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expiredLaotzu3 posted Mar 03, 2023 11:16 PM
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expiredLaotzu3 posted Mar 03, 2023 11:16 PM

Select Costco Stores: Apple Mac Mini: M1, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD (Late 2020 Model)

(In-Store Only)

$400

$599

33% off
Costco Wholesale
341 Comments 204,518 Views
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Deal Details
Select Costco Wholesale Stores (link for reference only) [store locator] offer Costco Members: Apple Mac Mini Compact Computer w/ Apple M1 Chip (Late 2020 Model, MGNR3LL/A) on closeout for $399.97 valid for In-Store Purchase Only where stock permits (request item # 1486314).

Thanks to community member Laotzu3 for finding this deal.
  • Note: Inventory availability nay vary by location.

Specs:
  • Apple M1 Octa-Core Processor (4x high-performance + 4x high-efficiency)
  • 8-Core Integrated GPU
  • 8GB RAM (onboard)
  • 256GB Integrated NVMe PCIe Solid State Drive
  • 802.11ax WiFi 6 / Bluetooth 5.0
  • Ports:
    • 2x USB Type-A (USB 3.1 / USB 3.2 Gen 1)
    • 2x Thunderbolt 3 USB Type C (supports DisplayPort / HDMI / VGA & Power Delivery)
    • 1x HDMI 2.0 (output)
    • 1x 3.5 mm Headphone
    • 1x Ethernet

Editor's Notes

Written by RevOne | Staff
  • About this deal:
    • Offer valid at participating locations while supplies last.
  • Ratings & Reviews:
    • Rated 4.7 out of 5 stars based on 1,423 customer reviews.
  • Additional Note:
    • Please refer to the Forum Thread for further discussion regarding this deal.

Original Post

Written by Laotzu3
Community Notes
About the Poster
Deal Details
Community Notes
About the Poster
Select Costco Wholesale Stores (link for reference only) [store locator] offer Costco Members: Apple Mac Mini Compact Computer w/ Apple M1 Chip (Late 2020 Model, MGNR3LL/A) on closeout for $399.97 valid for In-Store Purchase Only where stock permits (request item # 1486314).

Thanks to community member Laotzu3 for finding this deal.
  • Note: Inventory availability nay vary by location.

Specs:
  • Apple M1 Octa-Core Processor (4x high-performance + 4x high-efficiency)
  • 8-Core Integrated GPU
  • 8GB RAM (onboard)
  • 256GB Integrated NVMe PCIe Solid State Drive
  • 802.11ax WiFi 6 / Bluetooth 5.0
  • Ports:
    • 2x USB Type-A (USB 3.1 / USB 3.2 Gen 1)
    • 2x Thunderbolt 3 USB Type C (supports DisplayPort / HDMI / VGA & Power Delivery)
    • 1x HDMI 2.0 (output)
    • 1x 3.5 mm Headphone
    • 1x Ethernet

Editor's Notes

Written by RevOne | Staff
  • About this deal:
    • Offer valid at participating locations while supplies last.
  • Ratings & Reviews:
    • Rated 4.7 out of 5 stars based on 1,423 customer reviews.
  • Additional Note:
    • Please refer to the Forum Thread for further discussion regarding this deal.

Original Post

Written by Laotzu3

Community Voting

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+124
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Top Comments

Laotzu3
16 Posts
58 Reputation
According to most reports M2 is 20% faster but it's disk access is 50% slower while the price is 33% more.

To get disk access on par with M1 you need to pay $200 to upgrade to 512gb ($799 or $699)
Laotzu3
16 Posts
58 Reputation
Recent mac's are not upgradeable in either ram or sdd unfortunately.
chi
6243 Posts
1380 Reputation
There's a slow SSD controversy on the M2 base models. The M1 base models have 2 SSDs while the M2 base models have only 1 SSD so there can be data bottlenecks.

https://youtu.be/bF_Lbdqfowo

341 Comments

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Mar 08, 2023 02:50 PM
58 Posts
Joined Feb 2020
HilariousString9069Mar 08, 2023 02:50 PM
58 Posts
Where are people getting the M2 for $500? Costco online has it for $580. I'm not in the market for either right now, but if I were, I'd probably spend an extra $100 for the M2 (but not an extra $180). BTW, Apple is notorious for inflating their spec claims. I seriously doubt you'll get 20% better performance in real world applications with the M2 compared to the M1. Both are highly competent computers for the price.
3
Mar 08, 2023 03:02 PM
738 Posts
Joined Mar 2007
JimmdeanMar 08, 2023 03:02 PM
738 Posts
Quote from HilariousString9069 :
Where are people getting the M2 for $500? Costco online has it for $580. I'm not in the market for either right now, but if I were, I'd probably spend an extra $100 for the M2 (but not an extra $180). BTW, Apple is notorious for inflating their spec claims. I seriously doubt you'll get 20% better performance in real world applications with the M2 compared to the M1. Both are highly competent computers for the price.
people are quoting education store prices due to the lack of checking for true eligibility on Apple's part right now (at least in the US). you're on the right track spec-wise though - the core chipset on the base mini did not change, so it is basically the same computer. CPU got just a little faster, the SSD was downgraded a bit, and the wifi went from 6 to 6e. Personally I don't think it is worth the extra $100, let alone $180. Both are good - this is just a better deal for basically the same thing.

the real upgrade this year was the pro model, and I think Apple went out of their way to make it stand out. hopefully next upgrade the base model will see some more of the pro model enhancements.
Last edited by Jimmdean March 8, 2023 at 08:06 AM.
Mar 08, 2023 03:34 PM
3,532 Posts
Joined Jan 2015
kevinaaaMar 08, 2023 03:34 PM
3,532 Posts
Quote from HilariousString9069 :
Where are people getting the M2 for $500? Costco online has it for $580. I'm not in the market for either right now, but if I were, I'd probably spend an extra $100 for the M2 (but not an extra $180). BTW, Apple is notorious for inflating their spec claims. I seriously doubt you'll get 20% better performance in real world applications with the M2 compared to the M1. Both are highly competent computers for the price.
Apple is not notorious for inflating spec claims. Their claims have very good records matching benchmark tests. Real experience are different story depending on the usage.
Last edited by kevinaaa March 8, 2023 at 01:11 PM.
1
Mar 08, 2023 06:24 PM
258 Posts
Joined Nov 2014
KeyL3475Mar 08, 2023 06:24 PM
258 Posts
Quote from kgorilla :
It's not hard it's just disappointing at this price point like a brand new car where the driver door won't open, you just get in the passenger side, pretty lame.
MACOS releases will likely not breaking anything major if not flawless. Why? Every single users using the same hardware and OS and the same get tested by Apple engineers. The chances of major defectives are much lower comparing to Windows. Last known stable Windows may be Win 3.1 and may be NT? . Microsoft using consumers as their testbeds and QA. And those default Ads and Bing promotions gets embedded into Windows. Microsoft be telling users what the needs and those bloatware get installed too.
4
Mar 08, 2023 06:30 PM
2 Posts
Joined Jan 2018
boshausMar 08, 2023 06:30 PM
2 Posts
Little late to the party. Employee checked for me and every store in Texas was sold out.
1
Mar 08, 2023 07:23 PM
801 Posts
Joined May 2007
emazurMar 08, 2023 07:23 PM
801 Posts
Quote from MaroonSardine758 :
how would this do as a gaming machine, for some light gaming? sorry if it is a dumb question i really dont have any games but i am considering between a gaming console, a gaming pc or this
I'm not saying you can't do any light gaming on a Mac but when it comes to gaming Macs are in the California Penal League while consoles and PCs are in the Major League (reference from the movie "Major League").

If you're gonna buy a new, modern console on a budget the Xbox Series S is a good option between $200 and $300: https://slickdeals.net/f/16497676-microsoft-xbox-series-s-gilded-hunter-console-bundle-224-w-zip-checkout-free-shipping-via-newegg?v=1&src=SiteSearch

That's digital only (won't play physical game discs). You might also consider a used "Xbox One S", which was the older generation Xbox but can play physical discs and has Ultra HD Blu Ray playback (which is why I bought one). The names of the these two Xbox systems are very similar and therefore confusing so pay attention if you decide to buy. Used ones in your local area probably between $100 and $200
1
Mar 08, 2023 07:51 PM
738 Posts
Joined Mar 2007
JimmdeanMar 08, 2023 07:51 PM
738 Posts
Quote from MaroonSardine758 :
how would this do as a gaming machine, for some light gaming? sorry if it is a dumb question i really don't have any games but i am considering between a gaming console, a gaming pc or this
highly dependent on the types of games you want to play. you kind of have to answer the console vs computer question first.

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Mar 09, 2023 04:29 AM
12 Posts
Joined Apr 2022
kimjexzielMar 09, 2023 04:29 AM
12 Posts
Quote from Laotzu3 :
The base model M1 has two disk controllers with 128gb modules connected to each.

The base model M2 has one controller with one 255gb module, thus it has half the bandwidth.

Upgrading the M2 to 512gb, restores the second controller and two modules.

Further in the M1/M2 unified memory architecture, when ram is occupied you will rely on the disk access for swap space.
What about the M2/16/256? Does it have the same problem as M2/8/256? Thanks!
Mar 09, 2023 04:57 AM
738 Posts
Joined Mar 2007
JimmdeanMar 09, 2023 04:57 AM
738 Posts
Quote from kimjexziel :
What about the M2/16/256? Does it have the same problem as M2/8/256? Thanks!
it would not change the chip layout of the SSD. so if that is an issue for you 16GB would not "fix" it.
Mar 09, 2023 12:57 PM
6,118 Posts
Joined Mar 2008
dcliveMar 09, 2023 12:57 PM
6,118 Posts
Quote from kimjexziel :
What about the M2/16/256? Does it have the same problem as M2/8/256? Thanks!
There are no 'problems' … the SSD works just fine. If you copy 200GB datasets all day, then you can think about this. Otherwise, ignore the youtube clickbait and enjoy your Mac.
Mar 09, 2023 05:53 PM
3,532 Posts
Joined Jan 2015
kevinaaaMar 09, 2023 05:53 PM
3,532 Posts
Quote from dclive :
There are no 'problems' … the SSD works just fine. If you copy 200GB datasets all day, then you can think about this. Otherwise, ignore the youtube clickbait and enjoy your Mac.
The ssd is also used for paging because the ram is small
Mar 09, 2023 07:19 PM
74 Posts
Joined May 2019
SmartPencil474Mar 09, 2023 07:19 PM
74 Posts
Just checked with Costco and it seems that is sold out everywhere in Colorado.
Mar 10, 2023 08:19 PM
235 Posts
Joined Sep 2012
GzyOnlineMar 10, 2023 08:19 PM
235 Posts
Quote from ibuyufo :
Search at costco.com yielded item 1486314
Out of Stock online costco.com, bummer, I'm about a week late
Mar 10, 2023 08:38 PM
11 Posts
Joined Nov 2010
ccblanketMar 10, 2023 08:38 PM
11 Posts
Quote from luv2chill :
Truth! Honestly, I think the best advice would be to get this Mini. I have a soft spot for the old cheese grater Mac Pros but they are getting very long in the tooth at this point and even with the incredible effort being expended to keep them running the newest software there are still things you need to troubleshoot, work around, etc. They still have their uses and are great if you need to add a ton of storage or need a mega GPU for FCP or something. But for almost everyone else, you can't go wrong with an M1 mini--especially at this price.
I used to have couple of these for work and then home use (all dead and recycled now). It really is not worth your time or electric bills to keep them. M1 is an amazing chip exactly like everyone else praises. For home use, it is the fastest thing at ridiculous prices. I have no idea about the gaming part though.

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Mar 10, 2023 08:54 PM
1,586 Posts
Joined Nov 2004
AgentDCooperMar 10, 2023 08:54 PM
1,586 Posts
Quote from GzyOnline :
Out of Stock online costco.com, bummer, I'm about a week late
If you don't care where you purchase it, BB priced matched me earlier today (I had a gift card to use and I'm a Total tech member - I realize others would prefer to order from Costco).

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