They’re ( Mac mini )a bit cheaper on Amazon too.
I’m tempted - either swap internal ssd or buy a doc … maybe in a few months.
Some people say they want a touchscreen MacBook, but what I really want (and is objectively a much better idea 
) is an iPad Duo that can switch into Mac mode when you connect a keyboard and mouse (or a Magic Keyboard trackpad case, or maybe an Apple Pencil).
Technical speculation because I'm an incorrigible nerd
Given that MacOS has been able to run iPad apps for a few years now, I think the iPad Duo is more likely than it may at first seem.
The thing is, this wouldn’t be a dual-boot setup. Apple wouldn’t release a product whose big USP involves dual-booting in 2025; it would be far too cumbersome having to reboot the machine every time you switch between iPad and Mac modes.
Instead, if Apple were to actually make an iPad Duo, I believe it would run MacOS natively and run iPadOS in a VM. Apple controls the whole stack, so they could probably combine low-level access for the VM + sleeping every possible MacOS process while the VM is running to incur a very minor performance penalty for virtualizing iPadOS versus running it natively (and let’s be honest, iPads have already had far more power than the OS could reasonably take advantage of for years).
It’s probably 99 if not 100% a software challenge, although they might have to equip the Duo with a bigger battery. I think it could work!
2 Likes
This is what I have been wanting as well. They put all that power in the iPad, let it run MacOS. Some might worry about loss of computer sales, but iPad sales would skyrocket.
1 Like
it’s not been possible to do that for quite some time
It’s possible, but requires SMD soldering skills, and obviously voids warranty/Apple Care.
Edit: never mind. See below.
Apparently you can upgrade the SSD on the M4, because it isn’t soldered in (unlike the previous gens). Some companies are selling upgrade kits.
Here is a video of the process:
He says in the video that the kit for 2TB was around $300, which is cheaper than the $800 apple is charging.
5 Likes
I might be wrong, but I’m guessing re5et wasnt talking about that sort of swap 
Yeah, it was really the larger Chassis I wanted in the Studio more than anything else. Having already burned through one M4 Pro Mac mini in less than two months makes me hope it was just a one-off, but I fear it may be a sign of longevity issues.
1 Like
I have a macook pro m1 pro, and love it.
However, as a secondary, portable machine I actually prefer the 13.6” (or something like that) M2 AIR that work got me for… umm… work.
It’s just smaller enough that I notice it and it’s just such an elegant little thing for using as a mobile scratch pad. I get things 90% done on it, and can’t tell that much of a difference between it and the M1 Pro, despite the extra 2 performance cores.
That being said, as a ‘primary’ machine I wouldn’t want the AIR.
They don’t have a Pro chip option, which means, for audio apps, you have a 4 core machine… not 8, or 10… which you get on the Pro and up.
It’s quite noticeable under load.
As a side note for those of us Amazon-averse:
Most of the time they have sales on computer or audio equipmemt it’s because they’re price matching another online retailer… in this M4 Mini’s case… B&H Photo Video. I’ve used them for years.
3 Likes
Actually I was - it looks reasonable to slide it out and put in another.
But I’m unsure I want to do it straight away and void the warranty. My m1 MacBook developed a fault quite early so I’d prefer to leave it a while just incase
Easier buying a dock though .
1 Like
Just watched the vid, had no idea it was a possibility. Good to know as I’m looking at a mini too.
Be aware that at the moment (!) this seems to be an option for the Mac Mini but not for the Mac Mini Pro.
I don’t know SSD kits for the pro version that has a much higher memory bandwidth.
EDIT: However Mac Mini Pro has Thunderbolt 5 which supports external 80 Gbps enclosures
1 Like
As someone who bought a M4 Max Mb Pro recently I concur. I will get the fans going with some pretty heavy GPU stuff in Blender (also the reason I went with the Max), but even then it still is super responsive and I can just keep doing other things while rendering. Anything else I use, (Live, Resolve, Pixelmator) it doesn’t even flinch.
2 Likes
Do we think that now they’ve gone back to 10 cores in the Pro chips it will stay that way? Considering whether to jump on an upgrade this year before the M5’s come into play. If it’s going to be 10 for the forseeable, that’s great for production. If it’s going to be dropping to 8 and 6 again, it might be worth springing for an upgrade.
*I realise this is something of a crystal ball question… but informed guesses are 100% welcome!
I actually bought a Mac Studio myself and when I compared it with the Air I was shocked to find no performance difference on any of the tasks I do. Felt like I had way overspent for my needs and I immediately returned it.
I actually think a good litmus test today is, get a base, and if you find yourself regularly hitting the ceiling and the performance is insufficient for you, sell it and upgrade.
The only caveat to this is heavy duty video or 3D work, and if you don’t fall into that category you simply don’t need a machine that powerful.
2 Likes
He runs a Mini cluster to compute a LLM, i wonder now about a cluster with network midi, lets say computer 1 runs the daw host, and mini 2 runs reaper with VST. Not sure if the jitter would make this a less ideal approach. But maybe a idea to recycle the old mini, when you upgrade.
I run M2 mini, with 120 tracks = absolut limit, most fun it is up to 60 tracks, then it dwindels a little bit, i.e. need to be more convervative with expensive plugins.
Having to unexpectedly buy a laptop to do some traveling for a while and I’m split between a maxed out M4 pro (except for SDD lmao) or just dropping the extra cash for a Max, but the one I’d get would be 1000 bucks more :-/ I’d be getting a 14 inch in either case because I’m not a big fan of bigger laptops.
I currently use a 16 gb m1 mini and get by, but constantly max out projects (that’s honestly often my sign it’s time to stop working on something lol). I heard the Max on a 14 inch might have issues with the thermals? It also looks like it wouldn’t be a huge boost on the CPU end and the pro might have better battery life?
The extra ram + memory bandwidth could be nice as I do do 3D stuff sometimes and regularly use huge sample libraries, but I’m pretty split. Thoughts?
I read about the thermal issues with the 14 inch max models before I picked one up. Seems to be an issue with the way apple set their fans to kick in only when the laptops already over heating. Reason being they’re valuing silence over cooling efficiency. Following some online advice I downloaded a bit of software to alter the fan behaviour so it comes on gradually over time and I haven’t had any issues.
3 Likes
Exactly. If I wasn’t doing the heavy 3d stuff, I most likely just would have got an Air.
Been reading about some M4 Minis (standard and pro) having issues with the USB/Thunderbolt ports.
Anyone here experienced anything odd with theirs dropping connection or not liking certain cables or hubs?