New Apple Mac mini?

[7usainarab]

Hey Avid!!

I'm considering the new Apple Mac mini with the higher available configuration
(3.2GHz 6‑core 8th‑generation Intel Core i7 (Turbo Boost up to 4.6GHz)
64GB of 2666MHz DDR4
512GB PCIe-based SSD storage
10 Gigabit Ethernet)

for recording and mixing using Pro Tools, and for arranging using libraries with Pro Tools as well. Anyone has tried it can recommend if it's a good buy? Also, I've heard that those units have noise but I don't know if that's correct or not.

Thank y'all!

[Sardi]

There’s plenty of info on here re: the new Mac Mini and Pro Tools. If you do a search you’ll find a lot of useful information about configurations etc.

Here’s a few to get you going.

http://duc.avid.com/showthread.php?t=401757

http://duc.avid.com/showthread.php?t=401726&page=4

http://duc.avid.com/showthread.php?t=402008


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[JFreak]

Bear i mind you cannot change SSD later

[bzldzl]

I'm loving my 2018 mac mini, close to same specs but I only got 32 gig ram and regular ethernet. Works great.


512 for the hard drive works for me, I only keep OS and programs on it, samples and audio are on some 7200 rpm Thunderbolt 3 external drives.


I haven't noticed any really bad fan noise so far but I haven't done sessions bigger than 50 or so tracks.

[Sardi]

Originally Posted by bzldzl

512 for the hard drive works for me, I only keep OS and programs on it, samples and audio are on some 7200 rpm Thunderbolt 3 external drives.

Oh my, what a waste.

If you can open those TB3 cases, rip out those old drives and put some SSDs in there or even better, some NVME drives. You’ll see such a HUGE difference.



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[ProtoolsLover]

Originally Posted by JFreak

Bear i mind you cannot change SSD later

You can run your system drive from an External Thunderbolt SSD. Thats what I do with my work iMac. Works great!

I only use the internal POS Hybrid Drive that came with the iMac for backups.

[JFreak]

Maybe I'm biased because I have the trashcan, but still I find it hard to justify buying a new Mac Mini that cannot be upgraded later; compared to a relatively old 2013 Mac Pro that you can easily change everything (oh well, acquiring faster GPU cards may be difficult and CPU swap can take an hour)

For the same money you get a brand new crippled Mac Mini you get upgradeable or already top of the line 2013 Mac Pro off eBay -- and these trashcans aren't noisy even if you run the CPU to the limit.

[FilterDecay]

I dont think these are good long term computers for high cpu loads. They operate at the maximum of their thermal loads and probably longevity will suffer.

Its like the new 8 core macbook pro is already at its thermal limit at base clock. Apple has designed themselves into a corner with this expectation of thinner and lighter always. You cant design yourself out of the laws of thermodynamics.

[FilterDecay]

Originally Posted by JFreak

Maybe I'm biased because I have the trashcan, but still I find it hard to justify buying a new Mac Mini that cannot be upgraded later; compared to a relatively old 2013 Mac Pro that you can easily change everything (oh well, acquiring faster GPU cards may be difficult and CPU swap can take an hour)

For the same money you get a brand new crippled Mac Mini you get upgradeable or already top of the line 2013 Mac Pro off eBay -- and these trashcans aren't noisy even if you run the CPU to the limit.

Those trashcans are bad. No upgradability and also the thermals are pretty horrible. Too bad Steve died if for no other reason then I would have a better computer right now.

[JFreak]

Originally Posted by FilterDecay

You cant design yourself out of the laws of thermodynamics.

True. Which is why I'd recommend "old" 2013 Mac Pro over the mini