Help configure a 2012 Mac Mini Pro Tools monster!

[propower]

Hey all,

Finally ready to move from my Mac Pro to the new mini!

Have decided on
Upgrade proc from 2.3 to 2.6 (+$100)
Upgrade with 3rd party Ram to 16G now (+$100) and 32G later

Now the Hard drive is the hard choice.... either
1) Do the mid tier quad and choose the 1TB fusion drive (how will this work as a single protools drive I wonder?????)
2) Order mid tier and retro fit with 2 SSD's (512 and 256) assuming one can still do that on the 2012's!
3) Go for the server and retrofit with same 2 SSD's. (+$200 for drives I am not going to use)
4) Choose the Apple 256G SSD on the mid tier and do extra HD external.

Opinions welcome....

[BGMusic]

You're going to run an HD system on a mini?

[propower]

Originally Posted by BGMusic

You're going to run an HD system on a mini?

For me it is HD software on a Native system (Metric Halo)...

[digicake]

Originally Posted by BGMusic

You're going to run an HD system on a mini?

Well I for one am considering it. Mini + magma. With that fusion drive, top spec - could be quite good and fairly cheap. Much better than a current mac pro I think.

[CME]

I say mid tier with upgraded proc. As you said add your own ram. Then I'd get a 128 or 256 SSD and whatever you want for the second drive. I still like spinning discs for my session drive, but to each his own.

And are you sure the new ones will support 32GB? That would be awesome if it does.

[BGMusic]

You guys do realize that replacing hard drives on your own on a mini is a frightfully difficult process, you have to take the machine apart almost completely.

[quantise]

I'm considering this also for use with an Apollo. it would be my first thunderbolt capable mac.

I'm thinking mid tier. Not sure if the difference between the two optional processor speeds is enough to make a real difference. Then, finding either firewire or thunderbolt cases to take the extra drives out of my old mac pro and use them externally for audio.

Getting a thunderbolt card for the Apollo would give me quite a sweet little system. I have a single UAD card in my mac pro that could be accommodated in a Sonnet or Magma chassis at some stage.

[JamesClark1991]

Originally Posted by BGMusic

You guys do realize that replacing hard drives on your own on a mini is a frightfully difficult process, you have to take the machine apart almost completely.

After watching a Youtube video I'd say it's rather simple, but requires gentle hands. 45min job tops.

[BGMusic]

Originally Posted by JamesClark1991

After watching a Youtube video I'd say it's rather simple, but requires gentle hands. 45min job tops.

As I stated, not as simple as popping in a new hard drive on a mac pro tower.

[CME]

Originally Posted by BGMusic

As I stated, not as simple as popping in a new hard drive on a mac pro tower.

Well there aren't many that are as easy as a Mac Pro, but I have no fear in adding a second drive to a mini. Looks easy peasy to me.