Mac Mini?

[Frankthered]

Well, it seems that the venerable iMac (mid 2011) is starting to really struggle to get updates - currently running High Sierra and, from what I can tell, any attempt to update to a later version of MAC OS will be risky, so it will soon be time to update.

The thing is that I make rather heavy use of some Windows software, currently running with Parallels on the iMac. I currently have a 21.5" monitor alongside the iMac to double as additional screen for iMac and also for work laptop when wfh and this has got me thinking.

Rather than getting another iMac, how about I get a Mac Mini, get an extra monitor and potentially either run Parallels on the Mac Mini, or go the whole hog and get a mini pc to sit alongside the Mac Mini.

Any thoughts on this? Anybody running Parallels on an M2 (or M1) Mac and have good experience? Currently, when I run it, I am running into memory pressure issues with 8GB (admittedly, I keep quite a bit of Mac stuff running too). Would I need to spec more memory for the new Mac, or do the new models handle things better?

As for mini pc's, I really know very little of what's about, so any guidance would be appreciated!

[the-norseman]

If your used to MacOS just get the newest Mac Mini you can that will run Parallels. And yeh you might as well go for 16gb.

[nyt]

Bit left field ...


Have you thought of using remote desktop to use your work laptop from your Mac? https://apps.apple.com/us/app/microsoft-remote-des...



Or ... Install windows on your current Mac using Bootcamp and have a nice new Mac mini for Appley stuff.

[mmm-five]

Will depend on which version of Windows you're installing, but 8GB total RAM (which is also probably shared with the iGPU) is not a lot for MacOS or Windows 7/10 individually, so there's no way it is enough when running both.

I have a 2019 21.5" iMac (6-core/12-thread i7-8700 with 16GB RAM and 1TB SSD) and it was running MacOS and Windows via Bootcamp until I decided to wipe the Mac partition and keep it solely for Windows use. It's fast enough in everything but game.

There were a few rapid CPU upgrades in the following 12 months, and I think the top-end one came with a 10th gen i9-10910 (10-core/20-threads)...which is considerably quicker...if you need that level of performance for multi-threaded workflows. However due to power/heat management, it was never really any quicker than the 10th Gen i7-10700K...and they both came with dedicated GPU VRAM, so that it doesn't impinge on the system RAM.

Don't think any Intel MacMini or iMac are sold on the Apple Refurb store, so you'd be looking at 3rd party sellers for these...and they're not what you'd call cheap (e.g. £1000+ for the 2020 27" 5K10th gen i7 model, or £800+ for the 2019 21" 4K 8th gen i7 model).

...or you keep your eyes on ebay... 2020 27" 4k i7 with 5700XT GPU and 72GB RAM currently at £565

Edited by mmm-five on Monday 7th August 13:18

[Paulsd]

I've got a 2021 M1 iMac with 16Gb and a 2022 13" M2 Macbook Air with 8Gb.

Both have Parallells and an installation of Windows 11 for ARM. They both run absolutely fine but I don't use Windows too much (fairly occasional use of a really terrible ERP platform). Windows for ARM is super easy under Parallells. Once you fire up Parallels for the first time after installing it asks you if you want Windows and it does the rest completely on it's own. I used my Windows 10 retail licence which was accepted upon activation.

YMMV depending on the apps you need to run in Windows but it seems fairly spritely on both Macs.

The only thing to add is that Macrumors says don't buy either an iMac or 13" Macbook Air at the moment due to impending updates. Mac Mini is green for purchase.

Edited by Paulsd on Monday 7th August 14:27

[colin79666]

I’m addition to the above, Mac software has come a long way since 2011. Have a look and you might find some great Mac alternatives for some of your Windows apps.

[andygo]

toubleis as fgar as I can see, the mac mini doesn;t have enough ports. Just two thunderbolt USB and 2 usb 3 ports. Omce you have connected two monitirs, youre fresh out off fast ports if, for example you run of an external Nviem card as I do on my 2019 27inch imac
.

[Paulsd]

andygo said:

toubleis as fgar as I can see, the mac mini doesn;t have enough ports. Just two thunderbolt USB and 2 usb 3 ports. Omce you have connected two monitirs, youre fresh out off fast ports if, for example you run of an external Nviem card as I do on my 2019 27inch imac
.

The base two models have 2 thunderbolt 4 and an HDMI.

The top model (with an M2 Pro) has 4 thunderbolt 4 and an HDMI so should work.

[Frankthered]

Paulsd said:

I've got a 2021 M1 iMac with 16Gb and a 2022 13" M2 Macbook Air with 8Gb.

Both have Parallells and an installation of Windows 11 for ARM. They both run absolutely fine but I don't use Windows too much (fairly occasional use of a really terrible ERP platform). Windows for ARM is super easy under Parallells. Once you fire up Parallels for the first time after installing it asks you if you want Windows and it does the rest completely on it's own. I used my Windows 10 retail licence which was accepted upon activation.

YMMV depending on the apps you need to run in Windows but it seems fairly spritely on both Macs.

The only thing to add is that Macrumors says don't buy either an iMac or 13" Macbook Air at the moment due to impending updates. Mac Mini is green for purchase.

Edited by Paulsd on Monday 7th August 14:27

Thanks for this - good to hear that Parallels works well with M1/M2 macs. As I'm running into RAM issues with what I'm doing I will likely (I guess) be in the same boat with a new machine, so I will opt for 16 GB (as suggested by the-norseman. I had seen that on Macrumors - thanks for the heads-up. Must confess, I'm slightly surprised by the advice on the 13" Macbook Air, unless the price is about to come down for the M2s, once the M3 is launched. (Or maybe it just refers to the M1 version that has got very cheap on Amazon recently!)

As for the other suggestions, I wasn't really looking for an Intel Mac, but understand the suggestions because of the better integration with Windows;

Yes, I've though of many different ways to try to either do my work on the iMac, or make the iMac work as a monitor and they either don't work or are not allowed by our IT group - running Windows on the iMac via bootcamp would be an option though, although I think I'd have to fiddle things a little to let me even use Win 10!;

For software, there really isn't a Mac version of what I use that is anywhere near what I use on Windows;

Otherwise, I will just have to find some money for it!!

[Paulsd]

No problem at all!

I think you'll see a huge difference in performance on a new one - just think of all that extra productivity when doing your man maths

[x5tuu]

Ive got Parallels and Windows 11 running on my 2020 27" iMac (upgraded to 40gb ram) and it runs very very well ... however when my M2 MBA (base model) arrived I also put parallels on this and it runs equally as well and fast.

No complaints at all from me for the odd tasks I need Windows for (although granted Id rather do without if possible!)

[nikaiyo2]

I upgraded my 2011 Mac mini to the new version with M1 processor when it came out, the improvement is night and day. (I dont run windows on it or anything)

[ajprice]

Definitely get more than 8GB, for more ports as said already the M2 Pro version has USB-C/Thunderbolt 4 ports, not 2. Keep an eye on the Apple refurbished store for getting one a bit cheaper or upgraded, There are M1s there at the moment but M2 and M2 Pro versions do pop up, it's where I got mine from https://www.apple.com/uk/shop/refurbished/mac/mac-....