UPDATE: After editing a number of videos on my new M2 (8GB+512GB) I have found that, as expected, it's much faster when working with 4K files. But 8GB RAM does struggle when Muti-tasking. So if I have a browser window open with my usual 15 pinned tabs and try to edit at the same time, I find it can get laggy, until I close the browser. For regular user 8GB RAM will not be an issue. But for multi-takers like me, 16GB RAM is a better choice. Saying that I don't feel like spending an extra 200 for the RAM, so Im going to keep what I got and make it work for me. Just means don't browse the web and edit at the same time. LOL
Thank you for sharing this! I like to edit my videos on my iMac but it is 2015 and keeps going black when I'm working and have too many tabs open so I am thinking M2 16GB 512GB :) Appreciate this review.
@@SimonKabbaj Incorrect. The 1TB model of M2 mini is the same speed as the 512GB model. Only the M2 Pro 1TB model is different than the 512GB M2 Pro model. But both those are faster than any config of the M2 mini, including 2TB
Great video showcasing this mate 👍. I ordered the m2 mini with the 16gb ram upgrade instead and an external 2tb ssd. Figured $200 for 512gb upgrade was a bit of a waste, given that I could get a larger external ssd for much less. Although the external ssd speeds are not as fast as the inbuilt ones, the ram upgrade just felt a bit more worth the extra $200 given the multitasking workload I’m used to
I am looking for a Mac Mini Silicon. Just not sure should get the M1 or M2 that I seen use. Your speed testing and explanation of the 256GB vs 512GB is very helpful. Comparing to the other mini PCs, they might have better performance but the M2 MM would still worth more down the road. The advantages of those mini PCs are the cheaper cost and ability to expand ram and storage, which is such a shame they solder them in the newer MM.
You can also buy a 2TB external SSD for about $250 and get ~3000 Gbps, and also you won't be wearing out the internal drive. The mac mini isn't going anywhere so I don't mind having an external hanging out of it
Yes. Another issues with the 256 is it shares ssd for ram. Something to think about. 512 prob minimum. I got the base haven’t opened it yet. Returning it. Should save for m2 pro lol
I thought that increasing the memory to 16 GB is better than increasing the ssd because you can use an external ssd which is cheaper than apple drugstore prices.
For creators I agree its the best bet, but for someone that prefers windows laptops, can you review some interesting decent ones for the buck? Great review as usual.
Every fan boy thinks he is a creator. The bottom line is: 99% of all buyers don't need the power. They only care about owning one. Marketing is powerful.
@@hermanstokbrood Not really, I think it's about the ecosystem. For me atleast I don't like the macos, but would prefer it's efficient power equivalent on a windows laptop without being too expensive.
I just bought the M2 Mac Mini with 16gb of ram, 512 ssd and the Studio Display with the tilt stand. It’s a very nice upgrade from my 2018 MacBook Pro hooked up to my Thunderbolt Display, I’m really happy with it so far!
I work on normal apps like MS Office and browsing and Google docs etc. In this case, shall I go for 16GB RAM or 512GB SSD. I have budget for one upgrade.
New Macs with macOS Ventura are much more user friendly so don't be scared to ditch Windows. My new M2 Mini 512 (non-Pro) is crazy quiet as well. Fan noise is non-existent... even while watching multiple 4K RU-vid videos etc. Text is crazy clear even on my goofy 43" Samsung M7 4K HDR monitor. HDMI to HDMI 2.1 is the way to go for clean text. It's like I got a new eyeglass prescription.🤓
KRCS are an alternative store for Uk customers that offer custom configurations at slightly cheaper prices than from Apple direct. If you’ve access to the Apple education store then you can also get good savings. The cost of the ram and SSD upgrades are somewhat expensive. It’s a shame that RAM and SSD are not user upgradable.
Have a look at the teardown videos: the RAM is a unified memory so it is inside the CPU. The SSD storage is another thing, that indeed could have been user upgradeble.
You can upgrade the M2 as you like. But have a closer look at the difference between the M2 Mac mini product line and the M2 Pro: more TB ports, HDMI is better with the M2 Pro and so on. So compare them closely with your needs in mind.
Im using a Mac mini Modell 2018, 3,2GHz i7, 64GB RAM, 1TB SSD. Most used for picture processing (C1). In the last time the system is „slowing down“, that means the rainbow colored ball is often displayed with long delay times of working. The SSD is 90% full of data. So the question is: Is it worth to update to Mac Mini M2pro?
If you decide for the M2 Pro, than only in the base configuration, as many Tech reviewers have pointed out. 16 GB of unified memory or more. 512 GB internal storage and buy cheaper external storage. 10GBit Ethernet for the future, if you think about High-Speed Network Storage in the years to come. But really longterm, this Ethernet Storage and Internet Access with High Speed.
I’d say just get a base model Mac Studio that comes with the M1 Max, 32GB of RAM and 512GB storage. Two extra Thunderbolt ports in the front and a front SD card slot for those photos. It has the same footprint of a Mac Mini, just about 2.5x taller.
I guess you need more free space on SSD for good speed storage subsystem. Just try move some data to external drive and compare speed. In some configurations free space on SSD uses for some system purposes. Small amount of free space can slow down disk operations...I'm not sure this is correct for Apple file system...but you can try it.
@@cristiabc1310 Thanks a lot for this comment. It fits just right into something I just learned yesterday. I probably was mistaken about the availability of affordable Network Attached Storage (NAS). Because I saw the “1big Dock SSD Pro” and the “1big Dock” from Lacie. Knowing that the Lacie company is the most expensive manufacturer of external storage solutions I had the impression that all the other companies in this market will be cheaper. Lord was I mistaken.
By adding 16g ram and 512g ssd to a Mac 2 mini you are $300 away from Mac 2 mini Pro. At that point make the decide to upgrade or not. Keeping the Mac 2 On a 5 yr plan that is a $ 60 dollars a year upgrade. I Will sell this Mac mini pro in five years and recoup a higher return on the Mac mini Pro so it’s worth the upgrade investment to me. I upgraded to pro based on that
Hmm an 8GB base model with just 512GB SSD? I'm not understanding the reason to get this model. It's not like the Intel Mac Mini in comparison is the base model (Core i3).
512GB is enough for me and I usually work from a 2TB external SSD and LPDDR5 RAM will be faster. I anticipate to use this new M2 model for at least 2 years maybe 3.
Warranty is pretty much irrelevant, under consumer law you're covered for up to 6 years my mac mini 2012 went tits up after 5 years the motherboard/GPU went, and apple replaced it for free.
At the moment I have a 2021 system because I needed a setup for three minitors and it is just as fast or a little faster than M2/M2 Pro, so the Mac mini does not bring me any advantage. Apple as always two to three years late
The fan boys get crazy. I really don't understand why people get crazy. It's just a naked computer for a lot of money. It even doesn't has a powersupply.
If you don’t understand, the Mac mini is obviously not for you. Fair enough. Choose your thing and be happy, but let Mac mini users be happy too. No need for Hate or shaming.
@@geoff4705 Well, it still is a fanboy thing. €719 for a naked computer is very expensive. If you want some decent storage and ram (16gb/512gb isn't that crazy) it's €1569. In my book that's robbery. A powerfull HP ryzen 7 laptop 16gb/512 is €799 to puts things in perspective and yes it has a charger in the box 😁
Wow I’m so supprised at you. I have been following you for years. And I’m gob snaked that you believe the 512 ssd is faster than the 256. You are going to find tha 8 gig too little for your editing so the machine will use the ssd as vram. Not good. Your better option was the 16gig ram and buy an 2tb ssd to plug into thunderbolt. I’ve got the classic 27 inch iMac i7 48 gig ram. I am running my windows setup and Ubutu at the same time using PARALLELS and I can drop and drag files from one is to another. It runs my window faster than my dell risen 7 did. The external ssd on thunderport slaughters your ssd for read and write. So my internal ssd has the os s on but my user folders are on the ext ssd with loads of space. The int ssd just has to load is and apps. Files are save external. I’ve been pc man for years. Trained as a MCSE but my son said get Mac. And everything just seems to work. Gone from Android to iphone. Again everything just seems to work. Apple are just being greedy charging crazy money for the upgrades. They can because the know nobody can upgrade themselves. Third party repair is made harder. But if you like the product you buy it. Ram is everything for speeding up a machine. This applies with pc and Mac. Storage can be added externally. I think your going to find your new machine start to slow as you pile heavy files through it
There are actually many videos to prove that Apple uses a much slower 256GB SSD in the base model. This is also the case in Mac Mini M1 and also in the MacBook Pro models. Apple is cutting corners. I did not upgrade the RAM as the new M2 Models use LPDDR5. My 2018 model used LPDDR3. The way I work, I don’t need more RAM, I know I will manage just fine with this. Already started working with it and it’s a beauty.
@@ChigzTech good luck with it. Please keep us notified over a period of how it’s comparing with your m1 setup. I would have expected the m2 to process work faster. Love to see how you get on.
@@ChigzTechnot really cutting corners…99% of customers buying the Mac mini really won’t see or care about an SSD that runs at 1,500MB/s vs 3,000MB/s. Very fast vs double very fast. Like I said, most people won’t care.
It’s a mac mostly aimed at everyday users who plan on browsing the internet, watching videos, listening to music. Why include 2.5GB ethernet when the vast majority of the customers buying it won’t know what it is?!
@@geoff4705 Circumstances change over the lifespan (4 years+) of a computer. The old mac mini's were upgradable. This is a step backwards and it's very disapointing.
Not upgradable but it is LPDDR5 RAM, sufficient for my needs. Plan on using this for the next 2-3 years. Already enjoying the performance. It’s a treat to work with.
@@ChigzTech But is the slower storage actually noticeable in real world use cases? You can also get an external SSD for more space. Wouldn't having more memory make a bigger overall difference?
Why soldered SSD? Why 3x-4x overpriced Storage per TeraByte. Apple 2TB SOldered SSD ---> 800$. On Amazon , Easily replaceable 2TB Samsung 980PRO 200$. Why just 1 year warranty on something as important as a Personal Computer? Why the repair of a faulty Dead SSD is Replacing the whole guts of the computer likely resulting in the customer paying half the price of the machine? Why people dumb and ignorant as shit? Why Apple Evil?
It's 699.00 in the education store in the US, which means it compares very well with any of the other Mac offerings. In my opinion, the extra speed is the bonus in getting 512gb ssd--the real upgrade is the extra space (with 256gb being just too little for something that I would hope to get years of use out of). Personally, I went with the 16gb 512gb ssd M1 years ago, and I don't regret the upgrades to the base. It cost me under 800,00, but it will last for a long time.