Mac Mini update from my old 2017 iMac

wibbly

wibbly

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Dave
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My 2017 iMac is slowly grinding to a halt as it ages, it's reached the stage where I can't download updates for LR etc. and I'm thinking now is the time to change.

I'm looking at the Mac Mini (M6 2026) with 16GB memory & 256GB SSD HD. It's the cheapest option and looks pretty good on paper.

My thoughts are that and the ASUS ProArt PA279CRV 4k monitor with the suggestion of keeping all my RAW files on an external 4TB Hard Drive which I do now with a secondary 2TB SSD HD to run Lightroom/Catalogs/Previews etc.

For anyone who has gone this route of change is that a reasonable option?
 
You will be pleasantly surprised in the performance difference to your 2017 iMac!
If your budget can stretch just a little the 32gb version has a faster interface for the SSDs
 
I had a 2015 Mac, the studio I have now is amazing!
As said, try to get more memory ;)
 
Usual advice is to keep the Lightroom program and catalog on the internal drive.

Mac Minis are very good.
 
I use a base level M4 Mac mini , for general internet use it’s more than sufficient, all my Lightroom and P.S work is done and stored on a external plug in 1TB SSD , it’s a super fast machine and downloading 500+ raw files from my Z8 takes around 2 minutes max .
Yes a more powerful Mac to start with sounds good but it’s not really needed for normal use , my only extra has been a docking station circa £80 to get some front facing usb ports .. buying at Costco kept total outlay under £500
 
I’d say update the HD to 512GB it’s amazing how much crap is stored in ~/Library and the 256GB can get limiting fast, quicker than the 16GB limit.

My personal rig is still a base 13” M1 Pro 16GB with a Benq MA320U (replacing both the 2019 27” iMac and the old intel 13” Pro), I can run the 32” 4k at native resolution. Nearly everyone I know with the 27” 4k runs them nearer QHD so few actually see any 4k benefit. Lightroom etc is all on a Samsung T7 bought before prices went crazy
 
Costco and Amazon have discounted prices on the Mac Mini M6 but the base cost is much higher than the M4 was. Unfortunately memory and ram prices have increased substantially in that period due to AA apparently and are not showing any signs of reducing.

The Mac Mini M6 is still a good price for what you get.
 
the black fox said:
I use a base level M4 Mac mini , for general internet use it’s more than sufficient, all my Lightroom and P.S work is done and stored on a external plug in 1TB SSD , it’s a super fast machine and downloading 500+ raw files from my Z8 takes around 2 minutes max .
Yes a more powerful Mac to start with sounds good but it’s not really needed for normal use , my only extra has been a docking station circa £80 to get some front facing usb ports .. buying at Costco kept total outlay under £500
Click to expand...
What dock did you get Jeff, if you don’t mind me asking?
 
Need to update my system soon Mac Mini M2 16GB, didn't realise 16GB would not be enough as software moved forward, I bought mine from Deecies on eBay and looking at there price for an M6 12-core 32GB ram, 512GB SSD £1424 looks like a good deal, I did add a dock to the M2 with a Satechi hub from Amazon. Russ.

​

 
It’s a U.GREEN one got usb ports on front both types
 
Until now I'd say go 256GB and use an external HD for storing data but Apple now force Siri AI in macOS and it takes up to 30GB so add that to other system files and you soon fill 256GB. I have an M2 Pro Mac Mini and M4 Macbook Air. The MBA has 256GB and if I was buying again i'd go 512GB.
 
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