Upgrading iMac 2010 for Classical/Jazz Composer: M1, M2, M3, or M4 Mac mini and $500 Monitor

FWIW, I would stick with getting the M4 Mini basically because it is the latest and will be supported longer. The M1 is already approaching 6 years old so I would advise against it. Time will eventually run out for macOS update support for it.

I would also suggest getting at least 512GB internal storage with external storage and most important a backup. While you 256GB with external storage may be fine for most, depending on software, some apps can store tons of data in the "hidden" library folder in your home folder which can impact a 256GB system.

As far as display, unless you do critical photography, videography, or production imaging, spending a lot on a display is silly. You can get a decent display for $250-300 and take the extra money and get yourself a good powered speaker system, especially if considering music production. You can get pretty nice sounding systems for $150-200. Generally, speakers in displays are not all that great.

Since the Mini doesn't have but one speaker what do you require for speakers? What I've purchased is a 32" LG monitor with speakers. They seem to be OK for music (but then I can't carry a tune in a bucket). I either use the LG monitor's speakers or AirPod Pro ear buds. They are excellent as far as music goes!

The LG monitor was $331 w/the two speakers (the 27" would be less).

I believe the 10 core M4 with 16 GB of RAM and a 1TB SSD would be sufficient unless the software you require would require more RAM or CPU power. If you're satisfied with the performance of your audio software on the 2010 iMac the mentioned Mini M4 will be more than satisfactory. The current M4s are probably 20 times more powerful and faster than you current iMac.

I would not get a Mac with less than 1 TB of SSD storage. You want to keep a minimum of 100 GB of free space to facilitate optimum application and system performance.

If you need to plug in multiple devices into the M4 you might need to get a self-powered dock or hub. I recommend OWC (MacSales.com) for any peripherals needed. OWC is considered by many to be the premier supplier of hardware for Macs.

Just some food for thought from a non-audiophile.

If you are used to a 2010 iMac any one of the M series minis will blow your socks off!

Not just a bit faster but many, many times faster. Things that took minutes will now take seconds.

I would suggest you get the cheapest new M4 mini.

Whilst I and most others consider the 256 GB SSD to be ridiculously small it is easily remedied by plugging in a cheap USB HDD or SSD.

Boosting the internal SSD to 1TB as suggested will cost another £400 . . . not far off doubling the price of the mini.

As for monitors, you can get perfectly good ones much cheaper than the figure you quote.

I have 2 Philips monitors (as I have an M2 and M4 mini) . . . both 27". The 1080p one cost £110 and the 4K model was £180 both from Amazon.

I do video editing, where a good monitor is important, and would suggest there is no need to go to 4K . . . you are unlikely to notice any difference except in your wallet.

Incidentally you are a youngster compared to me. ☹️

I would suggest researching the system requirements for the music hardware and software that you plan to use with a computer.

As for Mac minis, I would suggest looking at the current M4 and M4 Pro models. They have convenient front-panel USB-C (USB only) ports on the front that older Mac minis lack. They also can be ordered with more RAM (up to 32 GB on a plain M4 Mac mini, or more on a M4 Pro one) than the M1, M2, and M2 Pro Mac minis.

Note that there never was a M3 or M3 Pto Mac mini. Apple skipped straight from the M2-series chips to the M4-series ones.

If you’re trying to save some money, you could look in the Certified Refurbished section of Apple’s online store to see if there are any M4 or M4 Pro Mac minis with the amount of RAM and internal SSD space thst you want there. Certified Refurbished selection is “catch of the day,” but I believe there have been current Mac minis there in the past.

Also, you may want to wait until next week to see what Apple announces at their event on March 9. Probably not M5 and M5 Pro Mac minis - but who knows?

Regarding speakers, the mini has a single speaker. It is not bad but only you can tell whether it will suit your requirements.

There is also a 3.5mm audio OUT socket so you can plug in almost anything . . . headphones, speakers, HiFi systems.

Note that there is no Audio IN socket so things like microphones will need to be USB.

One factor that many people overlook is that you can plug the mini into any TV made in the last decade or so using a cheap HDMI cable so you don't even need to buy a monitor or speakers!

I second woodmeister50's advise. I would get an M4 Mac mini, a decent $150-$300 external display and a $80-$150 Wired or Bluetooth Speaker system.

If your local BestBuy is an Apple Authorized Service Dealer, you should be able to one stop shop.

https://www.bestbuy.com/product/apple-mac-mini-desktop-latest-model-m4-chip-built-for-apple-intelligence-24gb-memory-512gb-ssd-silver/JJGCQ84LWK/sku/6566917/openbox?condition=excellent

Then walk over and compare 27" and 32" external displays.

https://www.bestbuy.com/site/searchpage.jsp?id=pcat17071&st=27+inch+computer+monitor

https://www.bestbuy.com/site/searchpage.jsp?id=pcat17071&st=32+inch+computer+monitor

Then head over and check out the computer speaker systems.

https://www.bestbuy.com/site/searchpage.jsp?id=pcat17071&st=computer+speaker+system