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2020 Mac Mini or wait for ARM?
Hey everyone! Looking for advice.
I'm thinking of buying a Mac Mini with an eGPU to use as my main workstation (upgrading from a 2013 iMac). I'm wondering whether I buy one now, or wait a year for Apple's processors to be integrated, *knowing that there will be a few years of software transition on top of that. Any advice you might have is appreciated!
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Pro Tools 2024.3.0|Perpetual • MTRX Studio • HDX1 • Sync-X • S3 • Dock • Mac Mini 2018 - 3.2GHz i7 6-core macOS 13.6 • RAM 64GB DDR4 GPU AMD 6900XT 16GB • Monitor LG 32UL950-W |
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Re: 2020 Mac Mini or wait for ARM?
Apple is expected to announce their first Arm based systems this coming week (Tuesday 9th). I'd wait and see what the said there and and the reaction to that.
Avid has an event on the 12th. I'd hope that Avid takes that opportunity to talk about their Mac Arm roadmap, I'll be very impressed if Avid does, they are unfortunately not great about communicating with customers. But the idea here of others having much useful advice for you is pretty unlikely. There is a lot of unknowns but the biggest unknowns are all about you. What your needs are, budget, etc. If I was running a business and a current computer was affecting my ability to work I'd have little worry about buying a high-end Intel Mac now, otherwise I might be more inclined to wait. And either way I'd be waiting to see what is announced in the next few weeks--there has been some speculation it might be more than just a Macbook air type computer and might even include a Mac mini type system. You mention eGPU, you don't necesarilly need an eGPU to run Pro Tools on a Mac Mini. Do you have multiple monitors to run etc? Deciding to buy an eGPU may just be sinking unneeded cost here into that system that may have less useful lifespan due to the arm transition. My starting point with most Macs to max out the internal SSD storage a much as you can and of possible to fit samples, sessions etc. on that drive then run them there. Unfortunately you pay the Apple tax on storage. |
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Re: 2020 Mac Mini or wait for ARM?
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Re: 2020 Mac Mini or wait for ARM?
I am also in the same boat wanting to move forward at some point from my souped up 2009 12 core cheese grater. It is still rocking hard at the moment but im starting to feel the pull to move to to a machine that has thunderbolt ports and is capable of running Catalina or later.
I too have been looking seriously at the Mac mini and every time I think I’m going to pull the trigger on buying one, (in my case with an expansion chassis for my HDX card), I read about somebody who uses the mini for regular pro work who has managed to cook it up in a year or so because apparently those suckers run hot under load. I do think it would be a mistake to jump on these new arm processor machines soon, for all of the reasons we all know: it’s going to take quite some time for software manufacturers to catch up. So I think it would be wise to consider an Intel machine that will most likely serve us well for many years. In addition, both Apple and Avid have major announcements next week and it will be interesting to see what direction is indicated by these 2 companies.
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Will Russell Electric Wilburland Studio https://linktr.ee/wilburland M1MAX Mac Studio OS 14.4.1, PT2024.3, HDX, S1/Dock M1 PRO MacBook Pro OS 14.4.1, PT2024.3, BabyFacePro FS |
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Re: 2020 Mac Mini or wait for ARM?
When I got my 2018 mac mini this summer, on thing became immediately obvious; big bluetooth performance problems.
I looked around and found lots of discussions about this, and now, months later, after trying everything I can think of, I have no solution. I agree with folk out there who thinks it's simply a design flaw; cramming in all those TB3 and USB3 port around the bluetooth antenna is causing interference. It's obvious that as you plug in more storage devices, the bluetooth deteriorates. Some people also have problems with wifi. 25 page thread over at macrumors.com about bluetooth problems on 2018 mac minis (I read most of it): https://forums.macrumors.com/threads...ssues.2157086/ My thread over there, with details on my bluetooth problems: https://forums.macrumors.com/threads...#post-28940811 Of course, if you don't need bluetooth and can do without wifi - it's a good mac.
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Mac mini M2 16GB RAM macOS 13.4.1. PT Studio 2023.6. Topping E30 II DAC, Dynaudio BM6, 2 x Artist Mix, SSL UC1, Control on iPad. |
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Re: 2020 Mac Mini or wait for ARM?
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Last edited by boomspot; 11-08-2020 at 09:00 AM. Reason: Formatting |
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Re: 2020 Mac Mini or wait for ARM?
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Mac mini M2 16GB RAM macOS 13.4.1. PT Studio 2023.6. Topping E30 II DAC, Dynaudio BM6, 2 x Artist Mix, SSL UC1, Control on iPad. |
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Re: 2020 Mac Mini or wait for ARM?
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Re: 2020 Mac Mini or wait for ARM?
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Who says the Mini isn't meant for professional demands? There are a number of companies that use them as part of their cash register system. As to an external fan you'd be better off with it blowing air across the top of the Mini. And leave the bottom lid on. Besides it will also protect the components inside from damage. That's a HUGE hole to leave open without some kind of protection. |
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Re: 2020 Mac Mini or wait for ARM?
I'm usubscribing. This is boring.
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Mac mini M2 16GB RAM macOS 13.4.1. PT Studio 2023.6. Topping E30 II DAC, Dynaudio BM6, 2 x Artist Mix, SSL UC1, Control on iPad. |
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