MAC Mini - Should I wait?

[pauljdh]

Almost pressed the button on the M2 Mac mini when I was alerted as to rumours of a nearish launch of a new M4 version.

The base M2 will do absolutely everything I need so maybe it'll be discounted soon, or will the new M4 be as good again at a similar price point?

Ta

[JulianHJ]

MacRumors advises caution as it's due for replacement soon. The current model has been on sale for 587 days and the average time between product updates is 700 days.

[untakenname]

M4 Mini is rumoured to have a new form factor so worth waiting for imo even if not buying the latest generation as Apple will likely clear out the previous versions at a discount (usually via Amazon selling them as used like new when they are still shrink wrapped).

I'm still using the M1 16GB and it handles everything I throw at it so don't really have a need to upgrade from a performance enhancement perspective but may do anyway as it's been nearly four years.

[119]

I think M1 and M3 are the sweet spot as the M2 wasn’t much of a step up in performance?

[mikef]

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[119]

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[Whataguy]

Definitely hold off, I just got rid of a M2 Mac mini and replaced it temporarily with an M1 MacBook - the M2's have disk speed issues with the base hard drive due to the chips fitted.

The M1 MacBook actually runs faster for me - I suspect a combination of the slow hard drive and running out of memory as 8Gb isn't really enough for me I found out.

New Mac mini is supposed to be tiny, the size of an Apple TV but a bit taller, so you could actually stick it in your pocket.

M4 chips will be an improvement, there may be a bump in base RAM too.

[AB]

Whataguy said:

New Mac mini is supposed to be tiny, the size of an Apple TV but a bit taller, so you could actually stick it in your pocket.

My first thought when I read that was wow that's impressive, I can take it with me on holiday.

Then I remembered laptops and that I'd need to take the wireless keyboard and mouse with me. Would anyone actually need to take their Mac Mini with them in this day and age of iCloud/Dropbox and... laptops. Genuinely interested.

[Whataguy]

If you need to take your computer/files with you it's easy to take a Mini and connect it to a screen/mouse/keyboard if they are available where you are going so avoiding having to take them with you.

You can even get a portable monitor and small keyboard if you wanted, however after having used a MacBook Air plugged into a 27 inch monitor I would go with that rather than another mini now.

Even with the 27 inch screen, it's handy to be able to stick things on the MacBook screen to look at while you are using the main screen.

M1 MacBook airs are still available brand new, and not that much more than a standard Mac mini - the advantage you get a screen and keyboard with fingerprint scanner all in one. I actually have a travel jacket with a pocket that can take a MacBook Air.

The M4 MacBook Air is expected in Spring next year, it's predicted that October this year will be the M4 MacBook Pro and Mac mini.