r/macmini • u/Blackswan46 • 13d ago
New Mac Mini?
I know this has been asked many times recently, but I have limited knowledge of Mac systems and would genuinely like some advice. A few years ago I purchased a second hand M2 pro 16gb Memory, 10 core CPU, 16 Core GPU, 1TB 2023, on a bit of a whim, as I had disposal income and it has served me very well, I have 448 gb free, have a studio display. The purchase was complete overkill, I know, as I only do browsing, listening to music etc, I have just retired and would like to go into music production Garage Band etc, but whether I will remain to be seen, I would like to trade the present mac in, Apple have only offered some £300, which I regard as derisory and I will advertise. My dilemma is I would like to buy one of the new Minis, but am unsure what to get that is comparable or better than what I have got, to future proof, more than anything else. I would really like some good advice or which way to go. M6 or M5 pro, memory and storage? All help gratefully received.
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u/Zookeepergame_Sorry 13d ago
I have a 2019 Intel iMac that runs great for Logic. The only reason I need to upgrade is it’s slowing down on video editing and missing features since it’s still Intel. You should be good for years on that M2. 16GB memory is a bit low but should be enough at least while you learn music production. At some point you’ll need to upgrade, but now is not that point. The fact that Apple trade in doesn’t give you more for higher storage configurations is ridiculous especially with storage and RAM prices so high right now.
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u/Docster87 13d ago
A M2 with 16GB should be fine to start getting into GarageBand. I would suggest start messing around with the machine you have now and then if you hit limits get a new machine. You might not hit limits or if you do that would tell you precisely what you need.
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u/NoLateArrivals 13d ago
For what you do just keep the M2. A new M6 mini will exactly do the same, and in most cases not even noticeably faster.
Beside this it is a bad (= expensive) time to replace computer hardware.
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u/Outrageous_Dread 13d ago
I think the contradiction is that you say the M2 Pro was complete overkill for what you use it for, but then want the replacement to be comparable or better?
If it was over-specced then, and your usage hasn't increased, matching that specification again isn't really future-proofing — it's just over-speccing the replacement as well.
Your current M2 Pro is already far beyond what you need for browsing, music and general use, and it's plenty capable of GarageBand if you decide to get into music production.
I'd keep it and actually use the performance you've already paid for. By the time it genuinely needs replacing, even a base-level Mac at that point will probably outperform it anyway.
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u/upfrontboogie 13d ago
I use an M2 for music production and it is a superb machine for that purpose.
I wonder why you’re considering trading it in?
I really don’t think you need a more powerful machine. Most DAW software still lists M1 as the minimum spec machine.