Mac Mini M2 Pro - Multiple displays and spinning wheel while using Google Chrome / Meet

Question

Mac Mini M2 Pro - Multiple displays and spinning wheel while using Google Chrome / Meet

Hello Community,

Hope you'll have some insights for me.

I just purchased a Mac Mini M2 Pro 10-core CPU / 16-core GPU(32gb RAM / 512gb SSD). I still have a 10 days to return it if not completely satisfied. I'm currently experiencing spinning wheel and freeze issues in Google Chrome in very specific scenarios

TL;DR : Do you think this is a software (Sonoma, Chrome, etc.)issue, accessories (displays and cables) issue or hardware (Mac Mini M2 Pro) issue? Do you think that upgrading to a Mac Studio M2 Max (32gb/512gb ssd) would help since its sports a better GPU and can handle 6 monitors?

Thanks for your help!

_____________________________

The context :

I work sales at a SaaS company and 99% of my work is done via Chrome and in Google Meet with ~ 5 to 10 people with their camera on. I demo cloud ERP. I work with an average of 10 opened tabs in Chrome. On the ultrawide, I split screen (tabs left and tabs right) in full screen view.

The problem :

While doing demo, I share my screen. Today, I did experienced 4 different situations where my screen froze, I got the spinning wheel and the only way to unfreeze the whole thing was to unplug my second display (M14). RAM usage was about 15gb on 32gb, CPU 10% and GPU 30%.

The setup :

WiFi : 548 mbps download / 85 mbps upload
Main display : BenQ 35'' Ultrawide (3440 x 1440 @ 60hertz) plugged via HDMI to USB-C cable (USB side into Mac)
Secondary display : ThinkVision M14 (1920 x 1080 @ 60hertz) plugged and powered via USB-C to USB-C cable
Cam : Anker C200 2K HD resolution

Posted on Oct 30, 2023 5:20 PM

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Answer 1

BDAqua

Level 10

250,373 points

Oct 30, 2023 10:17 PM in response to I_like_oranges

I wonder if Brave would work, it's Chrome Browser without google & without Ads...

https://brave.com/

We need to see what all is running, a report from this will not display any personal info...

EtreCheck is a FREE simple little diagnostic tool to display the important details of your system configuration and allow you to copy that information to the Clipboard. It is meant to be used with Apple Support Communities to help people help you with your Mac. It will not display any personal info.

https://www.etrecheck.com/

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Answer 2

Oct 31, 2023 6:36 AM in response to BDAqua

Hi BDAqua, thank you for your help. I will install EtreCheck after work hours.

Regarding your suggestions, I use Brave for my personal profile. Google Chrome is used for my work profile.

I did more testing and found some great infos ;

In a Google Meet, in Google Chrome, when I used a blurred background and I share my screen, I use an average of 40% of Mac Mini M2 Pro GPU.
When I TURN OFF hardware acceleration (blurred background is not available anymore) and share my screen, I use an average of 5% of Mac Mini M2 Pro GPU...

Since I need to use blurred background for work, do you think that upgrading to a Mac Studio M2 Max (base) with its 14 extra GPU Core (over the M2 Pro) would give me better performance?

Thanks,

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Answer 3

BDAqua

Level 10

250,373 points

Oct 31, 2023 7:02 AM in response to I_like_oranges

The Mac mini M2 Pro might be a better fit than the Mac Studio unless you really need superior graphics and more memory.

In this article, we are concerned with how the M2 Pro Mac mini compares with the M2 Max Mac Studio. We also discuss how the Mac Pro compares to the Mac Studio separately.

https://www.macworld.com/article/668208/mac-mini-vs-mac-studio.html

Compare the Open GL & Metal benchmarks & you be screaming to get the Mac Studio.

https://browser.geekbench.com/mac-benchmarks

Apple says the M3 will dust the M2s by quite a bit!:)

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Mac Mini M2 Pro - Multiple displays and spinning wheel while using Google Chrome / Meet

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