Help needed on choice between Mini M1 refurb vs M2 Pro

Question

MIKEinMICH Author

Level 1

20 points

Help needed on choice between Mini M1 refurb vs M2 Pro

Hi, need a little help on a buying decision. In a pro studio I rely on a 'legacy" OS machine

for editing on an app that needs 32-bit so I have a 2018 intel i7 Mini for that. However it's

time to have a second Mac for current OS fuctionality, newer browsers and some audio

apps that need OS 12 or higher. I tend to have multiple browsers open, and a Universal Audio

interface that needs processing horsepower and the i7 has been adequate.

I'm thinking about a revised setup where I'd make a newer OS machine my "main" platform

for recording...and bounce files back and forth to the older Mini for editing. All that is background

for my dilemma of...whether I'd be fine with a like new/refurb fully loaded 2020 Mini M1...

which can be had for as little as $400 lately.. vs a refurb deal on the Mini M2 Pro at $1100.

I get the speed difference of the M2 Pro over M1 but..coming from an Intel, it would be a

huge improvement and i have to think would handle processor intensive tasks pretty capably...

hence question whether I really "need" the M2 Pro or could the M1 be easily good enough as a

workhorse for years to come, given it is 8-core and the other advantages over the Intel generation.

Thanks for any help!

Mac mini, macOS 10.14

Posted on Mar 17, 2024 11:38 AM

Reply

Answer 1

hcsitas

Level 6

13,964 points

Mar 17, 2024 10:02 PM in response to den.thed

Refurbed M1 for $400 obviously and invest the savings ($700) to upscale for free in 2030.

Or earlier. In today’s world especially Apple’s, except for bragging rights, early adopters always lose and can-kickers always win 😁

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Answer 2

den.thed

Level 10

90,946 points

Mar 17, 2024 12:07 PM in response to MIKEinMICH

I would go for the 2023 M2 or hold out a bit longer for an M3 Mac mini.

Why' because the M2 or M3 will be supported for much longer than the 2020 M1 and our 2018 Mac mini's.

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Answer 3

MIKEinMICH Author

Level 1

20 points

Mar 17, 2024 10:29 PM in response to hcsitas

I’ve rarely been an early adopter with Macs since the beginning. This comes down to a

question of actual processing power and capability and yes, i suspect m1 would be plenty

of horsepower for audio and multitasking without taxing the processor. Now, my i7

intel gets pushed a bit to the limit but…handles it.

However…i cant compare both side by side in a real world test, so its a 400 dollar

gamble vs a safe bet. I’m not opposed to saving 800 bucks if an m1 is just fine..for

My workflow and demand.

I mean if you could guarantee that “free upscale…” that would be a consideration.

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Answer 4

Mar 18, 2024 4:58 AM in response to MIKEinMICH

FWIW, the only refurbished Macs I would trust are those purchased directly from Apple.

There are way too many refurbished/renewed providers that are very low to no quality and not very reputable if problems are encountered. This is not just with Macs but any electronics products.

Any refurbished Mac purchased from Apple is treated as a new computer with a full one year warranty like you would get if it were new and is eligible for AppleCare coverage.

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Answer 5

hcsitas

Level 6

13,964 points

Mar 17, 2024 10:39 PM in response to MIKEinMICH

Depends on how you invest it 😁…it’s not that unheard of doubling one’s money in 6 years. Plus Mx prices can head downwards too.

As of now, except for startup speed-bling and assorted spec ooh-aah/flip-flop mumbo jumbo, the Mx doesn’t seem to have made any real difference to everyday computing compared to Intels. Remember, most of the rest of the world including audio, is and will continue Intel-ing for the foreseeable future.

Anyway, assuming your refurbed M1 is genuine Apple refurbed, there’s absolutely no gamble involved. Enjoy!

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