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Not true. There have been videos showcasing even this base model as a gaming PC (ex: ETAPrime's on YouTube). Runs modern games at 1080p/60fps or 1440p with Metal upscaling. Kind of crazy how capable this thing is.
Macs don't operate like a PC. Keep in mind that a PC needs 2x the RAM to come close to the performance of a mac. It's night-and-day. Apple silicon is more like a phone than a PC. An 8GB m1 from six years ago is still snappier than a Ryzen AM4 with 16GB of RAM when editing HD video, compiling code, or running local models.
It's not to say you can't get a good dedicated GPU for models (with +16GB of RAM) or the fastest Gen 4/5 NVMe and approach the level of mac performance, but notice how much a PC like that costs.
Apple's Mac mini here is framed as a compact, fast desktop that can handle everyday work well and even some gaming, with strong single thread performance and Mac efficiency helping 16GB go further than expected. The small form factor is a major draw, and external storage or a Thunderbolt NVMe dock can make 256GB workable for lighter setups. The main knocks are the fixed RAM and storage, which block upgrades and make the price feel high for a near $800 machine. That makes it best suited to buyers who can live within the base configuration.
People doing light everyday computing, because the base model is described as fast for surfing, office work, and other light-duty tasks.
Creators and coders whose workloads stay within 16GB, because Apple silicon can feel snappier than a PC with more RAM for video editing, compiling code, and local models.
Power users who need to upgrade memory or storage later, because the RAM and NVMe are fixed and a larger configuration means selling and rebuying the machine.
At $779.99, the price is seen as high for a 16GB/256GB configuration, especially compared with recent lower-priced Mac mini deals and open-box alternatives. A nearby Micro Center open-box unit around $700 or an M4 16/256 deal around $679 has been cited as a better value.
16GB is enough for many everyday and even some heavier tasks because Apple silicon can stretch memory further than a typical PC. It may still be too little for users who want 24GB or more for their workload, especially if they expect to keep many apps or models open at once.
256GB can work if you plan to use external storage from the start, including Thunderbolt NVMe docks or small external SSDs. It is a poor fit if you want to keep large game libraries or lots of local files on the internal drive, since the storage is fixed and not user-upgradeable.
No, the RAM and internal storage are fixed, so you cannot upgrade them later. That makes the base configuration a long-term commitment and can force a sell-and-rebuy path if your needs grow.
It can handle gaming better than a light-duty-only machine, with videos showing the base model running modern games at 1080p/60fps or 1440p with Metal upscaling. It is still not ideal if you want to install very large game libraries on the internal 256GB drive.
If you're near a Microcenter and don't mind open box, my local has a couple of those for $700. Good price and it's a brand new device so real unlikely to have wear and tear plus should still have Apple warranty
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If ram and nvme were removable, I would buy in a heartbeat. Until then, I'll never own a Mac computer.Just knowing that I can buy a configuration and come to need more and I need to sell and rebuy the unit, hell no.
Idk why so many downvotes for my comment. I can acknowledge Apple makes good shit, I just can't justify being tied down with storage and ram. I own an iPhone and feel it's superior to every other device. I guess some people just commit 100% to being fanboys.I say this as someone who HATES windows and and trying to find every reason to move to Mac OS, and this is holding me back.
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Idk why so many downvotes for my comment. I can acknowledge Apple makes good shit, I just can't justify being tied down with storage and ram. I own an iPhone and feel it's superior to every other device. I guess some people just commit 100% to being fanboys.I say this as someone who HATES windows and and trying to find every reason to move to Mac OS, and this is holding me back.
Because people are loyal cultists to some brands and any criticism shall be punished. I've owned Macs back to a 233mhz G3 and lots between then and now. I'm not sorry to call out that 256GB of fixed hard drive is NOT enough for a computer costing nearly $1000. It forces you to buy external storage to do much of anything which defeats the point of having a small form factor computer. There's no reason to not make the HD user upgradeable other than to artificially raise the price on models that provide more space. At bare minimum, add a space and slot for an NVME SSD or something internally.
The RAM I can excuse given how Apple puts these together.. there are no user upgradeable 3rd party parts that work properly and even if they made it modular then that invites new bugs and security risks. That said, I still think they should be individually upgradeable/replaceable so that the spec could be improved down the road. These games are really only seen as reasonable by people who tend to upgrade every three years like clockwork.
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Only good for surfing internet and light duty tasks.
Not true. There have been videos showcasing even this base model as a gaming PC (ex: ETAPrime's on YouTube). Runs modern games at 1080p/60fps or 1440p with Metal upscaling. Kind of crazy how capable this thing is.
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- although the 256gb in my opinion is the real travesty, even in a cloud first world. Need space for my repos locally!
With that out if the way, perhaps this thread can focus on the discussion that actually matters.
MacOS actually does a great job offloading everything important (even new app installs) to an external drive with a few settings. And Mac Minis in particular can get those cool docks that sit under them that take a NVMe drive and connect via Thunderbolt. You can easily get by with 256GB on a Mac, just budget to buy an external (and one of these docks if you want to go that direction) from the start.
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from JoeJoeBlow90
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If ram and nvme were removable, I would buy in a heartbeat. Until then, I'll never own a Mac computer.
Just knowing that I can buy a configuration and come to need more and I need to sell and rebuy the unit, hell no.
Macs don't operate like a PC. Keep in mind that a PC needs 2x the RAM to come close to the performance of a mac. It's night-and-day. Apple silicon is more like a phone than a PC. An 8GB m1 from six years ago is still snappier than a Ryzen AM4 with 16GB of RAM when editing HD video, compiling code, or running local models.
It's not to say you can't get a good dedicated GPU for models (with +16GB of RAM) or the fastest Gen 4/5 NVMe and approach the level of mac performance, but notice how much a PC like that costs.
Last edited by FancyCemetery555 October 19, 2026 at 01:38 PM.
Macs don't operate like a PC. Keep in mind that a PC needs 2x the RAM to come close to the performance of a mac. It's night-and-day. Apple silicon is more like a phone than a PC. An 8GB m1 from six years ago is still snappier than a Ryzen AM4 with 16GB of RAM when editing HD video, compiling code, or running local models. It's not to say you can't get a good dedicated GPU for models (with +16GB of RAM) or the fastest Gen 4/5 NVMe and approach the level of mac performance, but notice how much a PC like that costs.
I realize that, but also realize the nvme does have a lifespan "terrabytes written" in today's age, 256GB, you'll go through the nvme so quickly. It's unacceptable for me to not be replaceable.
Not that it's the same, but if you're near the Kansas City suburb of Overland Park, the Micro Center there has the 2024 M4 Mini with 16/256 for $679. There's a metric ton of them in stock too. No shipping so you gotta make the pilgrimage.
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It's not to say you can't get a good dedicated GPU for models (with +16GB of RAM) or the fastest Gen 4/5 NVMe and approach the level of mac performance, but notice how much a PC like that costs.
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Apple's Mac mini here is framed as a compact, fast desktop that can handle everyday work well and even some gaming, with strong single thread performance and Mac efficiency helping 16GB go further than expected. The small form factor is a major draw, and external storage or a Thunderbolt NVMe dock can make 256GB workable for lighter setups. The main knocks are the fixed RAM and storage, which block upgrades and make the price feel high for a near $800 machine. That makes it best suited to buyers who can live within the base configuration.
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The RAM I can excuse given how Apple puts these together.. there are no user upgradeable 3rd party parts that work properly and even if they made it modular then that invites new bugs and security risks. That said, I still think they should be individually upgradeable/replaceable so that the spec could be improved down the road. These games are really only seen as reasonable by people who tend to upgrade every three years like clockwork.
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With that out if the way, perhaps this thread can focus on the discussion that actually matters.
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Just knowing that I can buy a configuration and come to need more and I need to sell and rebuy the unit, hell no.
It's not to say you can't get a good dedicated GPU for models (with +16GB of RAM) or the fastest Gen 4/5 NVMe and approach the level of mac performance, but notice how much a PC like that costs.
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