Forum Admin wrote: ↑Thu Oct 21, 2021 6:12 pm Given Mac mini M1 models released in 2020 can be bought with 16GB RAM, restricting expansion I think was a deliberate move by Apple to produce a low-cost M1 Mac mini for the masses. It is an incredibly powerful computer, and able to run way more plug-ins etc than the higher-end Intel-based Mac mini can. People are doing decent video editing on 8GB of RAM (let alone 16GB) with this 8-core M1 machine.
There will be the rumoured redesigned glass-topped M1 Pro/M1 Max Mac mini coming in 2022, I'd bet money on it, but don't discount the current 1st Gen M1 Mac mini - at £699 (inc 20% UK VAT) for 256GB Flash storage, yes it is way too little, but easy to connect a Thunderbolt SSD or USB3 Samsung 2TB T7 SSD and run sample libraries off that. And doing so will give you one heck of a beast for music production for PC-like money.
Absolutely. I don't doubt the capability of the current M1 Minis, some of the tests that have been carried out have shown some amazing results. My current MBP is actually holding up really well in the studio, and I added a PC to the setup earlier this year to do the heavy lifting with sample libraries and virtual instruments so that's made a huge difference.
My motivation for upgrading is actually more based on the fact that my home laptop is getting very tired, and I always planned to replace it with my studio machine and put a desktop there to take over studio duty. I've considered just getting myself a new laptop for home and leaving the studio as it is, but seeing as the MBP is currently just racked up driving a couple of external screens and I never even look at its lovely display, it seems like a bit of a waste.
