Upcoming Apple Event - Need to replace desktop

[jcasino]

Hi Brian - thanks for all your help and advice with our many questions!

I know we're looking at an apple event likely this month (October) - and I've seen reports that M4 Mac Mini is something we're expecting to see. But it's also been reported that Mac Studio won't see a refresh until Summer 2025.

If this ends up being the case and I need to upgrade long before Summer 2025 (my 2017 iMac is not having a great time with Photoshop these days) - do you anticipate it would be wiser to go with your currently suggested configuration Mac Studio with M2 or a new M4 Mac Mini? I'm sure there's plenty of information we simply don't have yet and we'll have to wait for the event to be completely sure, but I was just curious if you thought the M4 would completely invalidate any edge the Studio had over Mini while they're on the same generation of chip.

Thanks again!

[Brian]

On 10/6/2024 at 3:27 PM, jcasino said:

do you anticipate it would be wiser to go with your currently suggested configuration Mac Studio with M2 or a new M4 Mac Mini?

I'm still on the fence with this one. The M4 Mac Mini is rumored to be similar in size to a Apple TV, though a little taller. I'm thinking it's going to be similar in size to some HP Docking Stations, such as this one. Though I could be completely wrong. My gut answer is to go for the Mac Studio as there is more computer with more ports and better air-flow vs the Mac Mini. Heat is the enemy of electronics. That said, I can see why you are tempted by the M4 Mini. Hmmm...

At the earliest, Spring of 2025 is when I expect to see a refresh of the Mac Studio. Apple typically likes updating the Mini and the MacBooks in the Fall, and the Desktop Models in the Spring of the given year. Either way, you are buying the stupidly over-priced Apple Studio Display, to go with either Desktop. So if you NEED a computer, LIKE NOW...try the new M4 Mac Mini and get the Apple Studio Display. If the Mini doesn't meet your needs, you can still keep the Studio Display and upgrade at a later point. I do anticipate the prices of the M4 Mac Mini to be similar to the current one, in which case you are only saving about $50-ish going with a lower computer. Bah!! Now I want to recommend the Mac Studio. 

Flip a coin. There is no "Best" answer. The cost of a tricked out Mini is only slightly less than a Studio. While the M4 will be "better," the current Mac Studio will still hold its own. Right now it's going to be a few years until PS takes over the performance base of the current Mac Studio. It takes about 7 years or so before Photoshop starts being a PITA to run on older hardware, and with our 2017 iMacs...we are right at that point. So I'd say you are looking about 6-7 years before you have to buy another computer, either way you go.

[Brian]

Let's wait and see what the early adopters discover. For all we know, the M4 Mac Mini could have issues with PS, and until Adobe fixes things, it could be the spring of 2025 which is when the Mac Studio should be refreshed.