or M2. It makes the most sense for future-proofing, and for what I need it for I really don't need a beefier model right now (and probably won't for the foreseeable future). Do either of these run hotter than the other (or than an Intel Mini)?

What's your budget? Whats your end setup look like? Do you need 1 TB internal, dual screens, big external, ext etc.

There is no love/hate for the M1, its all love. =). There are a few peeps here that bought minis and seem to want far more from the mini than it's actually capable of, but that shouldn't shouldnt an issue for you.

"hot" isnt a word you use with M1. "Silent" is.

I will agree with others that the biggest stumbling block will prob be the transition from Catalina to Sonoma/Ventura. Any old software will not transfer, and the overall OS has a very different look/feel/functionality.

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Edited 999 time(s). Last edit at 12:08PM by jdc.

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rouderon
Do either of these run hotter than the other (or than an Intel Mini)?

These new M-series computers run cooler and quieter than the Intel ones. These Apple Silicon computers use much less energy than the Intel designs.

If you want a machine that runs hot, might be best to stick with intel.

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TheTominator

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rouderon
Do either of these run hotter than the other (or than an Intel Mini)?

These new M-series computers run cooler and quieter than the Intel ones. These Apple Silicon computers use much less energy than the Intel designs.

I will second this. As some know, I tend to thrash my systems, regularly use lots of RAM and have seen my fair share of heating issues/program bombs/shutdown-and-restarts. The Intel models ran hot, even with fans blazing, under such a scenario whereas the M1 Studio and the M2 MBP are whisper quiet. I think I heard the fans once on the MBP. Only once. As a consequence, battery life is amazing.

Consider your needs, and I would say double the RAM for future proofing. These systems CAN be booted externally; it takes a bit more than what we used to do. Using a USB 3 drive will probably be as fast as you are currently used to; getting the blazing fast speeds the system is capable of requires the fastest external drives on the market, and even then you are not getting the highest speeds. They are THAT fast! I boot the Studio from an external TB drive and I can’t tell much difference from booting from the internal. Balance your checkbook against your wants. You can spend a lot of money here.

Ok, sounds like I'd be foolish not to go for an M series. Definitely trying to keep the budget on the lower side (overspent for Christmas, as usual )

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rouderon
Ok, sounds like I'd be foolish not to go for an M series. Definitely trying to keep the budget on the lower side (overspent for Christmas, as usual )

It really defines the direction you go... can you give us a ball park? And again, assuming you don't need anything extra besides the mini... monitors, drives, etc.

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Edited 999 time(s). Last edit at 12:08PM by jdc.

OK just for full disclosure, one thing you can do with the 2018 Mini that you can't with the M# is upgrade the RAM yourself. It comes apart like most previous Minis though IMO I'd say a bit easier though I'm more used the the 2012's disassembly thanks to extensive practice.

That said, that's not nearly enough of an advantage to choose the 2018. Get a M#, 100%.

Fritz reasons for keeping his i7 mini is really the only legit reason I know of - Pro tools is very delicate and if you have a rig working, it's best to keep it that way. Not sure if pro tools has even declared that it's apple processor ready yet.

The limited (or non) user upgradability was one of my main deterrents from initially upgrading a few years back. Unless I’m mistaken, there’s nothing user-upgradable with the M series, correct?

I really would like to keep it to the $500 range (which is pretty limiting in the M series line).

Keep in mind that RAM on M series is unified memory, so 2666Mhz vs 67GB/s.
Someone here may put this numbers in a better perspective than I can, but it is a lot faster.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/03/2024 03:23PM by rich in distress.

No, there is nothing upgradable within the shell of the M#. If you go this route, get what you think you *might* need in a few years, not what you currently need *now* unless you are willing to go the route of buying a newer machine more frequently.

PT is M1 and M2 compatible, but not Sonoma yet.
I'll upgrade after '25.

---

!#$@@$#!

Quod suus via crustulum saxum

Quote
Diana
...unless you are willing to go the route of buying a newer machine more frequently.

I'm kind of realizing that, for me, the days of buying higher-end ($$$) machines is likely over. I plan on buying a good, mid-range model every 2-3 years that is moderately-well specced, and just replace it with whatever is out when I'm ready to replace it. So far, even the single-generation jumps between M# generations has been substantial, and in many cases, waiting a year gets you a better machine at the same or lower price. Just doesn't make sense to overspend on a new machine for most folks unless that year of ultimate performance is worth the premium.

The thing with a lot of audio software, ProTools included, it’s that the software itself is not optimized to the way Apple Silicon works, so it still depends on raw processor power. Efficiency cores make no difference most of the time…
Not even Apple’s own Logic. I expect to see a huge boost in performance when optimizations ocurr.
Anyway, this is OT haha.

Edit, agree with clay. I’ve been on that trip for some time now. Besides, the upper level machines excel on video, 3D, etc., and it’s not very relevant to me. YMMV…



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 01/03/2024 03:33PM by rich in distress.

Quote
rouderon
The limited (or non) user upgradability was one of my main deterrents from initially upgrading a few years back. Unless I’m mistaken, there’s nothing user-upgradable with the M series, correct?

I really would like to keep it to the $500 range (which is pretty limiting in the M series line).

$500 is the bottom budget for any computer, let alone a mac, even a mini. If you are really looking for something to last for many years, buying the cheapest you can get wont get you anywhere.

My advice, keep saving until you have more $$ and get something that lasts. Budget $800 for something with 16/512 if you want new/refurb.

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Edited 999 time(s). Last edit at 12:08PM by jdc.

This is an interesting thread to follow. After a moderate infusion of cash from a gig last year, I was 'this close' to spending the $500 for an M1 Mini, if only to take a little bite out of a potential tax hit. But after thinking about it a bit, I realized that as much as it might be nice to work on a speedier machine, my 2012 i5 mini is doing fine, at least for the time being. Eventually, I'll probably need to upgrade the OS (I'm as far as I can go now on this with Mojave), but until such time, I think I can live with opening an app in :10 instead of :03.

Let me clarify here: don’t buy top-of-the-line, all-the-wiz-bang, UNLESS you really need it and can afford it, when middle of the road suffices. Just don’t buy cheap for the sake of cheapness. I’ve seen down that road too many times and have had to make do with what I have, when adding a bit more to the pot would have gotten me closer to what I needed and thus taken much less time to finish the project. Shaving a year or more off a project would have made me quite happy.

I'm also struggling with my 2012 i7, sounds like similar problems, but I've been blaming Firefox.
To an earlier question, it should be noted that if you want to boot from an external, there are some extra hoops you have to jump through with the newer macs.
I see the biggest barrier as being the things that moving from your current (presumably old) OS to a new OS might break.... so if you're going to take that leap might as well go with the latest and greatest, if not the super tricked-out model.

Two main reasons a Mac or 'Book 'get slower' are newer software including OSs, choking the CPU and GPU, and corrupted software or too much cruft.

Currently my main computer is a Late 2012 2.6GHz/i7/12G/1T mini

One 8G stick went bad, so I replaced it with an OEM 4G stick, ergo 12G.

The mini runs off a crowded Crucial 256G M/MX300, don't remember the exact designation, but it's faster than the 1T internal spinner.

Until recently I needed the Intel hardware and Sierra OS for older software.

I'm certain an NnP could give me back a lot of zip, and replacing the 4G stick with a good 8G would help, as would a larger external SSD.

I'm also lazy and don't really look forward to doing that.

There are other options of moving to a

Late 2018 3.2GHz/i7/16G/128G mini or

Late 2020 M1/16G/512G OR

Late 2015 3.3 15/32G/2T Fusion 5K 27" iMac

Either of these options mean moving lots of external stuff, but I'm getting the bug to move at least to the iMac because the screen is noticeable nicer than my LED ACD, and I feel the need...

I shied away from the iMac because I thought the video section had a problem with videos stuttering within the VLC window.

Just today I found that it was a problem with prefs and possibly the iMac confused between two VLC apps (one on an external box) trying to decide which aspect ratio to use, or something like that.

Anyway, I stumbled upon a fix, not sure what it was, but I'm really happy with it now.

I know wireless is King but Sonic can't get me much throughout, and I'm really loathe to pay for cable.

So I'm considering buying a switch to put all but my MBA on ethernet.

The 2012 is already on it so a switch and a few cables would take are of the other three.

Mainly, wireless file sharing is really slow compared to sneaker net.

---

I am that Masked Man.

All you can do, is all you can do.

There’s trouble — it's time to play the sound of my people.

Your boos mean nothing to me, I've seen what you cheer for.

Insisting on your rights without acknowledging your responsibilities isn’t freedom, it’s adolescence.

I've been to the edge of the map, and there be monsters.

We are a government of laws, not men.

Everybody counts or nobody counts.

When a good man is hurt,
all who would be called good
must suffer with him.

At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.

You and I have memories longer than the road that stretches out ahead.

There is no safety for honest men except
by believing all possible evil of evil men.

We don’t do focus groups. They just ensure that you don’t offend anyone, and produce bland inoffensive products. —Sir Jonathan Ive

An armed society is a polite society.
And hope is a lousy defense.

You make me pull, I'll put you down.

I *love* SIGs. It's Glocks I hate.

Quote
RAMd®d
Two main reasons a Mac or 'Book 'get slower' are newer software including OSs, choking the CPU and GPU, and corrupted software or too much cruft.

Currently my main computer is a Late 2012 2.6GHz/i7/12G/1T mini

One 8G stick went bad, so I replaced it with an OEM 4G stick, ergo 12G.

The mini runs off a crowded Crucial 256G M/MX300, don't remember the exact designation, but it's faster than the 1T internal spinner.

Until recently I needed the Intel hardware and Sierra OS for older software.

I'm certain an NnP could give me back a lot of zip, and replacing the 4G stick with a good 8G would help, as would a larger external SSD.

I'm also lazy and don't really look forward to doing that.

There are other options of moving to a

Late 2018 3.2GHz/i7/16G/128G mini or

Late 2020 M1/16G/512G OR

Late 2015 3.3 15/32G/2T Fusion 5K 27" iMac

Either of these options mean moving lots of external stuff, but I'm getting the bug to move at least to the iMac because the screen is noticeable nicer than my LED ACD, and I feel the need...

I shied away from the iMac because I thought the video section had a problem with videos stuttering within the VLC window.

Just today I found that it was a problem with prefs and possibly the iMac confused between two VLC apps (one on an external box) trying to decide which aspect ratio to use, or something like that.

Anyway, I stumbled upon a fix, not sure what it was, but I'm really happy with it now.

I know wireless is King but Sonic can't get me much throughout, and I'm really loathe to pay for cable.

So I'm considering buying a switch to put all but my MBA on ethernet.

The 2012 is already on it so a switch and a few cables would take are of the other three.

Mainly, wireless file sharing is really slow compared to sneaker net.

I just surveyed the ports on my 2012, thinking about what moving to a 2018 would entail (the 3.2 with 32 GB RAM runs $499 at OWC.) Apparently I have a CD/DVD drive in a FW400 case connected via 400 to 800 adapter. Would need a new drive for $30 or so. Looks like one monitor is connected via HDMI to mini display port adapter, and one via VGA to Thunderbolt(?) One USB A port is still open. Would need an external TB3 case and a 2 TB SSD stick to boot externally as I'm not going back to having my OS on one drive and user folder contents on another.

One point-consider buying used, especially for M# Minis. Just looking at eBay, M1 mini with 16 GB is going for between 450 and 650, and M1 a gigabyte is going for 350 to 450. now, of course, they also go for more than that, but with patience you can find one in those price ranges

I may be wrong, and you do you, but…

external TB3 case and a 2 TB SSD stick

That may be too much. The processor will drag you down before the speed on usb3.

… user folder contents on another.

Maybe you can consider keeping users internal, but heavy libraries on external.

Anyway…

I definitely don’t want bare bones, but don’t need anything above mid-grade. The $500 range was going to get a decent used newer Intel Mini. This thread helped me to rethink that idea. I’m sure I’d be ok right now with an M1/8gb, but would probably later regret not opting for 16gb. I was actually fine with my 2012 until the issues above, which began within the last year. I was on Mojave and thought I needed to bite the bullet and update to Catalina in order to fix the problems - which really didn’t. I hated losing a couple of programs (which I can still access on an older Mac), as well as the ability to use widgets (which have greatly reduced since Apple fazed it out in Catalina). I miss hitting F4 to quickly bring up a calendar, calculator, and weather - those were the days!
I didn’t realize it would be more difficult to boot from an external drive with the M’s. I guess I also need to see what other apps I’d lose, as well. But, even so, I think I’d regret not choosing an M.

… quickly bring up a calendar, calculator, and weather.
I think those can live in the desktop now.

I actually came back to mention that an HDMI capture card can be used to plug the AppleTV to an iMac, limited to HD @60fps. Not saying it’s a good idea, but that it can be done.
Or maybe native iOS apps can be installed on M processors…



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/03/2024 10:13PM by rich in distress.

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rouderon
I didn’t realize it would be more difficult to boot from an external drive with the M’s. I guess I also need to see what other apps I’d lose, as well. But, even so, I think I’d regret not choosing an M.

Its not, if you buy the right device.

Internal drives (over 512 GB) benchmark at 3000 MB/s (and up to 7000 MB/s) where as your USB C external might get 900 MB/s on a good day... so taking advantage of the internal drive is ideal. Buy big enough.

For nearly all of my clients, I set them up with 512 minium, and everything goes external. If you are only using part of your 1 TB drive, or have large Photo/video libraries that can be moved externally -- an ideal way to save on initial purchase.

Base mini M2 PROs (which are 16/512) are running used about $1100... when M3s come out in March... they should drop below $1000 easy.

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Edited 999 time(s). Last edit at 12:08PM by jdc.

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jdc

Quote
rouderon
I didn’t realize it would be more difficult to boot from an external drive with the M’s. I guess I also need to see what other apps I’d lose, as well. But, even so, I think I’d regret not choosing an M.

Its not, if you buy the right device.

Internal drives (over 512 GB) benchmark at 3000 MB/s (and up to 7000 MB/s) where as your USB C external might get 900 MB/s on a good day... so taking advantage of the internal drive is ideal. Buy big enough.

Was not referring to speed but to the fact that you have to start with a new install. But wouldn't he want a thunderbolt enclosure and MVNE stick for the M1? Why USB C?

I bought a 2018 i3 for $200 last year. Upgraded the RAM - didn't need much internal for that use - so its great.

I also grabbed a 2018 i5 with 1TB for $500 for my main machine running a 4K monitor.

If you grab a TB3 case for your NVME SSD from our sponsor it will be very fast and you can skimp on internal storage.

I need to run Mac OS 10.6 software/scanner/etc and use VMware, so intel is the easiest. BTW it is way faster than any 10.6 Mac I have used before.

How good is QEMU/UTM to run 10.6 on an M1/M2 Mac these days?

Quote
Black
Was not referring to speed but to the fact that you have to start with a new install. But wouldn't he want a thunderbolt enclosure and MVNE stick for the M1? Why USB C?

Price. $20 vs $80. Especially if you don't need an external boot.

Assuming all things considered, the 2 configs i recommend most:

Good setup for vast percentage of clients: M2 mini, 16/512 refurb @ $850
More power or screens or peripherals: M2 mini Pro 16/512 @1150 or 32/512

Both configs get 2 TB NVMe + case -- either 10 GB/s or TBolt, depending on client use. Add 4-5 TB spinner for TM. If they are doing a lot of work on the external, or budget allows, 4TB SSD for TM. Way faster. NVME or 2.5" SSD no matter.

If new: add 2 4K screens, or one 32" + 27". No 5K screens except designers/photographers

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Edited 999 time(s). Last edit at 12:08PM by jdc.

Quote
jdc

Quote
Black
Was not referring to speed but to the fact that you have to start with a new install. But wouldn't he want a thunderbolt enclosure and MVNE stick for the M1? Why USB C?

Price. $20 vs $80. Especially if you don't need an external boot.

Assuming all things considered, the 2 configs i recommend most:

Good setup for vast percentage of clients: M2 mini, 16/512 refurb @ $850
More power or screens or peripherals: M2 mini Pro 16/512 @1150 or 32/512

Both configs get 2 TB NVMe + case -- either 10 GB/s or TBolt, depending on client use. Add 4-5 TB spinner for TM. If they are doing a lot of work on the external, or budget allows, 4TB SSD for TM. Way faster. NVME or 2.5" SSD no matter.

If new: add 2 4K screens, or one 32" + 27". No 5K screens except designers/photographers

If you do need an external boot... USB C enclosure still OK?
No minis in refurb store ATM- is that 15/512 frequently available at that price?

Would need an external TB3 case and a 2 TB SSD stick to boot externally as I'm not going back to having my OS on one drive and user folder contents on another.


I've never done the split the OS thing.

It's a whole OS on one drive with with some room for some storage or an additional drive for storage.

Now that I'm not really OS dependent, I should wipe the internal 2012 drive and keep it OS free, using it for solely for storage.

The right external might/would be faster than my iMac's 2T Fusion spinner, and maybe faster than my 2018's 128G storage.

I don't know if any NVMe kit via USB3 would be faster than the iMac's Fusion drive, so a 2.5" SSD might suffice.

The idea of strapping an NVMe kit to the stand using it as a heat sink appeals to me.




Its not, if you buy the right device.

Internal drives (over 512 GB) benchmark at 3000 MB/s (and up to 7000 MB/s)


I agree with buying big enough, but what Mac's internal storage comes anywhere near 7000Mbps?

Or 5000?

A Mac Pro?

~3000 for internal and external would make me happy.

---

I am that Masked Man.

All you can do, is all you can do.

There’s trouble — it's time to play the sound of my people.

Your boos mean nothing to me, I've seen what you cheer for.

Insisting on your rights without acknowledging your responsibilities isn’t freedom, it’s adolescence.

I've been to the edge of the map, and there be monsters.

We are a government of laws, not men.

Everybody counts or nobody counts.

When a good man is hurt,
all who would be called good
must suffer with him.

At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.

You and I have memories longer than the road that stretches out ahead.

There is no safety for honest men except
by believing all possible evil of evil men.

We don’t do focus groups. They just ensure that you don’t offend anyone, and produce bland inoffensive products. —Sir Jonathan Ive

An armed society is a polite society.
And hope is a lousy defense.

You make me pull, I'll put you down.

I *love* SIGs. It's Glocks I hate.

So, in the meantime, I was trying to see if there was a fix to the sluggishness of my current Mini. My internal SSD (and I would assume most everybody's) is formatted APFS . I think platter hdd's need HFS format? Would reverting from APFS to HFS be a possible fix? Don't think there is any way to change this format other than nuke/pave (which could improve things anyway).

Quote
jdc

Quote
rouderon
The limited (or non) user upgradability was one of my main deterrents from initially upgrading a few years back. Unless I’m mistaken, there’s nothing user-upgradable with the M series, correct?

I really would like to keep it to the $500 range (which is pretty limiting in the M series line).

$500 is the bottom budget for any computer, let alone a mac, even a mini. If you are really looking for something to last for many years, buying the cheapest you can get wont get you anywhere.

My advice, keep saving until you have more $$ and get something that lasts. Budget $800 for something with 16/512 if you want new/refurb.

One could always take advantage of buying with the Apple Card. I believe that you get 12 months same as cash on computer purchases.

Quote
macphanatic
One could always take advantage of buying with the Apple Card. I believe that you get 12 months same as cash on computer purchases.

Yep, I just did that about a month ago… which reminds me that the window for Apple care is about to close…
Should I?