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

Revo77

Jun 04, 2024 12:51 AM

2,478 Posts

Joined Oct 2012

Revo77Jun 04, 2024 12:51 AM

2,478 Posts

8gb is barely enough ram for basic stuff. Don't listen to apple's BS about their new chips not needing adequate sounding RAM. I have a mini with 8gb and one with 16gb and it's a night and day difference.

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4

Brinkerhoffer

Jun 04, 2024 02:13 AM

68 Posts

Joined Dec 2007

BrinkerhofferJun 04, 2024 02:13 AM

68 Posts

Quote from intromission

:

This wouldn't work well for Logic, I think.

I have the same Mac mini and logic runs smooth

1

Elon69

Jun 04, 2024 02:27 AM

2,627 Posts

Joined Nov 2010

Elon69Jun 04, 2024 02:27 AM

2,627 Posts

Quote from jdsteel7

:

This is not a bad strategy. I'm debating picking up a MacOS device for the first time (I've had iPhones, Apple Watches and Airpods for years) but have been on Windows for my PC needs. I'm looking at either a Mac Mini or a Macbook Air. But I like your idea of trading in to upgrade the next model for a small fee to always keep the newest hardware.

Yes $99 and use a brand new Mac Mini for 2 years and then get a new one? lol. great deal.

I think the Mac Mini trade-in was a crazy fluke of a deal Apple offered. I've never seen that good of a trade in before. I am looking forward to M4 Mac Mini and see what I can get out of the M2 Mac Mini trade-in! No brainer if it's $99 even if it's just 1 year old... I'll still trade it in to get an M4.

Also note that trade-in works best on minimum spec machines because trade-in does not care how much memory or storage your have (or care very little) so 8GB/256 minimum Mac machines are best value on trade-ins since you are not getting ripped off if you had extra ram or storage.

1

HE1

Jun 04, 2024 04:44 AM

3,275 Posts

Joined May 2020

HE1Jun 04, 2024 04:44 AM

3,275 Posts

Quote from gopher100

:

Solid deal but OOS for me. You can get the M2 mini from Apple student store for $500 without any student verification required.

Actually, not a huge difference in performance. Plus, the ssd is faster on the M1 model which is very important so your facts are… wrong.

3

1

SkillSlick

Jun 04, 2024 05:29 AM

85 Posts

Joined Nov 2022

SkillSlickJun 04, 2024 05:29 AM

85 Posts

Quote from Elon69

:

Yes $99 and use a brand new Mac Mini for 2 years and then get a new one? lol. great deal.

I think the Mac Mini trade-in was a crazy fluke of a deal Apple offered. I've never seen that good of a trade in before. I am looking forward to M4 Mac Mini and see what I can get out of the M2 Mac Mini trade-in! No brainer if it's $99 even if it's just 1 year old... I'll still trade it in to get an M4.

Also note that trade-in works best on minimum spec machines because trade-in does not care how much memory or storage your have (or care very little) so 8GB/256 minimum Mac machines are best value on trade-ins since you are not getting ripped off if you had extra ram or storage.

For me trade-in for deal M1 mini for M2 coming out at $255, creating a diff of more than $99. Can you confirm your calculations or am I doing something wrong?

SkillSlick

Jun 04, 2024 07:30 AM

85 Posts

Joined Nov 2022

SkillSlickJun 04, 2024 07:30 AM

85 Posts

Quote from Elon69

:

Don't forget trade in I traded in m1 mini to m2 for a whooping $99 total cost

How you get that? I am getting value of $244 while purchasing M2 mini. 🤔

Can you share your trade-in value/cal?

sdaddict001

Jun 04, 2024 08:26 AM

3,571 Posts

Joined Feb 2009

sdaddict001Jun 04, 2024 08:26 AM

3,571 Posts

Quote from dclive

:

Apple has the best technical support in the business. It's not just me saying so; Consumer Reports puts them on top every...single....year, in every single review.

Yes, it's even better if you live near a store, for trivial handoffs and carry-ins, but their remote and mail-in support is also outstanding.

LMAO come on now. Those geniuses have had zero clue. They're not there to troubleshoot anything. I had issue with my phone and three times I had to comeback to that store and then was told to exchange it for a refurbished which had the same damn problem. Each time they'd make me wipe my phone and start over, not even a restore from backup. So yes they maybe best at recommending swaps but they're not technically solving shit.

2

fugufish

Jun 04, 2024 09:15 AM

72 Posts

Joined Nov 2007

fugufishJun 04, 2024 09:15 AM

72 Posts

Quote from dreamer3kx

:

Isn't the m3 out soon, not sure.

Apple skipped the M3. The M4 Mac Mini is forecast to be released in late '24 or early '25.

1

BaudLord

Jun 04, 2024 12:17 PM

1,441 Posts

Joined Sep 2008

BaudLordJun 04, 2024 12:17 PM

1,441 Posts

Quote from Revo77

:

8gb is barely enough ram for basic stuff. Don't listen to apple's BS about their new chips not needing adequate sounding RAM. I have a mini with 8gb and one with 16gb and it's a night and day difference.

I think the sweet spot is 16GB. However, for you or anyone else wondering about Apple's memory claims. Apple switched from Intel based macs to the Apple silicon based chips - the m1 m2 etc. This is why you can't bootcamp the machines anymore. The Apple silicon chips process the unified memory differently. The physical memory is built on to the M series chip. So 8GB ram is effectively 16GB and the 16GB is 32GB, and so on. Not to mention how the actual Mac OS memory manager handles it.

energyx

Jun 04, 2024 12:36 PM

7,550 Posts

Joined Jan 2005

energyxJun 04, 2024 12:36 PM

7,550 Posts

Quote from Enix82

:

I think the sweet spot is 16GB. However, for you or anyone else wondering about Apple's memory claims. Apple switched from Intel based macs to the Apple silicon based chips - the m1 m2 etc. This is why you can't bootcamp the machines anymore. The Apple silicon chips process the unified memory differently. The physical memory is built on to the M series chip. So 8GB ram is effectively 16GB and the 16GB is 32GB, and so on. Not to mention how the actual Mac OS memory manager handles it.

It just puts the excess used RAM in swap and wears out the soldered on SSD even faster.

Elon69

Jun 04, 2024 12:43 PM

2,627 Posts

Joined Nov 2010

Elon69Jun 04, 2024 12:43 PM

2,627 Posts

Quote from SkillSlick

:

How you get that? I am getting value of $244 while purchasing M2 mini. 🤔 Can you share your trade-in value/cal?

M2 Mac Mini came out then I saw a slick deal about the EDU and Giftcard combo.

$599 - $100 EDU instant discount - $100 Gift card = $399
My trade in for Mac Mini was $305. So the upgrade was $399 - $305= $94?
Maybe I calculated it wrong now I am thinking about it more.

This was the M2 order. It was total of $200 off from $599 list price right?

Mac mini
With the following configuration:
Apple M2 with 8-core CPU, 10-core GPU, 16‑core Neural Engine
8GB unified memory
256GB SSD storage
Gigabit Ethernet
Two Thunderbolt 4 ports, HDMI port, two USB-A ports, headphone jack
Accessory Kit
$499.00
Qty 1
$499.00

Savings
-$100.00. (EDU Discount)

Apple Trade In
Estimated trade-in refund:
$305.00
Your device:
Mac mini M1 8-Core CPU and 8-Core GPU (Late 2020) 256GB SSD
You'll receive a trade-in kit with a box, a prepaid label, and packing and shipping instructions to send back your old device.

Apple Gift Card by Email (Special Offer)
$100.00
Qty 1
$100.00

1

Skap

Jun 04, 2024 12:50 PM

2,913 Posts

Joined Sep 2006

SkapJun 04, 2024 12:50 PM

2,913 Posts

Quote from RyanR5412

:

Can y'all put microcenter in the dang title so that I don't bother to click the bloody link

Quote from 83tnaznav

:

Fkn A

Quote from RyanR5412

:

I know, right? No way in hell I can even attempt to get to Fairfax VA to try and snag one. And I'm one state over.

It boggles my mind that you begin a thread title with "in store: YMMV" and do not put the store in the title!! Can't someone fix the title so those of use with no microcenter stores can ignore thread?? i clicked on it hoping maybe a best buy deal or similar.

kvkkvk

Jun 04, 2024 02:41 PM

293 Posts

Joined Jun 2017

kvkkvkJun 04, 2024 02:41 PM

293 Posts

Quote from Revo77

:

8gb is barely enough ram for basic stuff. Don't listen to apple's BS about their new chips not needing adequate sounding RAM. I have a mini with 8gb and one with 16gb and it's a night and day difference.

You know it is technically possible to upgrade them. You can remove the nand chips and solder new ones on.

1

dclive

Jun 04, 2024 03:18 PM

6,228 Posts

Joined Mar 2008

dcliveJun 04, 2024 03:18 PM

6,228 Posts

Quote from sdaddict001

:

LMAO come on now. Those geniuses have had zero clue. They're not there to troubleshoot anything. I had issue with my phone and three times I had to comeback to that store and then was told to exchange it for a refurbished which had the same damn problem. Each time they'd make me wipe my phone and start over, not even a restore from backup. So yes they maybe best at recommending swaps but they're not technically solving shit.

Do you expect them to reprogram the phone? "Reimaging" / Reset is a normal, basic t-shooting step for those not able to do it themselves. Typically that solves most problems, but if it doesn't (with no third party apps installed) then it becomes a hardware problem, and only then.

And yes, they have by far the best support in the business. Please define exactly what support you would get from Hauwei or OnePlus Android phones? "Even" Samsung is a disaster compared to Apple Support. The fact that you can even complain about it by walking into a Genius Bar (which isn't offered via other vendors) is a riot.

2

SplendidBelieve2807

Jun 04, 2024 03:19 PM

204 Posts

Joined Oct 2022

SplendidBelieve2807Jun 04, 2024 03:19 PM

204 Posts

Quote from intromission

:

This wouldn't work well for Logic, I think.

It works fantastic for Logic Pro.

2

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

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