is mac mini a good computer?

[macgig]

thought about getting a mac mini to replace my 2015 21 inch iMac.

is it wise to get a refurb or something that is not new? trying to save some money and not pay full retail price from apple if possible?

where is the best place to buy this if I don’t get it from apple? thanks

 

[Raz0rEdge]

Refurb is a great option to buy Macs and save money. The only thing is that you have to wait a little bit for brand new Macs to become available as refurb.

In my opinion, the Certified Refurbished Products is the only place to get the refurb Macs.

You get the same warranty as a brand new Mac at a lower price, so there's no downside.

For example, right now there are 2 Mac Mini's on the store, but both of them are the previous 2023 model.

The beauty of the Mac Mini is that unless you are going ultra custom with all the options, the "default" price is quite affordable.

The base M4 $599 Mac Mini will run circles around your 2015 21 iMac.

 

[MacInWin]

Yes, the Mini is a good machine. You will need a keyboard and display to go with it, as it doesn't have those. As for getting a good price, you can check with Apple's refurbished sales. WHat is there varies over time, and quickly, but you can get about 10% off retail and still have the full warranty and service. (Just say Raz0rEdge beat me to that.)

 

[Randy B. Singer]

...is it wise to get a refurb...

A genuine factory refurbished Macintosh is usually a really good bargain. Often they are two or three hundred dollars less than a brand-new Mac.

But be warned that there is a difference between a refurb that you purchase from Apple and one that you get elsewhere. The ones that come from Apple will usually be indistinguishable from a new Mac. That's because they tend to be Macs that came down the assembly line and failed a test. Those Macs are pulled from the assembly line and sent to a special station where a technician fixes them, often simply doing something like replacing the entire motherboard with a brand new one. (I've watched them do this at Apple's old iMac assembly plant in nearby Elk Grove.) They are then tested several more times. To you or I this sort of machine is still a brand new Mac. But legally Apple can't sell them labeled as "new". They are a really good deal.

The *only* place that you can get genuine Apple factory refurbished products is via Apple's online store. (The "refurbished" Macs that you might find at an Apple brick and mortar store are a crapshoot. Sometimes they are returns with nothing wrong with them, sometimes they are returns that have been fixed, but sometimes they are lemons that couldn't be fixed perfectly and which will never run perfectly.)

It pays to be persistent waiting and watching Apple's refurb Web site. Stock changes often, sometimes daily.

http://www.apple.com/shop/browse/home/specialdeals/mac

 

[M915 Driver]

I have bought two MacBook Pros from the Apple Refurbished store.
The 1st was a early 2015 13" MBP. I didn't have any issues with this machine, and used it until April 2021.
The 2nd was a late 2020 13" M1 MBP. I have had no issues with this computer, and am still using it as mt only computer.
If I decided to replace this machine I'll wait for the M4 MacBook Pro to be available on the Apple Refurbished store.

 

[pigoo3]

100% agree with what Ashwin posted above. The new just released M4 Mac-Mini will blow away a 2015 iMac.

Of course going with a Mac-Mini (from an iMac)...may require the purchase of a display. But used displays can be found cheap on Craig's List or eBay. Even brand new many inexpensive displays out there.

Go for it!

- Nick

 

[jpdemers]

Depending on your needs, an M1 Mini might be a very affordable option. Unless you're gaming or editing video, I doubt you'd ever notice the added performance of the M4. Go for the added storage (512 GB) if you can... again, you won't notice the benefit of added memory if you're doing routine work. I use mine professionally, which involves a lot of MS Office apps, and for hobby photography, and it's been fast and hassle-free since I got it. It drives two 32" monitors with ease.

 

[pigoo3]

Yes a used M1 Mac-Mini could be a viable option. Base models are currently selling (as of this post date)...for around $300-$400...and I did see at least one that had 16GB RAM & 512 GB storage for $400 (a pretty good setup for the price).

I posted in another thread that a brand new M4 Mac-Mini could have been gotten for $499 from Costco (in the United States). With double the warranty of Apple (2 years)...and 90 days no questions asked return period (compared to Apple's 14 day).

This puppy comes with 16 GB RAM & 256 GB storage. 256GB storage isn't a lot...but it can be managed. If more is needed...add an external SSD.

M4 Mac-Mini is much faster than M1 Mac-Mini...the 16GB RAM in the base model is great...it can support higher resolution monitors compared to the M1 Mac-Mini. And...it can natively support 3 displays (M1 can only support 2 displays)...which is why I never purchased one.

M4 Mac-Mini also has 2 very convenient front USB-C ports & audio out port.

But...if someone can get a used M1 Mac-Mini at a really good price...and...is upgrading from a much older computer (2015 iMac in this thread for example)...an M1 Mac-Mini would be a really good upgrade.

- Nick

p.s. Also something to consider. 5 years from now when an M1 Mac-Mini is "feeling it's age" (especially the 8GB RAM model)...an M4 Mac-Mini will likely still be going strong.

Thus when considering an M1 vs. M4 Mac-Mini purchase...make sure you get a really good deal if going with the M1 Mac-Mini.

 

[MacBiter]

Most people seem to be raving about the M4 Mini. Luke Miani tested it against his Mac Studio setup costing 10 times as much, and in the majority of areas the Mini was as good.

 

[pigoo3]

I've seen a lot of the more well known YouTuber's reviews on the M4 Mac-Mini as well.

It rare for them to almost completely agree...and find very few faults with even the base model M4 Mac-Mini.

They all pretty much agree...the M4 Mac-Mini is one heck of a powerful computer. And really...for that sort of performance...who can argue with the price!

- Nick

p.s. The only real niggle with the M4 Mac-Mini...is the SSD in the base model is not super super fast. But still plenty fast for the average or above average user.

 

[Groovetube]

I’ve heard nothing but good even from us notoriously hard to please music production people. I saw these comparisons on AI site and that got my attention. I know there’s more to the story but wow all that power in a small cheap(er) box

 

[pigoo3]

Thanks Groovetube. I've seen that graph in a M4 Mac-Mini review as well.

Wanted to mention the M4 Mac-Mini mentioned in the graph is the $1399 M4 Pro Mac-Mini.

Definitely a very powerful computer...just didn't want anyone getting it confused with the $599 base model M4 Mac-Mini.

Thanks,

- Nick

 

[Groovetube]

Right that is true. Too bad they didn’t put the base model one as well. Base model is still a screamer for most people. That much power for 600 bucks. I wasn’t happy about the silicon change way back when but after the initial $$ pain I’m not regretting it.

 

[macgig]

$579 at walmart. seems like a good price?

are those USB ports the same as my 2015 imac?

(not sure why that says robot or human? I just shared the link at walmart).

Robot or human?

 

[MacBiter]

are those USB ports the same as my 2015 imac?

I BELIEVE they only have USB-C ports and T/bolt?.

 

[Randy B. Singer]

are those USB ports the same as my 2015 imac?

No. Your 2015 iMac has four USB 3.0 ports with type-A connectors.

The G4 Mac mini has two USB-C connector ports with support for USB 3 on the front, and
Three Thunderbolt 4 USB-C ports on the back.

You will likely need some sort of adapter or hub to mate your USB peripherals (likely with type-A connectors) with your Mac mini.

I often recommend this very reasonably priced hub for folks with Apple Silicon iMacs or minis:

4-Port USB 3.0 Hub, Qeefun 3.0 Powered, USB Adapter USB Extender USB Port Expander usb hub for Laptop, PC, USB Flash Drives, and More
$12
https://www.amazon.com/4-Port-Extended-Adapter-Extender-Expander/dp/B0BG7MKT9K/ref=sr_1_4

 

[macgig]

@Randy B. Singer

that hub will plug into the imac or mini? or both? thanks everyone for the help.

 

[pigoo3]

Right that is true. Too bad they didn’t put the base model one as well. Base model is still a screamer for most people. That much power for 600 bucks. I wasn’t happy about the silicon change way back when but after the initial $$ pain I’m not regretting it.

I agree...absolutely wish they had included the base model M4 Mac-Mini in those comparisons...and maybe even the M1 Mac-Mini ). Adding both of these would have been great for perspective vs. M4 Pro Mac-Mini and Mac Studio.

- Nick

 

[MacBiter]

I agree...absolutely wish they had included the base model M4 Mac-Mini in those comparisons...and maybe even the M1 Mac-Mini ). Adding both of these would have been great for perspective vs. M4 Pro Mac-Mini and Mac Studio.

- Nick

There are plenty of YouTube videos where they've tested the base model and compared it to other devices - in every case the M4 Mini comes out as a pearl of modern computing, and they say to only get the Pro version if you absolutely need it.

 

[Randy B. Singer]

@Randy B. Singer

that hub will plug into the imac or mini? or both? thanks everyone for the help.

I'm glad that you had me re-visit this, because I gave you a link for the wrong device.

This hub will work with EITHER a recent iMac or mini. It plugs into a USB-C/Thunderbolt port and gives you several USB-A 3.0 ports to attach your peripherals to.

uni USB C to USB Hub 4 Ports, Aluminum USB Type C to USB Adapter with 4 USB 3.0 Ports, Thunderbolt 3 to Multiport USB 3.0 Hub Adapter for MacBook Pro/Air 2020/2019, iPad Pro, Dell, Chromebook and more
$16
https://www.amazon.com/uni-Aluminum-Thunderbolt-Multiport-Chromebook/dp/B087QFM3GF/?th=1